- Joined
- Feb 19, 2020
- Threads
- 79
- Messages
- 10,260
First Bert none of us ever knows everything but as long as you willing to learn you are steps ahead of someone that thinks they know everything. I know that I definitely don't everything as it is impossible too many ways of doing things. Just for example is those neon spark testers . I just a member to have one showing spark on a bad coil so he was scratching his head as why the engine would not start. Lucky for him it was a v-twin so just out what if case he swapped the coils and no spark problem moved with the coil. Now that I know that these tester can give a false positive indication I know not to fully trust them.
Must terrible to be married. Probably why I have been single all my life. Even though I still have someone that complains about the money I spend on tools; Myself.
But in this business buying specialized tools is a must; although, you got to buy wisely. When I was told that I need separate vacuum and pressure testers I did my research and brought a MityVac combo unit. I don't use it a lot but do several times a year. Mostly testing leaky carburetors that I am repairing and have a few that was beyond repairs so I didn't buy the repair kits, just a new carb.
As for tools it is a balancing act as what I need and those impulse one time use ones. I got ATV tools that only see the light of day every few years so they are taking space most times but if I don't have them I would need to buy them at the newer higher prices.
If I was in the automobile repair line it would be easy to use the local parts store loaner program on seldom used tools. Even then a couple 50 mile round trips to do add up plus the time lost at the shop. I went ahead just purchase some of the loaner tool sets at a discount as I was using them three or four times a year.
As for the leak down tester yes a homemade tester works; although, a commercial made unit is better. I used a homemade unit for years until I could afford a professional tester. So what you don't have a percentage gauge most time you just looking the source a leak like a stuck valve or blown head gasket. Matter of matter I still my old tester just as much as I use the new one.
Must terrible to be married. Probably why I have been single all my life. Even though I still have someone that complains about the money I spend on tools; Myself.
But in this business buying specialized tools is a must; although, you got to buy wisely. When I was told that I need separate vacuum and pressure testers I did my research and brought a MityVac combo unit. I don't use it a lot but do several times a year. Mostly testing leaky carburetors that I am repairing and have a few that was beyond repairs so I didn't buy the repair kits, just a new carb.
As for tools it is a balancing act as what I need and those impulse one time use ones. I got ATV tools that only see the light of day every few years so they are taking space most times but if I don't have them I would need to buy them at the newer higher prices.
If I was in the automobile repair line it would be easy to use the local parts store loaner program on seldom used tools. Even then a couple 50 mile round trips to do add up plus the time lost at the shop. I went ahead just purchase some of the loaner tool sets at a discount as I was using them three or four times a year.
As for the leak down tester yes a homemade tester works; although, a commercial made unit is better. I used a homemade unit for years until I could afford a professional tester. So what you don't have a percentage gauge most time you just looking the source a leak like a stuck valve or blown head gasket. Matter of matter I still my old tester just as much as I use the new one.