Tools

[Retired Wrencher 5,817]

:USA: Hi just wouldering where I can buy engine tools like flywheel puller and a vale remover or spring tool. any info would be helpfull. Gary B.......

[can whlvr 994]

i bought my puller at an auto parts supplier,im in canada so im not gonna be much help,but the puller i bought is a pulley,flywheel puller,it has an assortment of bolts that thread into pullies etc,and different ends that push against the shaft or what ever your pulling from,its very handy and pulled my flywheel no problem

[sorekiwi 761]

I guess you are talking about Kohlers Gary?

For pulling flywheels I use a "Harmonic Balancer Puller" that is available at most auto-parts stores. Mine is old and of English manufacture, but its similar to this: http://www.harborfreight.com/46-piece-bolt-puller-set-37824.html

I have a few different valve spring compressors, but the one I use the most is like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OKFDRA/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2/190-1724841-1914840?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=16VMBRWEKN163J7XY6F6&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_i=B0027YYOUY

[Cole 25]

you can find most tools and a flywheel puller at harbor freight, thats where i get mine.

[decksetter 50]

I'll second harbor freight, their stuff isn't great but if it's not something you're using much it can beat paying big $$ for something.

[Paul D. 26]

If its something you don't plan on using very often then autozone has a loan a tool program. You put down a deposit and when you return the tool it is refunded. That's what I did when I rebuilt my kohler

[Zeek 2,286]

Third on Harbor Freight. I just bought the four piece jaw puller set and they worked great for removing my hubs :music-rockon:

[Retired Wrencher 5,817]

:USA: OK Thanks. And Mike yes Mostly Kohlers. But I have to ask this do you think that the harbor fright tools will hold to constant use. I will be retiring in about 2 years or less and I like others would like to fix them up and sell them,with other brands of tractors. I have 3 on the I am looking at now with 1 bad engine = W/Horse. I have seen internet sites that sell tools??? are any of these worthy. T/Care Gary B............................

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,219]

If your looking to kick it up a notch try going to Sears. You may get a better tool and a better warrantee.

Or try hitting flea makets/ swap meets this spring for older brand name stuff.

Mike.........

[sorekiwi 761]

I've actually broken two of the HF harmonic balance pullers, but both of them had lasted a couple of years and had been well abused as well. Here is a link to a KD one that I would expect to be much better quality: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=kd+harmonic+balance+puller&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17940707929079893900&sa=X&ei=CeYaT9DXIITo0QGPzIHLCw&ved=0CDEQ8wIwAQ#

I have had some HF 3 jaw pullers that I have broken as well, but again they were working really hard when they broke.

I really dislike a lot of HF stuff, but at least if you end up buying a tool that you hate, you didnt pay much for it. And I like the fact that I can cut it up or weld on it or generally abuse it which I wouldnt want to do on something nice (and expensive!!).

Some of the Chinese stuff is actually very good, and some of it is crap. On more expensive items I try to do some research on the internet of other peoples experiances first. My 20 ton press cost less than the steel I priced to build one. I really dont like it much, but it does an adequate job, and it was cheap. When I win the lottery I'll scrap it and spend $1200 on a nice old "made in America" one, but in the meantime I'll deal with the ugly orange thing in my garage that (usually) gets the job done.

[305 380]

if you want quality tools cheap, try making them.....pullers are easy to make! i have both a harmonic balancer puller and a steering wheel puller that i made over 30 years ago. both work fine. i have also made my own sheet metal brake , english wheel, and press to name a few. but you do need some tools to make tools

you can also try garage sales , farm auctions , swap meets , etc for vintage USA made tools. those tools where made to last a lifetime...even several lifetimes. i have a set of Bluepoint expansion reamers my father bought new in 1929 that i still use

[Paul D. 26]

I am a tool maker by trade so I know my tools. You have to be careful with what you get at Harbor freight. There are somethings that you can get away with going cheap on. Others you can't. I just replaced my Stanley dead blow hammer that I finally wore out after 16 years of hard use at the shop. It was going to be $60 to buy a new one. I opted for the Harbor freight $10 special and even if I have to replace it every 3 years I'm still money ahead. Like Mike said, if you don't spend a ton of money on it your not afraid to change, modify, or break it cause its cheap enough to replace. I guess its just a judgement call on your part on which way you go. I know for simple tools like pry bars, hammers, and such I think cheap is the way to go. Ive got a set of pry bars I bought at Harbor freight 5 years ago and I use them daily. They work great and I am HARD on them. Air tools, electrical meters, calipers, and that sort of stuff spend the extra Money and get the good stuff.

P.S. Stay away from there trailer jacks. I bought there most expensive one and killed it in less than a year. Ya can't beat a bulldog.

[Retired Wrencher 5,817]

Mike I look at sears for tools they have a large selection of both for around $80to $100 I can get a set that will last me a life time or in my case a 1/2. I will check out Napa tools also Just to compare. Thanks again for all your comments. T/Care Gary B..............................

[can whlvr 994]

i use my tools(not engine rebuild stuff)to make a living and it never pays to buy cheap tools,they seem to let you down at the most inconvient times,then you have to replace it so it was money wasted

[smoreau 658]

I have bought most of my kohler rebuilding tools from O'reilys and other automotive stores. I am a Master auto mechanic and I use a large range of expensive and cheep tools. as others have said some tools are ok and some are not worth the package they are sold in. so with that said, China fright tools do have some good ones that I buy and some that I stay clear from. But its all about how much are you going to use it also. One thing I say stay away from is electric power tools! They do not last long, or work as they should. :twocents-mytwocents:

[dobeleo 7]

I have on ocassion picked up special loaner tools from Autozone (not necessarily for my WH). It is a good place to try out a tool before you go out and buy it.

I also have a neighbor who has a monster tool box and lets me borrow tools. When we had 9 inchs of snow on Friday, guess who made sure his driveway was spotless!

[Retired Wrencher 5,817]

Well I pick up the valve to tool today at Napa. it is a service tool so that means lifetime guarantee. so it should work fine it has 2 different forks with lot of adjustment. T/Care Gary B..................

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,219]

I think buying quality tools is the way to go Gary. It would sure suck to tell a customer that your rebuilding an engine for that your Harbor Freight tool folded up like a deck of cards and it'll be a few days till the new tool ships out. Customers dont like delays!

Mike...........