Topic: Tools... The ones you can't live without

[dustyc]

magnetic pick up tool.

Oooh, yeah, a wide bar magnet you can sweep over the ground if you're working in gravel or grass is a lifesaver and a little telescoping magnet is nice for stuff you drop in crevaces (but doesn't work with the aluminum screws you have to take out of the intakes to connect the manometer).

[KeithTurk]

Seems I politely took it off the forum and put it to you in a PM...

We've agreed to disagree...  end of that story for me.

Keith

[crazypj]

I think there are a few people here like me who have done this stuff for a living (or still do?)
 In addition to couple of 1/2" drive sockets (axle nuts, etc) and the rest of the stuff you already have,
 4,5,6,8mm extra long 3/8th drive Allen sockets.(forks and stuff, probably only need 5 & 6mm, unless you retrofit Allen case screws)
8mm & 10mm 6 point 1/4" drive deep sockets,(only need 8mm for later models) 12mm 6 point extra deep socket (cyl head and some exhaust nuts) 1/4 & 3/8" extension drives (Harbor Freight seem as good/indifferent as any others I've tried, including Snap-On)
 Good spark plug sockets, I use Snap-On but have a couple of cheaper ones which are ground for clearance ( but I would cut up Snap-On tool if I needed to, Oh, I already did that as well  )
 Don't waste your money on full sets of taps and dies.
You WILL at some time need 6x1mm 7x1mm and 8 x 1.25 and possibly 10x1.25 so get them as individual pieces.
You can get good quality stuff pretty cheap from ENCO and special taps (when you need left hand threads, for rearsets linkage etc) from Victor Machinery Exchange in New York.
 I buy my Micrometers from them as they do VIS, (made in Poland and about as accurate as anything else out there, they are even in Harley Davidson PHD video's)
PJ

[crazypj]

Heater in the garage. (you southern boys would not understand)
Radio
Beer

 

We just may have a fan for the motor and one for ourselves or we just put in AC in the garage, lol.  You nothern boys would not understand, lol.

 Definate on AC, I couldn't do anything in summertime without it

[dpen]

if you're going to use coffee jars for nuts & bolts, washers, small bits etc - put a self tapper or something through the lid & then you can hang them under the shelf
  twice as many jars with the same space

[Really?]

Get some disposable gloves.  HF sells them and I am sure they are obtainable other places.  It sure helps keep the black out of your fingernails that can take days to finally get out. 

[Magpie]

BRIGHT lights! Helps find things as/when they fall to floor.
Cliff.

[gane]

Two favorites, a long #2 phillips screwdriver (@ 10" shaft). allows 2 handed use, and reaches behind fairings and to center carb ducts, and a long 5mm 3/8" drive ball allen. (flexes some and isn't as strong as a straight drive, but certainly a time saver) G

[slipnot]

Carburetor adjusting tool for adjusting those hard to get at inner pilot screws...

[crazypj]

One real important item I forgot, THREAD FILES (although you only need a metric one for Honda's)
Really the only way to fix rear axle after someone has beat it out with a hammer (usual alternative is new axle)
 Before there are a bunch of smart-ass remarks, you can't get a die started when the end is mushroomed

[Magpie]

Impact driver makes life easier. I like the storage/tackle boxes for organizing small parts, nuts, bolts, washer etc. great for working on the carbs. About $5 at Wally World. A cheap parts washer is essential, good torque wrench. Vic World assenbles his with a small set of handtools. If there's a good sale price on something I"ll pick it up a spec and end up using it down the road. Cliff.

[Retro Rocket]

My T bar screwdriver set and  telescopic magnet..

[Magpie]

Forgot to mention Princess Auto is opening a store here soon so there will be all kinds of new tools that I can't live without!
Cliff.

[cmonSTART]

Having worked as a professional mechanic for a while I own a LOT of tools, but hands down the most important tool I own is a hammer driven impact tool!!!  So, chalk another one up for that! 

It's absolutely essential for anyone working on a motorcycle.  I have a Craftsman unit which has served me very well. 

[Oldschoolmachinist]

Because you can never have enough indispensable tools..... Bump!

I have found my smart phone to be one of my indispensable tools. I'm 50 years old and honestly I don't know how I managed without one for so many years

I use to take pictures during disassembly. The voice recorder is great for making notes. I also work as a machinist, and there are so many free programs to download. I can calculate bolt hole patterns ( great for brak rotors ) cutting speeds and feeds.... Gear ratios, and other engineering calculators. I can send pics to my boss. And since I often have to work alone I can even dial 911 if I get pinned under something heavy

I have a lot of other tools but honestly it's the smart phone that gets used on every job.

And the other reason for posting is to reach the five post limit so I can post pics of my yet to be beautiful CB750.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Couldn't agree more, OldSchool!  Take a pic, bag it and tag it!  I drive a sidecar rig too.  Many apps, most FREE, that help me keep the thing aligned.

Welcome to the forum, and lov the name too!

[Oldschoolmachinist]

Also indispensable is my Clausing 5900 lathe, and the Lagun Republic knee mill, but then if I go down that road, I have to start talking about a bunch of indispensable tools that would be completely off topic  I wish there were a part of the forum form tips relating to fabrication and machining. 

[Oldschoolmachinist]

Couldn't agree more, OldSchool!  Take a pic, bag it and tag it!  I drive a sidecar rig too.  Many apps, most FREE, that help me keep the thing aligned.

Welcome to the forum, and lov the name too!

And did I mention somewhere on this board that I am going to add a sidecar to my CB750 or are you psychic? 

On a side note I think I have just passed the 5 post threshold that allows me to post pictures and put stuff in the classified section.