The Toolkit Thread

[team ftb]

Originally Posted by Balkan Boy

FTB,

From my experience, and for the reasons you mentioned, it pays to carry duplicate tools.
Last time when I only had stubby wrenches I couldn't do anything with them because of small leverage. But, I do know there is one bolt on my bike that I can only access with a stubby wrench without removing body panels. Same goes for short and long HEX drivers.
It's best to tailor the toolkit around given bike and it's expected faults or maintenance. You can save a lot of weight and bulk in that way.

What you are saying about tailoring the tool kit to the bike in my experience has allowed me not to have to carry duplicate tools. This is why I continue to carry the L shape hexes as it provides more efficient access to my carb than the Motion Pro MP hexes allow. I do all my work on the bike with only the tools in my toolkit, this quickly lets me know what does and does not work effectively. The risk i run with not carrying duplicates is if I lose or break a tool. Then I'm hosed. Where's some wood to knock on.

One place I can forsee the stubby wrenches having an issue is if you need the length of a full size wrench to access a hidden bolt head that you could not get to with your socket. So far though on my bikes I have yet to come across it.

+3 on using two wrenches for leverage. Not as nice and quick as a full size wrench but so far have busted loose drain plugs, cylinders etc. without issue.

Thanks for the tips.

[jesusgatos]

Originally Posted by team ftb

Thanks for the answer. Hope the tests prove out for you.

I'm a huge proponent for minimizing the load and anything that saves weight and space I'm a supporter. I've transitioned from a 1/4" T handle driver and socket bits to the Motion Pro (but weld the damn piece like I posted about earlier in the thread) to save some weight/space. In addition to the sockets it has replaced my screwdriver which is nice. The hex bits I prefer L shapped hexes for my carb work.

Two concerns I have with something like this idea Jesusgatos:

A place where these may not be able to replace your wrench set is when you need two wrenches at once ie adjusting a chain.

Second is I would be giving up the box end part of the wrench which is the portion of the wrench used to break loose or torque down bolts. I would be nervous only having the open end of the wrench and nothing else. Any thoughts on this?

Currently utulizing stubby wrenches to save a bit if weight/space but not enough time on them to pass judgement.
All the best

Those are all good points. Personally, I'm only carrying open-end combo wrenches. Anywhere I would need to use a box-end wrench, I would just rather use a socket. Cuts down on the number of wrenches I have to carry by about half, and I haven't ever missed them. As far as needing to use two wrenches at the same time, you'd have at least two 1/4" socket drivers to use, right? # 1: extension & #2: ratchet. The ratchet might be a little bit awkward to use, but think it would work for those rare occasions when you need to use two wrenches at the same time?

[DirtDabber]

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

Those are all good points. Personally, I'm only carrying open-end combo wrenches. Anywhere I would need to use a box-end wrench, I would just rather use a socket. Cuts down on the number of wrenches I have to carry by about half, and I haven't ever missed them. As far as needing to use two wrenches at the same time, you'd have at least two 1/4" socket drivers to use, right? # 1: extension & #2: ratchet. The ratchet might be a little bit awkward to use, but think it would work for those rare occasions when you need to use two wrenches at the same time?

Except for chain adjuster bolts. But that can by solved with a nylock nut.

[jesusgatos]

What about adjusting the chain?

[Stan_R80/7]

Here is a micro hex bit ratchet that fits nicely inside the MP tool kit. The overall length is 9 cm (~3.5"):
Titan 11205 Offset Micro Bit Driver with Bits

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Titan-11205-Of.../dp/B004WIWL30

I found one of these at my local Autozone for $10.00 w/bits. A supplemental hex bit set provides a 1/4" drive adapter and metric bits. Supposedly, the ratchet has a "Lifetime" warranty. Sometimes, a ratchet is nice to have.

[team ftb]

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

Those are all good points. Personally, I'm only carrying open-end combo wrenches. Anywhere I would need to use a box-end wrench, I would just rather use a socket. Cuts down on the number of wrenches I have to carry by about half, and I haven't ever missed them. As far as needing to use two wrenches at the same time, you'd have at least two 1/4" socket drivers to use, right? # 1: extension & #2: ratchet. The ratchet might be a little bit awkward to use, but think it would work for those rare occasions when you need to use two wrenches at the same time?

