Tool suggestions?

[boywonder]

Last season was my first season and I trudged my way through well enough, though I did spend way more than my budget. Probably due to the fact that I hadn't really set one...learned my lesson there. However we are expecting our first child this year and so I need to ensure that my now limited racing dollars are well spent. I have a list of tools I need to purchase, either because I don't currently own them, or because the ones I have/had are/were junk. I'm looking to hear from your experience regarding particular tools you're happy with, and whether it should be a Harbor Freight, Craftsman, or Snap-on/Mac/etc purchase. I plan on racing for awhile and I don't mind spending the money on a quality tool if it is justified but I also don't mind Harbor Freight provided that I'm not going to have eventually buy a Snap-on version because I go through five HB tools.
The sort of things I want to avoid - my HF rivet gun doesn't work anymore after only two uses, my "nice" Intercomp tire gauge is now junk after a season as it always reads 10psi(even after being babied all year), and a fuel pressure regulator from Summit that doesn't regulate.

Here are a few things on my list:
1) Leak Down Tester - $40 for HB, or $95 for Longacre?
2) Variable Timing light - is variable needed? Who makes a good one?
3) Rivet gun - good brand?
4) Wire crimper and wire stripper - there are many different styles out there, what style(and brand) works best?
5) Camber/caster/toe gauges - what brand or build your own?

[joeg]

variable timing light is cool--I have a snap-on

Rivet Gun? hmm... hand powered or air/ electric?

Toe plates from long acre are not expensive although a super flat floor is what is needed for any alignment work. With it you can use string, jackstands and bubble gauges...nothing fancy.

Leak down tester? for a Honda?

[gran racing]

1 & 2 - you probably don't need.

3) Rivet gun - good brand?
4) Wire crimper and wire stripper - there are many different styles out there, what style(and brand) works best?

Rivet gun - get a hand one if you need it for $15 from Home Depot.
Wire crimper / stripper - same as above.

Toe gauge - easy to use 2 straight L pieces of aluminum and four bolts to build your own. But if you'll be racing for a while, the Longacre one are nice.

There are tons of people at the track who are more than willing to help you and let you borrow their tools. Just be sure to bring them back.

[rsportvolvo]

Here are a few things on my list:
1) Leak Down Tester - $40 for HB, or $95 for Longacre?

Check Aircraft Tool Supply. Tavia made a nice one for cheap, but I think they're out of business.

2) Variable Timing light - is variable needed? Who makes a good one?

MSD has a good selection.

3) Rivet gun - good brand?

Marson makes nice ones, but the Home Depot (Arrow brand) ones work great. Also check Aircraft Tool Supply.

4) Wire crimper and wire stripper - there are many different styles out there, what style(and brand) works best?

Home Depot for Klein crimper and Ideal Industries Stripmaster. Klein and Ideal make top-shelf electrical tooling. If you need die type crimpers check with Greenlee, PRS and DMC.

5) Camber/caster/toe gauges - what brand or build your own?

Build your own string bars out of conduit (don't use jack stands). You can make a cheap camber gauge with a piece of angle iron and a mag base angle gauge. Otherwise the Smart products are nice.

Just my $0.02 based on the tools I've used and purchased for myself. I usually find the tool and then scour the internet for the best price & free shipping.

Home Depot has a decent set of flush cuts to trim up all of your ty-raps too. (folks using dykes to trim ty-raps leaving a sharp lip is a pet peeve of mine)

[Jim Royal]

Better yet Ryan, I have all those tools at the track already (with the exception of the camber gauge). I think I'm at all the events you run! Save your money for important things like tires and baby formula (in that order). Just ask and you shall receive. By the way congradulations!, I hadn't heard the news.
Frenchy

[jay05]

BFH and blue duct tape.

[MMiskoe]

1 - Tavia. Don't remember what I paid, but it still works well & gets passed around to/from others alot.
2 Craftsman. 15 years old, still works well, take care of it.
3 Craftsman w/ swivel head.
4 Good luck. Don't go bottom of the price range, but not too far off the bottom and expect it to be a consumable. Otherwise you'll pay a ton.
5. Search around on how & you can build your own for way less money. A simple digital level & a straigt edge can work for camber & two strait edges & a tape measure for toe if you have time to properly seek them out.

[jumbojimbo]

BFH and blue duct tape.

I thought he needed a truck and a chain.

[boywonder]

Thanks for all your input, it's good to see what has worked for other people before throwing down the money. While I sure appreciate how cool everyone is with lending out tools at the track, and benefited from it last season, I don't want to become that guy.

rsportvolvo: I'm one of those people that use side cuts and leave the deadly lip on my zip ties. But no longer, I'll pick up a dyke (that could get interesting...) and do it right, especially since my car is built on a foundation of zip ties.

Frenchy: thanks for the offer and congrats. If ours turn out half as cool as your kids we'll be set.

Jay and Jim: Yes, yes, and yes (though it was actually a strap, not a chain. Pay attention).

[jay05]

Get a variable timing light. Check on eBay or Craigslist. I got a mac off eBay for $50. I hear the craftsmans are good also. I say don't worry about it and get something the rest of us don't have, since we'll be at the same events. Camber plates come to mind.

[Jim Royal]

I didn't notice the picture the other day! I think you win for having the first French car in your avatar?

[RacerBill]

Ryan: I'm thinking of getting the HF hydraulic crimping tool. Want to borrow it?

[boywonder]

Bill: I think I'm good at the moment, thanks though.

Jay, Jim, Jim: Interesting that you all changed your avatar after I finally added one. And Jay, your previous one was better. Just sayin'...

Also, I like how in my avatar I'm in front of Frenchy, and in his he's in front of Jim. Hopefully that's how this season will pan out...but where are Jay and Bill?

[jumbojimbo]

I fixed mine.

[boywonder]

I fixed mine.

Argh, well played.

Look kids, this is how you destroy tires. And piss off a Mustang. And pee your pants.