Tool Box Time
Every time I go
to the tool store with one of my grandsons, they refer to it as “Grandpa’s Toy
Store.” If you are an old car enthusiast or hobbyist, there is no such thing as
too big a garage or too many tools. As far as that goes, it is just as
difficult to have enough.
To answer the question of “What
tools do you need to take care of your old car?” well, you first must determine how much of your own work you are going to do.
Even if you don’t do any of your own work, you should have a set of “touring
tools.”
This should be a separate set that
stays in the trunk of your “old car.” Your best bet for this can be found at a
tool store, discount stores, hardware stores, Sears, Wards, etc. They come in
nice, neat little plastic cases and cost $20 to $60.
They hold an assortment of various
tools and are designed for minor repairs on the roadside. They are not really
high-quality tools, but they will do the job for which they are intended. Even
if you can’t do the repairs, somebody on the tour might be able to help you if
you have some tools.
I
will always remember the time one of our Club members paid a $65 tow bill
because he didn’t have a screwdriver to tighten a hose clamp. A roll of duct
tape and electrical tape are good to have along with you as well as a few
pieces of wire.
These tools and supplies should stay
in your car and separate from your garage tools; otherwise, you may have a
habit of not getting them back in your car when needed.
As
for your garage tools, you are only limited by your checkbook and room. Let’s
talk about a few basics.
The common tools such as wrench
sets, pliers of various types, screwdrivers, hammers and other common hand
tools are readily available in various price and quality ranges. If you make
your living as a mechanic, it pays to get high quality tools. You can get
lifetime guarantees on many less expensive tools. Let your wallet be your
guide.
As for power tools, each of these
will increase your ability to do projects easier, quicker, and more thorough.
Cordless tools are great, but you should have standard electric tools first and
use your cordless as convenience or “luxury tools.”
One of the main types of jobs you
will be doing as a hobbyist is removing, disassembling, cleaning and reassembling.
Your hand tools can do most of this except cleaning. For this, your first power
tool should be a bench grinder. You can change your wheels to include not only
grinding wheels of various grits, but wire wheels and polishing wheels. Fifty
bucks can set you up quite well in this area.
A
parts washing tub will always prove to be a valuable aid.
Compressed air is something that
once you have it, you will wonder how you ever lived without it. Even if you
only use it for tires and cleaning parts, air tools are so numerous and varied
you will find that once you have an air compressor, you will find more and more
uses for it. You might as well plan on always wanting a bigger one. The room
you have should govern the size.
You will find when you price them, that
you can double your capacity for about one-third more in cost. Again, too much
air is not possible.
We could talk about many other
luxuries in your shop such as sandblasters, shop presses, etc., but they will
come with time and how good you are in convincing your spouse of their need and
worth.
See ya next month.
—Walt