Ready to start flying solo

Well guys I've been trying to work on my 83 xj650 maxim with my father in law but he is always reluctant to do the things that are advised to me through the forums here. I think i'm ready to take the bike home and work on it solo. I've been using his tools, so my question is does anyone know of a tool set that would basically include everything I would need to work on my bike (if thats even possible).
Thanks in advance guys!
-Tony

 

Good on ya! I use Harbor Freight wrenches because I like the price, polish, and feel.. This is my personal choice.

If I were going to start over accumulating quality tools I would keep an eye on Sears for their excellent prices on their sets. They sell many sets at huge discount over individual prices and they are quality tools. Go to their website and/or to their stores and watch out for closeouts. You can do pretty well for $100 to $200. Sounds like a lot but you will use them forever.

Another option would be Lowes (Kobalt tools) and Home Depot (Husky tools). Good quality, not as good as Craftsman but very serviceable tools.

I would NOT buy a Craftsman torque wrench. The warranty sucks! I have 3 Craftsman torquers 1 of which went down for the dirt nap 30 days after the warranty expired. Figures. One of the Craftsman torque wrenches I still use is a 1/4" drive inch/pound tool. I really like it but it just doesn't inspire confidence in it's durability when I use it. My favorite is a 3/8 drive Kobalt. Durable construction and lifetime warranty. Works great. You can certainly get buy with a beam type torque wrench, Very durable just not as sexy.

I would be reluctant to buy a Harbor Freight 1/4 drive torque wrench. I bought one and never did trust it. Too hard to tell when it broke over at proper torqu.

Good screwdrivers are a must. Get a good set with comfortable grips. Again, Craftsman Pro series or the Kobalt set.

If you have a birthday or any other special event coming up ask for tool cash.

Good luck with this!

Loren

 

impact driver. The screwdriver thingy you whack with a hammer. Also from harbor freight. NEVER use it to tighten anything (i wish I could get one that only drives counter clockwise, i'm always checking it) but it is THE way to unstick screws without stipping the heads.

Your story reminds me of something about half of shooting range masters I've encountered say "I don't care how long you've been shooting or how your dad or uncle or whoever taught you. This is my range and here we do it MY way. period."
Ask three wrenches how to do something and you'll get three answers, each of which is the one and only gospel approved method. (see my claim on loosening screws)
good on ya for broadening your horizons and taking in all the info you can get your eyes on.

 

+1 on a sears set.
I bought one of the big combo's of standered/metric with
1/4,/3/8, 1/2 drive rachets, deep sockets down to ity-bity stuff.

It was about $140.00 back in '97 and have only had to buy one socket
since (some odd size I dont even remember)

It was a little short on wrenches but I've been happy since day one.

 

I think you're getting pretty good advice here.

On the socket sets, I don't like the ones with really high tool counts. You'll end up with 100 nut drivers and such that you'll never use. Look for a set that has 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" drive in the set. Be nice to get them without SAE which seldom get used but I've never seen a set like that :cry:

I've got a set of Pittsburgh (Harbor Freight) combination wrenches that seem to be indestructible. I don't know anything about their ratchets and drivers. Every electrical tool (Multimeter, stick welder, etc.) I've bought at Harbor Freight I've regretted.

I've got a few Husky (Home Depot) tools and they seem to be excellent quality. Since Sears has thinned out their tool department I'm to the point where I usually look at Home Depot first.

 

I love the sears craftsman tools. I also shop at the harbor freight alot.

Power tools, stay away from harbor freight unless you only want to use it once or sparingly.

Check pawn shops, yard sales and the craigslist. Definately now in this economy lots of people hawking things. Craftsman hand tools are warrantied at any sears with tools (and some Kmarts now) receipt or not so it doesn't matter how you get them.

 

Good advice there, although you might want to go ahead and send it in for a "paid" repair. I did, and it came back with a $0 invoice marked "warranty." Apparently the company I sent it to http://www.anglerepair.com/ does Craftsman warranty work too although they don't list it.

I bought a pair of K-D torque wrenches (10-100 ft./lb, and 25-250 in/lb.) and just keep the Craftsmans as standby or loaners.

Which brings me to my advice, you will eventually need a set of torque wrenches, one for the heavier stuff, and one in inch-pounds for the little stuff.

 

Move out of Bullhead to a place more reasonable

Vise Grips and a 5mm Allen wrench.
I lost count how many 5mm bolt heads on my bike.

(Militant_Buddhist: Arguments at shooting range with loaded weapons - Way to feel alive!)

 

+1 on pawn shop tools. At about 25% of retail - -above 50%, just get on your bike and ride to the next shop.
Only select name brand sockets and wrenches, none of the cheap crap, because they usually ring up the same price.