I need to go tool shopping. My ex had most of the tools and since we split, I have little of my own. I have one toolbox with some of my granpda's tools, a small socket set, a few wrenches, and screwdrivers,etc. What tools do you use the most on your bird? I'm looking to buy a quality tool set too. Nothing professional but not low quality either. I don't really want a set with a lot of pieces I won't use either. Any recommendations on a set, brand, or where to buy? I'm thinking Craftsman from Sears right now.
"An ignorant man thinks he knows everything, a wise man knows he doesn't."
I have a mini set of 1/4" socket wrenches (non-metric of course) that I use constantly for trim, emblems, interior stuff. That gets the most use by me. They work great for hard to reach locations.
And then the handy magnetic screw drivers (the original 'cordless' type):)
Some specialty tools such as door panel and window crank remover were discussed here the past day or so.
Otherwise a nice 1/2" socket set and some big hammers work for other parts, especially the stubborn ones.
I buy a lot at the local Menard's store. I'm not sure if they spread over as far as western ND though.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Thanks for the info. There is a Menards in my hometown,Bismarck. It's 100 miles away but I get there every 2-3 months and will be there over Xmas break. Another reason for me wanting to move back there...better shopping choices and more automotive stores.
"An ignorant man thinks he knows everything, a wise man knows he doesn't."
I`d wait until I have the bird to work on, that will probably help decide which tools you need, like depending on what the car you buy is most in need of... a good flip up carrying kit with all sockets , some pliers, a hammer (metric!) a few screwdrivers may get you started though...a kit that you later can keep in the trunk on cruises... a small jack, jack stands and a crawler might be good for a start too.... an extendable magnet for when you drop nuts ,bolts etc in bad spots, and a small extendable mirror...
I agree and love my Craftsman tools. Particularly use my ratcheting, reversible wrenches with 6 point sockets. Six point sockets and wrenches have less chance of rounding off bolt heads. Their flat sided wrenches are nice also, better comfort and better pulling and pushing power. Jeff
[quote=Bjorn Sefeldt]"I`d wait until I have the bird to work on, that will probably help decide which tools you need, like depending on what the car you buy is most in need of..."
Yeah, it will depend on what I need to work on and I'm sure I will be buying tools along the way like specialty tools. I'm looking to get a good start on some of the basics and what I will probably use more off. I do need to get jack stands. Right now anything I work on I have to go to my brother-in-law's to borrow his stands and some of his tools.
Good tips from everyone, keep them coming please.
"An ignorant man thinks he knows everything, a wise man knows he doesn't."
Sears has Craftsman 154 Mechanic's tool set originally 149.99 now 99.99 until tomorrow. That would probably be a good place to start.
A tachometer, dial-back timing light (you can also buy timing lights that do both) and vacuum gage are also very useful if you do your own tuning (even if you just set the idle mixture and speed.)
Sounds like a good deal on the Craftman set. I will check it out. I will have to do tuning on the bird. Right now my daily driver (Grand Am) has a computerized system so I don't have to mess with that. I just have to change fluids, filters, etc. for maintennance. What size torque wrenches are used most often on the bird? I know I need at least one of those.
"An ignorant man thinks he knows everything, a wise man knows he doesn't."
Believe it or not, look on ebay for used Craftsman.
If you can wait for spring, hit one of the swap meets for an even better deal. They ALWAYS have vendors there selling used hand tools. It does not matter what condition the Craftsman units are in, because you can always swap them out wit new ones if they are good.
If you do decide to go with a new set, you can order online and use coupon code SWELCOME0098 for an extra $5.00 what you do decide to buy. Clearance or not.
Cat, that's a good idea checking out ebay and swap meets. Don't really have many swap meets for tools around here but it would be a good idea to check some of the garage sales. I should check some auctions too. I see a lot of farm auctions in the paper and they usually list tools. It's hard to put a number on a budget right now. I just plan to pick up what I need little by little. I do love getting quality at bargain price but then who doesn't. I have no need to rush. I plan to do a lot of reading and research before I dig into a project. I can do that until the weather gets warmer. Too cold to really work on anything now. I just want to look into what I need and get some recommendations so I can start picking things up. I'm in prep mode and trying to turn my dream into a reality.
"An ignorant man thinks he knows everything, a wise man knows he doesn't."
My dad bought a bazillion piece Craftsman set with 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" deep, shallow and metric, wrenches 1/4" to 3/4", hand driver and a dozen or so bits, and more with a three drawer plastic box. It covered 85% of what we needed to disassemble his car. The rest was specialized tools like spring compressors, wiper arm tools, etc.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
when i worked in the shop all i used was snap on or mac tools but now i use the el cheapo tools you get at harbor freight due to the loss of so many when pulling apart old junk cars.craftsman tools are good for a do it yourselfer.
Craftsmen is good, IMO Snap-on is better. 1/4" and 3/8" socket sets a minimum. Flat ratchet sets are great also. I also highly recommend a good blender and stereo. Drinks and music seem to bring in neighbors whith lot's of helping hands
I also highly recommend a good blender and stereo. Drinks and music seem to bring in neighbors whith lot's of helping hands
Good, I have the blender and stereo covered...lol. Thanks a lot everyone for the tips. It's really helpful. I'm making a list of the things noted here.
