Some of the Tools I use Restoring and Recycling Bicycles

Hello and Welcome,
A while ago Ryan suggested I do a post about the tools I use in my shop. Great idea! I love my tools almost as much as I love my bikes. I think a good place to start would be with my main tool box.

Above: If you squeeze the grips or if it cuts, I keep it in this drawer. (A&B) Large and Small Robo Grip channel locks (C) Needle Nose Pliers (D) Pliers (E) Pliers folding Multi tool (F) Bull Nose Nipper Cutter (G) Park Tool Professional Cable and Housing Cutters (H) Stanley Quick Slide III sports knife (I )Diagonal plier cutters (J) Vintage Imperial folding Knife (K) Swiss Army Knife (L) Large Scissors (M) Small Scissors

Above: (A) SAE Gear Wrenches (B) Metric Gear wrenches (C) Small Allen Wrenches(D) Metric Allen Wrench Set (E) SAE Allen Wrench Set (F) Small SAE and Metric Wrenches (G) Various Small Wrenches (H) Extra Metric Wrenches Popular Sizes. I would highly recommend the Gear wrenches. They are a real time saver. And quite often they will fit where a ratchet/socket will not.

Above:(A) Slotted Head Screwdriver set (B) Phillips Head Screwdriver set (C) A new addition to my tool box! T Handle Hex Wrenches (D) Pocket Screw Driver (E) Phillips Head attachment for 18 Volt Electric Drill/Driver

Above: (A) Mini Frame Pump (B) Teflon Tape (C) Tubing Cutter (small) (D)Under Seat Bag tube repair Kit (E) Bicycle Tire levers (F) Free Wheel removal tools (G)1,2&3 Bicycle Crank puller tool (H) 3/8 & 1/4 Mini Ratchet (I) 3/8 ratchet extension(J) 14mm socket (remove crank retainer-nut or bolt) (K) Schrader Valve Tool (L) Bicycle Chain Tool (M) Spoke wrenches (N) Cone Wrenches (O)Sealed Bottom Bracket Cartridge removal tool (Shimano) (P) Allen Key sockets (Q) Chain Whip (R) Bicycle Air Pressure Gage (S) Spanner (T) Lock Ring Wrench (U) Metric Rule (V) Caliper Type Measuring Tool (metric) (W) Mini prying tool (for rim strip removal)

Above: (A B C) 3/8, 1/4 & 1/2 Inch Sockets (D) Allen Key Sockets (E) 1/2 Inch Drive Ratchet (F) 1/4 Inch Drive Ratchet (G) 1/4 - 3/8 Mini Ratchet (H) 14mm Socket (crank nut or bolt) (I) 3/8 Swivel Attachment (J) 1/4 Inch Extension (K) 3/8 Inch Extension (I have several more sockets put away)Most of my Craftsman sockets and ratchets etc. came in a set like the Craftsman 154 pc. Mechanics Tool Set

Above: (A) Wheel Truing Stand (B) Craftsman Bench Grinder. I use both of these a lot. A Truing Stand is an absolute must for getting wheels as true as possible.

Above: Shop Vise (To the right) A File. I have other files as well. A vise is another absolute must for any shop. And a set of files as well.

Above: 18 Volt Rechargeable Drill / Driver (Also) Fine Brass Wheel-Brush Attachment. This is one of the most important tools I own. Especially with the "fine" brass wheel-brush. I have saved countless parts and components with this tool. If your going into restoring old bikes, this should be the first tool you buy.

Above: Small Campbell Hausfeld shop Air compressor. Not a necessity, just faster. I could probably live without this, but I don't want too!

Above: Small Makita Angle Grinder. I don`t use it a lot. But when I do it`s a real work saver.

Above: (A) Adjustable Wrench Often Called a Crescent Wench (Crescent is actually a brand name) (B) Large Crescent Wrench (C) Ball Pein Hammer (There are three was to spell it, So hold the comments please) (D) Vise Grips locking pliers (also a brand name)
(E) Stupid "As seen on TV" Gadget wrench (I also have one of those stupid battery powered crescent wrenches..lol) Make me an offer!

Above: "Dremel Type" Rotary Tool And Accessory Kit. Another tool I don`t use often. But it really saved my A$$ on the single to three piece crank conversion.
It paid for itself that day.

Above: High Speed Dewalt 8 amp Electric Drill. I use this for more demanding drilling. Like drilling through steel. Sometimes you just need more speed and power. This was a gift from my wife. I asked for a cheaper one. But she found this one on sale. She must actually listen to me sometimes when I talk about quality tools. And the Dewalt is just that, a quality tool.

Above: Heat Gun used for removing decals and stickers. Can also be used to remove some types of paint. No more borrowing the wife's hair dryer gun. This was very affordable, less than 15.00 if I remember right.

Above: My collection of touch-up paint. I often use nail polish because it comes in almost every shade of almost every color. The worst part is actually purchasing it. My wife has a better eye for matching color than I do. So I often have her go purchase it for me.

Above: (A) 3M Trim and Detail Tape (look for this tape in the paint section) (B) White Lightning Brush and Scraper (for cleaning free-wheel units) (C) J.B. WELD Stick (8th wonder of the world) (D) Medical Gloves (for working with chemicals) (E) Safety Glasses (eye protection) (F) White Lightning Chain Cleaner (G) White Lightning Clean Streak (parts cleaner)

Above: Storage Bins and Tubs for Organizing Spare and Salvaged Parts. I am finally getting the shop organized this year. And I have been getting rid of the last of my masonry stuff.

Above: A repair stand is an absolute must. As I work on steel bikes I have no problem mounting a bike on the stand in this manner. I do occasionally clamp onto the seat tube. This Feedback Bicycle Work Stand is my favorite. Some of you Rockers may recognize the name. Feedback manufactured stands for the music industry "hence the name". This one breaks down easily, which makes it nice for travel or just moving inside during the winter. If you are going to rebuild or restore bikes, you are really going have to get or make a repair stand for yourself.

Above: My parts cleaning pot. Total investment including brush about 20.00 . I have found that spraying, then brushing the parts and respraying really speeds up the process. And conserves the expensive parts cleaner as well. My parts cleaner of choice White Lightning "Clean Streak". You should wear gloves and safety glasses when working with any chemical parts cleaner. And a heavy duty shop apron is always a good idea as well. Some kind of parts de greasing system is also an absolute must. And I use this almost everyday when I am busy.

Above: Another option for parts cleaning is a can of carburetor cleaner with a basket.(see arrow) This is very strong stuff and should be used carefully following all directions and cautions carefully. And you probably don`t want to put any plastic parts in there. But check the directions carefully. But for really old and dirty bearing cartridges and races and cups this stuff works great. I don`t recommend this to anyone who is inexperienced. This carburetor cleaner "in my opinion" can be dangerous stuff. READ ALL CAUTIONS

Above: This Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish is so important to what I do that I consider it one of my most important tools. I don`t let myself run out of this stuff ever! I have never heard from anyone who did not think this stuff was fantastic. I first heard about and started using Mothers back in my motorcycle days. For me, An absolute must have.

Above: By far the most important tool I have found yet, my P.C. I would be lost without it. What an amazing tool! Every time I would run across a problem the answer was always a few clicks away. The amount of information we have at our fingertips is mind-blowing.

Above: Coming Soon! Bottom bracket conversion, Unbelievably Simple! Until next time, Please RIDE SAFE and remember to Always RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE!
Cheers,Hugh

P.S. I have since thought of other tools I should have included. But that could go on forever. So this post will have to do for now.