Tools

[WetDuc]

Those ARE sweet.

[Desmo Demon]

What other brand/type tools do you guys/gals use to work on your motor bikes?

My preferences are Craftsman because buying them is convenient and Proto because I get discounts through work at Grainger. The rest of my toolbox is full of Crescent/Xcelite (Cooper Industries) tools because I worked there from '94-'96 and some Stanley/Klein tools that I've gotten as gifts.

If money were no object, I'd have my tool box slammed full of Snap-on, Mac, and Proto tools.....well, older ones when they were really quality made (my father has a set of Snap-On tools from the early 60's). I know for a fact that some newer Snap-On tools are not as good a quality as you may think.......some of their products were made on the same manufacturing lines in our facility right next to Crescent, Napa, Grey, Armstrong, and a whole slew of other brands that we had contracts for.

BTW, IIRC, Craftman's tool are (used to be) made by Western Forge and last I heard from an ex-boss, Cooper Industries is importing a lot of their products from overseas and the manufacturing plant I used to work at is pretty much just a shipping warehouse.

[Langanobob]

...Cooper Industries is importing a lot of their products from overseas and the manufacturing plant I used to work at is pretty much just a shipping warehouse.

Yeah, when you mentioned working there at the beginning of your post I was thinking that your old job is gone now. 

I have a set of Crescent socket wrenches that are  made in Taiwan.  The quality is good, sad to say, probably better than typical US made.  And, now Vice-Grips are now made somewhere else.  I think we've not only lost the battle but the war, without even putting up a fight.

[64duc]

 I notice that no one mentions impact drivers. In 35 years as a mechanic I've found that the most reliable way to loosen allen head, phillips, or slotted head screws is with on of these.http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2247&page=1&#40520

[Spidey]

Those ARE sweet.

Indeed.  They're soooooo worth the $.  Not a *necessary* part of a toolkit, but they're great to have.  I use them constantly. 

I notice that no one mentions impact drivers. In 35 years as a mechanic I've found that the most reliable way to loosen allen head, phillips, or slotted head screws is with on of these.http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2247&page=1&#40520

+1.   IMO the biggest hassle with wrenching is stripped bolts/screws.  That's especially when you're starting out with a new bike because they loctite so many of hte bolts from the factory, so breakin' 'em loose the first time can be a pregnant dog.  And an impact driver isn't that expensive.

[mojo]

The only bad thing about snap-on/mac/cornwell, is that if the average home wrencher doesn't have access to a dealer, they are SOL on the warranty.  If you do have a local dealer, you can usually find a lot of hand tools (new and used) on ebay fairly cheap.
On a side note:  I once bought a set of metric combination wrenches from Sears (Craftsman) and the whole set of wrenches was defective.  The open end was a different size than the closed end, and neither end fit the fasteners right.  So, I'd use some caution when buying cheaper tools.

[metallimonster]

If you really want a good compromise between Snap-On Quality and Craftsman price look for Cornwell tools.  By far the best bang for your buck.  Most of my tools are Cornwell (including air tools) and I've never had a problem with any of them.

[Howie]

I notice that no one mentions impact drivers. In 35 years as a mechanic I've found that the most reliable way to loosen allen head, phillips, or slotted head screws is with on of these.http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2247&page=1&#40520

Agreed, particularly for motorcycles.

[JDucati]

Thanks for all the feedback guys... looks like ill be going with craftsman or cornwell.

Project I am starting is pulling off the clutch cover on a 03 m800 so I can get it powder coated.

~JD

[dlearl476]

After a lifetime of Craftsman tools, I've switched to Kobalt, a brand sold by Lowes.  Their sockets and wrenches use the "flank drive" concept that Snap-On does (Powerdrive to WURTH) that applies force to the sides of a nut/bolt rather than the corners.


The tools i use the most on my Duc are a set of ratcheting combo wrenches from WURTH and a set of T Handle allens from Bondus.

[Langanobob]

^
+1 on Lowe's tools.  And, as you can see in your picture, at least some of them are still Made in the USA.

[He Man]

are kobalt tools expensive?

[mojo]

Their sockets and wrenches use the "flank drive" concept that Snap-On does (Powerdrive to WURTH) that applies force to the sides of a nut/bolt rather than the corners.

IIRC Kobalt is owned by Snap-On tools.

[Langanobob]

are kobalt tools expensive?

About the same as Craftsman or Husky.  Not near as cheap as HF but better quality.

[z0mb1e_DUC]

price-wise, they are not bad.  I use a mix of Klein, Craftsman, WIHA, Kobalt, Proto & a few others.  Klein is a little pricey, but they used to be worth it.  Not so much.  Same with Craftsman.  I've got a 20yr old ratchet set from Craftsman & wouldn't replace with any of their new stuff.  Didn't know Kobalt was owned by Snap-On.  I will probably use more of their stuff, as they usually aren't that bad, both price & quality.

If anyone is considering an Impact gun, give a good look at the Ingersol Rand 231G.  You can find them for around $100.  Got mine at Lowe's with an air ratchet for about $130. They put out about 450ft/lbs forward, 500 ft/lbs reverse.  Unlike the cheaper CH units or some others, they'll actually work on lug nuts, frame bolts, etc.