I'm beginning to wish we had Harbor Freight in UK. Sounds like a mechanical enthusiasts' paradise. Sure, we have hardware, etc, but nothing with the breadth of stock that members talk out.Originally Posted by 12ozPBR
I'm beginning to wish we had Harbor Freight in UK. Sounds like a mechanical enthusiasts' paradise. Sure, we have hardware, etc, but nothing with the breadth of stock that members talk out.
1970 CB175 K4 (UK version)
When I looked the cost of LED tubes that fit the fluorescent fixtures was twice what self contained LED 4' were and then if the ballasts go bad you have to deal with that. I'm retiring my old fixtures, the new ones are very light, bright and literally plug and play. See below amazon link and figure what 6 T12 (4') LED equivalents cost. The 6 pack costs about $45 and they draw less.
One thing is for sure, it will keep your legs in shape.
Their stuff is 'okay', adequate most of the time but a fair amount of it is for the quite casual user. I bought some polishing (cloth) wheels for my grinder there and they came apart in mere minutes, pieces flying off while I was in my first 3 minutes of polishing. Took that junk back, no issues (they know the level of stuff they sell). I use their Scotchbrite-style discs for the hand-held air grinder (and when my old friend Mike's CP air grinder died I bought the HF equivalent) and both work well, though you can tell the air grinder isn't top flight but it does what I need it to do for half the money or less. As mentioned earlier, I have their parts washing tank and it's going on 5 years old with petroleum-based solvent in it (which they said would damage the pump) and it's been great. Just like any other seller, you have to pick and choose from their stuff to get decent for less money. Been considering their mid-priced torque wrench as I've borrowed my buddy's Snap-On piece a few times in the last 5 years or so, just not convinced it would be as accurate as I'd like.I'm beginning to wish we had Harbor Freight in UK. Sounds like a mechanical enthusiasts' paradise. Sure, we have hardware, etc, but nothing with the breadth of stock that members talk out.
I would have liked to have a lift but just didnt have room for it. I have an overhead hoist and would lift the bike then go to the wood shop and build a stand to support the bike where I needed it. When done I would take the stand apart for storage. I have a work bench on one side of the shop and built a portable work bench to use where I needed it. My shop is 33 feet deep but only 11 feet wide. With work benches and shelves on the sides you have to get creative with the center space. My powder coating ovens, sand blaster and welders take up the back wall.
When and or if I finish Tonys CA 95 I am going start selling my equipment. None of the family is interested in the tools. Probably wont get a few cents on the dollar.
Bill H
Shame.
But another reason for me to apply for a Green Card!
1970 CB175 K4 (UK version)
This is a fair review. I go there for "staple" type stuff. Or stuff that is seldom used but will work.
For stuff I expect to use often, and I want it to work, I try to find the better stuff.
I did end up springing for a Snap-on torque wrench. I had tried a wrench from Amazon (that got great reviews) and when I tried it at 40 foot lbs, it never even signaled me. Multiple tries. Returned it. I mean I should trust that or not even use one, right?
I use an old craftsman beam and scale type, not even a clicker. I did buy the HF deluxe drill bit set (numbered, letter, decimal) off the sale rack that was a jumble for $20. The $90 MIG and auto dark helmet have gotten a lot of use. Still use the $8 meters (I check one against the others). The X/Y drill press vice gets used for other noisy machinery projects.
I have so many tools from between what I had and what my father left me that in general, I'm okay with most everyday needs but I lack some specialty stuff, and I wish I still had my Craftsman beam style torque wrench. I hate losing (or missing) stuff that got away somehow without knowing where it went. Used it all through high school and well beyond, then along the way over a couple decades of non-use it just disappeared. I'd imagine they get out of calibration after years of use too, but when you read accounts like teebo's above about a new clicker type from Amazon that doesn't work right you tend to lose some confidence in the more modern stuff, especially the bargain versions. That's why I can't bring myself to buy a mid-priced torque wrench from HF.
Craftsman beam style like this?
IMG_20220213_100355.jpg
I'm keeping this since I need it for my 140 foot lbs lug nuts on my truck. Not about to buy a new high end torque wrench for that. No idea how accurate this one is. Probably close enough.
1969 CB350K1
1968 CB450K0
Yup, like that only older probably. Was bought in the late '60s or really early '70s. I remember having to float in the middle of the pivoting handle travel to avoid influencing the reading. It's probably accurate enough for your lug nuts. My problem is having to spend an excessive amount of money on something that will only get used once a year on average, but unfortunately the cheaper alternatives are usually just that - cheap and not worth investing in. Doubt anyone even sells that style anymore too.
I use 3/8 drive Craftsman beam wrench for the smaller stuff, the rest of the time I use an ancient 1/2 drive New Britain clicker style. At work we have a 3/4 drive (150-500 ft/lbs) and inch drive (250-1500 ft/lbs) for the big bolts.
'66 CL160
'66 CB160
'67 CL77
'79 XS650
'69 T100R
'68 TR6R
'69 T120R
'72 750 Commando
Yep. You need proper technique even with a clicker. If the indicator gets bent, you can re-bend it to 'recalibrate'.
I recently picked up this used torque wrench on ebay. CDI is a brand owned by Snap On as I understand so hoping it is of decent quality. Payed $70 and it sells new for double that.
I got interested in this particular model because it was the only one I could find that had a more useful range for my CB350 (50 in lb - 250 in lb or 4 ft lb - 21 ft lb). I want to rest assured I am not over torqueing those acorn head nuts and other engine fasteners. I still need to take it to work and test the accuracy though.
