Hand Tools. What do you like?

[Nemo Brinker]

I'm slowly building a decent toolbox as I get better at wrenching on bikes...got a couple of used Snap-on bits (3/8" ratchets and a ratcheting screwdriver), couple of larger Stahlwille (German) wrenches and 1/4" ratchet, pair of Knipex Cobra pliers. Some stuff like a chain tool, brake bleeder pump, electrical crimpers, nice multimeter, and so forth. Slowly phasing out the random Harbor Freight crap I started out with. Currently I'm looking for a good set of European or American-made combo wrenches.

The techs at work have strong and differing opinions on tools, but I'd like to hear from some BARFers. What, in your opinion, constitutes a good general bike-workin' toolbox? And which brands of tools do ya like usin'?

I've found the tactile pleasure of using a good tool to be a worthy end in itself.

 

[MotoWhip101]

But really I like a nice set of T handles and sockets... thats really all I need, but the nicer fancy tools are fun too!

 

[Dr. Evil]

You'll want ordinary and deep sockets in metric and imperial sizes, in both 1/4 and 3/8 inch drive, a screwdriver with swappable bits, appropriate ratchets, breaker bars, torque wrenches, and other fiddly bits for the sockets. You'll also need a set of combo wrenches, also metric and imperial, and allen wrenches, preferably ball-tip. A hard-rubber/hard-plastic mallet That should cover 80 percent of stuff you'll want to do. Add a half-inch drive ratchet set and some large (1" plus) sockets for stuff like axles and steering heads. A 12-18 inch crescent wrench is also nice. Spend as much money as you possibly can, and a bit more than that. Good tools that are well taken care-of have an essentially indefinite lifespan, except maybe the ratchets, and even those are pretty tough.

 

[Diezel]

As a "retired" pro mechanic. FUCK Snap-On, Mac, Matco, Proto, S&K, Cornwell. Over priced shit that really is no better then Husky, Craftsmen, When it comes down to "DIY @ Home" level gear.

What you will learn, the "major names" play name games. Snap-on owns like 4 different names - Thus 4 different markets for them. Same with S&K, Proto, etc. Matter of fact, Proto, Stanley, and Husky are ALL the same manufacturer!

Get what is within your budget, and offers you the best warranty of the item in question. This is really all that matters.

 

[Karbon]

I have craftsman. These float my boat. Fine teeth. Ergonomic. Looks sexy. Lifetime warrantee.

 

[Nemo Brinker]

Yep, I'm slowly learning that the manufacturers and countries of origin of tools are slippery fish, and the branding game is more of a way to let money out of peoples' pockets than anything. Still, I've felt a palpable difference between, say, a Craftsman philips-head screwdriver that wouldn't grab an old stuck screw, vs. a Matco screwdriver that pulled it right out, corrosion and all.

I want some Kowa Seiki T-handles, too. Allens and ballhead allens I've got, though I'd love some of the T-or P-handled ones, they can really put some torque on a bolt in an ergonomically-appropriate way.

 

[Ratters]

Whatever I can find in the Harbor Freight bargain bin.

 

[Diezel]

Still, I've felt a palpable difference between, say, a Craftsman philips-head screwdriver that wouldn't grab an old stuck screw, vs. a Matco screwdriver that pulled it right out, corrosion and all.

Something to watch for sure. Not only are there numerous sizes of "Phillips" head screws, Some japanese items have a "Japanese Industrial Standard" screw. Which look exactly like a phillips, only different. So some phillips screw drivers, really are NOT a true phillips, but a hybrid. :|

I know right. Welcome to "buying tools".

 

[}Dragon{]

My favorite hand tool:

 

[rapidrobbie]

Hazet,also a german brand.Very well made and high quality.

 

[ZEDU657]

I like Wright Tool, but have mostly Craftsman (because money *IS* an object).

 

[teg916]

My home tool box is exclusively craftsman. At work I will buy some snap-on, Mac, S&K, and knipex very selectively for tools that I use every day if they will make my life easier (rachets, ratcheting screw drivers, select pliers). Knipex makes some killer pliers, but god are they expensive!

