Author Topic: Shop tools - for beyond the beginner mechanic. (Read 9118 times)

Zoso · « **on:** March 21, 2006, 12:26:25 PM »

I've been able to do a lot with my trusty hand tools, but I think it's time that I graduate onto some more professional tools. The E30 is not getting any younger and the parts aren't derusting.

I'd eventually like access to air tools and to a welder.

For those of you who have these components, what should I look for in a compressor, welder, etc. First hand experiences and links are appreciated.

asubimmer · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2006, 12:42:52 PM »

don't get oil free and tig welders are nice

Zoso · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2006, 12:52:46 PM »

MIG, TIG, etc - what is the most realistic in price and performance for the shadetree mechanic?

aglio · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2006, 01:05:24 PM »

i recently installed a hardwood floor and bought a $99 air compressor to run the nailer and stapler. i wish i would have investigated a little more as it cannot run air ratchets or impact guns. i was thrown off by the fact that the air compressors that would run such tools were well over $300 at Home Depot. A week later I got a catalog in the mail from Harbor Freight tools. Yeah they're kind of crappy...ok really crappy, but their air compressors that run air tools were under $200. can't really speak to the quality of them, but i've purchased a few things there and have had decent luck w/ durability.

my tip, make sure you get the right air compressor for the job. find the air tools you want (matco and ingersoll-rand ones are nice) and take note of the air consumption, measured in CFM and pick a compressor that exceeds the rating of your most air-hungry tool.

also, i enrolled for an automotive technology course at my local community college. to my surprise, i now get crazy discounts on snap-on, Mac and Matco tools (up to 50% in some cases).

can only buy one of each item tho.

m42technic · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2006, 01:07:06 PM »

MIG definitely. TIG's are still in the range of $3-5,000 for most units. A good MIG can run you about $500.

As for air tools, I guess its all a matter of preference. The air tool I find the most helpfull though is my IR 3/8" impact. http://www.irtools.com/IS/product.asp-en-2840

kowalski · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2006, 01:34:28 PM »

make sure you get a belt driven comptesor, it will be quiter. get somthing good (you get what you pay for) i have a shitty compresor that says it can power air tools but that unrealistic... only thing its good for is painting. i would recomend taking some welding classes if your gona buy a welder, just get your C ticket or somthing. it doesn't cost that much, you will learn tons, and know a lot more then you think you need to know at first glance.

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2006, 02:11:18 PM »

hey in a somewhat unrelated thing... does anybody think an m42 club 'special tool' rental thing would work out?

eg, we could make a list of the specialty tools (eg, thin fan clutch wrench) we've got and loan them out when dude's request.

- the renter pays shipping + makes a break it & buy it promise
- the renter pays like, $x into the m42club buy new tools fund
- when someone else wants to rent, they paypal the shipping $ to the person holding the tool
- wash, rinse, repeat.

we can then buy more specialty tools with the money we (slowly) save up.

ahh... my utopian rantings...

asubimmer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2006, 02:23:36 PM »

Quote from: Febi Guibo

hey in a somewhat unrelated thing... does anybody think an m42 club 'special tool' rental thing would work out?

eg, we could make a list of the specialty tools (eg, thin fan clutch wrench) we've got and loan them out when dude's request.

- the renter pays shipping + makes a break it & buy it promise
- the renter pays like, $x into the m42club buy new tools fund
- when someone else wants to rent, they paypal the shipping $ to the person holding the tool
- wash, rinse, repeat.

we can then buy more specialty tools with the money we (slowly) save up.

ahh... my utopian rantings...

that would be awsome if it worked.

edit: hehe like if someone needed a stock chip lol

e9nine · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2006, 02:30:07 PM »

I know the CCA chapters are good at the tool renting thing for pullers etc. I'd say it'd be somewhat easier to use that. Since we are all over, I say local users make their own dealings and deal with people at their own risk. Sometimes breaking someone's tool and saying sorry isn't enough and some people don't want to penny up and pay etc. Anytime I have been on "community" e30 wrenching we all show up with our own tools and share them as needed.