Never thought about using open end wrench combo's only, interesting idea and it does cut down on half your wrenches. I would just need to get my head around abandoning the box end side. Not an easy thing for this old dog to give up, haha. Only downside to that is no longer having the ability to double up the wrenches for leverage like in the pictures above. I'll play around with only using open end side of wrenches in the garage and see how I get along.

[caljw]

Picked up this driver from Sears today. 7 bucks! Think it will be nice to have the added torque. Packs small too.

[jesusgatos]

Originally Posted by team ftb

Never thought about using open end wrench combo's only, interesting idea and it does cut down on half your wrenches. I would just need to get my head around abandoning the box end side. Not an easy thing for this old dog to give up, haha. Only downside to that is no longer having the ability to double up the wrenches for leverage like in the pictures above. I'll play around with only using open end side of wrenches in the garage and see how I get along.

Where do you use box-end wrenches that you couldn't get at with a socket? Honest question. And if you need more torque than you can apply with one wrench, it's probably not a job for an open-ended wrench anyway. Again, I would use sockets there. Have applied an amazing amount of torque to that 1/4" Husky driver and haven't managed to break it yet.

Oh, but I just remembered that I actually do still carry a few open/box-end combo wrenches (7/8/10mm). They're the itty-bitty little ones that Craftsman includes in their eleventy-three tool combo kits to up the tool count. They usually come in a little pouch? Weigh hardly anything and use the 7mm as a spoke wrench, and only use the 8 and 10mm wrenches to adjust my chain, which I can't do with a single 8/10 combo open-ended wrench.

[RidingDonkeys]

That's where these come into play and offer a big advantage.



After asking about these a month ago, I added a set to my tool kit. They rock! I try to use my "tool kit" to do maintenance. It keeps me proficient and helps me identify what I need. I used these the other day for major maintenance day and was thoroughly impressed. I didn't find myself reaching for a wrench very often.

[markjenn]

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

Where do you use box-end wrenches that you couldn't get at with a socket? Honest question.

And honest answer. It happens all the time in bike mechanics - lots of fasteners have the 1/2" of clearance to slip a box-end over the fastener, but do not have the 3" or so clearance required for a socket and rachet.

- Mark

[jesusgatos]

Are we talking about general bike mechanics here or working on specific bikes with specific toolkits? This discussion about toolkits and general mechanics is great, but I also think it might be helpful to be a little bit more specific sometimes. I still carry 12/14mm sockets and wrenches, even though I'm riding a KTM, but that's about it. Tend to tailor my toolkit to the bikes I plan on working on, and that's why I was asking. So it would be helpful if you could include that kind of info in your replies. What are you working on and what do you need to carry to make sure you can keep it running? Have found that little 1/4" huskey socket driver will fit just about anywhere. Even works really well for dropping the float bowl if I put a little hex bit in there (would be phillips bit on most bikes). Single 2.5" extension is just long enough that I've been able to access anything/everything I've ever needed to work on.

[Fulano]

+1

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

Are we talking about general bike mechanics here or working on specific bikes with specific toolkits? This discussion about toolkits and general mechanics is great, but I also think it might be helpful to be a little bit more specific sometimes. I still carry 12/14mm sockets and wrenches, even though I'm riding a KTM, but that's about it. Tend to tailor my toolkit to the bikes I plan on working on, and that's why I was asking. So it would be helpful if you could include that kind of info in your replies. What are you working on and what do you need to carry to make sure you can keep it running? Have found that little 1/4" huskey socket driver will fit just about anywhere. Even works really well for dropping the float bowl if I put a little hex bit in there (would be phillips bit on most bikes). Single 2.5" extension is just long enough that I've been able to access anything/everything I've ever needed to work on.

[team ftb]

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

Where do you use box-end wrenches that you couldn't get at with a socket? Honest question. And if you need more torque than you can apply with one wrench, it's probably not a job for an open-ended wrench anyway. Again, I would use sockets there. Have applied an amazing amount of torque to that 1/4" Husky driver and haven't managed to break it yet.

Oh, but I just remembered that I actually do still carry a few open/box-end combo wrenches (7/8/10mm). They're the itty-bitty little ones that Craftsman includes in their eleventy-three tool combo kits to up the tool count. They usually come in a little pouch? Weigh hardly anything and use the 7mm as a spoke wrench, and only use the 8 and 10mm wrenches to adjust my chain, which I can't do with a single 8/10 combo open-ended wrench.

