:: The official TOOLS thread ::

[Morpheus]

Thanks fellas. It was to just heat something to make disassembling easier...

[racedriverpro]

Nothing on the air compressor?

[Ted_v2]

Looking for some advice on what type of axle sockets i need to gather.
30
32
34

never saw anything else, anyone encountered anything else?

[rspann]

BMW x5 and x6 uses a 36 . For the Audi I made a tool by cutting off the head of a 14 bolt and welded it on an old socket. Good advice though, buy a 3/4" power handle and buy the sockets in 3/4" drive,sometimes axle nuts could break a 1/2 " drive handle. If you buy impact sockets you are safe.

[rspann]

Volkswagens use 30 mm 12 point.

[Strugglerzinc]

Get all the above in 6 and 12 point. A very small percentage of the time the 1/2 impact wont open one.

Usually send them by a tyre shop dealing with truck tyres.

[Ted_v2]

Perfect i need to grab a 27mm as well.

anyone has a idea where has flex head ratchets for sale?

trust me, once you experience it. you wont go back to a regular ratchet.
i came across a neiko tools/HF 14" for 300$

[hindian]

fellas what is a good size air compressor for home use? main uses will be to inflate car tyres an possibly some air tools in the future (impact gun, rachet, chisel). light duty work on my own vehicles kinda thing. thanks.

[supercharged turbo]

Perfect i need to grab a 27mm as well.

anyone has a idea where has flex head ratchets for sale?

trust me, once you experience it. you wont go back to a regular ratchet.
i came across a neiko tools/HF 14" for 300$

SWS...stanley 1/2" drive

[X_Factor]

anyone here using those race ramps...are they worth it?

[Strugglerzinc]

Seen it used and honestly, the only thing it good for is oil change. No brake work, no suspension work, no tyre rotation, just oil change.

The height is almost useless with the wheels on. If you have excessive oil changes to do for a fleet then it may be useful.

[X_Factor]

thanks, would stick to jack and stands for basic work

[adnj]

fellas what is a good size air compressor for home use? main uses will be to inflate car tyres an possibly some air tools in the future (impact gun, rachet, chisel). light duty work on my own vehicles kinda thing. thanks.

The average volume of a car tire is about 3 gallons. For inflating tires, I believe that a 6 gallon pancake is a good small-sized compressor that will transport well enough for most people.

Your compressor capacity depends on the volume of air that your tool uses and how fast you want the tank to fill. An impact gun won't use much but a sand blaster will use a torrent of air. For that, you need to check the individual tool. I have found that 2.5 to 3.0 SCFM @ 90 PSI works well for most smaller tools.

[X_Factor]

i always say if you buying a compressor....buy the biggest and best you can afford
if you cant afford at least a good 20gal wait

there are tools such as impact wrench, die grinder, air assisted jacks,sand blasting kit that you will want
khanico and allied are the places to check
puma or IR

[Ted_v2]

Allied has a lovely ir garage mate. 20 gallon and a massive pump with a 110v motor. Ideal thing for a diy. Like 6k for It.

I have a 20 gallon direct drive. Noise to baddd, my neighbours know when I'm planning to use it. I could get by with it. Thinking about selling and getting one of those IR. Just because of portability, lack of noise and the 110v.

[Strugglerzinc]

Just remember CFM is more important than tank size.

Once a compressor turns on, tank size becomes irrelevant. Its cfm rating will determine if it can maintain pressure for your tool.

[adnj]

There are a lot of variables involved with sizing your compressor.

A big tank helps to prevent the compressor from cycling on and off as much and providing a lot of airflow but CFM is probably the most important parameter for sanding, blasting, grinding, and painting.

If the compressor is for a single garage (and you can afford it), then go big. I use some of my air tools in different locations so size and portability matters. I have a couple of smaller compressors that can be lifted with one arm for blowing up tires, dusting off tools, or using with nail guns and ratchets. I have a big ol' 230 volt for anything else.

[dredman1]

anyone here using those race ramps...are they worth it?

I use rhino ramps (similar to race ramps) for all my oil, radiator and transmission fluid changes now, rather than the hydraulic jack and jack stands i used to use. Just seems much easier to me to put the ramps in front the wheels and drive up.

Only thing is if you car is dropped/slammed you might get problems going up (touching/scraping), and your workspace underneath will be less. But I prefer it to the jackstands for my cars and purposes. Plus race ramps have extensions and elevators for these things (more $$ though).

Only other downside is if you doing wheel/hub/brake work the ramps wont work, since obviously you can't take your wheels off.

[nervewrecker]

There was a soldering iron i used to see being advertised on tv. It would stay cold and heat up only on contact with the solder immediately melting it.
Anyone knows the name of it?

[pjfred]

Try Weller induction soldering

[rspann]

It's called the Coldheat soldering iron. There are bad reviews about it though.

[nervewrecker]

Shucks. Thanks though

[racedriverpro]

Need a fuel pressure tester/kit asap. Anyone knows Where or who has? Thanks in advance.

[X_Factor]

i have an inline fuel pressure gauge
used it in my b14 and almera to rule out fuel issues

[X_Factor]

[rollingstock]

There was a soldering iron i used to see being advertised on tv. It would stay cold and heat up only on contact with the solder immediately melting it.
Anyone knows the name of it?

I have one somewhere, waste of time, works as advertised but the tip burns off really easily.

[nervewrecker]

Read some reviews. Wont worry with it.

[racedriverpro]

i have an inline fuel pressure gauge
used it in my b14 and almera to rule out fuel issues

Price?

[Ted_v2]

Those gauges work in tons of application. If you looking to drop some coin tho, L&G has some OTC Kits, the kits are workable with their injector cleaner setup.

[Sundar]

There are a lot of variables involved with sizing your compressor.

A big tank helps to prevent the compressor from cycling on and off as much and providing a lot of airflow but CFM is probably the most important parameter for sanding, blasting, grinding, and painting.

If the compressor is for a single garage (and you can afford it), then go big. I use some of my air tools in different locations so size and portability matters. I have a couple of smaller compressors that can be lifted with one arm for blowing up tires, dusting off tools, or using with nail guns and ratchets. I have a big ol' 230 volt for anything else.

Also install a water trap one time if buying a big one.