What to keep in stock?

[garnold]

Originally Posted by jcsmith

A tap and die set is handy

A parts washer is real handy

A corded drill and drill index

Cutting oil

Set of cheap sawhorses

Car ramps , chock. For cleaning under deck

The list never ends, Chris

Can you link a drill index you recommend?

[cubs-n-bxrs]

Originally Posted by garnold

Can you link a drill index you recommend?

If you are serious about a drill index then you might as well buy a drill doctor for sharpening the dull drill bits. They do wear out or get chipped cutting edges.

[garnold]

Originally Posted by cubs-n-bxrs

If you are serious about a drill index then you might as well buy a drill doctor for sharpening the dull drill bits. They do wear out or get chipped cutting edges.

I miss understood what you meant by drill index. I thought you meant one of those tools to center and keep the drill vertical when you are drilling a hole.

Yeah, I've looked at one of those drill doctors. My buddy has one and loves it so I might just borrow his because they are not cheap. Though I guess when you compare the cost of replacing all your bits all the time the cost evens out and becomes a good deal pretty fast.

[Maxwelhse]

Since we're talking drills in general, I won't buy any (unless I'm in a bind) that are not tri-angle shank. The small bits are still round, but what can ya do?

Dewalt calls them "no spin" shanks.

http://www.amazon.com/Dewalt-Pilot-P...+no+slip+shank

Originally Posted by garnold

- Timing Light
- Remote Starter control
- Spark plug tester

IMO, I'd send the spark tester back and reload your wallet with that money. The few I've used only work about 1/2 the time and the timing light is going to perform the same job, plus more.

[garnold]

Originally Posted by Maxwelhse

Since we're talking drills in general, I won't buy any (unless I'm in a bind) that are not tri-angle shank. The small bits are still round, but what can ya do?

Dewalt calls them "no spin" shanks.

http://www.amazon.com/Dewalt-Pilot-P...+no+slip+shank




IMO, I'd send the spark tester back and reload your wallet with that money. The few I've used only work about 1/2 the time and the timing light is going to perform the same job, plus more.

I like those bits indeed!

I was hoping for better feedback on the spark plug tester I actually bought 2 of them. One is an inline job that lights up and the other is one more of a spark plug with a clamp on it that you ground out and look for the arc at the end of the plug. Both where cheap enough and got rather good reviews so I thought I would test them out. Some of the engines I plan to work on are pull start so it's hard to start them and keep a close eye on the plug to see spark. I'll report back how they work out and let ya know if I just tossed my money down the drain. Looking forward to trying out the timing light I've read all good things about having the points setup correctly so I thought this would help. It might sound kind of lame but it's always been a goal/passion of mine to learn how to work on small engines. I'm not really interested in working on cars but small engines and building stuff with them was something I just never got to do when I was a kid. So now that I'm an old fart and have a few bucks I want to have some time and get the tools I need to really enjoy this hobby and make it a little easier on me along the way. Hence this thread I started HAHAHA!

[Maxwelhse]

FWIW, I have the entire DeWalt index of those bits.. It was around $70 and they have been excellent.

Not to get too far off topic, but here's a small engine repair tip depending on the size of small engine (I wouldn't try it with a cub sized motor for instance)... If you're trying to diagnose a no start rip it down far enough that you can put a drill with a socket on it to crank it over for you. This is especially useful for diagnosing push mowers since, as you said, you can't see the plug when pulling the cord. It also helps to take the blade off so you don't beat your drill to death or cut your toes off. Be prepared to yank the drill off of it in a hurry should it happen to start up. I always use a 1/4" -> 1/2" socket adapter when doing this in the hope that they adapter would break before my wrist or drill if it DOES happen to take off. Try it at your own risk, I guess!

[garnold]

Originally Posted by Maxwelhse

FWIW, I have the entire DeWalt index of those bits.. It was around $70 and they have been excellent.

Not to get too far off topic, but here's a small engine repair tip depending on the size of small engine (I wouldn't try it with a cub sized motor for instance)... If you're trying to diagnose a no start rip it down far enough that you can put a drill with a socket on it to crank it over for you. This is especially useful for diagnosing push mowers since, as you said, you can't see the plug when pulling the cord. It also helps to take the blade off so you don't beat your drill to death or cut your toes off. Be prepared to yank the drill off of it in a hurry should it happen to start up. I always use a 1/4" -> 1/2" socket adapter when doing this in the hope that they adapter would break before my wrist or drill if it DOES happen to take off. Try it at your own risk, I guess!

Dang this has more warnings then most of those drugs you see commercials on TV!

"When working on your engine try our new drill and socket method!"

Fine Print
"May remove toes if not setup correctly"
"Wrist injury could occur if engine starts"
"Please see your mechanic to find out of this approach is safe for you"

[edw]

I saw a article in Farm Show that I made one like. I used the power cord off an old drill. I bent the male plug down to 0030 and on one wire used the screw on connector from an old sparkplug and the other wire an alligator clip for ground. Now I can have the male end on the handle while pulling starter rope and can hear and see the spark.

[Maxwelhse]

Originally Posted by garnold

Dang this has more warnings then most of those drugs you see commercials on TV!

"When working on your engine try our new drill and socket method!"

Fine Print
"May remove toes if not setup correctly"
"Wrist injury could occur if engine starts"
"Please see your mechanic to find out of this approach is safe for you"

I just don't ever want to give any information out that could cause someone serious problems. I don't mind being wrong (I don't try to be, but its going to happen), but I really don't want to be dangerous. The drill method is fine, but watch what you're doing is all I was saying. If I said it a lot, then you must have read all of what I said, so mission accomplished.

[garnold]

Originally Posted by edw

I saw a article in Farm Show that I made one like. I used the power cord off an old drill. I bent the male plug down to 0030 and on one wire used the screw on connector from an old sparkplug and the other wire an alligator clip for ground. Now I can have the male end on the handle while pulling starter rope and can hear and see the spark.

Nice work! These are the tips and tricks that get lost without nice folks like you helping us new knock heads out HAHAHA