What tools can you not live without for your race car?

Posted By: 65 Hemi

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 03:32 AM

Quote:

Hoist and the trans jack are my favorites. Nothing can compete with not laying on your back to take a trans out.

At the track this year I've just decided to bring my lap top to add boost, and a dust pan for the results.

I just bought a Bendpak 4 post. When I move I will buy another but it will be a 2 post. Laptop will be down the road since I am a slow learner.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 03:35 AM

My buddies spent all their play money at the bars and have nothing to show for it. I use to have access to everything when I helped at a chassis shop just to learn and to stay out of the bars. Now that I live in Texas I need to count on some body else or buy the equipment to do it myself.

I'll be heading down your way on this Tuesday..
headed down to Port Aransas for our winter vacation

Posted By: B Dartman

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 03:46 AM

Note the small flatscreen TV on back wall. I really like having it in the garage and a stool to sit on between wrenching..

Refrigerators are good too for a tall cool frosty when the work is done...

Posted By: 65 Hemi

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 03:47 AM

Quote:

My buddies spent all their play money at the bars and have nothing to show for it. I use to have access to everything when I helped at a chassis shop just to learn and to stay out of the bars. Now that I live in Texas I need to count on some body else or buy the equipment to do it myself.

I'll be heading down your way on this Tuesday..
headed down to Port Aransas for our winter vacation

If you have time for a burger and beer let me know. Old Timer and myself always look forward to your wisdom and would love to meet you.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 03:51 AM

If you have time for a burger and beer let me know. Old Timer and myself always look forward to your wisdom and would love to meet you.

Posted By: 65 Hemi

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 04:12 AM

Quote:

If you have time for a burger and beer let me know. Old Timer and myself always look forward to your wisdom and would love to meet you.

Do you live near Port A... the wife and I will be
down there for 6 weeks
EDIT
I listen to the radio most of the time in the shop
(I have a kick butt stereo and speakers out there)
plus I have 3 stools for when fiends show up and want
to tip a few brews
Pretty far south but I may be down south for work. If so I will look you up. If you are coming through north TX on your trip look us up also.

Posted By: mistress

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 04:23 AM

My Kegerator

Probably my mig welder would be a great loss or lift. to old to be rolling around on the floor anymore.

Posted By: dakotawilly

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 04:41 AM

the best tool easily fits in your pocket, a massive wallet,anything can be done with that..

Posted By: 65 Hemi

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 04:55 AM

Quote:

the best tool easily fits in your pocket, a massive wallet,anything can be done with that..

Yes, but you can do it your way with the right tools and it feels so much better when it's done.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 05:00 AM

Yes, but you can do it your way with the right tools and it feels so much better when it's done.

PM me where you live at in northern Texas... yes it
has a lot better feeling when you know YOU built it

Posted By: Al_Alguire

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 05:52 AM

I always wanted hired help, that would make this much easier but they always want to be paid

Posted By: Eric

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 05:58 AM

The tool behind the wheel

Posted By: 451Mopar

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 07:14 AM

Lighted magnifying glass so I can read small stuff like carb jets and metering rods.
Leatherman knife/tool, and electrical tape.

Posted By: quickd100

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 01:40 PM

The single best thing I put in the shop was a 4-post lift. Way to many years of laying on my back.Dave

Posted By: Chris'sBarracuda

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 02:10 PM

Duct Tape..

Chris..

Posted By: dvw

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 11:40 PM

In the shop, hands down the hoist. At the track I tune with a stick,a stone, and an ax.
Doug

Posted By: Quickrunner

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/20/14 11:53 PM

Unfortunately I find THE most important tool in my new shop is a pair of reading glasses, cheap 1.5 or 1.75's seem to work best! LOL

Posted By: 72Swinger

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 12:14 AM

Welder...

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 12:19 AM

Quote:

Welder...

I have multiple welders in the shop Tig, a couple of migs, torches
and PLUGS everywhere so I can plug in anywhere and
outside also... I also have a 50' extension for the
welders if its needed

Posted By: rt66jim

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 12:26 AM

Seems like anymore the Lazy Boy in my garage gets the most use. Maybe that is why it takes me so long to get things done.

Posted By: tboomer

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 12:34 AM

The tool behind the wheel that usually drives a bad azz Duster!!

