Must-have tools

[Olaf 3329]

13 hours ago, Eagle said:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/building-renovation/tools/hand-tools/sets-kits/listing/4405203721

Anyone here win that?. I got 2x but id buy that for a $1

 

Wow!  I didn’t bother bidding I was sure it’d go for more.  Good buying and not far from me.

Edited November 20, 2023 by Olaf
added image for ref long after the trademe ad has gone

[mmario 51]

How useful is an air compressor ? I don't have one yet.

Are the likes of the Supercheap/Repco ones ok for a home noob mechanic or do you need to spend more coin ?

[arktis 59]

On 11/20/2023 at 6:21 PM, Olaf said:

 

Wow!  I didn’t bother bidding I was sure it’d go for more.  Good buying and not far from me.

Barg.

31 minutes ago, mmario said:

How useful is an air compressor ? I don't have one yet.

Are the likes of the Supercheap/Repco ones ok for a home noob mechanic or do you need to spend more coin ?

Wondered this myself.

[Vass 834]

34 minutes ago, mmario said:

How useful is an air compressor ? I don't have one yet.

Are the likes of the Supercheap/Repco ones ok for a home noob mechanic or do you need to spend more coin ?

Yeah pretty useful, especially for blowing out dirt & dust, used it quite a bit when rebuilding my engine and still do occasionally on smaller cleanup jobs.

The one I've got is just about the most basic one you can get, this one from TopmaQ that I managed to snap up used for like $100 off TradeMe. It's small, loud and not powerful enough for any serious tools beyond just blowing compressed air or inflating bike tyres but what it does it does well enough. I'd definitely go with a bigger one if I had a bigger garage but I'd say it's worth having on hand even if it's just the smallest one. I reckon the SCA/Repco ones will be just fine for weekend use in a home garage.

[Eagle 1664]

5 hours ago, mmario said:

How useful is an air compressor ? I don't have one yet.

Are the likes of the Supercheap/Repco ones ok for a home noob mechanic or do you need to spend more coin ?

As useful as you want it to be. Lots of tools run on air.

I think the cheap ones generally hold up you change the oil out for something decent and keep them maintained, probably all made in the same bunch of factories. 

I bought one of these over 10 years ago and was still running fine before sold it and upgraded. It was too small for tools but ok for occasional compressed air blasting and inflated, anything below 50L tank size isnt going to run much for long - https://collingwoodscrosscountry.co.nz/product/dek2024-air-compressor/

Id go for something 2nd hand though as you can get something bigger\more powerful for a lot less money (if you have the room), or just save on similar specs. 

[deedub 37]

On 11/7/2023 at 1:19 PM, Apex said:

Might want to use Google maps vs the BMW NAV, things have changed slightly up this way, I visited the town I spent 30+ years growing up in and needed Google Maps to find my way out of it. 

If your general fitness and flexibility is ok I don't think those quick jacks are terribly useful, well unless you are 45cm tall or have some kind of a "pit crew fantasy". Quality trolly jacks and jack stands will be more beneficial in a confined garage. 

I have moved from having a proper hoist back to jacks and can say the struggle is real. I almost paid someone to do my shocks a few months back, the job took so long I probably should have. 

 

I've been considering a quickjack. Expensive but seems pretty convenient. Why would a trolly jack and jack stands be more beneficial in a confined garage? Quickjack doesn't look like it takes up much space (other than the hydraulic unit needs to go somewhere?). 

Edited August 21 by deedub

[KwS 2425]

7 hours ago, deedub said:

I've been considering a quickjack. Expensive but seems pretty convenient. Why would a trolly jack and jack stands be more beneficial in a confined garage? Quickjack doesn't look like it takes up much space (other than the hydraulic unit needs to go somewhere?). 

Quickjack doesnt take up that much space, you can even buy hangers to hang the frames standing up against a wall now. I have my pump and hoses coiled up on an old rolling seat that tucks away under my work bench when not in use.

Ill use my jack and stands if i only need one end of the car lifted, IF the jacking points are easily accessible. Anything where i need the car clear off the ground, particularly if you need it level (like gearbox oil changes), or if the jacking points sucks to access (low car life usually) ill use my quickjacks.

I've had all sorts on mine. Everything from my Classic Mini, to my Leaf on the weekend. I rate them highly for garages that dont have the space for a proper lift.

