hey guys, the last few weeks i have been fortunate enough to hit some choice yards...bringing the tools along has been kind of a pain..cuz you never know what you might need so you end up bringing everything..so the other night i started to put together an essential kit...consisting of what i think i will most likely (90% of the time) need. so far i got this on my list..what other tools have been essential for you and you would suggest. i got on my list...a hacksaw, both normal size and a small hand sized one, a prybar, needle nosed pliers, wire cutter and stripper, set of sae wrenches 12pt, a bfh hammer, screwdrivers, both long and short with philips 1-2-3, and flat, 3/8 socket set, with two extensions, and a sturdy wire brush (not the tooth brush size). So what do you suggest as essential? I want it to fit into a small toolbox so it is easy to carry around a yard all day.. tok
Tokyo - I usually take some tubing wrenches, a tie rod popper, leather gloves for sharp shit and a pair of channel locks. I have a book bag that i carry all my stuff on my back, works pretty good.
Toke- With wrenches and sockets, I go both ways - SAE and metric. You never know when you're going to find the ever-elusive V8 Camaro T5 or other late model parts. I also carry 1/4 & 1/2 sockets & ratchets, since 3/8 doesn't cover the whole range of possibilities. Add a swivel socket set. Ed
Hmmmm, lets see... my wrecker w/ large tool box on the back, battery powered sawsall & impact wrench, cutting torches, pocket full of money & enough of my employees to do the dirty work.LOL Dave
When I go to the yards here, which are large and realtively flat, I pack a big toolbox and then wheel it on a dolly. You know the two-wheel type? That way I don't have to lift and carry anything. I also take a few bags for small parts, a bunch of bungie cords and a couple straps. When I get the parts I just strap them to my dolly. I've had 2 rearends and numerous parts in addition to my toolbox on my way out before. It can hold a trans easily as well. It may look like Beverly Hillbillies at the junkyard, but it saves me a lot of work lugging around the toolbox and parts. As for what's in the toolbox, pack a small tube of waterless hand cleaner and some rags to clean up a bit with after you are done. A little can of WD-40 or similar and a wire brush for exposed threads is a big help for getting rusted parts off.
Along with what you mentioned, an adjustable wrench, flashlight, channel locks, a first aid kit (sounds kinda gay but go buy one of those golfer first aid kits from willy-mart. Cheap with most everything you will need for minor injuries.) and torx bits.
If I'm going for a specific and not too large item I take the appropriate tools plus a few extra and a couple of clean 'red rags' in a fanny pack. If it's larger, a fat tired wagon with toolbox. Like 38Chevy454 says, a dolly is an excellent way to go, specially the no lifting part. They both have their advantages, for the wagon, once loaded it handles a little better. For the dolly, the ease of moving big things by yourself. One of each works for me. 'Sides, everybody ought to have a Dolly....
Good old Radio Flyer. Parts & tools are better towed than carried. Someday I'm going to make my own with bigger, sturdier wheels and axles. Add a chisel to snap off those rusted bolts and some U-joints for your socket sets. A small scissors or bottle jack in the wagon doesn't hurt either. Oh, and most important, a small but wirey buddy to crawl underneath to get to those tranny and u-joint bolts.
My standard "In the Truck Toolbox" with most of the stuff mentioned above. Strapped to my Dolly (As mentioned above). On top of that my little cooler with 3-4 Beers, Couple soda's, big bottle of water. On top of that My Binder I've got all my Tech stuff in that I've printed off here, Photocopied out of books, Snarfed off other spot's on the net. Sometimes if I know what I'm looking for and about what I'll need to get it I'll leave most of this in the truck and just bring in my old army surplus canvas bag with just the tools I need. The Dolly with a 5G bucket strapped to it with my Tech book works good for swap meets too... MONGO
lots of pairs of vise grips and a chain tubing cutter for exhaust pipes and a racheting tie down strap to clamp springs with almost broke my arm unspringing one the last time with out it
Truthfully I always have a complete toolbox in the vehicle. Always take a complete set of 1/4 inch drive sockets (short and deep), set of open end boxes, Assorted Screwdrivers, adjustables and a hammer. All this in a fishing crewel (fits like a back pack) I picked up at a garage sale. Later model stuff I bring allens too. In the vehicle I always have gas, a battery pack (jumper), an extra charged battery and a 2 and 1/2 ton jack. Usually I have a lot more tools then needed. Better safe then sorry.
One more thing. I alway have metric tools with me too. They fit on a lot of screwed up nuts and bolts
Alright...alright...alright.....got a list of extras that i will need to pick up tonight.. this is a great list, thanks guys..
