Tool time

[Pat C]

My wife is asking me what I want for Christmas, I told her tools, and she said ok, what kind. I have a pretty standard set of tools wrenchs, sockets, screw drivers, etc. Which tools are a must have in my box to work on the FJR?

 

[str8]

I need a set of these.

Clicky

 

[kurt]

THIS a quality set of metric combination wrenches and a set of t-handle hex wrenches will do 95% of anything that needs doing on the FJR. Bonus points for a torque wrench.

 

[kurt]

A Carbtune would also make a great gift.

 

[Foxhuntr]

Better get a big socket for the steering stem nut (37mm??). Also an 85 ft/lb torque wrench for that big fella. A nice set of 1/2" sockets. I like those ratcheting combination wrenches too. T handle allen set. Big set of regular combo wrenches. The list goes on and on.

 

[airboss]

Just take the CC to harbor freight and go NUTS!

 

[Geezer]

I have a set of metric hex wrenches that fit my 3/8 ratchet handle. They are normally the first thing I reach for when working on the FJR.

You'll need a T50 torx wrench for that big bolt near the shift linkage. I bought a set of torx wrenches that also fit my 3/8 ratchet (do you detect a pattern here), but I don't use them as often as the hex set.

You can pay top dollar for stuff like Snap-On, and you can pay bottom dollar for stuff you get at Harbor Freight. You generally get what you pay for. The HF stuff bends and breaks pretty easily. The high end stuff like Snap-On are very nice but probably more than you need for ocasional use. Most of my hand tools are Craftsman. They are adequate quality, a little pricey, but replaced for free whenever I break one.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

I need a set of these.
Clicky

Snap-on hex wrenches are made by Bondhus®. You may as well save a few bucks and buy the Bondhus® brand.

 

[Pat C]

Better get a big socket for the steering stem nut (37mm??). Also an 85 ft/lb torque wrench for that big fella. A nice set of 1/2" sockets. I like those ratcheting combination wrenches too. T handle allen set. Big set of regular combo wrenches. The list goes on and on.

Isn't the steering stem nut (36mm)?

 

[str8]

I need a set of these.
Clicky

Snap-on hex wrenches are made by Bondhus®. You may as well save a few bucks and buy the Bondhus® brand.

How do you know this thing, and who is Bondhus. Forgive me, we're a little behind up here in the Great White North.

 

[Capt. Bob]

All well and good but...

Be sure to ask Santa for a good torque wrench (or two).

 

[Auburn]

An air compressor. Impact wrench/driver, die grinder, cut off wheels, maybe a small welder. Torque wrenches. Depends on how much she has in the budget.

 

[Go Far]

one of these

would be great!

 

[whoomba]

I need a set of these.
Clicky

Snap-on hex wrenches are made by Bondhus®. You may as well save a few bucks and buy the Bondhus® brand.

What he said. Just do a search.

 

[cadman]

Better get a big socket for the steering stem nut (37mm??). Also an 85 ft/lb torque wrench for that big fella. A nice set of 1/2" sockets. I like those ratcheting combination wrenches too. T handle allen set. Big set of regular combo wrenches. The list goes on and on.

Isn't the steering stem nut (36mm)?

yes it is 36mm...

An air compressor. Impact wrench/driver, die grinder, cut off wheels, maybe a small welder. Torque wrenches. Depends on how much she has in the budget.

+1 gunny

cadman

 

[CHRIS_D]

I need a set of these.
Clicky

Snap-on hex wrenches are made by Bondhus®. You may as well save a few bucks and buy the Bondhus® brand.

What he said. Just do a search.

IMO you may also want to consider getting the "ball end" type T-handle hex wrenches instead.

 

[flying junior]

My friend who's a full-time pro mechanic laughs at my Craftsman wrenches. He says they're too heavy and clunky. Says Snap-Ons are much lighter, easier on your hands when you're working with them all day. Says Craftsman stuff is so heavy so it will be harder to break, but in the process it often won't go into tight spots where Snap-on or equivalent will go.

His argument seems valid, but I'm not going to dispose of my Craftsman stuff and buy the much, much more expensive pro tools. I do, however, choose the good stuff when I'm buying from the second-hand tool store.

 

[Geezer]

My friend who's a full-time pro mechanic laughs at my Craftsman wrenches. He says they're too heavy and clunky. Says Snap-Ons are much lighter, easier on your hands when you're working with them all day. Says Craftsman stuff is so heavy so it will be harder to break, but in the process it often won't go into tight spots where Snap-on or equivalent will go.
His argument seems valid, but I'm not going to dispose of my Craftsman stuff and buy the much, much more expensive pro tools. I do, however, choose the good stuff when I'm buying from the second-hand tool store.

Well, your friend is right. Snap On tools are somewhat lighter and thinner. Not necessarily more comfortable in my hand because I have a big hand and the thinner wrenches hurt sometimes when pulling hard on them. Snap On wrenches generally have closer tolerances as well, so they fit the nut or bolt head just a little bit better. And they are shiny. Still, not worth the big bucks unless you use them all day.

Another problem for a non-professional is that you have to track down a Snap On truck if you need to exchange a broken tool. That's not always as convenient as driving over to Sears.

 

[Bounce]

All well and good but...Be sure to ask Santa for a good torque wrench (or two).

2. one for up to about 80 ft lb and one for up to about 150 or so. that way you can hit the sweet-spot middle on each for most of your needs.

a good quality air compressor is also a big ticket item that will come in more handy than you'd imagine.

you can pick up combo wrenches and socket sets on your own (a set here and a set there). and, while Snap-On is good, it's way too costly for the garage mechanic that doesn't earn back some of the investment via commercial wrenching.

ask about each item and even some Craftsman tools are still lifetime warranty (they resell lesser items now that aren't covered). they can falkl well within the scope of a garage mechanic's needs without requiring a loan to buy.

Watch out for Chineese knock offs as wrenches and sockets can stretch (or round off) and damage your fasteners.

In the end, ask for gifts of items that are "big ticket" that you might not otherwise get for yourself. Pick up the hand tools on your own (as needed for each project). Eventually you'll have a well stocked tool chest.

Which comes back to eventually asking for one of those nice rolling tool chests for a gift, too. Make sure the drawer sliders are on ball bearings for longer life.