Special Tools

[ribbert]

George and I had a discussion a long time ago about the folly of special tools. You work for years wishing you had that special tool that would make the job easier. Finally you get it. You use it a couple of times because it's new and a novelty. Then you realise that by the time you get it and out set it up, or calibrate it, or replace the batteries, or remember how to use it (it's been 10 years since you last tried to use it), or put it together, or re read the instructions etc. you could have done the job 3 times over the old way, just as well.  It is then consigned to the wall (special tools hanging on the wall make you look like you know what you're doing and remind you to think twice before buying the next one) to keep all the others company.

If you have ever been in an automotive workshop you will have seen them adorning the walls or perhaps used as a wedge to keep the bench level, or a makeshift toilet roll holder or if it's heavy, keeping the door ajar.

I have a borescope – somewhere. I did as described above when it was new and went back to using a small selection of mirrors and torches I had used for years.
Unfortunately I am a sucker for new and novel tools and will no doubt continue to add to my collection, but at a much slower rate these days.

I'm eyeing off a pneumatic valve cap removal and refitting tool at the moment.
If I don't get that, there's always the articulated, hydraulic, spark plug cap removal tool with cordless remote, LED status lights, auto clutch and self timer. It removes all 4 plug caps in under 15 mins, including set up time.  Or, the laser rear vision mirror aiming kit that comes with instructional CD and batteries. What a deal!!

I think the most over represented and under used special tools I have is a puller for every occasion.  Leverage and percussion does a better job 99% of the time.

George is on the money, the shim tool is the only special tool you need to work on the FJ.

The only special tool I have ever bought that sees regular use and is worth its weight in gold is this,



Hot and cold running water and sink in the garage.

Noel

[movenon]

Noel, your sink is way to clean and organized.......... A tool to hold the clutch basket is nice to have.  Of course you can take a clutch steel and weld a handle on it

George

[andyb]

There's a shitload of non-tool tools that are useful to some, but can be useless to others.

An ultrasonic cleaner doesn't do you any good if you only assemble new parts.
Singlecarb guys don't see the point to a good synch gauge.
A spring compressor is useless for someone who rebuilds strokers.
So is a degree wheel.


Any specialized tool is going to be as important as the frequency of use.  A clutch alignment tool for your pickup hopefully won't get used more than once a decade or so.  The same tool used for a dragster could be useful every other weekend.

But that said, it takes me longer to get my Morgan Carbtune out than it does to use it.  That's because it's a good tool and does the job of making that adjustment vastly easier.  It takes longer to set up a Bridgeport than it usually does to run a single job on it, but it's basically unbeatable at what it does.

Sure seems that not many specialized tools with plugs or batteries tend to be useful only rarely.  I think there's a disconnect here, and that's one between gagets and tools.  Tools make jobs vastly easier when they're appropriate for said job. Gagets tend to be really cool, but quickly fade into soaking up toolbox/garage room.  Where you draw that line depends on the work you do!  A mechanic has little use for a carpenter's dovetail fixture, but a cabinetmaker would have a tougher life without it.

The real fun could begin when you start wondering if your motorcycle is a gaget or a tool.  A tool makes it easier, a gaget makes doing the job more fun.

[Pat Conlon]

Unless you're into rebuilding engines, only 3 specialized tools are needed on our FJ's
1) valve shim tool
2) carb sync gauge
3) MityVac

All the rest are common tools.

[JCainFJ]

Unless you're into rebuilding engines, only 3 specialized tools are needed on our FJ's
1) valve shim tool
2) carb sync gauge
3) MityVac

All the rest are common tools.

And

4) DVOM

[The General]

I think the most over represented and under used special tools I have is a puller for every occasion.

The only special tool I have ever bought that sees regular use and is worth its weight in gold is this,



Hot and cold running water and sink in the garage.

Noel

Noel, you knew we would all be staring at that pic for ages, looking for something to throw at you ... didn`t ya!
(maybe not all, but I bet I`m not tha only one!)
...it`s like a smorgasboard of quality bait that was meant ta be just berleigh!....but I`m not falling for it!

My first thought was "The puller for every occasion" - that you claim to be under used - I wanted ta put up the obvious argument against such a statement, but hang on there`s more.....You, you have a hung soap dispenser! (wtf!)....It`s a wonder you don`t have a toothbrush with toothpaste at the ready (not on tha sink of course!)....I know some of us would be tempted to say they can see your toothbrush, but that would be unkind!...there`s so much that smells nice here and you`ve made me waste all this time looking for a hook inside one of these meaty prawns...eg A permanent & apparently, polished! mirrored sidewall!...no doubt to reflect the Ying or is it yang of modern day architecture! 
Never noticed it when I was there!....only around 10 bike racks in that corner!  I smell a rat!....accompanied by a snickering sound behind tha camera! (basted!)   

[movenon]

Actually here is the quote: I added the underline.

"Good ! It is one of the very few "special" tools you need to have doing your own service work.
George"

My idea of a "special" tool is a tool that is either to difficult or hard to make yourself and there is no work around.  There is always nice tools to have around above and beyond what I would define as in a good general tool box selection.  A ultra sonic cleaner in my mind fits that definition.  Although I have rebuilt carbs (mostly auto) for years without one, next time because of the lower price point of the cleaners I will probably buy one. Needed, no.  Nice to have yes.
But I have a lot of those "nice to have tools" as with a lot of us that do our own service work.  Sometimes they sit for many years without being used again. A few of those "special" tools are now so old that the job they did is obsolete...  