Jesusgatos - As I posted earlier, I am a huge proponent of whittiling a toolkit down to its minimum packing bulk and weight and go to decent lengths to due it with my own tool kit. So I appreciate any efforts taken to accomplish this goal, such as what you and your brither are doing. Awesome.

You ask "Where do you use box-end wrenches that you couldn't get at with a socket"? I dont have a formal list or anything but a couple would be my radiator shrouds are secured by a nut and bolts and need a wrenh for the bolts, fuel petcock, as mentioned earlier chain adjuster bolts, rear brake adjuster, gear shift lever, and valve cover removal etc. . You get the idea. These are all places I have needed to reach on my rides, not just major bike overhaul stuff in the garage Now out of habit I always use the box end if at all posible as I'm always scared of rounding the bolt and nuts. But thats just me and an open end wrench would have no issues with those. Oh forgot the most obvious bolt I use a wrench on is the oil drain bolt, yes a socket would work but I find I can misalign a socket pretty easy (my fault) as they are at a strange angle..

Regarding additional torque needed as I am getting to grips with stubby wrenches I am using the two wrench method more than with normal wrenches. Kind of hard do without a box end.

Currently bikes I need my tools for are KTM and Yamaha dirt bikes but the tool kit has been used on all makes due to peoples toolkits been lacking or packed too deeply it was quicker to use mine. One of the benefits of the Motion Pro MP tool (once modified) is that it caarries handily in my Camelbak. Jesus maybe my kTM has some different fasteners? On my 06 525 the chain adjuster was 10/13, on my 2011 250 its 10/12 FYI so keep that in mind if getting newer KTM's, also my rear shock bottom bolt is 12.

One of the reasons I never went with the Husky Ratchet wrench is i was worried the 1/4" drive adapter would conistently fall out of the wrench during usage, changing sockets etc.. Could people with this piece chime in with their experiences to this concern? I've never handled one so clueless and have kept my tried and true stuff but always interested in another option if better than what I currently utilize.

[RidingDonkeys]

Originally Posted by team ftb

Jesusgatos - As I posted earlier, I am a huge proponent of whittiling a toolkit down to its minimum packing bulk and weight and go to decent lengths to due it with my own tool kit. So I appreciate any efforts taken to accomplish this goal, such as what you and your brither are doing. Awesome.

You ask "Where do you use box-end wrenches that you couldn't get at with a socket"? I dont have a formal list or anything but a couple would be my radiator shrouds are secured by a nut and bolts and need a wrenh for the bolts, fuel petcock, as mentioned earlier chain adjuster bolts, rear brake adjuster, gear shift lever, and valve cover removal etc. . You get the idea. These are all places I have needed to reach on my rides, not just major bike overhaul stuff in the garage Now out of habit I always use the box end if at all posible as I'm always scared of rounding the bolt and nuts. But thats just me and an open end wrench would have no issues with those. Oh forgot the most obvious bolt I use a wrench on is the oil drain bolt, yes a socket would work but I find I can misalign a socket pretty easy (my fault) as they are at a strange angle..

Regarding additional torque needed as I am getting to grips with stubby wrenches I am using the two wrench method more than with normal wrenches. Kind of hard do without a box end.

Currently bikes I need my tools for are KTM and Yamaha dirt bikes but the tool kit has been used on all makes due to peoples toolkits been lacking or packed too deeply it was quicker to use mine. One of the benefits of the Motion Pro MP tool (once modified) is that it caarries handily in my Camelbak. Jesus maybe my kTM has some different fasteners? On my 06 525 the chain adjuster was 10/13, on my 2011 250 its 10/12 FYI so keep that in mind if getting newer KTM's, also my rear shock bottom bolt is 12.

One of the reasons I never went with the Husky Ratchet wrench is i was worried the 1/4" drive adapter would conistently fall out of the wrench during usage, changing sockets etc.. Could people with this piece chime in with their experiences to this concern? I've never handled one so clueless and have kept my tried and true stuff but always interested in another option if better than what I currently utilize.

I haven't used the 1/4 adapter. I'll play with it today and report back.

[jesusgatos]

Originally Posted by Balkan Boy

These aren't going to be cheep and I think they are 3/8, but if you really want to go minimalistic ...

http://www.beta-tools.com/catalog/ar...eta/__filters_

Yes! Just a smaller version of those...