it's all you guys fault

[stepinwolf]

Here we go again

Good call on the ball bearing sliders. You won't regret it. I still buy cheap tools every now and then and end up regretting it most of the time.

Brian

I have said it many times, and I will say it again. There is nothing more expensive then cheap tools, and one must be wealthy to purchase them.

The reason is because it is a never ending quest to purchase time and time again the same tool because the preceding one broke. :duh

 

[Mac]

The reason is because it is a never ending quest to purchase time and time again the same tool because the preceding one broke. :duh

Not to mention the damage and loss of skin when it snaps... and the inconvenience...

-Mac

 

[RodsnRides]

GREAT thread -

I am on board with all of the above. Ball bearing drawers (sigh-not me...), tool organizers, drawer liners-gotta have 'em. The best part of the organizers is you can tell at a glance-what you left on the job (under the car, hid under dash, etc. It's all good....

Metrics is true, too. I use Snap-On (US), Craftsman (Metric), the ocassional MAC, Matco, S-K. Always US, lifetime guarantee, etc. Wait 'til you start buying the "specialty tools"-timing wrench, hose tools, flaring tools-not to mention the custom hand-built gizmos bent "just right"...it goes on and on...

One great vestige for good tools is the newspaper (Tools for Sale) and-I really like the pawn shops. You won't believe what you can put together for 1/3 the price if you shop-it really works. Some great deals to be had-and right now is really good as people are going for gifts-and maybe selling that cool tool...

Good job, Barry. You are really "moving and shaking"-I'm impressed with the skills you have acquired in a very short period. Good on ya...

Rick

 

[Dakota kid]

Not to mention the damage and loss of skin when it snaps... and the inconvenience...

-Mac

And the slew of cruse words that soon follows.

Cheap tools are defiantly what they appear to be ….cheap.

 

[BarryK]

Rick
Hey, I never thought to look at pawn shops for tools - that's a pretty good idea.
My wife suggested I look at garage sales for as many craftsman tools that are BROKEN as I can find - than I can go into Sears and swap them out for new replacements

 

[Dakota kid]

You are going to need more tools if your going to do an off body restoration.
It’s part of the disease you know…….


Pretty soon you be lying in bed twisting and turning and Think of ways to fix your vette.
One thing turns to another and before you know it your waist deep in Corvette parts.

 

[BarryK]

nope, not me! It was body-off restored before I bought it.
I'm not taking the body off myself - just fixing and improving on the crappy job they already did.
I will NOT admit just how close I did come to to pulling the motor a few weeks ago as I was working on it.

 

[ChuckG]

I have mainly Craftsman tools. I still have one ORIGINAL set that I bought when I was a teenager. It was a 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 inch drive 12 point socket set, and a set of box/open wrenches.

Since then, I've gotten a lot more sets. I use mainly 6 point sockets now. You can't beat Craftsman tools. On the RARE occasion that I've broken one, they will replace it no questions asked.

I don't have the guts to return screwdrivers that I've used as prybars. Chuck

 

[black85vette]

I was lucky enough to inherit my father-in-law's red-on-charcoal Craftsman rollaway loaded with all the tool of his profession (aircraft mechanic/auto mechanic/auto rebuilder). I've since added a second black-on-black Craftsman rollaway. Sorry guys, but the ball bearing feature has never been important to me. The tools, though. Well, there you will hear a different story. Most of mine, inherited and purchased, are Craftsman (lifetime warranty!!!), and every time I do a project and the tool doesn't perform, I can close my eyes, think, "Dang, I didn't grab the Craftsman," and I'm right every time. Cheap tools are expensive tools.

 

[BarryK]

Chuck
sounds like the tools I started with that were originally my fathers. In fact, I remember when I was very little and we (well, my mother) bought him the set and the toolbox for a birthday or some other occasion). I must have been 10yo or younger.
It was a basic 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 ratchet and sockets, screwdrivers, hammer, and a wrench set. Some other assorted tools along with it.
Except for the new items I've gotten because of need as I've started to work with the car those are pretty much what I have as my strating point.

i've somehow aquired some other assorted sockets and wrenches through the years but i'm not quite sure where they have come from. Some are imported crap, some are snap-on, S-K, and a few other stuff but it's all just mismatched oddball stuff.

here you can pretty much see the extent of everything I have which isn't much:
http://69.253.166.197/page1/page95/page95.html


Black, must be nice to be able in inherit all those tools (sorry, not at the price it takes to do so but i think you understand what i mean).
With what tools cost that can big BIG bucks!

 

[ChuckG]

You've got a pretty good start. As others have said, DON'T buy cheap tools. Those "Taiwan Specials" at Carlisle are what I call disposable, cast wrenches, crappy sockets, etc., use 'em once and toss 'em away.

I keep a CHEAP socket set in each car....one of those Taiwan sets that you buy for less than $10.00. If I need something, I've got it.

I've got some MAC and SK tools too. Chuck

 

[RodsnRides]

Oh-yeah...

Barry -

Seeing your tool box photos on your site reminded me of something I have done for myself and my stepson...and recommend here...

Get a milkcrate to stand on and a digital camera and start taking photos of every open drawer, 1 at a time, and include views of the entire box. Burn photos to a marked CD. If you ever get robbed, or, if in a shop, they get broken into...you will have an easy reference for any insurance purposes. A lot of us have a fortune in our tools, and it would be a shame to get short-changed because you couldn't prove everything with receipts. I also have a file marked "Tool Receipts", but no longer expense my tool purchases for the IRS-not my primary business-it's a "hobby" (passion, lifestyle, etc.) now.

Just a thought-particularly if any of you are in the trade, and park your box at another location.

Rick

 

[BarryK]

Rick, that's a good idea and never thought of it. The pics are perfect for insurance reasons.
I don't have a lot in terms of $$$ of there...........yet, but it does all add up and as time goes by hopefully there will be more.

 

[vnv bro]

Hey Barry give VNV a call at great expense Iarranged for Mark to have a personal certified C2 mechanic at his beckoned call, THe mechanic has an amazing knokedge of thngs all you have to do is ask. I was a little concerened when I made arrangemet for the mechanic brcause his nickname is Bubba. However I was advised this Bubba was the tops in his Field.

Happy Holidays Barry

VNV's older Bro

 

[BarryK]

hey Bro

long time no hear from. Hope things are good out in CA.
don't worry about your little brother, we are keeping a close eye on him and trying to keep him out of trouble.

we going to see you out in Carlisle again this year?

Have a good holiday!

Barry

 

[JL66REDCPE]

Barry -- nice collection of tools. I noticed that you now have a pair of needle-nose vise grips. I assume you were able to get the broken screw out with them -- Yes/No ??

 

[BarryK]

John
I just bought those the other day specifically because of that broken screw.
didn't help though.
BWmurph came over on Sat and got that screw out for me as it had me stumped. Ended up having to drill it out. as he drilled into the screw with a small bit it pretty much just fell apart and finally fell out.
That hole is one that looks to be tapped with threads - a few seemed to be like that although most along that front rail don't so we will have to retap that hole to accept a new replacement screw.
i'm guessing the few that look to be thread taped are because of the mounting of the rear view mirror and the sunvisors. The other holes probably aren't tapped because they just hold the trim molding on.