http://www.harryepstein.com/wildechrome.html
brake tool, USA made, $5.00

http://www.harryepstein.com/sk-facomtools2.htm

S&K snap ring pliers, $10.00

S&K retaining ring pliers, $8.00

They also have sockets up well over 6 INCHES! so they can sell you that socket you need for the front wheel bearing. They have a lot of very high quality tools and closeout prices. nice folks, I am just a fan of teh store and it is a ten minute walk from my shop.

toggle sockets, aka universal sockets. Like the u-adapter, with the socket on one end



Not a great pic, but you get the idea. I get mine from the MacTool truck.

What did you pay for a set like that?

14mm flarenut wrench from crapsman that i had to grind down on side for clearance for the popshaft bolts. A torque wrenc is a must i req. the crapsman one that doesn't have the window in it to read the torque value. my handle slip and now the torque is iffy . have a set of cheap wrenches to modify. a ballpeen hammer. dead blow hamer. punch chisle set
10mm,12mm,14mm,17mm,19mm, swivle sockets. impact gun is nice. 1/2" Breacker bar at least 30"inck long. tread lock high temp. impact extensions(they torque less) air compresser, die grinder, air wrench. gearwrenchs are such a good send. is you replace any bolts with hardware nut factor then you well need the other mm sizes too.

i have aset from snap-on cause my mac tools guy is a tremedoius tool himself. i payed alot more that you would ever want to pay,(399.00) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

They don't look gold plated to me. I always wonder why Snap-On stuff is SO overpriced. I thought it was just expensive over here in Oz cause of the conversion rate ($Aus vs $US). They'll last you forever though.

My old man had a 15 odd year old Snap-On 1/2" rattle gun that crapped itself. They replaced it with a new one for the price of a service.

I think Snap-on is expensive partly because it's good stuff and mainly because they extend the buyer easy credit if the buyer is working at a shop that the dealer has a relationship with. I hope someone with direct experience with Snap-on will correct me if I'm wrong. -- Matt

Anytool you NEED at the time, is worth while.

I started building my tool set when i was 14. At 36, I think the only thing I'm missing, that I'd actually use, is some body work tools (sanders and hammers) and a lift. Over the past 24 years, I've had 100's of "Damn, I need that tool that does....." moments.

Outside of the standard stuff (sockets, screw drivers, pliers, hammer, Jackstands ) I'd go with snap-ring pliers too, as the most vaulable.....both the compression and expansion types

.....Ofcourse, if your removing snap rings, your probably going after something with bearings. So, you'll need a brass punch, a dead blow hammer and a bearing puller.....maybe a hydraulic press and some dies for the various bearing sizes....a slide hammer is nice to have too.....it builds quickly.

I'm not particular on brand. My original set of tools was snap-on.....which I like, but the wrneches are too thin and dig into my hands when pulling hard on something. Mac's have a wider grip and are more comfortable. As long as it has a lifetime warrenty, and does the job, I'll generally buy the cheapest or easiest to find.

I didn't buy a full set; only the 14mm and 17mm off the truck. Methinks that was about $20 each about 5 years ago.

To add,

The 10mm, 14mm, and 17mm flare wrenches for fuel and brake lines.

X10 on the snap ring pliers. i also have pretty much every type of wrench/socket in the 10,12,13,14,17 and 19mm sizes

for brakes get the 2 tools for the rear springs and shoes, like 15 or 20 for both at sears.

my personal favorite tool is my 10" pipe wrench. that thing grips ANYTHING. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

actually my new favorite tool is probably my lincoln electric 125 amp mig welder. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />