Tools used to repair motor vehicles. Avoid shopping questions.

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Creating autocad's blueprint for importing into Google SketchUp [closed]

When I imported my drawing into SketchUp, I saw only polylines and can't extrude it. How to make surfaces in autocad/draftsight? How to import models that can't be extruded (with empty space inside)?
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0answers
27 views

Craftsman Bolt-Out and similar tools

I've seen Craftsman Bolt-Out mentioned in several questions/threads about removing stuck or rounded-off bolts, a problem I've run into many times. There's no particular problem I'm looking to solve ...
4
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1answer
44 views

What is the difference between an automatic torque wrench and a click wrench?

What is the difference between an automatic torque wrench and a click torque wrench? Right now the 1/2inch torque wrench I use on my Jeep is a really cheep one I bought on amazon and it clicks when ...
2
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3answers
45 views

Which is stronger: solid sockets, or two piece sockets?

My jeep has a lot of torx bolts that I need to remove and then replace some of. A while ago I bought a single torx socket from ACE hardware that is made from two steel pieces of metal. The other day ...
3
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3answers
77 views

How do I remove a pulley where I have no way of stopping it turning anti-clockwise, like I'm turning the nut?

I've been told I need an airgun, but I have no means of getting one. An alternative is a tool that looks like this. It has a handle of flat steel that splits into a wide U, almost Y shaped but the V ...
2
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1answer
44 views

Rounded bolt head on possibly broken bolt

I'm trying to remove the transmission casing on my belt drive scooter. All of the bolts have tiny 8mm heads, and are very cheap and soft - cheap Chinese manufacture - and one was already slightly ...
11
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2answers
160 views

How To Get Organized Without a Garage Workspace?

People I've seen who have garages have it made. They have a clean, dry workspace with all of their tools within arms reach. In the most organized garages, a mixture of rolling Snap-on Roll Cab with ...
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2answers
107 views

Removing rust / prepping for repainting

I have several developing rust spots on my car. What's the best way to remove the rust / prep the surface? I picked up a wire cup brush with a 1/4", but it's limited to 4,500 RPM. My tool options ...
0
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1answer
50 views

What shop tools are most helpful for inspecting used cars?

I am curious what benefit a shop would provide vs a mobile inspection service. I know a lift is helpful in seeing certain parts of the car, and an engine code scanner is very helpful. Any others?
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1answer
583 views

What resistance is typical across a small engine ignition coil?

I have a hedge trimmer I'm troubleshooting (link) and I'm wanting to rule out the ignition coil. What resistance should I measure across a typical small engine ignition coil? I would have thought down ...
2
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2answers
154 views

What functions & features should I look for when buying a multimeter?

Going to be used for car maintenance/restoration work and around the house repairs.
6
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3answers
236 views

Car enthusiast beginner kit

What is a good place to begin building a kit/set up for performing your own service? For ex: oil changes waxing detailing What is the best starting equipment one can start on?
2
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3answers
346 views

How can I check if my 1995 Lancer CC GI has OBD-II

As my title say I want to know if my current car that I just purchased has an ODB-II port. I have looked under the steering wheel and I can see what I think to be a OBD-II connector, but am unsure. ...
5
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2answers
3k views

What is a suitable air compressor for a home garage?

What type and size air compressor (HP, Tank Size, CFM, direct drive/2 stage... etc) would be suitable for a home garage where I'm going to do small amounts of maintenance but nothing major? So I would ...
5
votes
1answer
690 views

How important is it to use a real flare nut wrench when removing the fuel line on an old Ford tractor?

An article on overhauling the carbs on a Ford 8N tractor says to use a flare nut wrench to disconnect the fuel line. How important is it use that kind of wrench, vs. an open ended wrench?
7
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2answers
447 views

Should a mechanical “click” Torque Wrench be set to zero when not in use?

I have a standard click torque wrench. I was told I should set it to zero when not using it in order to keep the accuracy high. Is this true? Secondly, I have not been doing this since I purchased ...
4
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4answers
3k views

What is the best overall ODB2 scan tool?

There are a number of different ODB2 scan tools out there, some PC based, some standalone units, some more for tuning and some more for diagnosing problems. What are the different features that these ...
3
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3answers
678 views

OBD2 to bluetooth adaptor for 2001 Renault?

I have a 2001 Renault Clio 2 1.6 16V (French made) and I'm looking for a OBD2 to bluetooth adaptor to read computer's parameters. There are MANY available with all price ranges, but I'm not sure what ...
4
votes
3answers
435 views

How much oil will this fluid extractor extract?

The Griots Garage multi-fluid extractor is an example of a tool that certainly seems amazingly useful and convenient. If you haven't seen it before, the concept is that a semi rigid tube is inserted ...
7
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2answers
422 views

Do I Need to Compress the Springs to Install Strut Tower Braces?

I have a '99 Maxima. I am considering installing strut tower braces. In order to do so, would I need to get spring compression tools to hold the springs on the struts, or will the weight of the car ...
1
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1answer
306 views

What tools should every home mechanic have? [closed]

What tools should every home mechanic have in their toolbox? One item per answer please, upvote the best ones. This is intended to be a wiki-style question.