Tool me, school me

Banana Hammock · 05-22-2018, 02:10 PM

The shape of the fastener will determine which socket you'll use. Using a 12 point on a 6 sided bolt will work but that's risky business. Limited surface area contact runs the risk of rounding the bolt which is never fun. This is especially true when you're cranking down hard on a stuck bolt.

Maynard · 05-22-2018, 03:10 PM

Spend more for the sockets, since inaccurate or weak ones will round off the bolt/nuts. Ditto for driver-bits and screwdrivers - skip those '400 bit' sets made in China, they will just bring heartache and damaged parts.

The value of 12-points is that they only require 1/12th of a turn - good in tight quarters (same for ratchets - having one with micro-clicks is a good idea, but also a little weaker).

1/4 drive can be real useful for tight spaces too, as the extenders and u-joints are small and can fit lots of places. They also help you avoid overtorquing small nuts like for sheet metal screws or electronics. Those spring-drive bendable extensions are life-savers sometimes.

Get adapters (1/4 to 3/8, 3/8 to 1/2 and vice versa) - then you can usually use any socket w/ any driver (or have two at the same time, if you need that). Deep sockets are useful if working with nuts on long bolts (or that gizmo noted above with the 'thru-bolt' design).

Good screwdrivers are also a real joy. Start with a basic set, then add the weird little ones to get into small spaces as you need them. Cheap ones will be problems unless all you do is tighten things around the house.

Go cheap for the brute force stuff like a 1/2" breaker bar (or better yet, check out a pawn shop - they have LOTS of used tools cheap and you can probably find Craftsman or better). If you put a pipe on the handle of most 3/8 ratchets and really crank down, they will break or be damaged (sockets will balloon out too). Those black 'impact driver' sockets are high-strength and very hard to break, if you work a lot with old cars or rusted bolts. They also make an impact driver that gives you the power to unstick things w/o pneumatic driver.

Other tools I use a lot are a set of picks (large and small), pry bars (like big screwdrivers), and aviation snips (cutting nails, wire, and some sheet metal). I have a set of ratcheting wrenches that can be super in close quarters. Other special wrenches include ones for tubing/flare nuts, super thin ones, and stubby ones. Can't get enough weird specialty drivers either - the screwdriver-handles w/ 1/4 and 3/8 drives are often in use, as is a t-handle.

Also a good idea to keep a small tool set put aside for household use - once you get them covered w/ grease, you won't want to use them around the house or for woodworking.

UncleWede · 05-22-2018, 06:08 PM

I know you measure things in C and mm up north, but consider also having a set of SAE sizes for things you might buy from 'Murica. Yes, they will fit SAE/metric in a pinch, but you really don't want to be doing that.

Dang3r · 05-23-2018, 10:18 AM

Im glad to use metric tools, that converting into anglo-american values at working at aircrafts had bothering me lots of time

Sea-Tac · 05-23-2018, 08:47 PM

Always clean the fleshlight after use and store in a clean dry place.

flipmeraz · 05-24-2018, 02:33 AM

If working on German cars make sure you buy a set of Torx, E-torx and Hex sockets. As far as organization, I bought these colored magnetic socket trays from Home Depot and they've held up fine

jaye944 · 05-25-2018, 08:51 AM

nice advice and explanation,
txs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maynard

Spend more for the sockets, since inaccurate or weak ones will round off the bolt/nuts. Ditto for driver-bits and screwdrivers - skip those '400 bit' sets made in China, they will just bring heartache and damaged parts.

The value of 12-points is that they only require 1/12th of a turn - good in tight quarters (same for ratchets - having one with micro-clicks is a good idea, but also a little weaker).

1/4 drive can be real useful for tight spaces too, as the extenders and u-joints are small and can fit lots of places. They also help you avoid overtorquing small nuts like for sheet metal screws or electronics. Those spring-drive bendable extensions are life-savers sometimes.

Get adapters (1/4 to 3/8, 3/8 to 1/2 and vice versa) - then you can usually use any socket w/ any driver (or have two at the same time, if you need that). Deep sockets are useful if working with nuts on long bolts (or that gizmo noted above with the 'thru-bolt' design).

Good screwdrivers are also a real joy. Start with a basic set, then add the weird little ones to get into small spaces as you need them. Cheap ones will be problems unless all you do is tighten things around the house.

Go cheap for the brute force stuff like a 1/2" breaker bar (or better yet, check out a pawn shop - they have LOTS of used tools cheap and you can probably find Craftsman or better). If you put a pipe on the handle of most 3/8 ratchets and really crank down, they will break or be damaged (sockets will balloon out too). Those black 'impact driver' sockets are high-strength and very hard to break, if you work a lot with old cars or rusted bolts. They also make an impact driver that gives you the power to unstick things w/o pneumatic driver.

Other tools I use a lot are a set of picks (large and small), pry bars (like big screwdrivers), and aviation snips (cutting nails, wire, and some sheet metal). I have a set of ratcheting wrenches that can be super in close quarters. Other special wrenches include ones for tubing/flare nuts, super thin ones, and stubby ones. Can't get enough weird specialty drivers either - the screwdriver-handles w/ 1/4 and 3/8 drives are often in use, as is a t-handle.

