Tools

The following are some of the major tools I've used during the reconstruction of my Ford Probe GT.

Air Compressor

Harbor Freight Air Compressor

A 2.5 Horsepower, 10 gallon 125 psi Air Compressor from Harbor Freight Tools. Easy to set up and easy to use. Only used it once so far (November 2011). Don't try using an extension cord!! The outlet in my garage is connected to a GFI outlet, so I initially tried using the heaviest gauge extension cord I could find to another outlet in the house. The extension cord still got hot and the compressor wouldn't function properly. My solution - temporarely remove the GFI outlet and plug the compressor directly into a regular outlet. Everything worked fine from there. Considering it was my first time using an air compressor it all worked fine for me.

Impact Wrench

Sears Craftsman Impact Wrench Model 875

The Craftsman Model 875.199820 from Sears. The positive - I bought it on sale packaged with a ratchet wrench. It's also fairly light weight. The negative - not enough torque (only rated at 340 ft-lbs) to remove the rusted caliper bolts, which is the reason I bought it. According to a local mechanic, their shop impact wrench is somewhere around 1,000 ft-lbs. His suggestion was to get something over 500 ft-lbs to do the job, so that will be be my next move.

Polisher-Sander

Makita Polisher-Sander

After watching a DVD in the Hot Rod "Dream/Build/Drive" series of DIY maintenance/repair, I ordered the Makita 9227CX3 Polisher-Sander in July 2012. Using it to polish/wax my Ford Probe GT, it was easy to use especially with the variable speed trigger and fairly light. Came with the handy carrying bag.

Cordless Electric Impact Wrench

Ingersoll Rand 7150 Impact Wrench

After my problems with the Sears Impact Wrench (see above) I found this great piece of equipment from Ingersoll Rand. No need for an air compressor and enough reversed torque (rated at 700 lbs with 1,000 lbs. of "nut-busting torque") to remove the very rusted strut bolts, this is ideal except for one thing - it's larger than an air compressor version, meaning it can't get into some areas of my car. But for most work, I think it's perfect.

Tool Costing