OK, I am officially putting together my first set of tools and wanted opinions of what you guys think are the must have tools to work on the Stang etc?? Here is what I picked up last night just to get me started.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00933263000P?vName=Tools&cName=Tool+Sets&sbf=Clearance
and
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_009H0284000B?sbf=Clearance&vName=Tools&cName=Garage+%26+Tool+Storage&sName=Chest+%26+Cabinet+Combos

I know these are pretty basic but I am just getting started so give me a break lol.
Thanks guys

...Well, you're off to a great start. How'bout things like gap & feeler gauges, volt meter, oil filter wrench, gear puller(s) torque wrench, electrical repair kit w/ wire stripper/crimpers, compression tester ... plus spare things like hose clamps, vacuum plugs & tubing and any other common parts that come in handy during late-nite diagnosis when the parts houses are closed ;-) I also keep alot spare tune-up parts & gaskets etc... in my toolbox.

You can really go nuts! But it depends on whether you are doing maintenance or major refurb... Oh! Jack stands - Never get under a car without them!

You can't go wrong with Craftsman tools. Good quality & guarantee. Just add as you go along. Their shop vac is worth having, too.
Neil Hoppe

I'd definitely invest in a good "Air Compressor" and some good air tools. I can't count the number of times I've used mine and not just to air up the tires.

Don :cool:

my fav tool = 1/2" drive breaker bar.

I've purchased pneumatic tools from NORTHEN TOOLS. They're not too expensive, and with light use (as opposed to commercial) they last a long time. Same for a Campbell-Hausfield air compressor (mine survived hurricane Andrew - litteraly floated in my flooded garage!). (My '68 Mustang convert was safely stored in a warehouse at the time.)
Neil Hoppe

You can't go wrong with Craftsman tools. Good quality & guarantee. Just add as you go along. Their shop vac is worth having, too.
Neil Hoppe

RIGHT ON, Neil!!1 I could not have said it better and easier!! Bob here.

OK, I am officially putting together my first set of tools and wanted opinions of what you guys think are the must have tools to work on the Stang etc?? Here is what I picked up last night just to get me started.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00933263000P?vName=Tools&cName=Tool+Sets&sbf=Clearance
and
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_009H0284000B?sbf=Clearance&vName=Tools&cName=Garage+%26+Tool+Storage&sName=Chest+%26+Cabinet+Combos

I know these are pretty basic but I am just getting started so give me a break lol.
Thanks guys

Tony,
I started out with almost the same exact things you bought on clearance from Sears. I got a similar deal. It is a great start!

I've also purchased from Northern Tools and have been happy.

<~~~~~What Bob and Neil said exactly! I have all Craftsman tools, air compressor, and thanks for the reminder that I need a new shop vac!

I like Northern Tools too!

...Here's another handy thread from awhile back that can also help...

http://californiaspecial.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4146&highlight=tool+kit

thanks for all the great advice.. I think my next purchase will be the air compressor, how big should I go? along with that is the shop vac and jack stands. thanks again for all the great ideas.

Air Comp. = 2 to 2 1/2 HP should be adequate.
Jack Stands = Don't skimp, get Hvy Duty (better safe than sorry)
Shop Vac. = 5 Gal Wet/Dry (shop the sales, Sears, Lowes, etc.)

Are we helping you spend your $$$ fast enough!?

Neil

Air Comp. = 2 to 2 1/2 HP should be adequate.
Jack Stands = Don't skimp, get Hvy Duty (better safe than sorry)
Shop Vac. = 5 Gal Wet/Dry (shop the sales, Sears, Lowes, etc.)

Are we helping you spend your $$$ fast enough!?

Neil

lol plenty fast enough.. I am already about $600 in the hole and building fast. I kept trying to justify it to the girlfriend telling her that things like this last a lifetime but she just chalks it up to me being a man lol. I told her to go buy some clothes and shoes that she wont be wearing in a year and leave me alone lol

I tell you, if I ever get married again, I want my bridal registry at Sears and Lowes. Oh, Harbor Freight is good too! And hey! I never had a girly girl shower/party thing in my life...should I just throw one for myself? Housewarming/car chick/before I die, painting party? Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread. I'm outta here.

