Favorite Tools> Diesel Mechanics that is...

[R.E. Miller]

Well, in light of the poor weather, annoying customers, losses due to weather, and gloomy outlook in the landscape industry, I have closed my business to save my rear end. And this may sound ridiculous, but I am starting out as an apprentice in diesel mechanics. I was just wondering about what tools that you all think are very important to have when working on diesel engines? I have been putting together my "tooling" as they call it, and I would prefer not to have to constantly be asking the next guy if I could, may be,... . borrow that . I am a greenhorn when it comes to overhauling, and fuel system detail, but I have been throwing wrenches around my whole life, and this diesel stuff just interests me too much. Having a secure job is just another perk



Thanks for your input,

Russell

 

[radar doctor]

IN GOD WE TRUST

LOVED THIS ARTICLE, K Phillips (RED SKELTON"S) Something i heard the other daY struck home. (LITTLE GIRL LAYING ON THE OPERATING TABLE),HAD HER RIGHT HAND CLUTCHED IN A FIST. DOCTOR ASK HER WHAT SHE HAD IN HER HAND, SHE REPLYED, (A PENNY) hE SAID TO HER, WHY A PENNY?? sHE REPLYED, IT'S TO REMIND ME WHO I TRUST... .

 

[nickleinonen]

good trouble light, multimeter & magnetic pickup tool...



i am currently trying to get hired as an apprentice too. . i am looking to get hired in heavy equipment, or if i can't get that, i will go into truck/coach stuff. i am still waiting to hear back from CN Rail [did good on the testing stuff, i think i did good in the interview]. . that would be a sweet gig to get. now, there are some big diesel engines [big ol' V16 with a 9"bore, 10" stroke ] almost got a gig at CAT, but lost it to someone with 3yr's experience

 

[illflem]

My feeling is that before long you will have to spring the big bucks for the electronic testing equipment that is increasingly becoming necessary to work on modern emission regulated diesels. That is unless you work for someone who provides them, but then someone is making money off you! Don't invest in higher quality hand tools if an impact will do the job. Bigger size tools are a necessity i. e. 3/4" and 1" drives.



Too bad about the landscaping biz. If you can hold on till the drought is over won't it recover?

 

[nickleinonen]

in most of the shops here in ontario, it is common policy for the shops to provide tools larger than 1/2" drive [3/4", 1", spline. . ] and larger than 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" wrenches [and their metric equals].

 

[R.E. Miller]

Thanks for the input!

Good news! I set my start date ! This Tuesday, away I go, yeehaw. Sorry, I have been pretty bummed out with my business, and all that is going on here, so I am ready for a change for the better. Well, without giving out enough info to require changing my signature, I will be working for the company that we all "chose" for our diesel powered pick-ups here, so yeah, I'm stoked The nice part about this is... . engines only. Yup, so I need a lot less tools to do my work, which is real nice in the long run. No 1" or 3/4" is needed as 1/2" seems to cover most things quite nicely to start out.



Bill,

If I remember right, you are a grower or a nurseryman right? If that isn't right, well, that would just be my normal memory working in it's normal way In the micro-economy, transision zone climate, and low-ball competitor arena/area that I live it, the drought is merely a good excuse to make like a tree and leave I know that everyone lives in this same environment who is in business, but I am just tired of gambling every day, every year, and doing little better then breaking even. I have had my business five years on the books, and two before; I have seen enought to know I need to exit right now. I love the work, I have had a great level of satifaction and experiance that I will never forget, but here again comes the main deciding factor..... the bottom line Not to post another book on here, but to sum it up, one day, I want to have a family, if I am going to do that I must provide for them, and be there too. I just don't see it happening with me running a business, something must change



Sorry for the chatter guys,

Thanks,

Russell

 

[Pit Bull]

That is great news Russell. It is not as much like work when you do something you like.



Good luck and it sounds like you are going to be a great resource for the TDR.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Russell,



A good place to start is with a bunch of metric sockets and wrenches. Most of the diesel stuff is metric, on Cat, Cummins, and some Navistar engines. Shallow, mid, and deep sockets in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch drive are a must.



Specialty tools such as pump wrenches, barring sockets, etc, are also a must. If you are going to be working on a few different engine families, it's easy to get all the tools. If you are going to be working on a ton of different things, it can get pricey. So my advice is to ask the guys at your work, and they will steer you in the right direction on what to get.



Another tip... Spend your money on GOOD tools. You'll be gald you did. I have used a lot of junk before, and wished I had bought the good stuff in the first place. My personal preference is Snap-On. Their quality is unmatched.

 

[R.E. Miller]

He he he, yeah, I went the Snap-On route right from the start. I was pricing, picking, and looking at all of the different brands, and I said enough is enough... . Snap-On just plain has it.



On a side note, and just for laughs, the first tool I wanted to buy from the snap-on guy was one that he didn't have. Can you imagine that..... all I needed was one tool, a snap-on broom



Evan,

What 3/4" drive socket do you use to turn over most Cummins engines? I forgot what size it is, and was told that it would be about the only 3/4" thing I would need. Thanks for the good tool advice, but I learned that while I was running my business, there is nothing more frustrating then driving 30 minutes or more to do a 10 minute job and having the one tool break or crap out... ... makes you look/feel like a pro



Russell

 

[A Johnson]

R. E. Miller, you will need an 1-5/16 for barring N-14 and M-11 engines and a short 3/4 extension 4" will turn the ISX,you will also need 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8 in the 3/4 drive for doing main bearings and such. If you are working on the K series you will also need 3/4 inch 12 point in 3/4 drive. K series also have alot of 12 point capscrews from 1/4" up to 1" (I think k mains are 1"its been so long I don't remember)so consider this. It wouldn't hurt to have the whole 3/4 set from 3/4" to at least 1-1/2". I agree with the assesment of Evan and others about Snap-On. Good Luck-AJJ

 

[Pit Bull]

What drive size do you guys like for our engine in a torque wrench?

 

[illflem]

You really need two, a ft/lb and an inch/lb. 1/2" on the big one and 3/8" on the inch/lb will get most everything.

 

[M Barnett]

Don't forget about the swapmeets. I have filled a large toolbox with Snap On tools for a fraction of new cost. I did buy some new such as torque wrenches and plasma cutter and mig welder. Also found a 1" Snap On ratchet set.

Michael

 

[R.E. Miller]

Swap meet: I wish I had the time I have always wanted to hoard a bunch of the good tools that show up in those things, but I start on tuesday, so whoops. Thanks again for the pointers guys, I can see that the snap-on kra-5319 that I bought to start with will be at and over capacity in no time, if I can learn that is Otherwise the broom will fit nice in the closet and the tool box can stay at home



3/4" It looks like I might be making the snap-on man real happy if I need a whole set. There goes the bombing budget again, DOH.



Thanks,

Russell

 

[Evan A. Beck]

For the 3/4" stuff, I buy S-K. S-K makes pretty good tools, at about half the price of Snap-On, Mac, etc. Since I don't use 3/4" drive all that often, I really can't see spending a ton of money on it.



BTW, when it comes to wrenches, buy Snap-On's 'Flank Drive Plus. ' AWESOME wrenches!!!

 

[R.E. Miller]

Thanks for the heads-up! I was just looking at the S-K 3/4" stuff, and was thinking the same thing. Well, after visiting with the snap-on guy again this morning, my tool box is getting heavy, and my wallet keeps acting like a helium balloon



Flank drive plus, yup, I want them, but unfortunatly that will have to wait due to the current cash flow. Gulp, I am going to have to use my Husky wrenches for a while, and enjoy the jokes and comments



Russell