What DIY tools to buy?

[MiddleAgedBiker]

http://184.72.239.143/mu/d2c12fe9-5a19-057e.jpg

 

This feller over here. Twenty bucks at sheng siong, all the sizes i need so far.

 

Might not scream quality, but good enough.

 

Very nice set for that price! Is that a deep socket on the right? What size is it? It even has a thumb wheel ratchet, amazing!

 

Does it have a brand?

[spaiduhz]

Very nice set for that price! Is that a deep socket on the right? What size is it? It even has a thumb wheel ratchet, amazing!

 

Does it have a brand?

 

That's a car spark plug socket. No use for bikes unless you have a 2t bike.

 

I'll take a photo of the packaging next time I head to Sheng Siong.

 

SEGALA UNTUK MUUUU.....!!

[spaiduhz]

http://184.72.239.143/mu/dcff0280-b739-ebec.jpg

 

Here we go.

[Terrible One]

Soldering iron would be useful too. I need to "upsize" my tool box.....

[crazydj]

http://184.72.239.143/mu/dcff0280-b739-ebec.jpg

 

Here we go.

 

Are those like... digital price tags on the shelf? Looks like it...

 

Soldering iron would be useful too. I need to "upsize" my tool box.....

 

If you want to get a soldering iron, get a good one. Don't get those lousy cheap ones. Really cannot make it sia.

[Raptor]

Buying of tools to work on bikes can be a very dangerous passion or hobby.

 

I too, started out wanting to do DIY with a few basic tools and many years later...see what happens.

 

Ended up quitting the RSAF after 35 years of service to start my own bike servicing business and spending tens of thousands of dollars on tools, workshop equipment and lubricants.... just to continue feeding the passion of working on bikes.

[MiddleAgedBiker]

http://184.72.239.143/mu/dcff0280-b739-ebec.jpg

 

Here we go.

 

Thanks! It's interesting that Sheng Siong is even selling tools now...

[MiddleAgedBiker]

Buying of tools to work on bikes can be a very dangerous passion or hobby.

 

I too, started out wanting to do DIY with a few basic tools and many years later...see what happens.

 

Ended up quitting the RSAF after 35 years of service to start my own bike servicing business and spending tens of thousands of dollars on tools, workshop equipment and lubricants.... just to continue feeding the passion of working on bikes.

 

Raptor, were you an aircraft tech? I have a friend who's also an aircraft tech and he told me the airforce only uses Snap-On.....drawer after drawer after drawer full of Snap-On....must be very shiok!

 

Btw, besides Snap-On and the brand you mentioned earlier, are there any other tool brands in S'pore that provide lifetime warranty? As in if you break one, you get one free?

 

It's quite surprising that so many tool brands do that in the US but we seldom here of such things in Asian countries.

[spaiduhz]

Are those like... digital price tags on the shelf? Looks like it...

 

You are correct. The one that says 20 dolls is the tag for that set.

[Raptor]

Raptor, were you an aircraft tech? I have a friend who's also an aircraft tech and he told me the airforce only uses Snap-On.....drawer after drawer after drawer full of Snap-On....must be very shiok!

 

Btw, besides Snap-On and the brand you mentioned earlier, are there any other tool brands in S'pore that provide lifetime warranty? As in if you break one, you get one free?

 

 

It's quite surprising that so many tool brands do that in the US but we seldom here of such things in Asian countries.

Yes sir, I early retired 2 months ago and started my own motorcycle servicing business. I believe I am the only Singapore bike mechanic who is a Senior Licenced Aircraft Engineer and an Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) qualified technician in aviation airframe and powerplants. An overkill of a qualification but nevertheless still loving the current job... coz its not a job to me... its a passion.

 

Yes.. the RSAF only uses Snap-On tools.. simply because of the high quality of the tools and also the lifetime warranty that comes with it.

 

Snap-On is now trying to promote another brand line of their tools, Blue Point as a subsidiary premium brand. Although the manufacturing is by the same company.. it just has another brand name and not as pricey but still with the same premium quality.

 

Craftsman tools are considered next best to Snap-On in the USA.

[spaiduhz]

I feel like buying a chain breaker for myself. Unfortunately, the only chain i changed would be on my mountain bike.

 

Hands damn itchy now. Nvm, when the chain is close to the max, i will consider again.

 

Was reading on an american forum where some folks were willing to dish out over a hundred us dollars for a branded

[Terrible One]

Buying of tools to work on bikes can be a very dangerous passion or hobby.

 

I too, started out wanting to do DIY with a few basic tools and many years later...see what happens.

 

Ended up quitting the RSAF after 35 years of service to start my own bike servicing business and spending tens of thousands of dollars on tools, workshop equipment and lubricants.... just to continue feeding the passion of working on bikes.

 

If you put it an another way, you can prob say that you spent 35yrs in service so that you can afford to do this. For me I'm happy as it is right now- building custom bikes one at the time

[CSV]

my most used tool would be the ratchet, so get that. you'll need a ratchet most of the time anyways.

 

invest in a good one like Snap-On. just kidding.

 

allen keys, socket wrench, screwdrivers cross and flat heads. usual stuff.