Posted By: Thumperdart

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 12:56 AM

and duct tape...................

Posted By: Crizila

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 02:06 AM

Quote:

I'm tired of counting on chassis shops to get small jobs done. Ideas on which tools buy to maintain race car.
I'm buying a Tig welder, tube bender, bead roller, shear metal brake, plasma cutter, metal band saw, slip roller and tube notcher. I have most of the hand tools.

Here is mine - or I should say - hers.

Attached picture 8005555-maresfuelgauge.jpg

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 02:33 AM

Quote:

Unfortunately I find THE most important tool in my new shop is a pair of reading glasses, cheap 1.5 or 1.75's seem to work best! LOL :scopeout
:

Now That I agree with!!!

My 9/16ths deep well socket for my 1/4 inch drive set is the best tool ever.
Get a Good Miller or Lincoln--spend and get more welder than you think you will need--you will never regret it.

Lighting Lighting Lighting and more lighting--goes with original quote

Posted By: Bigbeep

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 06:05 AM

The tubing bender, and tig and mig welders. They seem to contribute the most to the race car budget.

Beep

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 06:21 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Unfortunately I find THE most important tool in my new shop is a pair of reading glasses, cheap 1.5 or 1.75's seem to work best! LOL :scopeout
:

Now That I agree with!!!

My 9/16ths deep well socket for my 1/4 inch drive set is the best tool ever.
Get a Good Miller or Lincoln--spend and get more welder than you think you will need--you will never regret it.

Lighting Lighting Lighting and more lighting--goes with original quote

us OLD people need to see... I use a 2.0
and there are a FEW pair in the shop... I'm STILL
adding lighting to my shop... when I can get sun burnt
from the lighting it MIGHT be enough

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 07:32 AM

Compressor and flow bench are used almost daily but I wouldn't want to give up the torches or welders either.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 07:41 AM

Quote:

Compressor and flow bench are used almost daily but I wouldn't want to give up the torches or welders either.

I sold my flow bench with the idea of moving up to
a better bench... I should have kept the old one TILL
I had the new one... havent replaced it yet

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 09:15 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Compressor and flow bench are used almost daily but I wouldn't want to give up the torches or welders either.

I sold my flow bench with the idea of moving up to
a better bench... I should have kept the old one TILL
I had the new one... havent replaced it yet

I bought 2 of them and wasn't totally happy with them so I took the best features of both of them and built one exactly the way I wanted it set up. I have performed over 1000 flow test since I built it.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 03:12 PM

Since you built your bench what pump did you use,
how big is it and what will it flow max... I wouldnt
mind building one.. I had a little thing that I built
years ago... it just wouldnt do much

Posted By: slippery440

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 04:21 PM

You know you when you have enough tools when the race car won't fit in the shop. My friend is just about there.

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 04:38 PM

Quote:

I bought 2 of them and wasn't totally happy with them so I took the best features of both of them and built one exactly the way I wanted it set up. I have performed over 1000 flow test since I built it.

Since you built your bench what pump did you use,
how big is it and what will it flow max... I wouldnt
mind building one.. I had a little thing that I built
years ago... it just wouldnt do much

Mike I don't want to step all over someone's post but here are a couple of pictures. I built it with 8 motor and can flow up to app 560cfm@28 inches. The plans for it cost 50 dollars and its a fun project. I have it all hooked up to my laptop and its very easy to map out airspeeds.

Posted By: 6PKRTSE

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 07:50 PM

A WINCH. A winch on the trailer. The best thing I ever purchased. I have one on my POS 18' open trailer. I cannot believe how many people I know with fancy high dollar enclosed trailers & they do not have a winch.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 09:42 PM

Quote:

I'm tired of counting on chassis shops to get small jobs done. Ideas on which tools buy to maintain race car.
I'm buying a Tig welder, tube bender, bead roller, shear metal brake, plasma cutter, metal band saw, slip roller and tube notcher. I have most of the hand tools.

Nothin personal, but the items you mentioned, although they are chassis shop tools, they are not really maintenance tools. You gotta ask yourself how often you will be using them to be able to decide if they are cost effective to buy / own. Tools like a band saw, tig welder, plasma cutter( I would opt for a mig welder and acetylene torch over the last two mentioned for versatility - if I had nothing ) might be cost effective if you can do "double duty" with them. Then again, maybe you plan on opening a chassis shop, or roll your race car on a regular basis.

