Your Favourite Tool [Archive] - Aussie Streetfighters

DCRacing

21-12-2011, 01:59 PM

Not really for the idiots that we have surrounding us but more aimed at what is the best tool you have in the shed for working on your projects.

I am slowly accumulating some gear but I am wondering what are the specific tools that make working on the bikes that much better/easier.

I have just got a Rivetnut tool, looking forward to useing it as i have a few that have come loose on the Gixxer and for putting in specifically place brackets and making them look like it was stock.

So what have you got and what would you get?

xa-mont

21-12-2011, 02:08 PM

best tool (kit i guess) i ever got for working on bikes was a nice little 1/4-3/8 drive ratchet kinda kit with allen key sockets... so i guess the main part of that that helped with the bikes is the allen key sockets.

latheboy

21-12-2011, 02:20 PM

Solidworks, a Lathe and a Mill and my best tools;)

BANDITROD

21-12-2011, 02:26 PM

At the moment it's my 2" orby

kev@vcm

21-12-2011, 02:32 PM

529
this is my fave tool the eleci bread knife

Fight_fan

21-12-2011, 02:32 PM

As cliche as it may seem, I'd have to say my grinder! Its at least the most fun tool I have. That or my massive drill press that I scored for nix!

timbo

21-12-2011, 02:38 PM

Its a little boring but it has to be a 1/4 3/8 drive socket set but a good hydrolic work bench and some good padock stands

Cruisecontrol

21-12-2011, 02:45 PM

As cliche as it may seem, I'd have to say my grinder! Its at least the most fun tool I have. That or my massive drill press that I scored for nix!

Haha, I agree completely.

I busted out the drill press and grinder for a bit of backyard lathe work last weekend. Turned it down a treat.

Tony Nitrous

21-12-2011, 03:18 PM

Hydralic Bike lifts.

Im too f#ckin' old and abused to be on my hands and knees
cleaning wheels, doing tyres and chain etc.

latheboy

21-12-2011, 03:59 PM

Cleaning wheels... pffft i cant be stuffed doing that:)

bladehunter

21-12-2011, 04:15 PM

Ok I'm single and don't drink, hence I can get some stuff I was never allowed to get when married or whatever. Oh I'm a Tool Pig too, gotta have it all ;)

Scroll saw came in handy for cutting the card & foam for the seat. I've got a mini lathe, good for small spacers. But I guess once I get me ballscrews and nuts my cnc mill (I get side tracked from time to time). Already changed the spindle from a MT2 to R8, lucky I didn't buy too much tooling before I got that idea.

I really want a welder, then learn how to weld. Oh one of those Oscillating Vertical Bobbin Sander thingies. Drill press for when I'm too lazy or don't wanna tear down the current setup on the mill. More QCT holders for the lathe, 100mm 3 and 4 jaw chuck. Heaps more tooling for the mill.

Funny when ya think about it, but I've got a nylon mallet that's fucking handy.

ALBI

21-12-2011, 04:31 PM

if a tool in my toolbox ?then it would be my NOID lights!
if a tool in my garage at home? then it would be my fridge!"yes fridge,in it is my loctite,superglue and if a bush needs to be pressed in ,the bush goes into the frezzer".
and if you meen my workshop ? then it would be AUTOLOGIC my landrover scan tool.

Iceman

21-12-2011, 05:02 PM

Why has no-one said Pete yet?

pav69

21-12-2011, 05:33 PM

1/4 drive socket set allen keys and sprayguns.