Also a good idea to keep a small tool set put aside for household use - once you get them covered w/ grease, you won't want to use them around the house or for woodworking.

jaye944 · 05-25-2018, 08:53 AM

niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

+1 on the torx/e-torx and hex soc advise

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipmeraz

If working on German cars make sure you buy a set of Torx, E-torx and Hex sockets. As far as organization, I bought these colored magnetic socket trays from Home Depot and they've held up fine

PINeely · 05-25-2018, 01:28 PM

And triple squares, especially for VW cars

King Rudi · 05-25-2018, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipmeraz

If working on German cars make sure you buy a set of Torx, E-torx and Hex sockets. As far as organization, I bought these colored magnetic socket trays from Home Depot and they've held up fine

sspade · 05-25-2018, 02:10 PM

Ive been rocking this as my go to set for a year or so. Definitely not "high end" but honestly feels very solid, heavy and well made. Best set I could find for the price ($50). Would recommend to others that are looking to start a tool collection. Good start.

STANLEY STMT72254 123-Piece Master Mechanics Black Chrome Socket Set

https://www.stanleytools.com/product...-set/stmt72254

05-22-2018, 02:10 PM	#23
Banana Hammock Beefcake 3738 Rep 711 Posts Drives: R32 GTR Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	The shape of the fastener will determine which socket you'll use. Using a 12 point on a 6 sided bolt will work but that's risky business. Limited surface area contact runs the risk of rounding the bolt which is never fun. This is especially true when you're cranking down hard on a stuck bolt.
	Appreciate 1 jaye9441023.00 Quote

05-22-2018, 03:10 PM	#24
Maynard Colonel 4190 Rep 2,950 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	Spend more for the sockets, since inaccurate or weak ones will round off the bolt/nuts. Ditto for driver-bits and screwdrivers - skip those '400 bit' sets made in China, they will just bring heartache and damaged parts. The value of 12-points is that they only require 1/12th of a turn - good in tight quarters (same for ratchets - having one with micro-clicks is a good idea, but also a little weaker). 1/4 drive can be real useful for tight spaces too, as the extenders and u-joints are small and can fit lots of places. They also help you avoid overtorquing small nuts like for sheet metal screws or electronics. Those spring-drive bendable extensions are life-savers sometimes. Get adapters (1/4 to 3/8, 3/8 to 1/2 and vice versa) - then you can usually use any socket w/ any driver (or have two at the same time, if you need that). Deep sockets are useful if working with nuts on long bolts (or that gizmo noted above with the 'thru-bolt' design). Good screwdrivers are also a real joy. Start with a basic set, then add the weird little ones to get into small spaces as you need them. Cheap ones will be problems unless all you do is tighten things around the house. Go cheap for the brute force stuff like a 1/2" breaker bar (or better yet, check out a pawn shop - they have LOTS of used tools cheap and you can probably find Craftsman or better). If you put a pipe on the handle of most 3/8 ratchets and really crank down, they will break or be damaged (sockets will balloon out too). Those black 'impact driver' sockets are high-strength and very hard to break, if you work a lot with old cars or rusted bolts. They also make an impact driver that gives you the power to unstick things w/o pneumatic driver. Other tools I use a lot are a set of picks (large and small), pry bars (like big screwdrivers), and aviation snips (cutting nails, wire, and some sheet metal). I have a set of ratcheting wrenches that can be super in close quarters. Other special wrenches include ones for tubing/flare nuts, super thin ones, and stubby ones. Can't get enough weird specialty drivers either - the screwdriver-handles w/ 1/4 and 3/8 drives are often in use, as is a t-handle. Also a good idea to keep a small tool set put aside for household use - once you get them covered w/ grease, you won't want to use them around the house or for woodworking.
	Appreciate 1 jaye9441023.00 Quote

05-22-2018, 06:08 PM	#25
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18404 Rep 9,420 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	I know you measure things in C and mm up north, but consider also having a set of SAE sizes for things you might buy from 'Murica. Yes, they will fit SAE/metric in a pinch, but you really don't want to be doing that.
	Appreciate 2 King Rudi13070.50 jaye9441023.00 Quote

05-23-2018, 10:18 AM	#26
Dang3r Schmollbraten 12482 Rep 1,985 Posts Drives: M4CPC // HP4 Comp. Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Liandri Central Core iTrader: (0)	Im glad to use metric tools, that converting into anglo-american values at working at aircrafts had bothering me lots of time __________________ Citizen of ///M - Town, where too much is just right Some say, that my scrotum has its own small gravity field and when Im slowing down that brake lights come on at my buttox
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05-23-2018, 08:47 PM	#27
Sea-Tac Major 1448 Rep 1,487 Posts Drives: 2108 X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 xDrive30i [0.00] 2016 328i xDrive [0.00]	Always clean the fleshlight after use and store in a clean dry place.
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05-24-2018, 02:33 AM	#28
flipmeraz Lieutenant 209 Rep 535 Posts Drives: 10 e92 m3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Central Coast Cali iTrader: (4)	If working on German cars make sure you buy a set of Torx, E-torx and Hex sockets. As far as organization, I bought these colored magnetic socket trays from Home Depot and they've held up fine Attached Images __________________
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05-25-2018, 01:28 PM	#31
PINeely Lieutenant Colonel 1078 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jackson, MS iTrader: (2)	And triple squares, especially for VW cars
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05-25-2018, 02:10 PM	#33
sspade Major General 2487 Rep 5,466 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Stevenson, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [7.87] 2014 BMW 328i [6.83]	Ive been rocking this as my go to set for a year or so. Definitely not "high end" but honestly feels very solid, heavy and well made. Best set I could find for the price ($50). Would recommend to others that are looking to start a tool collection. Good start. STANLEY STMT72254 123-Piece Master Mechanics Black Chrome Socket Set https://www.stanleytools.com/product...-set/stmt72254
	Appreciate 0 Quote