Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 22:24:27 -0400
Reply-To: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: A minimal tool kit?
In-Reply-To: <1283909145.30964.75.camel@TheJackUbuntuNetbook>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
At 06:25 PM 9/7/2010 -0700, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
>75 of which appear to be snap-on tips for the screwdriver handle,
>including Torx as well as an impressive collection of other fairly
>useless tips. The handle counts as the 76th tool, which leaves a small
Those tips are useless until you need one... <g>
#2 and @3 Phillips, medium flat screwdriver; 10-13-14 mm wrenches
will take you quite a ways with a Vanagon. No worn-out screwdrivers,
get new ones for the Phillips. A long #2 can come in handy. There
might even be somewhere that takes a #1, so better to have one.
8-15-17 wrenches also handy.
By wrenches I mean box, open end (or combination box/open) and
3/8-drive sockets, with a ratchet and short extension, 3" extension,
universal joint. Preferably six-point sockets -- although with a
beam-type torque wrench I guess the 12-pt would be better, since you
have more choices of angle.
Some metric hex keys. An extra six-mm one with the short end
shortened to reach the cap screws behind the water pump
pulley. Don't draw the temper when you shorten it.
Whatever size your CV joints need -- prolly 8 mm triple-square.
Beam-type torque wrench 3/8 drive, goes up to 75 lb-ft or so. If
you're not thoroughly used to working in aluminum you'll overtorque
and pull the threads out every time if you don't measure. You should anyway.
Big torque wrench 1/2" drive that goes to 150 lb-ft, with a 19 mm
(3/4") socket and sufficient extension to clear things -- for
installing wheel nuts/bolts.
Nutdrivers for the two sizes of heads on the small hose clamps --
much easier than using a screwdriver. Might be six and seven mm.
If you contemplate messing with coolant hoses, go to Napa and get
their large hose clamp pliers meant for the flat spring-type clamps.
Right-angle screwdriver for whatever the regulator screws are on your
alternator -- Phillips or Torx
Can of PB Blaster.
Some vacuum hose.
Roll of soft iron machinist's wire or the stuff they use to wire up
cyclone fences. Home Depot used to have it in the garden dept, dunno
if still. Coat hangers are not a suitable substitute, you want it
dead soft so you're not fighting the wire when you go to use it.
Pliers to cut the wire and twist the ends.
Tube of Victor muffler cement. Combining it with the soft iron wire
will let you fix surprisingly large holes/cracks.
Some crimp terminals and a decent stripper/crimper like the Channellock 908.
Roll or two of wire -- 18 and 14, say.
Bandanna to tie over your head.
That's not exhaustive by any means, but it's a darn good start.
d