You should also get a good 3 ton floor jack if you don't have one. I don't like hydraulic bottle jacks to get a car up on the jack stands.
Bruce

Bruce, or anyone - when working under your CS up on jackstands, where do you place your front jackstands (for safety). I want to use all 4 at once for detailing and leave the car that way over the winter, but never sure the best place to put the front two for max safety (kids in the garage, etc).

Casey

Bruce, or anyone - when working under your CS up on jackstands, where do you place your front jackstands (for safety). I want to use all 4 at once for detailing and leave the car that way over the winter, but never sure the best place to put the front two for max safety (kids in the garage, etc).

Casey

Good question.. I always wondered the same :grin:

I use the frame rails forward of the suspension that your forward inner engine compartment panels attach to. I have also used the frame rails behind the front tires, but you should be careful. They can be dented if you are rough with them. I have seen many a Mustang with jack marks in this area. floor jacks and jack stands can be had with nylon/rubber pads. A good investment to save the frame and not marr the paint.

The more forward point on the car on the frame rail is the safest IMO.

I am all Craftsman. I love my complete tap and die set for chasing bolts with the metric add on for some of my newer stuff. Every shop needs these to clean up threads.

I love my parts washer and have all the other items list by this thread. A sturdy vice is a must. 1/4 drive stuff is so handy for those tight places. Deep well sockets for all drives. Fitting wrenches for all those brake lines. And I love my open end wrenches with a swival socket on the other. I use the crap out of those guys. Very handy.

Rob

Bruce, or anyone - when working under your CS up on jackstands, where do you place your front jackstands (for safety). I want to use all 4 at once for detailing and leave the car that way over the winter, but never sure the best place to put the front two for max safety (kids in the garage, etc).

Casey

...What Rob said, but consider going to assembed (tuned) wooden blocks as opposed to the metal stands...

I use the frame rails forward of the suspension that your forward inner engine compartment panels attach to.
Rob

I dont understand - there are frame rails, then torque box,and then the rails stop - right? Casey

Tony, Paul, my kids and my brother in law have done over time, 6 cars. A 74 VW, 68 Firebirds 400 convert, Cobra Replica, 68 GT/CS, then another Cobra. Each time, we vote for "Best tool for the build". Here where I come down. This assumes that you have the needed wrenches and sockets, which include half inch sockets. Without air, we would have been lost!!! None of this would have happened. So, to me first is air. Then frankly, once you have air, you have a great choice on air tools. Take advantage of that. When I think about tools, I think about tow things. I have to get the job done, and what will save me money. For our GT/CS project, you can look at our pics (Paul and Brian Stevenson), we would have nominated our media blast booth as probably in the running. So many parts come off these older cars that need to be cleaned up. You might walk through our restoration pics and just has a look around. If you are doing a resto on an older car, you will need a way to clean it up. Good luck.

I'm all Craftsman too. I have all of my original sets to almost all of the new, neat items that have come out the past few years. From the etched ratchets and sockets, to all of the ratcheting wrenches in regular, stubby, and the new cross force ratcheting ones too. I love walking the store from time to time looking at the end caps for all of the special purchases on the new items. Just watch items like torque wrenches and other items deemed automotive. Automotive items do not carry the lifetime warranty. I had to beg to get my torque wrench replaced a few years back. The only reason they did it was because it still looked brand new.

Floor jack: stay away from the "bottle" jacks. They can be dangerous. A good floor jack (2 1/2 ton minimum, thats 5,000 lbs) with at least 18" lift heighth. 24" is even better if you're planning on doing bottom work. It can get cozy down there if the car is too low. To protect the frame from being marred by the stand, I just put a rag or towel folded thick between the stand & frame. I place the rear stands on the frame just forward of the rear springs forward attach point. The front stands can be placed under the frame at the forward end of the torque boxes. Be advised that this placement will allow the front suspension (lower control arms) to droop somewhat, but that's OK. For long term storage that takes the weight & load off the front suspension. You've gotten a LOT of good suggestions (parts washer, bead blaster, etc.) but let your budget be your guide. Most folks accumulate this stuff over many years, not overnight.
Fifteen years ago someone broke into my garage @ home and cleaned out 30 years of tools I had accumulated (tools, not equipment). I went to Sears tool dept, asked the salesman if they were on salary or commission. He said commission. I said today's your lucky day, grab a cart & follow me. MANY thousands of dollars later I went home, still not having replaced many special items I had made over the years. One last piece of advice that my dad gave me 50 years ago: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER sell your tools for any reason. (and be stingy about loaning them out!!) Good luck with your project, hope we can help.