Posted By: 65 Hemi

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/21/14 11:06 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I'm tired of counting on chassis shops to get small jobs done. Ideas on which tools buy to maintain race car.
I'm buying a Tig welder, tube bender, bead roller, shear metal brake, plasma cutter, metal band saw, slip roller and tube notcher. I have most of the hand tools.

Nothin personal, but the items you mentioned, although they are chassis shop tools, they are not really maintenance tools. You gotta ask yourself how often you will be using them to be able to decide if they are cost effective to buy / own. Tools like a band saw, tig welder, plasma cutter( I would opt for a mig welder and acetylene torch over the last two mentioned for versatility - if I had nothing ) might be cost effective if you can do "double duty" with them. Then again, maybe you plan on opening a chassis shop, or roll your race car on a regular basis.

You bring up a good point. I have a mig, torch, and plenty of hand tools. The thing for me is I have 13 cars that always need something and friends could always use a hand. You figure if I use these tools as a hobbyist they should last. So $65,000- $75,000 over hopefully the next 20-25 years really is not to bad considering how much you would pay a shop labor.

Posted By: jim sciortino

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 01:13 AM

Since my brother swings a pretty mean wrench, I'd say he's the only "tool" I couldn't do without.

Posted By: mcat4321

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 01:28 AM

electric 4 inch hand grinder/cutting wheel.
i paid $8.99 at harbor freight in 06 best tool i have...

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 03:46 AM

Racepak.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 04:26 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I'm tired of counting on chassis shops to get small jobs done. Ideas on which tools buy to maintain race car.
I'm buying a Tig welder, tube bender, bead roller, shear metal brake, plasma cutter, metal band saw, slip roller and tube notcher. I have most of the hand tools.

Nothin personal, but the items you mentioned, although they are chassis shop tools, they are not really maintenance tools. You gotta ask yourself how often you will be using them to be able to decide if they are cost effective to buy / own. Tools like a band saw, tig welder, plasma cutter( I would opt for a mig welder and acetylene torch over the last two mentioned for versatility - if I had nothing ) might be cost effective if you can do "double duty" with them. Then again, maybe you plan on opening a chassis shop, or roll your race car on a regular basis.

You bring up a good point. I have a mig, torch, and plenty of hand tools. The thing for me is I have 13 cars that always need something and friends could always use a hand. You figure if I use these tools as a hobbyist they should last. So $65,000- $75,000 over hopefully the next 20-25 years really is not to bad considering how much you would pay a shop labor.

13 Cars??? - never mind then

. Space is also a consideration.

Posted By: BradH

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 04:28 AM

Add me to the list of people who said a quality tire pressure gauge. I've found that running a 275/60R15 DOT radial requires knowing where the pressure is right before belting in to pull into the water.

Posted By: 65 Hemi

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 05:33 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I'm tired of counting on chassis shops to get small jobs done. Ideas on which tools buy to maintain race car.
I'm buying a Tig welder, tube bender, bead roller, shear metal brake, plasma cutter, metal band saw, slip roller and tube notcher. I have most of the hand tools.

Nothin personal, but the items you mentioned, although they are chassis shop tools, they are not really maintenance tools. You gotta ask yourself how often you will be using them to be able to decide if they are cost effective to buy / own. Tools like a band saw, tig welder, plasma cutter( I would opt for a mig welder and acetylene torch over the last two mentioned for versatility - if I had nothing ) might be cost effective if you can do "double duty" with them. Then again, maybe you plan on opening a chassis shop, or roll your race car on a regular basis.

You bring up a good point. I have a mig, torch, and plenty of hand tools. The thing for me is I have 13 cars that always need something and friends could always use a hand. You figure if I use these tools as a hobbyist they should last. So $65,000- $75,000 over hopefully the next 20-25 years really is not to bad considering how much you would pay a shop labor.

13 Cars??? - never mind then . Space is also a consideration.

I have a wonderful wife! I am building a 6000' shop with a 1500' man cave/saloon. I laugh everytime she says " you can buy anything you want as long as the bills are paid, we have our retirement, and I stay home to work on the cars". She tells her friends she never has to worry about me being at the bars. I'm never done with the cars, so I don't have time to go to the bar. She has no idea that Mopar guys are hoarders!!!

