yeah, it seems to be a hobby so to speak, collecting tools. if you think about it, its awesome getting tools! i get pumped knowing im about to buy some tools. we'll see what happens tomorrow. i'll need some more tools for these upcoming projects.

major projects coming up are: plenum, rear diff, and evap core/heater core. hopefully all this summer, if not, then before thanksgiving.

 

Don't get in too big a hurry. Just buy good quality as you need something and you'll have a nice setup before long.
I was lending a hand to my neighbor one day (he's probably in his 60s, retired Air Force colonel, pilot) and he was trying to get a big nut loose with an adjustable wrench. I said hang on and came back with my 3/4 drive ratchet and 1-1/2" socket. He was impressed.
I don't know if y'all have seen the movie "Gran Torino" but there's a great line where Clint Eastwood's character tells a young guy who is admiring his tools, "even a bonehead like you understands a man acquires this over a period of 50 years". Then he gives him some WD40, duct tape and a pair of vice-grips. It's a good movie.

 

Nothing makes a job easier like air tools. For some though, ya REALLY gotta be paying attention to what you are doing. (yes, air ratchet, I am looking at YOU.)

You can mix and match tool brands, and it will have the added benefit of giving you an idea of which tools are good, and which are not.... I stuck with craftsman mainly because they were inexpensive (as compared to some), and if I broke one, a replacement generally wasn't far away. I didn't have to wait for the tool man to come by. (which was usually once a week.......) I never really had any problems with their ratchets, granted, they weren't as good as the snap-on ratchets, but, then, they cost about a third the price too......

 

I've been meaning to see the movie Gran Torino but that line is true.

yeah, my favorite was snap-on! we used those in shop class in high school (bout 5 years ago) and those were some of the best tools i've ever used. you can just feel the difference. but yeah the price is INSANE...

 

Does anybody have an opinon on "Great Neck" tools? I bought a 3/8" drive ratchet at Autozone and I think a gasket scraper or something. Just wondering about their reputation.

 

truegent, since you're doing to plenum and the rear diff then you should look into getting some torque wrenches. I have a Craftsman Digitork inch pound and a foot pound torque wrench and they're great.

 

Gran Torino isnt that great, i own it....


also i have craftsman,snap-on, mac, cornwell, huskey, s&k, stanley, and great neck tools......stanley and great neck break pretty easily....the rest are all good.

 

where can an individual buy Mac and Cornwell tools?

 

Never mind. I checked their websites and you can order directly from them--if you're rich! I'll stick with Craftsman.

 

I got my first set of Craftsman in 1952 for Christmas. 1/2" and 1/4" drive set. I still have most of the sockets and the ratchets work like new after over 55 years. Also have lots of Snap-on, Stanley, Kobalt, more Craftsman and some Herbrand my Dad had.