Another nice tool is a chain breaking and riveting tool.  A cheap digital caliper from Harbor Freight is nice to have. I use the crap out of mine. Not needed just nice to have for 10 or 15 dollars.  For 20 years the Snap On dealer would stop by my office and I bought a lot from him.  Now that I am well retired I have a different view of how I spend my money.

In the introductions I often ask where a new member is located with the thought of local support and on occasion, tool sharing. The ZeeMap is a good thing.
https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=724879#  Locally here I share tools or flat do the job.  Most recently a carb balance on an old Suzuki.  And kudo's on Mark "fjmonkey" for going out of his way to help a new member a while back and the guy's in OZ with there "manshed days".  At the last WCR Pat and others demoed and synced carbs. Randy was there with his tools and expertise even working a non FJ  .  Other member share there carb sync tool. Its a great group.  

A little more off subject but Leon once said something like  "the forum is just something to do between rallies"  I have only been to one rally but what he said resonates.  Try to attend a rally this summer, even if only to stop in and say "HI".    
George

[racerrad8]

Unless you're into rebuilding engines, only 3 specialized tools are needed on our FJ's
1) valve shim tool

Pat,

If they are in the US the don't have to purchase the valve shim tool. They can rent it along with the shim kit, all you have to be is a contributing member.

FJ Owners Shim kit rental

Randy - RPM

[rktmanfj]

Locally here I share tools or flat do the job.  Most recently a carb balance on an old Suzuki.  And kudo's on Mark "fjmonkey" for going out of his way to help a new member a while back and the guy's in OZ with there "manshed days".  At the last WCR Pat and others demoed and synced carbs. Randy was there with his tools and expertise even working a non FJ  .  Other member share there carb sync tool. Its a great group.  

A little more off subject but Leon once said something like  "the forum is just something to do between rallies"  I have only been to one rally but what he said resonates.  Try to attend a rally this summer, even if only to stop in and say "HI".    
George

How about polishing aluminum for something to do between rallies?     

Could you guys help a friend with that??       

[movenon]

Locally here I share tools or flat do the job.  Most recently a carb balance on an old Suzuki.  And kudo's on Mark "fjmonkey" for going out of his way to help a new member a while back and the guy's in OZ with there "manshed days".  At the last WCR Pat and others demoed and synced carbs. Randy was there with his tools and expertise even working a non FJ  .  Other member share there carb sync tool. Its a great group.  

A little more off subject but Leon once said something like  "the forum is just something to do between rallies"  I have only been to one rally but what he said resonates.  Try to attend a rally this summer, even if only to stop in and say "HI".    
George

How about polishing aluminum for something to do between rallies?     

Could you guys help a friend with that??       

Leon is closer to you   
George

[JMR]

After owning a shop I have many specility tools...like a Coates tire changer, Hoffman computer tire balancer, Handy lifts etc etc etc. All nice to have to help friends and help with owning multiple bikes. My 2 sons will get them someday though they don't ride. I have already begun inventory with cash value for them.....I'd hate to see the rare vintage stuff/tools/bikes I have get "stolen".

[ribbert]

Next to my sink, the other special tool I couldn't live without is a compressor. I have a lot of air driven tools that I could make do without but it is the compressed air that is invaluable.

Noel

[movenon]

After owning a shop I have many speciality tools...like a Coates tire changer, Hoffman computer tire balancer, Handy lifts etc etc etc. All nice to have to help friends and help with owning multiple bikes. My 2 sons will get them someday though they don't ride. I have already begun inventory with cash value for them.....I'd hate to see the rare vintage stuff/tools/bikes I have get "stolen".

I had a Coates 30 30, finally gave it to a good friend that owns the local Volvo repair garage. I told him it was free he just had to come load it up........ I don't think he wants another free one..... They are heaver that hell.    Now for the one time every 5 years I need one I just go to his place...........
George

[JMR]

After owning a shop I have many speciality tools...like a Coates tire changer, Hoffman computer tire balancer, Handy lifts etc etc etc. All nice to have to help friends and help with owning multiple bikes. My 2 sons will get them someday though they don't ride. I have already begun inventory with cash value for them.....I'd hate to see the rare vintage stuff/tools/bikes I have get "stolen".

I had a Coates 30 30, finally gave it to a good friend that owns the local Volvo repair garage. I told him it was free he just had to come load it up........ I don't think he wants another free one..... They are heaver that hell.    Now for the one time every 5 years I need one I just go to his place...........
George

So .......you have no friends that need a tire change and balance? I have the 230....we spent the real money on the balancer. I must still do 25 tire changes a year. Anyway....I do not want to get into a "who's got what"      I know I have more then all you guys.

[FJ_Hooligan]

Next to my sink, the other special tool I couldn't live without is a compressor. I have a lot of air driven tools that I could make do without but it is the compressed air that is invaluable.

+1
I have 3 compressors (12, 20 and 60 gallon) and a nice selection of air tools.  Most of them have never been out of the tool box.  I'll grab the impact when rotating truck tires, but prefer the feel and precision of a hand driven tool when working on the FJ.