Must have tools

[dodge man]

I have a lot of mechanics tools. I usually have what I want, but there are two things I don't have that I often wished I had. One is a 3/4 drive ratchet set, both metric and english. I don't need it very often, probably once a year, but its on my wish list. I have one good set of taps and dies(for cutting threads). I wish it had bigger sizes and my set is english, I wish I had metric also. Same thing, I probably only need it once a year or less, but on my wish list.

 

[SpringHollow]

25 or so years ago, I bought a standard 3/4" socket set from HF for $29. I liked it so much that I bought several more as gifts and a metric one for myself. It is still going strong. I must admit I was quite surprised because back then especially, most HF tools were pretty crappy. I also bought a crow's foot wrench set from either HF or Northern.

I won't swear to it but I am pretty sure that large wrench you need is 1 13/16". And I find a nice Rigid strap wrench is a necessity for tightening the hydraulic filter.

Ken

 

[BHD]

fi you can get Odd tools for a good price but buying for the sake of adding to your collection is not the most cost effective way, IMO,

I usually wait until I have a need, and then buy, for example I may buy a kit, say a kit of special sockets, or kit of torx, some times I buy only what I need, but start with your basics, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" sockets, and two sets of box and open end wrench's, that basically cover your socket sizes,

depending on what one has one may only need metric now, but would think having SAE would be good as well, the thing about special tools is most of the time there limited to one brand or model, and the next years is some thing different,

adding U joint sockets, impact sockets, impact wrench, ( probably would not get a 3/4 or 1 inch drive sockets unless you have need for them, I would suggest 1/2 impact wrench first, and then a 3/8" and or a 3/8 ratchet wrench,

short wrenches, thin or tappet wrenches, ( I find various extensions, and socket adaptors, 1/2 to 3/8 and 3/8 to 1/4 ect, can be very handy),

I even have a set of 8 point sockets for square nuts, (not that many used any more but on pre 1960 machinery they can come in handy),

VOM meter, inductive ammeter for checking out put of alternators or the draw of starter, (some companies makes a small unit one lays over the wire), battery load tester,

 

[Barryh]

Some great advice on here from everyone.

I have many tools in my garage but looking for specific ones for the Power Trac. I should have added I already have the large center nut wrench .. Thanks to everyone and thanks to Woodlandfarms for the links.. Will be adding an impact wrench and some of these crowfoot wrenches / sockets for the very tight space limitations of the PT tub /compartment.. I also noted some large 3/4 inch hex head nuts on my PT will be ordering some of those in socket form..

 

[woodlandfarms]

DON"T BUY OFF MY LINKS

Sorry, I was just referencing what they are. Not a good deal. Hunt around. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Barryh]

No confusion I understood.. I always shop around I appreciate the advise on the type of tools needed ..

 

[joshlee]

Thats an awesome idea. So far, a specialty wrench I'm going to get is a oil filter socket for the FRAM XG4967 oil filter. I also hear its good to have a wrench for the hydraulic filter on these PT-425s that you can get some good leverage with, because Terry is telling owners to take it a full turn after snug.

FWIW I buy a lot of goody boxes at auctions that have tools in them and have got drawers full of them and a lot of name brand ones too. for specialty tools such as curved or twisted wrenchs I pull one of the no name ones out of the tool box and clamp it in the vise and bend it the way I want for the job I need to do.

 

[ztrjim]

Modifying cheap sockets and extensions makes special tools too, at a fraction of the cost.

Totally! I've done this so many times and it's such a saver!

 

[newbury]

Make sure your impact wrench can handle the torques you will need.
I just went through the process of
Change the fitting on my Lowes 200 ft lb rated impact wrench
String the airline to my truck
Try and undo the nuts (torqued to 150 ft lbs).

No workee

Apparently the 200 lbs wasn't really 200 lbs.

 

[SpringHollow]

Size of your airlines and fittings can affect the torque (as can the pressure setting but I assume that was set correctly). I have switched to the high flow fittings for that reason.

Ken