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Metric or SAE tool kit?

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JaekayDesign

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
so, in preparing my rig for the up coming season.. What are most bolts n such on mowers these days. It's narrowed down to a ferris z1, a v-ride 2(48") or possibly a JD 648R if they can get the price wright. (See what I did there) but.. What are most mowers made up of? Like, blade bolt sizes, and boots or tension pulleys I got to mess with to change belts, etc. I already have tons of tools just for my shop equipment (furniture maker) but I also have a full on craftsman portable tool chest.. BUT, I do plan on getting a Milwaukee 3/8" drive socket m12 fuel unit... And I'm def gonna need to get some impact bits for that puppy. I do plan on doing as much work on the machine as possible. With that being said.. The ferris has hydro gear transaxles, which I hear are really easy to maintain, yet the machine is very tight and hard to work on. I wonder about changing a belt on one of them..
Also going to have a HI-lift jack for the mower, the trailer, who knows what.
 
#4 ·
Yep, you need both. America, along with Britain are the only two countrys in the WORLD that still use the SAE standard. I think its a crock. My F150 engine has both metric and SAE fasteners on it.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Oh.. I know that. I got a big 369 snap on breaker bar I found on the side of the road I’m gonna use for blade changes till I can get the big impact. But for general service, the 3/8 m12 socket will do fine. Like I said, I have multiple FuLL tool sets, and I love buying more, but I do want to kinda narrrow it down a lil bit for a trailer tool kit. I still don’t know where I want to keep it either...
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
36” bar... I mean. It’s somewhere in my shop. But I found it on the side of the road, pristine condition... and it’s long . Not sure if it’s 1/2 or 3/8” drive. Glad I kept it. I’m thinking one of those 30” -36” under trailer boxes that the door folds forward.. get a 4 drawer, or whatever will fit, Middle (no lid to lock drawers) tool chest and load that with tools and then have room on the side for the cordless tools to fit. ( I can make cradles or whatnot). Then have the chargers running off the inverter that will power my printer, IPad mini charger, etc. I’ll build a wooden station in the back seat area of the GMC 1500 to fit all that and the printer, and more paper, etc.
I’m thinking I’m gonna have to get a tool box for the truck also..
 
#8 ·
You should have both SAE and Metric. Each part of your equipment, depending on where it was manufactured, may require either. Too many times I had something go wrong with equipment and I would have to drive back home (or worse, buy something on the spot) that I could have been carrying in my truck with little lost space. It became so many wasted hours that I had to stay on top of it.

I love my ratcheting wrenches. They are expensive compared to regular combination wrenches, but for the sizes I use most... indispensable.
 
#10 ·
Best bang for the buck when it comes to a tool set. Harbor freight. 300piece set $175-199 depending if you can find A coupon. Yeah it's from harbor freight but I guarantee I have and gone through more tools then most full time mechanics. I literally have 10 full size 7ft tall took boxes in my shop full of tools. Snap on, Pittsburg, kobalt, Matco, mac, you name it. I've had or have them. I have never busted a socket from the 300piece sets and I've hammered on some with a snap on 1/2 impact. However, the ratchets in the sets are junk. I have 4 of the 300 sets. I buy them, take the ratchets out throw them in the trash and buy snap on 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 ratchets to put in there place. Just my opinion, but you won't find a better tool set for the money, and there's just about everything in there when it comes to sockets.

https://m.harborfreight.com/301-pc-mechanics-tool-set-63457.html
 
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#11 ·
Discussion starter · #12 ·
I have a full 200 piece something craftsman tool kit... it missing a few wrenches, that’s ok. And I’ll pick up a cheap impact set based on what I need once I pick up whatever machine I get. I’m not pulling and tools from the drawers in my shop, but I do have plenty of extra tools to outfit my trailer rig.... just curious as to what I would need. Looks like I’m gonna being the craftsman set with me, get some ratcheting wrenches, and pick up a small impact set of sockets, and a m12 3/8” ratchet from Milwaukee. And just go from there. Just need to fix mowers onsite to the best of my ability.. if not.. I’ll pull it in the shop or take to dealer
 
#13 ·
All a landscaper needs is a pair of ViceGrips and a roll of knock off Gorilla Tape.

Go to Harbor Frgt. Buy a set of each. They've come a long way and aren't far off Craftsman quality without the inflated price. If you tighten bld bolt by hand you'll be able to loosen them by hand.
Guys constant;ly over-tighten them. Most only need about 70 ft lbs, if its a 5/8's sae bolt.
Just make sure you get SIX POINT for your bld bolts.
Unless you have a feel for impact guns, I guarantee you'll do more damage than good.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
The Milwaukee socket was mainly for speed, but I like to hand tighten things. Been a mechanic on and off on a lot of things. I see the 3/8 socket thing from Milwaukee helping out with stuff like a really long pulley tension bolt or something like that. I’m not one for blindly tightening things down till the impact stops.. being a woodworker, I am a lot more “by the feel” of my hand kinda thing.
I’ll have to check out the sunex sets. I do have my eyes on those SK gearwrench wrenches. They are nice and the reviews are great.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Thanks for that link. That is a good price and it comes in its own case, which I like. Doesn’t seem like I’m gonna be able to fit a tool box big enough, in one of those 36” underbody mount tool boxes.. so, I’ll get one of those “middle” tool boxes with 3-4 drawers and use it wisely. I have the craftsman set and in a case and the sunex set comes in a case.
Also, Kaizen foam is your friend in setting up a setup like this.. kinda like the sonic tools foam sets.. except you make all your own layout n such
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Well.. I ended up getting a big M18 Milwaukee high torque impact, bits from harbor freight,etc.. got my truck broken into.. had it all.. and my chainsaw stolen. Left the Stihl loopers and the helmet, and all the trimmer line.. but took all the tools and my first aid kit ( in Milwaukee packoit cases)
But.. I bought the impact back .. got a package deal at HD for the m12 1/4 fuel impact and a drill, and it came with a 3/8 m12 ratchet... so.. I came out better.. for cheaper ... got to buy some hand tools n stuff.. but it sucked... and I want to get a Milwaukee chainsaw now...
 
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