Poncho and others, just to give ya an idea what I have in mind what I plan to do:
First of all, I need to clean my unheated garage out and make room. I will do that this spring. In the meantime, I will be looking for tools.
2nd step, Obtain a block to start working on for rebuild and collecting parts for it. I will let someone else machine it but plan to put the motor together with help from others. My first engine rebuild, so I definitely want to make sure I do it right and be precise. Poncho(or anyone else that has done rebuilds), advice from you on tools here would be helpful. I did see in the service manual a list of the rebuild tools but your advice is appreciated.
3rd step, find a decent shell of a Firebird. Frame must be good. Not too concerned with panels. I know those can be found. My brother did autobody work so I will be asking for his help on tools, work, etc there. He worked in a shop that did UPS trucks, race cars, and even the Hooter bus. I will leave the painting to him but I plan to help with the sanding and assembly.
4th step, getting a transmission and putting it in the car along with the engine and everything else that hooks up to it.
5th step is interior work. Some of this will probably coincide with step 4.
6th step, any finishing touches.
This is a rough outline. I wanted to do the engine first because I have room in the garage for just one car plus an engine. Once I get the shell, I will have to start paying for a storage garage. Just trying to save costs there.
Any input on the project is welcome.
"An ignorant man thinks he knows everything, a wise man knows he doesn't."
The usual way to do it is to park the daily drivers outside.
I wish I felt comfortable leaving my daily driver outside. I have had my car broken into when I left it out and two summers ago some idiots shot out a bunch of car windows on my block. If I didn't have my car in the garage, my windows would have been shot out too. Once I get the bird operating, I will probably take it out of storage and put it in my garage. I won't mind so much if my daily driver is left out then.
"An ignorant man thinks he knows everything, a wise man knows he doesn't."
Thanks Cat for the info on the good deals. I'm going to wait until after Christmas to buy tools. You never know what Santa might bring me. Plus Saturday, I had a flat tire and had to spend money on new tires for the rear so any money I had for tools this month went out the window.
"An ignorant man thinks he knows everything, a wise man knows he doesn't."
The usual way to do it is to park the daily drivers outside.
I wish I felt comfortable leaving my daily driver outside. I have had my car broken into when I left it out and two summers ago some idiots shot out a bunch of car windows on my block. If I didn't have my car in the garage, my windows would have been shot out too. Once I get the bird operating, I will probably take it out of storage and put it in my garage. I won't mind so much if my daily driver is left out then.
we leave 3 daily drivers out, used to be 4 when daughter lived at home...only car in my garage is the Firebird...
but I`m sure it has lots to do with which city, area of town etc...at least at night I have 3 cars blocking my bird! lol
we leave 3 daily drivers out, used to be 4 when daughter lived at home...only car in my garage is the Firebird...
but I`m sure it has lots to do with which city, area of town etc...at least at night I have 3 cars blocking my bird! lol
Overall, ND is low on crime. We have the lowest rate in the nation. Dickinson is good for raising kids with good schools,etc. The problem is the small meth use here. Many meth users steal to supply their habit. The idiots who shot out the windows used to be neighbors. I spotted them smoking something out of glass one night in a car then they left. I think it was within a week that the windows got shot out. I live in a condo association but one guy owns a lot of the condos and rents them out. The ones he rents out to are the ones that give me problems. The other condo owners are really nice and I have no problems with them.
When it's below zero like it has been lately, it's nice to have my car in the garage. The car is warmer and I don't have to scrape windows in the cold. I have been a bit spoiled with that. I'm not looking forward to going back to scraping windows again.
"An ignorant man thinks he knows everything, a wise man knows he doesn't."
My daughter got a Craftmans 154pc tool set from her dad for Christmas. I'm sure he bought it for her so she has the tools when she takes autoshop at the high school. I think she will let me borrow it.
"An ignorant man thinks he knows everything, a wise man knows he doesn't."
One tool I would recommend if the need arises is a valve spring compression tool I got yesterday that is going to make my life a lot easier. This one is made by Proform and screws onto the rocker stud w/ a forked part that sticks out and compresses the spring. It cams over and locks down so you have two hands free to remove keepers. Sweet! $40 off ebay.
A nice Craftsman 154 pc. Mechanics Tool Set set on sale today. Follow this link and add it to your cart. Shows $99.99 on this screen but will add an additional $10 off once it is in your cart. You can pick it up locally and save on shipping. About the cheapest I have ever seen for a set of this size.
I have always used Snap-on, Mac, or proto tools just because that's what I use at work. Craftsman are the best tools in affordability. (is that even a word?)Mechanical fingers work well for those stainless peices that fall in tight places that the magnet won't get. Don't forget vise grips, cutting pliers and other various pliers. Torque wrench?
Yikes, those are both gone! My choice, would be to start off with a decent quality socket set, both 3/8" and 1/4" plus a good screwdriver set...add the bits from there.
They have a nice 204 piece set on sale. Sale ends tonight. Buy it online with instore pick up for tomorrow. Use SEARS5OFF50 coupon code for an extra $5 off. total comes out to $94