Guy at work suggested keeping everything in one of those 5 gallon buckets. Aside from making it easy to carry tools, you can fill it with smaller parts (Strom 97s maybe?) or use it as a seat if you're picking off trim or otherwise need a break. Sounded like a decent idea to me. And of course be sure to carry a Sharpie so you can sign autographs if your famous like Tom Green. ~ Rob
Heavy duty putty knives are great for slipping behind trim, and breaking free those rusty clips. Get the ones that the blade is also the center of the handle, and you can give it a few good whacks with the bfh just for emphasis...I usually have a small hydraulic jack in the truck...and a machete for kocking back briers and stuff. The yard I go to the most lets me drive the truck in, so I leave the big stuff in the truck, and use the 5-gal bucket for trips away from the truck. Brian
Here's a hint, tie a ribbon, bandana or something similar around the handle of your tool box/bag/bucket. When you get said tool box out of trunk, tie that ribbon around the steering wheel of your car. When you return to your car, with your tool box, take that ribbon and tie it back to the handle of your tool box and put it back into your trunk. You'll never accidently leave your tool box at the junkyard again
In my area .........I take a GUN. We have rattlesnakes as big as my arm.............. Mosquitos as big as sparrows........ The junkyard dogs are ALL big, ugly and nasty.........
I going to add a camera cause the next time Tom Green is sitting on the back of my truck after and junkyard run I'm getting a picture of it .
Toilet paper...always got to take a dump for some reason? I guess it's cause I feel relaxed at a yard. If ya don't beleive me ask some of the guys that did the HAMB sweep. I had extra batteries for the digi camera, digi camera, and a roll of TP...I knew that there wasn't anything I needed in that yard. If and when Rooster does his shindig I'm gonna pull this post up and start pull'n tools from the BIG Milk crate I got in my garage/shed!
Probably not welcome at a commercial yard but handy in fields, ditches or in the woods... a set of bolt cutters. Chomp that shifter linkage, chomp that wiring harness. Dan
Tok, I don't even know what the proper name for this tool is but I'll try to explain it to you. It's just like a screwdriver but the Tip is angled and has a "V"d wedge instead of a normal screwdriver tip. Looks like something for pulling small nails. But anyway, this is the perfect tool to get the little stainless pieces that go over the joints of Merc & Shoebox side window stainless. You know what I'm talking about. Get all you can cause You'll need em. I always help myself to them. Also, a Linolioum knife for cutting out windshields & an Impact driver for stubborn garnish molding screws. Oh yea, an old blanket or tarp to lay on if you need something under a car. OK I'm done now. Billy
I saw someone mention a cordless Sawzall... I've been thinking of getting one... How long do they last, do they have good power? Cheep VS Expensive... I'm not about to shell out between $100-$300 unless I get some opinions... I can always lug Victor the blue tip wrench to the yard.
I posted a pic here last year but it aint on this PC. Basically I took an old dump find lawn tractor, 5-8hp is enough but mine is 12 cuz I do some serious scrounging, and added a 28" extension to the frame with a floppy trailer wheel out back for support. On this I have a 1500W generator (another dump freebie that needed $10 worth of carb work) and it also supports a pair of 20 cu ft tanks/hoses/Henrob torch). Some places wont allow a torch; the Henrob is real easy on the gas and cuts where the Sawzall wont fit. And a loaded toolbox. The gennie runs power tools such as a 9.6A Sawzall that will cut thru anything as well as a 1/2" impact, drill, light, etc. I gave up on battery tools that take a dump at always the wrong time. For better balance I mounted a 12V car battery on a front perch, the rear wheels have chains since Im usually going thru water and mud to get places. A 2 ton Come-A-long helps when I get stuck. Still beats walking a mile or more. If Im just after some small things I tow what looks like an oversized Radio Flyer behind the tractor, some green thingie that also came from the dump. If Im after a complete front end, 9" rear, engines, etc I use a scaled down version of a loggers skidder that I can strap a fold-up cherry picker on as well as many eyes for strapping on goodies. All the above rides on one of two trailers I have and is towed by either the 54 F350 with 9' bed or a 85 extended body Dodge van which has almost 12' of space behind the seats. When I show up the boneyard guys or farm owner knows Im kinda serious about getting stuff. Going tomorrow to start parting a 56 F600 dump. It is going to have to come out in pieces but the sheet metal is real nice, the 312 replacement engine is a keeper along with the rams dual exhaust, and it even has a complete plow setup with all the hydraulics. Sawzall and torches permitted (guy is providing the fire extinguisher as well as some grunt labor) This thing is a mile off the road, thru two fields and down a logging road where it was left when the brakes went out in 83. Some assholes broke all the glass but at least there are no bullet holes. And if you think Im nuts, a neighbor tows his 20' trailer with a backhoe on it to go after old farm equipment, tractors, etc. Ive been on a few excursions with him.
The Jalopy Journal