[Eagle 1664]

I've been looking into via work contacts after not grabbing one when Costco had them. Probably cost more now

Putting castor bearing or wheels on  them seem to be a great mobility mod

5 hours ago, KwS said:

Quickjack

Where did you get your one from? 5000tl?

[Driftit 2087]

13 hours ago, KwS said:

Quickjack doesnt take up that much space, you can even buy hangers to hang the frames standing up against a wall now. I have my pump and hoses coiled up on an old rolling seat that tucks away under my work bench when not in use.

Ill use my jack and stands if i only need one end of the car lifted, IF the jacking points are easily accessible. Anything where i need the car clear off the ground, particularly if you need it level (like gearbox oil changes), or if the jacking points sucks to access (low car life usually) ill use my quickjacks.

I've had all sorts on mine. Everything from my Classic Mini, to my Leaf on the weekend. I rate them highly for garages that dont have the space for a proper lift.

 

Do you go under your leaf so you don't have to look at the top of your leaf?  

[Neil McCauley 394]

11 minutes ago, Driftit said:

Do you go under your leaf so you don't have to look at the top of your leaf?  

I rolled a facelift ZE1, the cops said I'd turned over a new Leaf.

[KwS 2425]

17 hours ago, Eagle said:

I've been looking into via work contacts after not grabbing one when Costco had them. Probably cost more now

Putting castor bearing or wheels on  them seem to be a great mobility mod

Where did you get your one from? 5000tl?

Mine are pretty old fellas now, had them 5 or 6 years. 5000SLX (replaced with the TL now). Got them from Sulco. Friend just picked up some 5000TLs recently, also from Sulco.

Funny you mention that, also did the caster mod on the weekend. So much easier to slide around on the floor now

 

[KwS 2425]

9 hours ago, Driftit said:

Do you go under your leaf so you don't have to look at the top of your leaf?  

Dont have to look at its ugly little frog face when im driving it, so thats something i guess.

[deedub 37]

Just ordered the 5000TL230V quickjack from Sulco. It's on special at the moment there: https://www.sulco.co.nz/5000TL230V. Still pretty expensive and the price on there doesn't include GST (so you're basically getting it at the pre discount price but without GST).

They had the wall racks in stock as well so I got those with it. 

Looking forward to using it though.

Looking for a new torque wrench. Any recommendations?

 

[Cement 883]

On 11/15/2024 at 5:28 PM, deedub said:

Looking for a new torque wrench. Any recommendations?

I went for the Toolshed own branded 1/2" and will be getting the 1/4" this week. Not flashy but the selling points for me were:

• Nice Nm only scale
• Legible 0-9 units around the twist barrel
• Comes calibrated, with certificate

https://www.thetoolshed.co.nz/product/15319-toolshed-torque-wrench-1-2in-dr-30-210-nm <--- Pretty sure i didn't pay $219, would have gotten on a special 👍

[deedub 37]

18 hours ago, Cement said:

I went for the Toolshed own branded 1/2" and will be getting the 1/4" this week. Not flashy but the selling points for me were:

• Nice Nm only scale
• Legible 0-9 units around the twist barrel
• Comes calibrated, with certificate

https://www.thetoolshed.co.nz/product/15319-toolshed-torque-wrench-1-2in-dr-30-210-nm <--- Pretty sure i didn't pay $219, would have gotten on a special 👍

Thanks - looks good to me 👍

[deedub 37]

On 11/17/2024 at 10:15 PM, Cement said:

I went for the Toolshed own branded 1/2" and will be getting the 1/4" this week. Not flashy but the selling points for me were:

• Nice Nm only scale
• Legible 0-9 units around the twist barrel
• Comes calibrated, with certificate

https://www.thetoolshed.co.nz/product/15319-toolshed-torque-wrench-1-2in-dr-30-210-nm <--- Pretty sure i didn't pay $219, would have gotten on a special 👍

Been waiting on a special. These are now half price so gonna grab one today (last day of special).

[Eagle 1664]

1 hour ago, deedub said:

Been waiting on a special

Decent price. $219 too much for unknown quality.

[Olaf 3329]

oh BTW there's a crowd on TradeMe doing discount BluePoint out of Kapiti.  I paid little more than a pint of IPA in a Wellington City bar for a lovely 3/8" strong-arm.  You might ask 'why bother?'.  I guess if I've carried my 3/8" set into Pick-A-Part, I can make it work with a big ring spanner on the end, without buggering one of my ratchets.  YMMV.

Anyway, it's beautifully finished and feels great in my hand.