What makes a good tool kit?

Bird · Dec 23, 2001

Bill, I really don't know about the model you're interested in, but Kubota tractors come from Japan (metric nuts and bolts), while I understand the FEL is made in this country (SAE) and the manual says there are both SAE and metric, so unfortunately, yes, you'll probably need both.

And be careful about buying a roll around tool box. They're great! But the cheap ones can't handle the weight of a lot of tools. If you need details, I'll try to help you, but be forewarned - the ones from places like Snap-on, Matco, MAC, etc. are, to my way of thinking, unbelievably high priced, while the cheap ones will collapse under the weight.

gator · Dec 23, 2001

Bill,
Ditto DFB and Bird.My JD 750 metric, attachments SAE.

Wally <font color=green>JD 750 "GATOR"</font color=green>

Anonymous Poster · Dec 23, 2001

A few years ago, I split an old 3000 lb. Ford tractor and replaced the 2-stage clutch with a few Sears tools (3/8" & 1/2" sockets to 1-1/16", combination wrenches to 15/16", 150 ft.lb. torque wrench and 2 floor jacks). In the dead of winter. The hardest part was getting the tractor into the garage of the half-finished house safely with no clutch.
You can do a lot without a lot of tools, in a pinch.

blurrybill · Dec 24, 2001

So, what do you recommend for a toolbox, Bird? BTW, I'm interested in JD4310 pending specs and price when they finally come out. What's your opinion on getting a MMM off a Kubota? Someone said you can drive over them and that intuitively didn't sound good to me. JD has an upper hand because of the rear MMM wheels locking in a position whereby you can roll the mower out sideways. I have liked Kubota, but felt that improvement in the JD hyrostat plus the MMM removal put it at the top of my wishlist -- I'm always willing to listen to other opinions, however.

Bill

blurrybill · Dec 24, 2001

GlennT:

Thanks for the detailed description of your workbench; sounds doable and VERY durable. Hope you didn't have to move it very far after putting it together. It makes a lot of sense to have something really heavy for the grinder and vise. When I get to that point, I'll probably email you with more questions.

Bill

Egon · Dec 24, 2001

Blurrybill:
Take a look at the" 2410 differential lock " thread. You may have all the tools you need already!
Egon

Bird · Dec 24, 2001

<font color=blue>what do you recommend for a toolbox</font color=blue>

Bill, I really can't recommend anything without knowing about all the tools you intend to put in it; their size and weight - some of them individually as well as the total weight. But you need to be aware of the fact that there are drastic differences in tool boxes. A lot of cheap boxes look good, but in addition to looking at the box, you need to look at the specs; how much weight will individual drawers hold? How much total weight will the box hold? What kind of weight are the casters rated for? What does the empty box weigh? What kind of drawer guides does it have? I don't think you can buy a better box than Matco, MAC, or Snap-on, but I also don't think you want to spend that much money either (I sure don't). Sears has for many years sold some "reasonably" priced red toolboxes, and one of those may be all you need, but they sure can't stand up to the weight of the tools most professional mechanics put in them. My new Craftsman catalog has some black "professional" boxes that appear to be twice as good, but I have not personal experience yet with them. In other words, just be sure you match the box to your tools; keeping in mind that when you buy a tool box, you'll later probably add twice as many tools to it as you originally intended./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

cp1969 · Dec 25, 2001

I've been very happy with the Kennedy cabinet and chest I bought in the early '80's. The only mistake I made was not buying a bigger model. It was hard for me to buy a 'tool' that doesn't in and of itself perform work, but over time I've come to realize that it was one of the most useful things I've ever bought.

Be advised that Kennedy makes some Craftsman models for Sears, but the ones I looked were of a lot cheaper construction than the regular Kennedy line. Enco (www.use-enco.com) carries Kennedy and has pretty good prices, as do McMaster Carr and Grainger. I use Enco and McMaster Carr a lot at work, and would recommend both.

EdDekker · Dec 25, 2001

I bought a bottom of the line, on sale, Sears roll around chest in about 1983.

It has handled the weight from as many tools as I have put in it. The problem is that it is now far too small. While the chest is full I have other tools stored around the garage.

I can't comment on the current quality of the Sears chests, but 20 years ago the low end chests were a great value.

Ed

Turfman · Dec 26, 2001

Bird,
What the heck is a three legged filter wrench?

Kevin

Turfman · Dec 26, 2001

Haven't read all the posts, hope this wasn't mentioned, but the thing I use the most in changing attachments is a floor jack. Cheap Harbor Freight Tools, and works like a charm.
Kevin

Bird · Dec 26, 2001

Kevin, I've always heard them called three legged wrenches - they're the ones you learn about when you encounter a filter that some fool put on so tight you can't get it off any other way/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif - but I've found some manufacturers have other names for the the same thing. You can try this link for pictures of the same thing by a manufacturer who calls them "Spider" type. My own has the legs like the picture on the right and the body like the one on the left./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif You just insert your 3/8" drive ratchet (or extension) into the middle of it. The harder you have to pull, the tighter it grips the filter and it makes little or no difference if the filter is dirty, oily, greasy, etc. It still grips firmly.

MikePA · Dec 26, 2001

I've had to remove filters that were put on so tight that my three legged wrench crushed the filter! Not fun when that happens.

TerryinMD · Dec 26, 2001

Then it's time for Mr. Screwdriver to finish the job!! /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Terry

MikePA · Dec 26, 2001

Yep, Mr. Screwdriver to the rescue. I was not a happy camper when this happened. It was one of those jobs I thought would last a half hour and it ended up lasting almost two hours. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif

blurrybill · Dec 26, 2001

Mike, Terry, Bird:

Thanks for the comments on the 3 legged filter wrench and the link. I feel so dumb sometimes and forget to ask the basic questions... as I tell my patients, however, there is no such thing as a dumb question -- I'll have many more. Sure like the way this thread is going. More comments on tool types and needs for an adequate toolkit wanted/needed. Thanks.

Bill

Egon · Dec 26, 2001

Mike:
I've found that for those real hard ones A ball peen hammer and or a screwdriver work well. Might be messy but all I gotta do is walk by a closed oil container and I'm oil from head to foot. A good leather belt works too.
Egon

MikePA · Dec 26, 2001

I also thought the Craftsman strap wrenches advertised by Bob Vila on TV might work well, too. Haven't bought one and tried it though.

blurrybill · Dec 26, 2001

Mike,

I just got a set of the strap wrenches as a Christmas gift -- I'm ready to twist off just about anything... Anyway, they look like they'll do a good job on odd-shapes or those with not much friction.