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Stay at Home Tools -- TS-104

This page is the successor (left over part) of the Traveling Survival Kit page, which has been moved to the Travel Preparation tech section. The Survival Kit is the first and more important set of tools, and always carried in the car. When it's time for shop work, the Survival Kit moves from the boot to the work bench. The tools listed below are the supplimentary tools that always stay in the garage. You may notice that these tools might generally be used for major surgery, such as engine rebuilds or body restoration work. Most of these tools are by no means "special" for the MG, mostly general purpose tools.

TOOLS ALWAYS LEFT IN THE GARAGE:

  • Retractable drop light.
  • 4-foot flourescent lights hanging on chains.
  • Workbench, laminated hardwood, sturdy enough to hold an engine.
  • Air compressor, 20 gallon horizontal tank 2-hp twin, about 8 SCFM, fits under the workbench.
  • Various air tools, air ratchet and butterfly impact wrench being used the most.
  • Paint sprayer with accessories.
  • Acetylene welding kit, stands in a corner.
  • Small stick welder, one step up from the cheapest model.
  • Hand held stud welder, welds "nails" onto body panels for dent pulling.
  • 3/8" variable speed reversible drill, strong motor, not a cheap one.
  • 4 inch angle grinder.
  • 7 inch angle sander/buffer.
  • Dayton 1/2 HP 7-inch pedestal grinder.
  • 1/2-ton ratchet action cable puller, serves as engine hoist if you have a strong hook in the ceiling.
  • Engine stand (cheap).
  • 1-3/4 ton capacity hydraulic floor jack, the object here is both very low minimum height and high lift, so it needs a fairly long lift arm.
  • Brake drum puller.
  • 4 jack stands.
  • Mechanic's creeper, medium duty, but I usually end up lying on the floor anyway.
  • Small mover's dolly, cheap homemade, usually carries spare engine under workbench.
  • Hydraulic port-a-power kit, seldom used, usually for major body tweaking.
  • Slide hammer (aka "dent puller"), for pulling main bearing caps, gears, etc.
  • Degree wheel and long travel dial indicator with versatile stand.
  • Cooling system pressure test kit.
  • Electronic battery tester.
  • Diagnostic scanner (used on newer cars with computer controls).
  • Internal engine tools, valve spring compressor, ring compressor, cylinder hone.
  • Tubing flaring kit.
  • Oil drain pan and disposal containers.
  • EeziBleed pressure brake bleeder kit.
  • [ regular type engine hoist and engine tilt are notable not on this list ]
AND A MULTI-DRAWER CABINET FULL OF MORE HAND TOOLS:
  • Oil filter wrenches.
  • Micrometer and dial caliper.
  • Drills, files, taps and dies, easy-outs, grinding wheels and burrs.
  • More screwdrivers and end wrenches.
  • Deep well sockets, english and metric, and flex joint sockets.
  • Complete 1/2" drive socket set.
  • 3/4" drive T-bar and a few larger sockets.
  • Breaker bars and speed wrench handles.
  • 3/8" and 1/2" drive torque wrenches.
  • Pipe wrench (not used much for the car).
  • Various BFHs, slide/draw hammer, various tire irons and crow bars.
  • That special 1-61/64 inch octagonal socket for the rear axle bearing nut.
  • Larger model digital volt meter.
  • Hand vacuum pump with lots of small attachments.
  • Various body work tools, hammers, dollys, files & sanders.
  • And a multitude of other small tools accumulated over the years.
This list is by no means complete, but most of the important stuff is here. Some time I may criuse through the cabinets and drawers and see if I missed anything important. Other suggestions and revisions welcome.
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