 

[Eldritch]

You know, I have Craftsmen, Husky, Mac, Snap-On, Black & Decker, Stanley a few misc. (Chinese probably) cheap knock offs, and all kinds of misc. pliers and screwdrivers. I think the Snap On shit is the nicest, but it's sort of a pain in the ass to get their stuff so I don't go out of my way. I've found you just kind of have to be comfortable about going to get shit as you need it for projects, never be particularity content to half ass it with the wrong tool. In time, you'll find you usually have the right tool when you need it. Keep an eye out for good deals. I have a couple socket sets I bought on sale, tool box full of bargain bin screwdrivers and shit from waiting in line at Kragen or Home Depot.

If you're asking about working on bikes, I'd say your best investments are things that provide you with the work environment you want. This means a decent Rear Stand first of all, so you can lube and adjust your chain as needed. A front wheel stand, some sort of Jack Stands that you can use to stabilize the bike when elevated, a good stool to sit on when working, a good shop light you can point into those shadowy secret parts of the bike you're trying to get to and some sort of rolling tool platform that you can have next to you when working on your current project are all a GREAT help in getting shit done.

For style points, I like having my Makita Angle Grinder around with a universal cutting blade on it. I like to cut things and make sparks.

 

[Panamahaha]

T-handle tools are a must have. T-ratchets,sockets,ball allens,allens and screwdrivers.


Motion Pro brand are not the best quality but they're cheap and work ok.

 

[Jakemate]

I have snap on and matco, from years of wrenching. If i buy new tools, i buy craftsman. Just as good, they dont feel as nice in the hand, but who cares?

 

[Mr. White]

For a weekend mechanic, Craftsman can't be beat. Price, quality, warranty, and easy to get.

 

[afm199]

Craftsman is not the quality it used to be, but still is a bargain. Snap on is nice, but just too expensive.

 

[bikeama]

My Dad was a mechanic and welder for all his life. I draw social security this year and still have most of his tools the good stuff will last a long time. If you want to pass your tools on to your kids spend the money. Use as a home DYI Craftman is hard to beat. Use once or twice a year HF will get the job done.

 

[wannabe]

Without going into manufacturers, here's a few examples of hand tools that I use all the time when working on my bike:

Metric Hex Bits for use with my 1/4 wratchet: (Assuming that your bike is Japanese.) Or, you can even find a set of hex bits that fit into the tip of your ratcheting screwdriver. These are great for removing plastics and random other bolts on your bike. It's a lot faster than using just a normal Allen Wrench.

Electric disc grinder. This one is something that you will use rarely, but it makes life a lot easier when replacing your chain. Since you're going to be using it so rarely, Harbor Freight would be fine or just borrow one every time.

This is more of a specialty tool, but I have one because I used to drag race. Rear wheel alignment was very critical. I found that this tool was the easiest and fastest way to make sure that my rear wheel was aligned: (Muzzy wheel alignment tool)

 

[Nemo Brinker]

If you're asking about working on bikes, I'd say your best investments are things that provide you with the work environment you want. This means a decent Rear Stand first of all, so you can lube and adjust your chain as needed. A front wheel stand, some sort of Jack Stands that you can use to stabilize the bike when elevated, a good stool to sit on when working, a good shop light you can point into those shadowy secret parts of the bike you're trying to get to and some sort of rolling tool platform that you can have next to you when working on your current project are all a GREAT help in getting shit done.

For style points, I like having my Makita Angle Grinder around with a universal cutting blade on it. I like to cut things and make sparks.

I heart sparks (and the smell of burnt steel). And I have access to a proper hydraulic lift/front, rear, and jack stands at work. But yes, accessing the dang bike is the first step. A tool platform is a great idea--saves much time and frustration scrabbling for tools.

Something to watch for sure. Not only are there numerous sizes of "Phillips" head screws, Some japanese items have a "Japanese Industrial Standard" screw. Which look exactly like a phillips, only different. So some phillips screw drivers, really are NOT a true phillips, but a hybrid. :|

I know right. Welcome to "buying tools".

One of the techs at work was explaining this to me the other day. I love the part where you never quite know which is which and it's a trap, too. He claims there's a tiny dot offset from the slots on the Japanese Industrial Standard screws, but you can barely see it and once the bike weathers for a week it becomes invisible. +1 for the hybrid screwdrivers.

And yeah, Craftsman seems popular, even among some pros. The warranty is hard to argue with. But for a few things, I'd like fancy, like combo wrenches--the pleasure of using a good one just sends me.