Neil Hoppe

I am still on my 1st tool set. I started with a 3/8 socket set and some screw drivers about 25 years ago. I just replaced some of the screw drivers and the MAC man commented on how old they were. I am not a mechanic by trade, but I have learned that there is a difference in tools. Buy quality tools w/ lifetime warranty. I have an assortment Craftsman, Snap-On, Mac, Matco. If you need it once, chances are you will need it again! Don't think that you need to buy everything at once, but as you need something buy it.

My personal favorite hand tools now are the gear wrench reversable box wrenches. I use them more than sockets. Good Luck.

You mean I get to make a list?!!!!!!!
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy:icon_ecst

Timing light
Gear puller (steering wheel, harmonic balancer, etc)
Soldering Gun
Voltage Meter or Light (you own a Mustang....you'll find out)
Assorted Electrical Connectors
Wire Stripper
Wire Ties
Heavy Duty Scissors
Plastic Case for Nuts & Bolts
Allen Wrenches
Distributor Wrench
Center Punch
GOOD Drill Bits
Rat Tail File
Small Openend Wrenches (Ignition Set?)
Line Wrenches - Don't use an open-end wrench on a fuel line or brake line:mad:
1 1/2" wide Putty Knife
If you get a compressor also pick up a small gravity-feed paint gun
Friend who has all the expensive stuff

Non-Tool Stuff
Weather Stripping Adhesive
Loc-Tight
Penetrating Oil
Paint Thinner
Wax & Grease Remover
Gasket Material
Assorted Sandpaper
Steel Wool

Dang it...you guys gave me the fever and I went to Sears today.
Arrrrrr Arrrrrrrr Arrrrrrrrrr!

I dont understand - there are frame rails, then torque box,and then the rails stop - right? Casey

Frame rails forward of the front tires. Torque boxes aft of the front tire as the frame disappears into the unibody.

Rob

I'm going to add my favorite tool to this list.
A small pair of locking position adjustable pliers. These are Knipex Cobra model 87 01 180. Once you have them, you can't live without them.
Heres a pair on e-bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Knipex-87-01-180-SBA-7-COBRA-PLIERS_W0QQitemZ160145801183QQcmdZViewItem

Another thing to add to your list is a good drop light with electrical outlet plugs, very handy and make sure you put in a twirly type bulb like the one in the picture. I burnt myself and popped bulbs for years before I tried these new bulbs. They're brighter and they don't get hot. On for hours and you can still hold the bulb protector without burning yourself !! If you can spring for one that retracts into a holder it's pretty handy also.

You mean I get to make a list?!!!!!!!
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy:icon_ecst

Timing light
Gear puller (steering wheel, harmonic balancer, etc)
Soldering Gun
Voltage Meter or Light (you own a Mustang....you'll find out)
Assorted Electrical Connectors
Wire Stripper
Wire Ties
Heavy Duty Scissors
Plastic Case for Nuts & Bolts
Allen Wrenches
Distributor Wrench
Center Punch
GOOD Drill Bits
Rat Tail File
Small Openend Wrenches (Ignition Set?)
Line Wrenches - Don't use an open-end wrench on a fuel line or brake line:mad:
1 1/2" wide Putty Knife
If you get a compressor also pick up a small gravity-feed paint gun
Friend who has all the expensive stuff

Non-Tool Stuff
Weather Stripping Adhesive
Loc-Tight
Penetrating Oil
Paint Thinner
Wax & Grease Remover
Gasket Material
Assorted Sandpaper
Steel Wool

Good stuff!!! Plenty of stuff for me to add to the wish list lol.
Dang it...you guys gave me the fever and I went to Sears today.
Arrrrrr Arrrrrrrr Arrrrrrrrrr!
I know, I almost dont wanna go back Wednesday to pick up my tool chest b/c I know I will leave spending even more money now that I have my list going.

And +1 on the light thing nfrntau

how about a pickle fork and inside coilspring compressor

How about a beer to chase all that with?