Tool Recommendations

[kuhndg]

I really like my cordless LED worklight.

[GOPAPA]

Hello Pete112

The first tool I bought was a Metric Allen Wrench for draining the oil from the pan .. I had oodles of American standard allen wrenches but no metric ,,so I recommend you have at least this one and also for other parts of the car you could use a complete set of metric allen wrenches.. good tool to ask for Birth day as they are not cheap.. LOL LD here from Oregon

[manoa matt]

A replacement magnetic oil plug can be opened with a wrench or socket and costs about half the price of the 12mm allen wrench. Yes, that allen key is not cheap. Although you'll probably need the allen wrench to remove your existing plug. I had to buy one for the oil drain plugs on my parts cars.

A 6 inch long bolt with a 1/2" hex head will also work in a pinch, bend a 90 deg. angle in the bolt about 1 inch from the head so it resembles the geometry of an allen key. File three sides until it fits the plug. Someone else came up with a similar thing which involved a short bolt and nut that fit into the plug then could be turned by a wrench or socket.

Some of those previous owners realy put those plugs in there tight. I had to put a length of pipe on the end of the allen key to get enough leverage to remove a plug from a parts car oil pan. It only needs to be snug, and if it leaks; teflon tape.

[pope]

Just bought a new digital caliper and it has inches, metric and fractions. Didnt think I'd have a use for fractions, but I use it as much as the others now. 5/8, 2 1/4, 11/32 and so on. Its great!

[RedWolf]

Don't forget the giant hex head for oil changes once you have it up and running!

[knohbody]

I would recommend a $10 Impact Driver for stuck (rusted) screws and bolts. If you're not familiar with it, it takes bits or sockets at the end of the driver, then you smack it with a hammer or mallet and it turns it to the left or right for you. The downward pressure of the hammer keeps the head of the bolt or screw from stripping. I've used a $10 impact driver on 20 - 25 year old motorcycles for a while now. Think I bought it about 5 or 6 years ago. They last forever as long as you don't keep losing the bits, like I do.

[KillerB]

I find Crow's Feet are the best for obstructed areas where you can't get a full sized socket or a wiggle head. I've used them on aircraft and plan to buy a set for myself.



Also a wobble extension can make life easier.



Oh, yeah and an impact driver is worth it's weight in gold.... I agree!