Must have tools for BMW techs

[bmwtekone]

I thought it would be a good idea to talk about some good usage of tool money, some tools you think you will use, others...not so much. Also maybe some places to buy stuff at a reasonable price. Like I am having trouble finding the 6 and 4mm flexible hose clamp tool that Stahlwille makes. Anybody have a good website? My personal favorite tools right know are the 9.6 volt 3/8 makita cordless impact gun and the smaller electric screw gun Snap on has been pushing.

[bowmang]

for the basics on BMW... a set of torx bit drivers, a set of swivel head metric sockets, a 36mm socket, a 32mm wrench...

there are a ton more, that that's probably what i use the most...

[bmwtekone]

semi deep impact sockets

[Broox]

36mm socket is for removing oil filter?

[bowmang]

36mm socket is for removing oil filter?


correct

[bmwtekone]

Any good websites for BMW special tools?

[Mossman11]

I bought a 6mm flexible hose clamp tool on ebay, not as nice as a german made one a co-worker used to have but works well. Skip the 4mm cuz ive never seen a clamp that size, smaller ones are 5mm

[Aamir bt]

the makita is very nice, alot of techs here have them. my favorite tool as of now though is my 1/4" cordless electric ratchet. i bought it from LOWE'S for $30.00, and it has been the most useful tool i have had so far. very good and several people here also have them, none have had any problems with it.

as far as tools needed and used, all torx and E-torx sockets. best thing is to just buy a set with all of them in it. allen head sockets are used a bit too.

the basics, like short and deepwell sockets for 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. basic set of combination wrenches, basic set of gearwrench from 8mm up to 19, then it's good to have the larger size gearwrenches too.

you can buy oil filter housing socket set, since there are a couple different size socket filter housings, and the sockets are useful anyways.

extensions for all 3 drive sizes. adapters to go up and down all drive sizes. swivels for all drive sizes.

my advise is anything 1/2" drive you buy, go ahead and get it as an impact or industrial finish type, so you can use it all with an air gun.

a good 72 teeth ratchet for 3/8" and 1/4" drive. swivel head is nice but i've never needed one yet.

i've never needed to use a 1/2" drive ratchet yet, but it's always nice to have.

a good air gun, i have snap-on's best one (wich may already be outdated by now...:rolleyes) a whiz-wheel, angle or straight is fine. probably angle would be best though. get one that can accept both cleaning pads and cut-off wheels with an attatchable guard, so it's multipurpose.

a good screwdriver set, including phillips, flathead, and torx. you don't need a gazillion of them, just a nice set of them. i have used my ratcheting screwdriver alot with the bits i have, comes in handy alot.

a good rubber or plastic mallot, an brass hammer, and a good weight metal hammer. ball peen preferred.

a good set of drill bits, not used often but when you need it it's nice to have.

breaker bar and torque wrench, and a good prybar set.


this is what i can think of for right now that i use alot, i will take pics of my tool drawers tommorrow to kinda let you know what i have and what i use the most.

as far as places to get stuff, i have bought most of my tools from a tool lady that has a S-K tool truck, wich sells all kinds of different brands, for a very good price and they still have lifetime warranty. half my sockets are from Sunex, extremely good price, and have a very good feel to them, and have lifetime warranty.

Stanley tools also have lifetime warranty on basic tools, but the problem with buying sets from them is they are incomplete sets, wich is frustrating. do always buy full sets of whatever you get.

i have only a few snap-on tools, and one MAC tool. the snap-on i got for free when i graduated NTI, and the MAC i bought an air chuck with the integrated psi guage, as i like theirs, and having a high quality air chuck is very nice to have. otherwise i do not see the point of buying from them at their over inflated price, unless you get the half off discount of being a student.

i'll stop typing now.

[JimmyBones]

Nobody uses a 46mm socket?

Man it must just be me with the older cars.

[malubawla]

30mm 12pt socket for axle nut

[M332]

In addition to everything mentioned above, get a set of wheel hangers, they make life much easier.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?search=true&item_ID=80026&PartNo=whm2&group_id=20945&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

doesn't have to be snap on, but i've had several different version and the snap on ones are the toughest.

[bimmer_boyis]

A good Fluke 88 (and knowing how to use it), will be your best friend.

