So I've got a garage, now I need to fill it (with tools...)

[dagus]

So now that I've got a garage (actually the 2-car garage is for the cars. The Hawk gets a 3-story renovated ex-chicken coop all to itself - this used to be my grandfather's poultry farm), what tools could you guys not live without?

Can anyone reccommend a torque wrench that's reasonably accurate (I've been told to shy away from Harbor Freight but it's tempting) but one that won't bankrupt me (someone else reccommended a $400 digital model that I absolutely don't need) and which provides the range of tension I'll need to work on the Hawk?

Should I go with 1/4", 3/4", or 1/2" drive? Does it matter? Harbor freight has a $20 torque wrench that's 1/4" but after a quick googling I can't find a set that includes 8mm-22mm sockets that are 1/4" drive.

Anybody know what some of the bigger sized sockets are, that I'll need for the random things on the Hawk?

Aside from the torque wrench, now I need to find a decent spanner set... front and rear stands... already planning to build a 10' workbench with Dad...

Suggestions, please... so much fun planning this....

[LeftRightLeftThrottle]

I use a 1/2 in craftsman torque wrench, I think it was only around $30 (its the cheaper kind with a smaller diameter torque bar on top that points to a scale) and for spanners I'd have to recommend craftsman, or some other company with a lifetime warranty. All those ampro or whatever tools i've bought at the parts store always break. And hey, if you dig around your grandfathers farm and find some old craftsman tools that are broken, you can replace them for free!

[dagus]

I'm looking for the clicker-type torque wrench. I've used Abe's (Abe? Are you a member yet?) and somebody else's, and liked that kind.

Yeah, Craftsman seems to be the general consensus among Hawkers.

[Doc]

I use craftsman/stanley. Althought I here walmart ahs a brand that is the same thing...(didn't we go over this in another thread?)

As for special tools...

A small floor jack
Jack stands
Air compressor
There are only a couple big sockets you need I will look
The Honda spark plug wrench
Honda Spanner
I use 3/8ths drives although I do have some 1/2 then I just use an adaptor.
BIG tool box
Good screwdrivers
If your gonna pull the motor there is a special 4 pronged socket..

That should be a start.

[SVHUNTER]

DUde hit me with a list i'll hook a brother up.I work at Fastenal. I can get almost anything we stock craftsman.

[Vtwin650]

The tools will be bought as needed, but you should do what I did and build yourself a motorcycle stand. To get the motorcycle up off the ground so that you do not have to bend over while working. I will look for a pic of mine, but it is simple - built out of 4x4 legs and a hardwood top. Would not work on a bike without one!!! You just power or roll the bike up on it and strap it down. My stand is approx. 24" high, so I use a ramp to get the bike up and down.

As for the tools, I love my socket adapter attached to my cordless drill for removing bolts and such. And could not go without my feeler guages and digital measuring tool.

Other must haves:

Air Compressor (Craftsman 6hp, 30 gal tank)
Air Tools - Impact Wrench etc.
Heav-Duty Clamp

I could list all day - My wife thinks I love my garage more than her - She is wrong, but better watch herself

[ovlovder]

I have a reasonably well stocked garage, and have found, as far as motorcycles are concerned, the Blue Point 1/4 drive set I purchased recently has been getting used more than most everything else, ratcheting combination wrenches are nice as well...

Angle grinder
Drill press
Air compressor/air tools
Dial caliper
Drop light
Vice
Tap/Die set is huge.

More tools=more gooder!

[jaysun0ne]

i have herd nothing but good thing about Harbor Freight my machining teacher is a tool and die maker and he told me he had all his Harbor Freight stuff calibrated at his work and it was all dead on. cant buy every thing there but i think the torque wrench and calipers and air tool from Harbor Freight is a good buy.

needed tools not mentioned yet
alen keys metric and imperial (never know)
and alot of lights home depot has 4' florecent lights for a resonable price
heater for the colder days (its too cold right now or i would be polishing right now)

and you will always be buying tools keep your eyes peeled for the sales

[ovlovder]

I would say harbor freight for the most part is decent as well. $16 angle grinder, various cheap air tools, and if I hadnt found an awesome buy on a speedair compressor, would have got that there too.