[MiddleAgedBiker]

Yes sir, I early retired 2 months ago and started my own motorcycle servicing business. I believe I am the only Singapore bike mechanic who is a Senior Licenced Aircraft Engineer and an Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) qualified technician in aviation airframe and powerplants. An overkill of a qualification but nevertheless still loving the current job... coz its not a job to me... its a passion.

 

Yes.. the RSAF only uses Snap-On tools.. simply because of the high quality of the tools and also the lifetime warranty that comes with it.

 

Snap-On is now trying to promote another brand line of their tools, Blue Point as a subsidiary premium brand. Although the manufacturing is by the same company.. it just has another brand name and not as pricey but still with the same premium quality.

 

Craftsman tools are considered next best to Snap-On in the USA.

 

I think many of the Blue Point products are being made in China, I clicked through their US catalog and noticed that the country of origin listed for a number of Blue Point tools is China. I think for the price I'd rather buy Bahco stuff, also their subsidiary.

 

Are you still using Snap On now? The markup in S'pore is terrible (at least for retail folks like me, not sure for professionals and businesses).

[MiddleAgedBiker]

my most used tool would be the ratchet, so get that. you'll need a ratchet most of the time anyways.

 

invest in a good one like Snap-On. just kidding.

 

allen keys, socket wrench, screwdrivers cross and flat heads. usual stuff.

 

Actually unless one were to get Snap-On extensions and sockets as well as the ratchet, I think it's not quite a good idea to get just the Snap-On ratchet alone (in my experience). I have an older model F830, and most Snap-On ratchets that I know of, including the newest F80, doesn't have a quick release button. If you use it with other brands of sockets (mine are Craftsman) they go on very tight, and are a pain to pull off.

 

Add to that when your hand is oily it gets worse. I'm told that Snap-On sockets will fit the ratchet perfectly and won't be so tight, but I have no personal experience.

 

I personally prefer a ratchet with a quick-release button. Makes life much easier. It's for this reason that my Snap-On ratchet sits in the toolbox most of the time these days, I seldom want to use it anymore.

[Phang]

My 3/8” ratchets, the left and the right one has quick release button. The middle one is a fine tooth ratchet.

 

Personally, I always reach my sliding T-handle/bar rather than the ratchet handle unless there is a space constrain that prevent me from using the T-handle/bar

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/Phang/DSCN6284.jpg

[MiddleAgedBiker]

Now this is becoming a very interesting thread! More pictures pls! Raptor, can take pics of your workshop and tools? haha...

[MiddleAgedBiker]

My dad gave me this set of Stanley 1/4" dr ratchet and sockets when I was 19. Still going strong today.

 

 

This is the 101 pc Craftsman Mechanic set I got from the States about 12 yrs back, and is the main set I use today.

 

 

The 3/4" dr ratchet is missing because I was using it to take off my fork caps.

[MiddleAgedBiker]

My 3/8” ratchets, the left and the right one has quick release button. The middle one is a fine tooth ratchet.

 

Personally, I always reach my sliding T-handle/bar rather than the ratchet handle unless there is a space constrain that prevent me from using the T-handle/bar

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/Phang/DSCN6284.jpg

 

Hi Phang,

What's that one on the right? Looks familiar...

[MiddleAgedBiker]

Yes sir, I early retired 2 months ago and started my own motorcycle servicing business. I believe I am the only Singapore bike mechanic who is a Senior Licenced Aircraft Engineer and an Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) qualified technician in aviation airframe and powerplants. An overkill of a qualification but nevertheless still loving the current job... coz its not a job to me... its a passion.

 

 

Raptor, I should call you sir. I want to be your understudy can or not? Btw where is your shop?

[Phang]

Hi Phang,

What's that one on the right? Looks familiar...

 

that's a Stahlwille

 

http://www.arnoldsat.com/newport/stahlwille-logo.jpg

[MiddleAgedBiker]

How does it compare to the KTC?

[Phang]

The fit and finishing is a tad better than KTC, the square drive spindle feels solid in the ratchet head and the quick release detent ball bearing holds the socket solid, very little free play comparing to the KTC.

 

KTC on the left, Stahlwille on the right.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/Phang/DSCN6285.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/Phang/DSCN6286.jpg

[spaiduhz]

Had trouble fitting the 1/2" drive spark plug socket and its extension into my fazer, so i asked a nearby hardware shop if they carry any 3/8" drive ratchet sets.

 

http://184.72.239.143/mu/dcff029f-f57c-e3a3.jpg

 

Ten bucks.

 

The socket quality is... questionable. Extension is sorely lacking. But its cheap, and the ratchet handle snaps from one direction to another with confidence. I like how it has a motorbike plug tool, but none of the sockets have a retention groove.

 

Well, off to look for extension bars. Yew aik heng is too dangerous, the stuff too poisonous.

 

Lets have a look at homefix, hopefully they have some 3/8" extensions.

[Phang]

I have this KTC B3A-16SP slim type spark plug socket, 3/8” drive for 16mm spark plug. The outer diameter is only 20.0mm. Slim enough to fit into all kind of spark plug tunnel. It has a built in magnet to hold the spark plug too.

 

http://blog-imgs-36.fc2.com/g/i/n/gincyan1962/RIMG0007_20110131220750.jpg

 

http://homepage2.nifty.com/paris/parts/plug_10.jpg

 

http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/mutsuura/cabinet/01186925/img57183289.jpg

 

You can get it locally from Wing Poh