What tools are a must have?

[ol HICKS]

I was just thinking what tools do yall use the most. I was thinking about buying some new stuff. What name brands do you all like. Grinders,:sawzall: , Drills,Benders,Welders, air or electric.

[freeincolorado]

Electric 3/8 inch impact wrench is your friend at the junkyard. Good tool bags and wrench rolls are great for trips to the junkyard also. Besides that complete sets of sockets and wrenches are nice. I like Snap On but that stuff is too expensive. I have a number of Craftsman tools and have been pretty happy with them (other than 1/4 inch drive ratchet handles, don't last for me for some reason). Harbor Freight is ok for the most part, lots of cool stuff there. Get a good multimeter, I wouldn't cheap out there. The best "tool" for after working on your Jeep is frosty cold beer.:D

[YellowJeep]

For electric tools, I only buy Milwaukee brand. They last MUCH longer and are more durable that everything else I have tried. But, that quality isn't free.

As far as must have stuff...I'd put a good set of ratcheting wrenches on the list. I use these by far more than just about everything else in the tool box. I also have had excellent luck with Craftsman stuff. I've had some snap-on stuff, but I didn't care for some of it and it's WAY overpriced.

I also recommend keeping some Miller Lite's and a pack of garage smokes/cigars around too. They seem to come in handy...alot!

[KyooMac]

BFH, the bigger the better! :cool:

[turtlejoe]

For my personality type, the most important tool is also the cheapest and ironically the most difficult to find at times - P A T I E N C E.
:eek::thumbsup:;)

[[]V[]AXX]

I definitely agree on the ratchet wrenches! I have not had good luck with the "Gearwrench" brand, though.

Make sure you have a good set of drill bits! A set of screw extractors, and a tap and die set. If you're doing engine work, besides the normal collection of engine tools, dump some cash into a set of blind taps to clean the spooge outta blind threaded holes. If you don't own a torque wrench, get one. The BFH has already been mentioned, if for nothing else, but to hit the Autozone employee with when he gets confused. A good punch and chisel set is your friend too. How many screwdrivers have been ruined by using them as punches? I could go on for a long time, but the stuff I've mentioned is the kind of stuff people were always wanting to borrow from me in the middle of the night when they got in over their heads.

I finally got fed up while doing some front end work recently, and went down to Chinese...I mean Harbor freight, and got a 12 ton hydraulic press. I wanted the 20, but didn't have the room. Next month, it'll be something else that I "JUST GOTTA HAVE", to get the job done...:confused:

[orangebike]

triple A card (seriously)hobart welder has been my best friend lately

[shaolinsifu]

Irwin "Bolt Offs" are worth their weight in GOLD the first time you come across a stripped bolt head or nut!!
quality penetrating oil is a must have, x2 on the ratcheting wrenches-excellent for tight spaces a socket can't fit and a box wrench would slip off after turning it 9*! I also keep a pretty good sized flat head screwdriver on hand for several scenarios-popping the hood latch, jumping a solenoid,bending sheetmetal so it doesn't slice into your sidewall... I like Husky hand tools-great quality,lifetime warranty-walk into Depot with the broken one,walk out with a new one...

[Pavementsux91XJ]

I believe that a good basic set of hand tools is key. I buy all Mac tools personally. (vendor takes care of me and they dont break easily) In terms of power tools, I like dewalt and in terms of welders, lincoln all the way. get a 220V though, the 110V are useless unless you wanna weld sheet metal.

[Lindel]

Tools

DRILL PRESS:
A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.
WIRE WHEEL:
Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, "Uh, oh!"
SKILL SAW:
A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.
PLIERS:
Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.
BELT SANDER:
An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.
HACKSAW:
One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle... It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
VISE-GRIPS:
Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.
OXYACETYLENE TORCH:
Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race..
TABLE SAW:
A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.
HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK:
Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.
BAND SAW:
A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.
TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST:
A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.
PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER:
Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.
STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER:
A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws and butchering your palms.
PRY BAR:
A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.
HOSE CUTTER:
A tool used to make hoses too short.
HAMMER:
Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the object we are trying to hit.
UTILITY KNIFE:
Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.
Son of a gun TOOL:
Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling "Son of a gun" at the top of your lungs. It is also, most often, the next tool that you will need

[Lindel]

In all seriousness, a good manual and patience are the two best tools you can have. This forum is the third. Good quality hand tools next and after that air tools and a compressor. Your skill set and your willingness to learn ups the anty considerably.

[duncanstives]

I recommend the Kobalt brand... I have had great luck with them and they take them back at lowes if they ever do fail (even without a recipt). As far as the most useful tool you can get:
Propbably a good big welder :D

[loganvilledude]

AMERICAN
MADE
If I cant' find a new American made tool I will buy a used American made tool.

"For electric tools, I only buy Milwaukee brand. They last MUCH longer and are more durable that everything else I have tried. But, that quality isn't free."