Posted By: THE GLASS MAN

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 05:40 AM

First on the list is my floor jack and second is my priming bar to prime the oil pressure on the HEMI!!!

Posted By: POZEST

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 01:01 PM

I use the crap out of my electric impact at home and the track.

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 02:47 PM

You may laugh at this one but I have everything in my car trailer in labeled Rubbermaid plastic boxes. Tools, electrical, carb parts, cleaning supplies, and I have one box labeled "lucky box". In that box I keep a very nice supply of nuts, bolts, washers, spacers, shims, wire lumes, butt connectors, and any other odd ball part I throw in there. People laugh when they borrow something out of it but it usually saves their racing day. The only part that gets old is instead of building their own lucky box they count to much on me having it for them and then I re-buy the stuff to restock it.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 04:30 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I'm tired of counting on chassis shops to get small jobs done. Ideas on which tools buy to maintain race car.
I'm buying a Tig welder, tube bender, bead roller, shear metal brake, plasma cutter, metal band saw, slip roller and tube notcher. I have most of the hand tools.

Nothin personal, but the items you mentioned, although they are chassis shop tools, they are not really maintenance tools. You gotta ask yourself how often you will be using them to be able to decide if they are cost effective to buy / own. Tools like a band saw, tig welder, plasma cutter( I would opt for a mig welder and acetylene torch over the last two mentioned for versatility - if I had nothing ) might be cost effective if you can do "double duty" with them. Then again, maybe you plan on opening a chassis shop, or roll your race car on a regular basis.

You bring up a good point. I have a mig, torch, and plenty of hand tools. The thing for me is I have 13 cars that always need something and friends could always use a hand. You figure if I use these tools as a hobbyist they should last. So $65,000- $75,000 over hopefully the next 20-25 years really is not to bad considering how much you would pay a shop labor.

13 Cars??? - never mind then . Space is also a consideration.

I have a wonderful wife! I am building a 6000' shop with a 1500' man cave/saloon. I laugh everytime she says " you can buy anything you want as long as the bills are paid, we have our retirement, and I stay home to work on the cars". She tells her friends she never has to worry about me being at the bars. I'm never done with the cars, so I don't have time to go to the bar. She has no idea that Mopar guys are hoarders!!!

I'm a pretty lucky old dude too. My wife is my pit crew and rig driver. Couldn't do it without her.

Attached picture 8007255-tirelady.jpg

Posted By: 65 Hemi

Re: What tools can you not live without for your race car? - 01/22/14 04:51 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I'm tired of counting on chassis shops to get small jobs done. Ideas on which tools buy to maintain race car.
I'm buying a Tig welder, tube bender, bead roller, shear metal brake, plasma cutter, metal band saw, slip roller and tube notcher. I have most of the hand tools.

Nothin personal, but the items you mentioned, although they are chassis shop tools, they are not really maintenance tools. You gotta ask yourself how often you will be using them to be able to decide if they are cost effective to buy / own. Tools like a band saw, tig welder, plasma cutter( I would opt for a mig welder and acetylene torch over the last two mentioned for versatility - if I had nothing ) might be cost effective if you can do "double duty" with them. Then again, maybe you plan on opening a chassis shop, or roll your race car on a regular basis.

You bring up a good point. I have a mig, torch, and plenty of hand tools. The thing for me is I have 13 cars that always need something and friends could always use a hand. You figure if I use these tools as a hobbyist they should last. So $65,000- $75,000 over hopefully the next 20-25 years really is not to bad considering how much you would pay a shop labor.

13 Cars??? - never mind then . Space is also a consideration.

I have a wonderful wife! I am building a 6000' shop with a 1500' man cave/saloon. I laugh everytime she says " you can buy anything you want as long as the bills are paid, we have our retirement, and I stay home to work on the cars". She tells her friends she never has to worry about me being at the bars. I'm never done with the cars, so I don't have time to go to the bar. She has no idea that Mopar guys are hoarders!!!

I'm a pretty lucky old dude too. My wife is my pit crew and rig driver. Couldn't do it without her.

Yes, you are very lucky. All the cars, tools, and races don't mean a thing if cant enjoy it with family and friends!

What tools can you not live without for your race car?