need tool advice
in [Technical]
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From: N8N on 18 Dec 2009 08:18 On Dec 14, 10:23 pm, Camilo <campasc...(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > On Dec 14, 6:17 pm, Nate Nagel <njna...(a)roosters.net> wrote: > > > > > > > Camilo wrote: > > > On Dec 14, 3:43 pm, Camilo <campasc...(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > >> Odd question here: My nephew is going to school to be a professional > > >> auto mechanic. He hasn't really begun to amass his tools, and I'd > > >> like to buy him something for Christmas. > > > >> Criteria: > > > >> $50-$75 price limt > > > >> A tool that he will use throughout his career > > > >> Something that can be "excellent quality" within my price range, not > > >> necessarily "the best", but something suitable for beginning > > >> professional auto mechanic and would be good enough to be appreciated > > >> later in the career as well. > > > >> Something that one COULD skimp on if he wanted to (and my nephew will > > >> tend to do that at first), but where a "$50" tool is much better than > > >> say, a $15 one. > > > >> Ideas that have been given to me are a good (e.g. Fluke) electrical > > >> meter and a dial or digital caliper or micrometer. Unfortunately, > > >> even "moderately priced examples of these things seem to be $100 or > > >> more. > > > >> Any ideas for a $50 tool that a beginning pro mechanic would > > >> appreciate? > > > >> Thanks much! > > > >> Cam > > > > Is an infrared thermometer of any use to an auto mechanic? > > > IMHO yes, I lost mine and miss it. > > > If you find a good one for a reasonable price please post back! > > > nate > > > -- > > replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel-Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text - > > I have no idea what makes for a good one. Any pointers? > > I see that for $50-$100 (which gets me in my ~$75 max), there's a lot > of offerings. > > On the other hand, I see some for several hundred dollars- so maybe > getting a $75 one is not a good idea for a blossoming pro? I don't know the answers to your questions, so I'm watching this thread with interest :) I think the one I lost was an "Actron" brand one that I didn't pay that much for, but I don't know how accurate it was. It seemed reasonably accurate around cooling system type temperatures, but if one was trying to measure, say, the temperature of one's headers I don't know how good it was. nate
From: cuhulin on 18 Dec 2009 09:55 Jeep CJ3B Page has some good tips on how to remove rusted nuts and bolts, how to make some tools too. www.film.queensu.ca/cj3B/index.html Flat Fenders Forever! cuhulin
From: Tegger on 18 Dec 2009 17:54 N8N <njnagel(a)hotmail.com> wrote in news:8d27f448-73bb-4352-912a-70b0144620a6(a)q18g2000yqj.googlegroups.com: > Not a tool you use every day, but when you need it, it's > a lifesaver. And that's partly why I don't begrudge the expense of the tools I end up buying. When I do buy a tool, it's often because I'm in dire need of its specific functions. And if I was in dire need once, I could be in dire need again. And speaking of which... In the spring I need to rebuild my rear calipers. This means I need a set of snap-ring pliers with a 90-degree tip that has a reach of at least 1.75". Seems to be non-existent in my neck of the woods, but then I also haven't checked the tool trucks yet. -- Tegger
From: cuhulin on 18 Dec 2009 19:10 I have a bunch of snap ring pliers. Irwin makes great tools, I reckon I will add some of those Irwin extractors to my tool collection.Recently, at the Lowe's store I bought two Irwin laser light devices which fit on to chop saws.One for a Christmas present for my brother inlaw and one for my chop saw. I bought a new small electric Hitachi right angle grinder at the Lowe's store today, because my old Makita right angle grinder finally kicked the bucket.Right angle grinders are another handy tool for working on cars and trucks, sometimes anyway. cuhulin
From: Scott Dorsey on 18 Dec 2009 20:00
Tegger <invalid(a)invalid.inv> wrote: > >And speaking of which... In the spring I need to rebuild my rear calipers. >This means I need a set of snap-ring pliers with a 90-degree tip that has a >reach of at least 1.75". Seems to be non-existent in my neck of the woods, >but then I also haven't checked the tool trucks yet. Proto makes (or used to make) one. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |