Workshop tools - what tools do you use regularly?

[Cie]

So, I'm going to change my chain next weekend, and checking into my toolkit, it's in crap state, but rather than spend a fortune on a complete top notch kit, it seems sensible to only buy good quality tools that I'll use frequently.


I wonder what tools you use frequently?

Might be worth listing this by bike too, what socket sizes etc?

[Darkenbad]

Cie, if your replacing the chain you will need to splash out on a decent chain removal/riveting tool; I changed mine with this bit of kit, it makes life very easy. Hein Gerick do a good one, abit pricey but works a treat.

A small grinding wheel will come in handy as well, to take the rivets on the old chain down flush before pushing them out with the pricey tool.


PK

[Cie]

Thanks.. got all of that ready

But what about maintenance in general? 12mm, 14mm sockets and spanners?

[wobblemonster]

A good quality 1/4 drive socket set, preferbly with 6 sided sockets, not 12 sided. (you dont slip off or round the heads off as much.)
If you replace all the sizes in the Honda tool kit you cant go far wrong for sizes. Sealey is a decent make, with a life time warranty and easily found at motor factors etc, if you want the best then the answer has to be Snap On, very pricey ( £1.50 per mm on spanners) so a 10 mm spanner will cost you £15.00!!. but you can buy every tool singulaly and if you dont loose it, it will last for ever. When I started my apprenticship an old boy gave me a 3/4 af Snap On spanner that he got in America in 1966 I managed to break it, took it to Snap On chappy and he replaced it with no bother at all, now thats a no quibble garantee. E Bay has shed loads of Snap On gear, go on treat yourself!!
Cheap tools arnt worth a shyte, but good tools are only as good as the person using them, if you need a chisel then use a chisel not a screwdriver etc etc

[Darkenbad]

Wobblemonster, has got it right; I have a Stanley socket set thats given excellent service over the years, if you buy ****e then it will cost you in the end with rounded off nuts/bolts and busted tools just when you need them. Buy the good stuff as and when you need it, doesn't hurt the finances as much that way.


PK

[ChrisH]

Toally agree with the others and especially don't buy a torque wrench from Lidl Sometimes it's hard to fork out for good stuff when you see 'bargains' - but you WILL pay for it in the end, as I found out when I snapped off the alternator bolt (left hand thread - torque wrench didn't click going anticlockwise.....) Ask friendly mechanics what tools they recommend, can be surprising!

[Maverick]

The best tool I bought last year was an impact tool from machine mart for a fiver. Don't know how many bolts would of still been stuck if it was not for that little miracle

I grew up with Gedore and Stahlwille both excellent spanners yet somehow difficult to buy in the UK Is it coz they german Snapon is very cool but it certainly aint cheap

[Slimie]

Cie

A digital multimeter's worth its weight in gold (mind you, they're very light!) for checking battery condition, continuity and all that electrickery. And cheap, too

Cheers
-Simon

[Chad]

yup didgital meter is good also test light is good as well invest in a good quarter drive socket set ive got snapon cost the earth but will never let you down small stumpy ratchet screwdriver with bits worth its weight in gold ,small enough to carry all the time i wouldnt be without my dremmel great for small cutting grinding and polishing jobs small hammer BIG HAMMER and ratchet spanners wonderfull things if you can afford it get a welding plant wonderfull things for modifications and doing wee jobs for your mates

stop me i could go on all night i love tools