Another handy tool is the wire brush on a grinder, in this case three of them sandwiched together.
torque.jpg
wire brush.jpg
Don't forget a good set of JIS type screwdrivers.
~1970 CB450K3 (junkyard dog), 1998 Valkyrie, black with lots of chrome
Any particular recommendations on JIS sets? I do have some. They were fairly inexpensive on Amazon. But there were more expensive sets. More expensive doesn't always mean better (enough), and the ones I got seem to fit fine.
Its easy to see why so many Honda screws get stripped without them.
This is what I have and they work for me. Contains five inch hex shaft in Philips style and flat blade bits. Three sizes of each style for a total of six. Not sure why it says 10pcs on package
jis.jpg
For those that were, or could be, professional mechanics... What brands of tools did you use? Were there general favorites?
For example, it seems Snap-on has a huge following. I've seen Starrett or Brown & Sharpe for calipers. What were the same for say... Sockets, or wrenches? Does it matter?
Just kind of curious.
I bought all my SAE tools from snap on and all my metric tools in MAC. No big reason I just decided to do it that way. My boxes are snap on. My wife bought me the vessel JIS set for Christmas.
If money can fix it, it ain't broke er... i mean i can't fix it I'm broke
1966 CA77 305 Dream
1976 CB200T
1975 XL250
72 CL450
84 CR60
1980 KZ1000 B4
All of my hand tools were Snap-On with a few Mac thrown in because they had what I needed at the time. A majority of those are long gone being lost or misappropriated by "friends" who borrowed them. My sons friends weren't any help there either once the tool boxes came home in the late 80's.
While the professional grade tools are nice and actually needed for the full time mechanic because of the quality for the casual home mechanic they are too expensive unless there's specialized need.
Jim O'Brien
1979 CM400T aka the Roadbike, 1978 CB400T1 semi restored, 1972 CL350K4 restoration and the 1971 SL350K1 disaster zone.
Plus 2 SL350K0's , 2 SL350K1's, 1 CL350K0 and 1 CL350K1 waiting for space and time
Contact: 408-239-9580 or [email protected]
I have a set of JIS drivers from Vessel also, and a couple sets made by Moody. I use them on my Japanese bikes and my RC model aircraft (most are made in Asia). Sizes 00 through 2 cover most screws for me.
~1970 CB450K3 (junkyard dog), 1998 Valkyrie, black with lots of chrome
12ozPBR swears by these - https://www.vesseltools.com/handtool...-series-detail
I have a #3 that I haven't really used with a hammer. Truth is, I didn't know it had a 12 degree rotation. Duh.
Quite apt that some of this discussion centres on 'budget' tools.
I've just snipped this. Middle tape is Chinese:
1970 CB175 K4 (UK version)
I'm sure there's a joke somewhere about that middle rule being used to measure body parts, but it's probably racist and non family friendly ...
1972 CL175K7
1970 CB174K4, 'upgraded' to a K6 alike
1971 SL175, with a few non standard parts !
1998 CB600 Hornet
Returning to the other type of tools, in the UK Halfords own brand 'Professional' range of spanners and sockets are well regarded, inexpensive, with a life time replacement guarantee against breakage, usual caveats about misuse apply.
1972 CL175K7
1970 CB174K4, 'upgraded' to a K6 alike
1971 SL175, with a few non standard parts !
1998 CB600 Hornet
I didn't know they made them until Chris told me he used them, but then again I haven't needed anything in that area for a long time so more than a few new versions are around - and sadly, one that isn't - the Vessel t-handle I bought long ago and still have, for whatever reason they quit selling it.
The cheapies don't last like Vessel. I've twisted and even sheared off the tips of #2 with the hammer impact. I need to get some of the long #2s.This is what I have and they work for me. Contains five inch hex shaft in Philips style and flat blade bits. Three sizes of each style for a total of six. Not sure why it says 10pcs on package
jis.jpg
Some of them are not impacts. My set is not. I have the megladora series.
The packaging was in Japanese, but did say impacta and has the steel end. I thought the arrow meant you could apply twisting grip while hitting. It actually has a spring and cam inside that gives a 12 degree twist when struck.
And appropriately called the "Impacta" series...
It will get tested pretty soon. Engine work time about there.
Sometimes it's about the electrical stuff so a decent selection of soldering gear.
solder.jpg
Yep, and to have the right stuff for small work is essential. Do you have a solder sucker too? They're really helpful when working on small traces on a board
As pictured I have a basic manually operated solder sucker but actually prefer the rosin impregnated solder wick.
wick.jpg
I think you forgot the amazon link 'cause I don't see it?
Sorry it was in earlier post. Here.
hykolity 6 Pack LED Shop Light 4FT, T5 Integrated Single Fixture, 22W, 2200lm, 6500K Super Bright White, Linkable Shop Light, Utility Shop Lights, Corded Electric W/ Built-in ON/Off Switc - - Amazon.com
What would I get? HYPNOTIZED and convinced I don't need to save things for "someday" when I'll again have use for .... anything. My garage would be a lot more useful if it wasn't jammed with stuff that I can't bear to recycle. I might as well be saving a 55 gallon drum of mustache wax as some of the stuff I have.
Bob
1967 CB450K0 Black Bomber project, lots of scooter experience.
But what if you grow that giant mustache? You'll need that wax.
I have used wick and it works.
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