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2006, 02:30:54 PM »

haha, well, tabletop fusion would be great if it worked, but sharing tools etc. might be something to think about. I'll start another thread and see where it takes us....

Zoso · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2006, 03:11:12 PM »

Good info here. The talk about people (unfortunately) getting the wrong type of compressor is exactly what I was hoping to talk about.

Regarding the tool rental - it's very idealistic. I'm just afraid people will take the tool and run. Personally, I'd have no issue letting someone borrow an E30 specific tool as long as I know them - i.e. After hanging around on the E30 forums for a while you get to know some people are real E30 guys and other user are just punks passing through the E30 world trying to figure out how to add NOS to their eta that they'll break and trade for a sentra in 2 weeks. I know I really wish I had the fan removal tool for my thermostat job last year. I'm sure bmwman91's cam template would be helpful if I ever had to work inside the engine.

BTW, aglio, how did the hardwood floors come out? I had to replace some flooring in my house recently (front hallway and kitchen/dining room) and I ended up going with Pergo Signature. The project was something new for me so I went with the Pergo because it looked easier to do - snap together floating floor as opposed to buying special tools to nail hardwood down.
Here are some pics I took during the procedure. I've since completely finished the job including all the quarter-round around the cabinets.
http://zoso.no-ip.org/images/house/kitchen-floor/ - Kitchen
http://zoso.no-ip.org/images/house/flooring/ - Hallway

The Pergo is amazingly solid. Much moreso than I expected. I've dropped drills and 5lb hammers on it and not even a scratch or dent.
In the future, I think I have the know-how to do real (pre-finished) hardwood which would give me better resale value and the ability to refinish.

kowalski · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2006, 03:23:54 PM »

didn't you put that floor in last month or somthing? i remember somone going on about that floor...

as for the tool rentals, you could make it so they have to put down a deposit on the tool, and upon recieval of the tool they get their deposit back. unfortunatly this wouldn't be very usefull, atleast not for me... as when i need a new tool, i need it at that instant and can't aford to wait a week to get it....

Zoso · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2006, 03:32:03 PM »

Quote from: kowalski

didn't you put that floor in last month or somthing? i remember somone going on about that floor

I finished last month. Glad that sh*t is over! Working on your house is rewarding and a pain in the ass all at the same time. It took me forever to add a heating zone (hot water/radiators) in my finished basement last year but when I'm down there watching TV and not freezing my ass off, I appreciate it.

Quote from: kowalski

as for the tool rentals, you could make it so they have to put down a deposit on the tool, and upon recieval of the tool they get their deposit back. unfortunatly this wouldn't be very usefull, atleast not for me... as when i need a new tool, i need it at that instant and can't aford to wait a week to get it....

Eh - sometimes you know when you're going to do a project and it could be useful then. Many things let you know they're failing and give you months of lead time.

kowalski · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2006, 04:00:00 PM »

Quote from: Zoso

I finished last month. Glad that sh*t is over! Working on your house is rewarding and a pain in the ass all at the same time. It took me forever to add a heating zone (hot water/radiators) in my finished basement last year but when I'm down there watching TV and not freezing my ass off, I appreciate it.

Eh - sometimes you know when you're going to do a project and it could be useful then. Many things let you know they're failing and give you months of lead time.

fair enough, so far i'v managed to get by without using any "special" tools. the only "special" tool i bought was a vacume brake bleeder, which i was very pleased with. but i guess with all of your DIY's one will know the tools one needs before undertaking a project:P

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2006, 04:29:35 PM »

zoso... your pergo came out great, btw... I did 800 sq ft about 8 years ago... it kinda blew my mind that it's a 'picture' of wood.

ikea makes a similar product, but like everything there, it's only good if you don't weigh too much.

I look forward to the day when I have a real garage and a real workshop bench. I've done practically everything for my car out on the street...

try to imagine someone honking at you every 15 min asking if they can have your parking space...

Author Topic: Shop tools - for beyond the beginner mechanic. (Read 9118 times)

aglio

m42technic