Tools and Parts!

Nidge_Weasel · 13-06-2012 2:46pm #1

Hi there!

I've just bought myself a cheap 00 fiat seicento sporting as my first car, I didnt have much money, always wanted one of these cars, and always wanted to learn how to maintain and work on cars, so its a project for me!

It needs a few bits of work done to it before it'l pass the NCT, I need a new rocker cover gasket to be fitted to it, a full service, and it looks like all the coolant needs replacing. I have my porters manual for the car on the way to me at the minute and was wondering, what tools exactly do i need, I know I need at least need a socket set and torque wrench, but what size drive should I be getting? Also where is best priced to get these bits and pieces? The only place I've found so far is micksgarage.ie.

Thanks for any help!!:D

Nissan doctor · 13-06-2012 2:52pm

Nidge_Weasel wrote: »

Hi there!

I've just bought myself a cheap 00 fiat seicento sporting as my first car, I didnt have much money, always wanted one of these cars, and always wanted to learn how to maintain and work on cars, so its a project for me!

It needs a few bits of work done to it before it'l pass the NCT, I need a new rocker cover gasket to be fitted to it, a full service, and it looks like all the coolant needs replacing. I have my porters manual for the car on the way to me at the minute and was wondering, what tools exactly do i need, I know I need at least need a socket set and torque wrench, but what size drive should I be getting? Also where is best priced to get these bits and pieces? The only place I've found so far is micksgarage.ie.

Thanks for any help!!:D

Halfords tools are actually good for DIYers. They do a full kit with the majority of the basic tools you'd need.

The likes of this: http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_862443_langId_-1_categoryId_212410

DublinDilbert · 13-06-2012 2:58pm

What part of the country are you in? there's lots of places to buy tools as long as you know what your looking for. You also typically build them up over a period of time.

Some of the boardsies speak very highly of the Halfords professional sets, but get them when they are on special offer. I have a draper expert set with a 3/8 drive and its not bad.

I would advise you also to get a "rail" of impact sockets with a 1/2 drive and a decent breaker bar, the likes of mc quillans in blanch will have these fairly cheap. Its probably worth while getting a rail of small sockets too that grip on the flats of the bolt and not the corners.

There's a small draper torque wrench with a 3/8 inch drive for about €25 that should be grand for DIY use.

The thing with any tools is knowing how to use them, always make sure your applying the force in the correct plane, many people don't and strip bolt heads as a result.

Nidge_Weasel · 13-06-2012 3:04pm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Halfords tools are actually good for DIYers. They do a full kit with the majority of the basic tools you'd need.

The likes of this: http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_862443_langId_-1_categoryId_212410

Looking at that tool set, there doesnt appear to be a torque wrench? I imagine I can buy one seperate and use all the sockets in that kit with it?

Nidge_Weasel · 13-06-2012 3:07pm

DublinDilbert wrote: »

What part of the country are you in? there's lots of places to buy tools as long as you know what your looking for. You also typically build them up over a period of time.

Some of the boardsies speak very highly of the Halfords professional sets, but get them when they are on special offer. I have a draper expert set with a 3/8 drive and its not bad.

I would advise you also to get a "rail" of impact sockets with a 1/2 drive and a decent breaker bar, the likes of mc quillans in blanch will have these fairly cheap. Its probably worth while getting a rail of small sockets too that grip on the flats of the bolt and not the corners.

There's a small draper torque wrench with a 3/8 inch drive for about €25 that should be grand for DIY use.

The thing with any tools is knowing how to use them, always make sure your applying the force in the correct plane, many people don't and strip bolt heads as a result.

I'm in Athlone! I suppose what I'm really looking for is the tools required to service the car fully and change the rocker cover gasket as there is a bit of an oil leak. I found a tutorial for it on www.fiatforums.com, and it looked like it wouldnt be the worst of jobs to make an attempt at!

If I buy a rail of 1/2" impact sockets and a breaker bar (as an aside what is this?

lol) I assume I cant use the 1/2" sockets with the 3/8" torque wrench, am I right?

DublinDilbert · 13-06-2012 3:52pm

Nidge_Weasel wrote: »

If I buy a rail of 1/2" impact sockets and a breaker bar (as an aside what is this? lol) I assume I cant use the 1/2" sockets with the 3/8" torque wrench, am I right?

You can buy an adapter alright. But you more than likely won't over tighten the bigger bolts, unless you get a length of pipe onto a breaker bar. I looked at different torque wrenches when I was buying my one and I found the drapper one the give the best range for a DIYer 10-80nm.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-34570-88-5-708-Inch-Pounds-Ratchet/dp/B0001K9T2O

I've even used mine for seating head bolts, prior to angle tightening and it worked just fine. Just remember to un-wind / un-set it after each use. I did check it against a calibration tool and it was fine.

I'd only recommend a rail of impact sockets cause they can be got quite cheap and are indestructible. But you won't need them initially. I got a set in McQuillans for €12 and I can safely say they'll out last me :-)

firefly08 · 13-06-2012 3:59pm

If I buy a rail of 1/2" impact sockets and a breaker bar (as an aside what is this? lol) I assume I cant use the 1/2" sockets with the 3/8" torque wrench, am I right?