Large

21-12-2011, 05:42 PM

My 8" populating tool

Yella

21-12-2011, 05:51 PM

1/4 drive set or
http://www.stlvendingparts.com/images/DLAA1056.JPG

long phillips screw driver

Deano

21-12-2011, 05:57 PM

A draw between these 3

Mill
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z368/deano179/ac150904.jpg

Lathe
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z368/deano179/2dbd02b0.jpg

Ac/dc tig
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z368/deano179/372cd49a.jpg

JackTar

21-12-2011, 06:02 PM

My 8" populating tool

I can't believe you have a 6" attachment for your cock Rich.

bladehunter

21-12-2011, 06:05 PM

Yo dean is that the one with the 38mm spindle bore ? How's it go.

stiffsimon

21-12-2011, 06:28 PM

Deano, FUCK that's an impressive set of equipment you've got there and you live in Melbourne too:rolleyes::D

As for me my Teng 3/8" socket set has been my workhorse for years but since starting my project I invested in an ultrasonic cleaner and it has proved it's usefullness and worth many times over already especially when stripping down and rebuilding an engine

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz9/siminoz63/Ultrasonic%20Cleaner/IMG_3267.jpg

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz9/siminoz63/Ultrasonic%20Cleaner/IMG_3266.jpg

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz9/siminoz63/Ultrasonic%20Cleaner/IMG_3263.jpg

Large

21-12-2011, 06:33 PM

I can't believe you have a 6" attachment for your cock Rich.

Yeah I got a new one after the 14" one broke off up your loose old arse.

Large

21-12-2011, 06:35 PM

BANDITROD

21-12-2011, 06:42 PM

Well we put a gsxr1100 head in it without to much drama

Yella

21-12-2011, 06:53 PM

Gitzy

21-12-2011, 07:36 PM

Allen Keys.. definitely.

K6Thou

21-12-2011, 09:23 PM

Trolley jack .... 'cause it seems to keep my boys occupied while I work on the bike.....

Deano

21-12-2011, 09:34 PM

Yo dean is that the one with the 38mm spindle bore ? How's it go.

Goes well mate. It's. Good thing

stiffsimon

22-12-2011, 06:38 AM

Who big is the basket (will it fit gsx blocks etc) and how much $$$ Simon?

Large, PM sent

DCRacing

22-12-2011, 08:03 AM

Awesome guys,

I have some of the gear that was mentioned, but on my wishlist at the moment is a Mill, Lathe and maybe a hydraulic bike lift table.
Looking at a Hare & Forbes set up
Mill, http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M122

Lathe, http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/K036

Bike Lift, http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/A349

I Might try and get a set of vacum gauges for carby sync,

so many toys so little cash, especially when you are not using them for a business

latheboy

22-12-2011, 08:14 AM

Hey DC, I would keep away from a mill with a round column.

If you set up a job and need to lift or lower the head it becomes a pain because the head can swing on the column.
Then you've lost your position to the job.

DCRacing

22-12-2011, 08:18 AM

Thanks I was wondering what would be the way to go, as they have a dovetailed post mill as well. otherwise the same as the one listed.

kiwi kdx

22-12-2011, 08:56 AM

im KIWI so mine is a 16oz hammer!!!!!

Hillsy

22-12-2011, 09:22 AM

Not expensive, but one of the best things to have around the shed IMO.....

545

bladehunter

22-12-2011, 09:34 AM

What latheboy said, round columns are best to avoid. And go for a decent DRO if you're not gunna go the cnc route. Counting and backlash are a bitch. Either a MT3 or R8 spindle are the go, mine came with a MT2 but was an easy conversion to R8. Seems to be a better range of tooling.
For tooling try these guys http://www.ctctools.biz/servlet/StoreFront most of the "hobby\home" kit comes from china, these guys are cheap. I got a boring head, abour and cutters for about $100 dleivered.
You may also want to look at the BF20 type mills, of course it depends on how heavy work you want to do.
Expect to pay just as much or maybe even more to set yourself up on tooling.

