Bike tools questions

[dragnusa]

I have built tons of bikes since I was a kid with my everyday tools but have been thinking its about time to get some real bike building tools. Any particular tools I should start off with?

 

[Voyager Al]

Park pedal wrench and a set of cone wrenches.

 

[udallcustombikes]

Here are a few threads covering what tools folks like

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47963&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=tools

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48361&p=464917&hilit=tools#p464917

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=39426&p=384459&hilit=tools#p384459

 

[Ratfink1962]

Park pedal wrench and a set of cone wrenches.

+1

after those... get a decent work stand

 

[dragnusa]

Park pedal wrench and a set of cone wrenches.

+1

after those... get a decent work stand

Done got tired of working on the floor and had a chance to get a b&d workmate bench cheap so im using that for now.

 

[chimichanga]

dont forget a chain breaking tool.

 

[kingfish254]

I always felt that the Workmate was just too bulky. It might as well be permanently open.
There are smaller workmate like benches at Harbor Freight or even Big Lots that I use most any time I am in my shop.
They fold up fairly compact and still provide a sturdy work surface and they typically cost less that $20 new.

 

[dragnusa]

mine is the smallest of the ones with the step but other then having to remove the seat from the bike to work on it upside down I like it. the plan willbe on down the road let my son use it once I finally get a real bike stand

 

[kingfish254]

My main stand is a Wrenchforce bike stand that I picked up for around $75 on CL a few years ago. Once you use a true bike stand, it is hard to think how you lived without one.

 

[CCR]

probably the thing i use most besides a pump would be an axle clamp for my vise

 

[kingfish254]

probably the thing i use most besides a pump would be an axle clamp for my vise

Can you explain or better yet, post a photo?

 

[CCR]

if you go through your hubs a lot, it's nice to have. sits in your vise, put your axle in it, clamp it down and start taking your hubs apart to clean them or fix them. there's a smaller version from park that works well too but this is the one i use most often because its bigger and less clumsy to throw in the vise.

 

[kingfish254]

Cool, I know what I am spending some flip money on now. Just sold a Specialized HotRock for $250. I paid $30 for it three days ago. 8)

 

[gcrank1]

Watch out 'they' dont catch up with you on capital gains! :wink: , though as far as Im concerned its OK if you buy tools .
Dont make the common mistake of trying to use a 15mm thin wrench as a pedal wrench unless only for light duty spinning on/off to get to a torque stage.
Headset wrenches and bottom bracket sizes for your types of frames make life easier.
BTW, if you get into a cottered crank please dont just beat on it like some of the videos show! There is a much better, and cheap way (if you want to know just PM me).

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Probably the best investment I have made as far as tools go was my welder. It's so cool that I can repair, modify, and scratch build things out of metal. I got mine for $109 but Harbor freight put it on sale for $89 a week later (Always happens) so I got $20 back with the coupon and receipt! Considering most welding shops will charge $50 an hour, the machine pays for itself the first few times you use it. :wink:

 

[kingfish254]

Get yourself a decent tire pump with the built in gauge.

When I am working on modern bikes, the tool I use the most is this cylindrical allen wrench tool.

 

[dragnusa]

king fish got that one covered lol got 3 or 4 sets of each of them and if I do run out sears is about 2 blocks away. Outskirts Im actually thinking of getting one of them here shortly

 

[gcrank1]

Worst part for me is Im kinda a tool addict too............