[BrassDrummer]

The last 2 sound like winners to me lol

[Aamir bt]

i snapped some pics with my cell the other day of most of the tools i have, just to kinda give an idea what i work with:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/Aamir_bt/bimmerforums/04-15-09_1809.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/Aamir_bt/bimmerforums/04-15-09_1811.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/Aamir_bt/bimmerforums/04-15-09_1812.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/Aamir_bt/bimmerforums/04-15-09_1813.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/Aamir_bt/bimmerforums/04-15-09_1814.jpg

i have a few more tools now, and that'a not all of it, i forgot to snap a pic of the electrical drawer, and a couple others. but you get the idea.

oh yeah, and the electric ratchet in the first pic above the impact wrench, that is the SKIL ratchet i was talking about from lowes, it's the shiznit. :)

[LS350i]

what does the hachet fix... customers?

[BrassDrummer]

what does the hachet fix... customers?


And small steaks

[Broox]

What does the instant lunch fix?

[Aamir bt]

What does the instant lunch fix?
instantly fixes hunger.


what does the hachet fix... customers?
And small steaks

lol. i have always had the hatchet, it was very handy when i had minimal tools, it hammers, cuts, flattens, and even has a nail puller lol. now it's kinda pointless since i have tools for all that now, but i still keep it around for shits and giggles.

[Broox]

What does the propane torch fix? zombie customers?

[bowmang]

What does the propane torch fix? zombie customers?


it's called a fire wrench

[BrassDrummer]

Lol seeing the size of the tube i'm guessing its for looking for vacuum leaks or testing o2 sensors. Fire wrench might come in handy though.

[Aamir bt]

What does the propane torch fix? zombie customers?


torch is great for loosening rusted bolts. plus i have alumaweld rods which i use for my own projects sometimes, and if i ever happen to need to weld some aluminum on a car i'm working on. i also use it for large heat shrink.

never thought about using it for vacuum leaks or o2 sensors really, guess you could though.

i wouldn't think it would be too awfully effective for warding off zombies though, i think the hatchet would still be better in that feild lol. :rolleyes

[bowmang]

torch is great for loosening rusted bolts. plus i have alumaweld rods which i use for my own projects sometimes, and if i ever happen to need to weld some aluminum on a car i'm working on. i also use it for large heat shrink.

never thought about using it for vacuum leaks or o2 sensors really, guess you could though.

i wouldn't think it would be too awfully effective for warding off zombies though, i think the hatchet would still be better in that feild lol. :rolleyes


you got skillz

i am a TERRIBLE welder.

it all stays together.. but it looks like a disaster when i'm done.

[jbergum]

i snapped some pics with my cell the other day of most of the tools i have, just to kinda give an idea what i work with:


i have a few more tools now, and that'a not all of it, i forgot to snap a pic of the electrical drawer, and a couple others. but you get the idea.

oh yeah, and the electric ratchet in the first pic above the impact wrench, that is the SKIL ratchet i was talking about from lowes, it's the shiznit. :)



And the Ramen noodles serve the purpose of??? :buttrock

[BrassDrummer]

Gotta eat sometimes right?

[Broox]

and the ramen noodles serve the purpose of??? :buttrock

instantly fixes hunger.
read before you postttttt!!!!!!1111oneone!!eleventyone11

[BrassDrummer]

read before you postttttt!!!!!!1111oneone!!eleventyone11


Roflcopter

[LS350i]

So back on topic... my snapon guy f'd up and i got Etorx instead of reg torx. I guessing that i won't be needing those right away and should return them for the time being?

[bmwtekone]

Keep the etorx, you will need them eventually, promise

[Broox]

There are a LOT of Etorx on engine bolts.

[Aamir bt]

There are a LOT of Etorx on engine bolts.


true story.

[LS350i]

well i got some extra money so ill keep them. thanks for input.

[brandon5222]

So BMW just uses basic tools? No Spectialty tools?

[BrassDrummer]

So BMW just uses basic tools? No Spectialty tools?

I'm sure there are plenty of specialty tools for bigger jobs, but in most cases the shop will provide specialty tools. This is a really good list for people who are just starting out and will be buying tools, or making sure they have what they need.

[Warfield]

So...

Ratcheting box end wrenches up to 24mm? Do they need to be flexible?

Should one get any wrenches above 24mm other than 32mm, 36mm?