RevHead

22-12-2011, 11:13 AM

the things i like the most ,are my 3/8 drive air ratchet, and my wizzer for removing old gaskets with,,and the smallest ratchet i own a 1/4 drive ,

Large

22-12-2011, 03:40 PM

Large, PM sent

PM not received?

stiffsimon

23-12-2011, 07:01 AM

Was just saying Large that I'm not after big bucks more help and support with my build. Having said that probs about $50 for a set of carbs as a rough estimate. It's not really so much about how big the component is it's more like how many times it needs to go through a clean cycle.
For example for best results I use Brulin 815 GD http://www.safetyfloor.com.au/frame_brulin.html and heat the solution up to about 65 degrees. This takes about 3 hours for a volume of approx 25l. Once it has reached temp I can start cleaning. A filthy set of carbs will take approx 2-4 cycles at approx 30 mins per cycle with ten minute rest between each cycle and then drying off with airline. As you can see a bit of a time intensive process for one item. Things become a lot more cost effective obviously when there are several items to be cleaned. It's the heating up time which is the ball ache.
Banditrod can confirm how effective the results are as we put his Bandit head in for a clean and a set of filthy old carbs both to good effect. I'm going to put my wiring loom through the cleaner in the not too distant future as I've heard of magical results of people doing this before, especially if your loom, like mine is 30 years old and hard and inflexible.
For size a head can be covered up to about 75 % so it needs to be put in cleaned and then turned around and put in the other way around to clean the parts that got missed in the first cycle.
Carbs, covers, gearboxes, clutches, cams, cylinder blocks, oil pumps, etc all fit in no probs.
My Mob is 040 6601 955 if you want to give me a call and talk about stuff and as I say talk to Rod as well. Cheers

ozzy1100

23-12-2011, 09:31 AM

my colchester

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/ozzy1100/57C2646A-orig.jpg

Tony Nitrous

23-12-2011, 04:25 PM

Looking at a Hare & Forbes set up
Bike Lift, http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/A349

Thats where mine came from.
Budget end of the market but never had a drama.
Had big bikes on/off mine for a couple of years,
Busa's / B-King etc. Very happy with it. 1st thing
I did for the new shed was to buy a 2nd one the same.

Front clamp only takes up to a 170 or 180 tyre so
if you want to put a bike on backwards to pull the
front end out you drill a couple of new holes to
move the clamp wider, and some paddock stands
are a little too wide to sit on them.

If you want to see one or try one let me know
when your in Brissy some time.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2424/78008087.jpg

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/5511/svup2.jpg

Redmohawk

23-12-2011, 07:54 PM

554

DCRacing

24-12-2011, 07:33 AM

Let me guess Red, your favourite tool after some hard use?

Dynomutt

24-12-2011, 07:41 AM

Of all the tools I own, I find the one I tend to use most is a 3/8 drive cordless ratchet, which is so bloody useful, especially when I'm doing cams. It has a break alway torque of 45lb/ft. I got it with a spare battery and 1hr fast charger for £150 from my Snap On dealer. It is so much quicker to use it, although it only rotates at 200rpm, it makes removing side casings, cam cover, cam caps etc so much easier. The head is the same sort of sizze as a regular Snap On ratchet,it has an LED built in to illuminate what you are working on. I love it, and it is seldom out of my hand. My hydraulic bike tables come a close 2nd and 3rd, along with my lathe, welder etc.
I also have a really useful set of sockets which have a reverse spiral flute for removing rounded bolts, in sizes from 6mm upto 25mm handy for removing anything that has rounded, especially the shitty cylinderhead bolts on the Hinckley Triumphs. My Borescope is bloody useful as well, small enough head to fit through the smallest sparkplug hole or sump bolt to see what it going on inside, it makes diagnosis much easier and also enables me to show the customer exactly what I'm talking about.
Lefthanded drill bits are really good as well when drilling out snapped bolts/studs etc, and a set of Snap On stud removers which use a splined parallel shaft and nut rather than a tapered easy out which can spread the remains of the bolt making it even tighter.
The only things I really want to get now are a milling machine, AC/DC Tig plant, and a set of Neway valve & seat cutters and refacers. The mill would allow me to save time and money boring my own crankcases on bigbore motors rathert han taking them to the place I use currently.