I noticed Milwaukee has joined the Chinese manufacturing outsourcing lately:banghead:. To bad for they were a true American company at one time.

[FSJ freak]

gearwrenches probably the best invention ever for garages,in my opinion and cold coors lite(im watching my figure:D

[newtojeeps]

pieces of thick scrap, or rounds of aluminum, brass , or copper. are good tools for punches or just a good cushion when you have to bash the heck out of something to get it loose.:D I have purchased a set of Craftsman tools a while back when I was a machine mechanic and I have been very pleased with them.(Some of there new ones I won't touch) There have been times when I have had to buy specialty tools for a specific task, these are some times only made by one manufacture. But the right tool for the job will prevent headaches later. I guess it is just straight greed or Business sense but almost all manufactures are going to China to have their tools made. I am just glad that I bought most of mine years ago.

[BGW]

A good set of hand tools (screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.). I have a wide range of types and sizes so I always have one that fits the hardware perfectly. I like Pratt-Read tools (made in US and eco friendly), Milwaukee, and 50s/60s/70s era power tools, which are usually more powerful/durable.

[TPICherokee]

A good set Torx bits are a necessity...

[ClovisMan]

Axle Spindle Nut Socket

[backroadin']

x2 on the Bolt-Outs!!!!!

Man, they might sit in your box for a long time but when you need 'em - they'll save you time, energy and keep a few more hairs from turning grey! It's like having a cutting torch in a tiny blow-molded case! :thumbsup:

[1983 j10]

[quote='[]V[]AXX']I definitely agree on the ratchet wrenches! I have not had good luck with the "Gearwrench" brand, though.
you do know gearwrench is a lifetime warrenty tool just take it back to where you bought it from and they will replace it. i own seveal sets i use for work on heavy equipment and they are great. and for the most part on tools you want to get something with a warrenty its worth the extra cash. if you break something take it back and get a new one. thats all i buy anymore.

[[]V[]AXX]

I have none of my original six piece set. All have broken and been replaced. I went and got replacements, but it still sucked in the middle of a job. I like the fine teeth on them in comparison to other brands, but I'd like a little more durability. I have a friend that has some Snap-on brand ratwrenches, and they're awesome, both in terms of being overpriced, and in their construction. I've got several brands now, Craftsman, Kobalt, and another SAE set of the Gearwrenches.

x-2 on the AAA membership. I got a call from my sister today, who just broke a CV axle in her Subaru in Vermont. I recall warning her about a bad CV boot on that car about a year ago....anyway, she was waiting on the tow truck as we spoke, asking me about how to go about changing it...

[threepiece188]

BFH, the bigger the better! :cool:
Not always true.
I once had someone ask for help removing some trim that was attached with sheetmetal screws. This person had an 'Engineering Degree". I told this person to use a hammer and chisel to rotate the head of the screws to break them free. He came back several minutes later with a 24oz. hammer in his hand and told me it wasn't working. I told him the hammer he was using is too big and to try using a smaller one. He gave me a funny look and began to argue. I then walked to the tool box, picked out the smallest hammer I could find and with three blows or less for each, all the screws were loose, He was amazed.
I have found that hammer size is often not considered very carefully when doing a job. As a basic guideline, I try to match the weight of the hammer with the object I am trying to move. Using a hammer that's too big can lead to dammage to the surrounding structure. It is often better to swing a smaller hammer faster than to swing a large hammer slow.
Dan

[[]V[]AXX]

Hey, don't diss the guy with the engineering degree! They keep mechanics in business!

[Snowbird_Hunter]

A big hammer and a rattle can of paint, then it is just like I used to kid with my dad about ....

"Beat to fit and paint to match!"

[Down Yonder]

FSJ? tow strap.

[J10_Jimbo]

To me anything thing and everthing, have two of each just in case you can't find the first one.

To my kids, anything and everything in my tool box, usually why I keep two of everything.

Jimbo

[asphaltrockdweller]

I have found the most valuable tool I have for my FSJ is the factory TSM.

I am forever reading using it on this waggy. Since this is my first FSJ the information I have gleamed from it is simply worth every penny I paid for it, and more!

[710 Burner]

I see Lindel shops at the same store I do. :thumbsup:

[78J-10]

Best tool for workin on my jeep has been ratcheting wrenchs and PB BLASTER!

[Daddio]

Did anyone say an air compressor and Air Tools?

Specifically:
Impact wrench with impact sockets
air ratchet wrench
cutoff wheel
grinder

Brand:
Harbor Freight works for me most of the time.

Air tools can make very fast work out of a tough job. I just can't imagine not having them around.

[Bill Moore]

Did anyone say an air compressor and Air Tools?

Specifically:
Impact wrench with impact sockets
air ratchet wrench
cutoff wheel
grinder

Brand:
Harbor Freight works for me most of the time.

Air tools can make very fast work out of a tough job. I just can't imagine not having them around.add a nibbler to that