You can, you just need an adapter - any place that sells tools normally has them, although the ones that step down in size are more common.

I'd recommend having a set of adapters - 1/2"->3/8", 3/8"->1/4" and ideally 3/8"->1/2". Sometimes you'll go to a shop looking for a particular socket in 1/2" but they'll only have it in 3/8" or vice versa - that's when your adapters come in handy. This is especially true if you need to combine this socket with an extension - which you definitely will at some point.

Nidge_Weasel · 13-06-2012 4:39pm

DublinDilbert wrote: »

You can buy an adapter alright. But you more than likely won't over tighten the bigger bolts, unless you get a length of pipe onto a breaker bar. I looked at different torque wrenches when I was buying my one and I found the drapper one the give the best range for a DIYer 10-80nm.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-34570-88-5-708-Inch-Pounds-Ratchet/dp/B0001K9T2O

I've even used mine for seating head bolts, prior to angle tightening and it worked just fine. Just remember to un-wind / un-set it after each use. I did check it against a calibration tool and it was fine.

I'd only recommend a rail of impact sockets cause they can be got quite cheap and are indestructible. But you won't need them initially. I got a set in McQuillans for €12 and I can safely say they'll out last me :-)

Thanks for the reply! Where in blanchardstown is this McQuillans? And do they by any chance have a webste?

Nidge_Weasel · 13-06-2012 4:40pm

firefly08 wrote: »

You can, you just need an adapter - any place that sells tools normally has them, although the ones that step down in size are more common.

I'd recommend having a set of adapters - 1/2"->3/8", 3/8"->1/4" and ideally 3/8"->1/2". Sometimes you'll go to a shop looking for a particular socket in 1/2" but they'll only have it in 3/8" or vice versa - that's when your adapters come in handy. This is especially true if you need to combine this socket with an extension - which you definitely will at some point.

Thats good to know!! I was thinking I was going to have to buy sets of sockets in all the varying drive sizes!! Thanks!!:D

firefly08 · 13-06-2012 5:14pm

A few more thoughts...

As an amateur DIYer it's hard to strike the balance between buying tools preemptively and just waiting until you need something. You don't want to be halfway through a job and have to go tool shopping but at the same time you don't want to end up with a pile of tools you never use.

But there's a few things I find are indispensable besides the usual socket sets/spanners etc:

-a digital multimeter and a set of test leads with crocodile clips
-a hammer of some kind - ideally a wooden, rubber or plastic mallet. The heavier the better. You can't fix a car without a bit of hammering

Whatever you do though - don't hit metal with a metal hammer. If you must use a steel hammer, then use a block of wood as a go-between.
-an adjustable spanner: this will cover the odd sizes that you haven't gotten around to buying yet
-a few very small flat bladed screwdrivers. The thin blades are great for prying the clips on electrical connectors and things like that. Often you'll need 2 at the same time.
-an OBD scanner for your specific make/model. Virtually everything that goes wrong with the engine in a modern car logs a code, and reading the code is by far the cheapest and quickest way to find out what went wrong. Find a cheap one on Amazon or eBay and the first time you use it'll pay for itself.

13-06-2012 9:02pm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Halfords tools are actually good for DIYers. They do a full kit with the majority of the basic tools you'd need.

The likes of this: http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_862443_langId_-1_categoryId_212410

+1

For a DIYer I can recommend the Halford professional range but wait to buy them when 50% off (seem to do this regularly).

colm_mcm · 14-06-2012 6:04pm

They're nearly always 50% off, there's a better set than that with ratchet spanners and more of everything, it's not that much more than the one linked when they're on sale.

The Muppet · 14-06-2012 6:18pm

I find the Lidl/Aldi tools to be adequet for the hobby mechanic. Over the year you could build a decent set of tools that can handle most diy jobs.

local motor factors tend to be best for parts, ebay is cheapest but quality can be poor or you'll not always get the correct part and exchanging is a pain.

micksgarage.ie and irishautoparts.ie (tallagh motor factors) can be well priced and offer a quick delivery service.

I have no connection to either of these companies apart from being a satisfied customer any time I have used them.

colm_mcm · 14-06-2012 6:27pm

I got one of my hammers in tesco for 75 cent.

Mar4ix · 14-06-2012 7:57pm

another " + " for halfords tool set. I have this one - tool set . found it handy, i had punto, never had trouble with tools, as this set covered me without any issue, removed gearbox, engine, split an engine, put it back, .... torque wrench has to buy separately though.

colm_mcm · 14-06-2012 8:30pm

That's the one I was on about alright

Pottler · 14-06-2012 10:51pm

We use them Halfords sets ^^ as works tools in the vans and they are very good - easy to overcook the ratchets and wreck them but the sets are cheap enough not to worry over, if they get lost or nicked, just get another and they are comprehensive enough for most things. Throw in a halfords screwdriver set, a breaker bar and some larger spanners and you're good to go. I tend to bin the case though and drop the pieces into a 6 drawer unit so the set can be supplemented with other tools. The cases are fragile at the hinges and catches anyway and after you put everything back in place after it all spills out once or twice, the novelty wears off:D

Tools and Parts!

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