[RascalKing]

A 10mm socket, open ended box wrench, and an E12 torx bit.

[SpecRaceM5]

Vice grips, a flat head screw driver, ball peen hammer and some duct tape? Works at the parts yard. Maybe not a good thing to show up with your first day on the job after telling the dealership you have your own tools.

I have a lot of basic tools, but have a few things I need to get still. Torx bits, impact sockets, a few of the larger wrenches and sockets and some random stuff and I should have a good start. My friend at school who was a Snap On dealer swears by swivel sockets and flex head ratchets. Oh and get adapters! A full set of adapters instantly expands your socket collection by at least double. 1/4"-3/8", 3/8"-1/4", 3/8"-1/2" and 1/2"-3/8". 7mm Allen socket. Make sure to get 6 point sockets not 12 point. I got 12 point for some thinking it can double as a 6 point (and it can) but it does not have as good a hold on 6 points and can round out bolts easier if you are at a funny angle or have to use a bunch of torque. I also definitely recommend IR's 1/2" impact. Best one available in my opinion. It's the Magnesium or Titanium (don't remember exactly) one for $300 or so.

Cheers,

Brian

[Warfield]

Last I checked...Just incase anyone is curious...
The best SnapOn MG725 1/2" Impact is $234 with student price....

[LS350i]

So...

Ratcheting box end wrenches up to 24mm? Do they need to be flexible?

Should one get any wrenches above 24mm other than 32mm, 36mm?

from my experience so far (which was all makes) an 8-24 metric set will get your through a lot of projects. Vary rarely did i need anything higher but there will be times and you will learn what you need as you go along.

i bought my set of gear wrench 8-24 flex ratcheting set from tool-home.com or something along those lines for 220 i believe. Great price for the set.

[JackEatsEmoKids]

I'll snap pics when I get back to work next week. Its nice to have a week off from work for once.

Anyone going to F01 class yet?

[Grim Reaper]

For special tools you I'd suggest you start out with these basics to help get through all kinds of supsension, bushing and bearing work -

Clamshell spring compressor
Slide hammer kit
OTC front end service kit
Sir Tools B90 Master Set

[bowmang]

I'll snap pics when I get back to work next week. Its nice to have a week off from work for once.

Anyone going to F01 class yet?


i had F01 in feb.

[SpecRaceM5]

Finished F01 a couple weeks ago. Just finished basic and advanced diesel last week.

[bmwtekone]

A 32 mmm wrench for taking the engine fan off. I have a crapsman one that has a thicker end, better to use a hammer on it!

[pjcforpres2020]

I would highly recommend checking SK tools(Do metric as much as possible, of course)... They cost only a little more than craftsman, and are the highest quality I have felt in anything so far... My Uncle owns an industrial/commercial equipment repair shop(they do everything from paint pumps/shakers to over the road service of pretty much anything)... They originally got a bunch of Snap On stuff, but have spend the last 10 years switching over to SK for everything. The kept breaking Snap On ratchets, have only broken a couple SK, and those both had seen more than their fair share of use and were likely in need of a rebuild. They also have a fair amount of Craftsman, especially for sockets.

As for those ratcheting box wrenches, check these out, they cost less, and are way nicer if you ask me, and I have used the gear wrench ones too.

SK 89350 and 89352... it is the G Force series, so 90 teeth, XXL handle, SK spline sure grip heads... they are beasts! I love them to death! My uncles shop has a full line up of them, flex head as well, and they get used almost more than ratchets around the shop. They have only stripped one, and they guy was trying to break a head bolt on a 20 year old paint pump... to say the least he didn't last very long at the shop.

I get all my tools at my local industrial supply shop, and they sold me both sets together for $150... I got my Palm Control ratchets bundled together for $90 for 1/4, 3/8, 1/2... for the Professionals, the most expensive I just got last week, it is a 15" 1/2, and it was $54, the 10.7" was $46, the 3/8 was $37 with a rebuild kit included.

I also got the 3/8 spline drive Super Set #94545 for $150, and recently got my brother a 3/8 6 point superset for $140, #94549.

I might not be a pro, but most of my family turns wrenches for a living(My uncle, several cousins at his shop, my other uncle is ASE master certified instructor), and I have been for 19 years on a pretty extensive basis... would say between hobby and obsession?

Anyways, just my 2 cents worth on tools in general.