My impact wrench, and air ratchet are refurbished Blue Point, but the rest are from harbor freight though my impact sockets are the only ones I got there.






As usual, perfecting the art of the run-on sentence

[motorcycleman]

I have found that an impact driver is a useful tool in addition to the above mentioned stuff. Also sears sells a cheap bike lift (under $100) which I have found to be perfect for my harley but not for my exhuast pipe under bike Hawk Gt. I use an old milking stool to sit next to the bike- see if you can find one around the farm- perfect work platform!

[dagus]

DUde hit me with a list i'll hook a brother up.I work at Fastenal. I can get almost anything we stock craftsman.

my MAN!!! that's awesome! Gotta remember that!

I figure, there's a complete set of wrenches - like 32 pieces or something - from Harbor Freight for $25. Can't go wrong with that, unless they're totally made of cardboard. The torque wrench and sockets, I'll check out Wal-Mart (there's one in town) and if they don't have what I need, I'll be dropping SVHunter an email.

The rest, I can get piece-by-piece.

[MrDude_1]

DUde hit me with a list i'll hook a brother up.I work at Fastenal. I can get almost anything we stock craftsman.

my MAN!!! that's awesome! Gotta remember that!

I figure, there's a complete set of wrenches - like 32 pieces or something - from Harbor Freight for $25. Can't go wrong with that, unless they're totally made of cardboard. The torque wrench and sockets, I'll check out Wal-Mart (there's one in town) and if they don't have what I need, I'll be dropping SVHunter an email.

The rest, I can get piece-by-piece.

wrenches and sockets are things you pay the extra $ for and get a craftsman/snapon/kolbalt/ect.
at least a pro-sumer level tool.


grinders, wire wheels, consumables, ect... thoes are things you should get at HF....

[dagus]

A small floor jack I've got a car jack...
Jack stands huh?
Air compressor wouldn't that be cool... what do you use yours for?
There are only a couple big sockets you need I will look thanks, that'd help
The Honda spark plug wrench got it! I've got everything in the stock tool kit now, except for the little flat handles
Honda Spanner from the tool kit?
I use 3/8ths drives although I do have some 1/2 then I just use an adaptor.
BIG tool box
Good screwdrivers my crappy and/or random ones and the phillips head from the tool kit are getting me by ok for now
If your gonna pull the motor there is a special 4 pronged socket. not that I need this yet (yet ) but where do I get that thing? Is that the weird socket-looking thingie in the tool kit?

That should be a start.

I should add one more thing... big posters of the Tamburini Duc and the F4, and one of a nice Hawk! Kinkos should be able to hook me up with printing a Hawk one, right?

[Doc]

A small floor jack I've got a car jack...
Jack stands huh?

These http://www.ehow.com/how_16351_jack-stands.html

Air compressor wouldn't that be cool... what do you use yours for?

Air. Tires, blowing out parts, getting water off the bike, air tools...

There are only a couple big sockets you need I will look thanks, that'd help

Still looking

The Honda spark plug wrench got it! I've got everything in the stock tool kit now, except for the little flat handles
Honda Spanner from the tool kit?

Yep. That would work

I use 3/8ths drives although I do have some 1/2 then I just use an adaptor.
BIG tool box
Good screwdrivers my crappy and/or random ones and the phillips head from the tool kit are getting me by ok for now

But get some good ones they are cheap and worth it.

If your gonna pull the motor there is a special 4 pronged socket. not that I need this yet (yet ) but where do I get that thing? Is that the weird socket-looking thingie in the tool kit?

This thing.

http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/oil_filter_and_clutch_hub_spanner_for_honda/

That should be a start.

I should add one more thing... big posters of the Tamburini Duc and the F4, and one of a nice Hawk! Kinkos should be able to hook me up with printing a Hawk one, right?

[dagus]

You guys rock