getting old sucks and having the correct tools helps

Grumpy

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
one of my neighbors brought an old power steering pump over to the shop today and ask me if I had the correct allen key to remove a set screw that he needed to remove!
setscrews.jpg


the old part was covered in old dirt/grease and after trying a few allen keys that didn,t fit I grabbed a can of brake cleaner spray and cleaned and degreased the area.
I grabbed my lighted magnifying glass we use mostly for reading spark plugs and found I was dealing with a ROLL PIN which was about 3/32" in diam. so a drift punch was required to push it out! obviously no allen key would be of any use!
drift punch.jpg

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dasco-Pro-Small-Pin-Punch-Set-3-Piece-34/100507476


http://www.harborfreight.com/3x-magnify ... 94367.html
image_14883.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/315-piece-roll-pin-assortment-67682.html
20119.jpg


I could easily see where the confusion was due to the dirt and poor lighting
 
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dozens, and dozens, but they are all on my list, to acquire!
but mostly rather expensive ones,
Id say 8 times out of ten, when you first start working on cars youll find its the smaller less expensive tools that cost under $30 that cause you to stop a project for awhile until you get access to them, after awhile youve acquired a larger collection and don,t give it a second thought, at the wide selection your using
keep in mind there's a long list of more expensive tools,
like mills, lathes, various types of welders, car lifts, drill presses, belt sanders, engine stands , engine cranes, hydraulic presses, air compressors, band saws crosscut saws. (test gauges, meters, code readers, timing lights micrometers, infrared temp gauges, bore gauges)
that most of us wish we owned or spent a great deal of time effort and money acquiring over decades

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-value-vs-price-and-options.12312/#post-60702

https://garage.grumpysperformance.c...20-ton-hydraulic-press-of-course-you-do.2735/

mill and lathe info you might need

theres info, with videos included, in the link and more videos below theres a ton of valid info that you would need in these links that will allow you to gain a basic understanding of whats required to use a milling machine or lathe...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

compressor info

most shops have or would like to have an air compressor to run air wrenches, fill tires, run die grinders ETC. the problem, is most reasonably priced air compressors can,t maintain the flow volume at reasonable pressure levels and your constantly waiting for the tank to re-pressurize, so you...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

yodam.jpg

you tend to get what you pay for in the level of quality in precision tools,
keep in mind you don't always require the best quality tool to do a very nice build,
but you seldom get great results with low quality tools either,
its generally best to get upper mid range tools
but there are bargains, make a detailed list of your goals,
and the parts and tools you need and ask questions,
don't guess or assume anything.
and you certainly don't need the very best tool quality to build an acceptable and durable engine,
if you look over this web site you'll see its set up to answer questions and help guide you,
in engine assembly and avoiding problems.
I'd recommend you get a sturdy engine stand and a darn good quality auto lift and floor jacks etc.
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/starter-tool-set.6032/
 
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set screw assortment------------check
punch pin drift sets-------------check
Roll pin assortment-------------check
Magnifying glass----------------check
enough light??????????--------Really like the magnifying glass with a light, gotta pick one up. Ya, pushing 60 and already up to 2.5 reading glasses.
 
Yeah I know the feeling. I could have 5 Snap On trucks full in the garage & still need something else the next day.My biggest tool problem was born 33 years ago & always forgets the meaning of the words lend & borrow
 
Yep. I can't find any of those hard-to-find pieces anywhere around here.
Great quality and very reasonable prices too.
 
pbjoint.jpg


http://www.homedepot.com/p/Powerbuilt-23-Piece-Ball-Joint-U-Joint-Service-Kit-648617/203120548?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|G|0|G-BASE-PLA-D25T-Garage-Automotive|&gclid=CM7-rI-e-tQCFUa4wAodcnEHfg&gclsrc=aw.ds
23301a.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/36-piece-3 ... 60669.html

harbor freight has cheap and perfectly acceptable calipers
calipersaa.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-dial-caliper-62362.html
13cal.jpg


18512.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-travel-machinists-dial-indicator-623.html
16336.jpg

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATI-918999/?image=large


918999.jpg


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-100-9942/overview/

StretchGauges2.jpg



one factor I find rather annoying is that every time I price out tools, I purchased years ago , or need to replace worn out tools,
, the price has increased a great deal, Ive purchased dozens of tools over the decades,
and yeah, occasionally lent those out and its seems like a great many never get returned or get returned with broken or missing parts.
yeah I'm well aware of inflation, but its still a bit of a shock when a tool you purchased a decade ago now lists for 2-3 times what you originally paid.


yeah! theres long bloody fingernail marks on the pavement showing where I was reluctantly being drug kicking and screaming all the way into the computer age... this was what I was REQUIRED too use in college when I went through engineering classes
versa2.jpg


now I carry a more modern version, so yeah over time I learn too adapt.
tx83plus.jpg
 
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