they have a cheap ratchet and socket set that is the "pass through" variety so that you can use a ratchet instead of a open end wrench to access nuts on the end of long bolts (perfect for exhaust swaps). I bought is specifically for exhaust swaps and it works great!

 

Sorry Johnspeed not offended but I'm on my phone and it's the mobile version and missed the lol at the end as sarcasm.
You do have a great point in that some tools are what you pay for regardless of the need.
I just thought a list of tools that have been tried and tested on our cars that don't cost a lot of $ and would be a benefit to those of us that are new to wrenching on these cars but not new to wrenching on cars.

 

Mostly craftmans harbor freights for 1time use

 

I buy some harbor freight stuff to turn it into whatever I need to get it to work. I'll think twice before I start grinding away on a Craftsman wrench. On the HF stuff if it doesn't fit and I need a tool that will work I whip out a grinder and a welder and make my own specialty tools.

Some of their stuff is pure Chinese junk thou that will fall apart as soon as you try using it. I always look out for things that are cast iron as a lot of them will bend out of shape and crack. Again thou, for the price, a lot of times if you get it to work only once it's worth it. Also if you break it in the first 30 days after buying it you can exchange it so you get another shot at breaking it One thing I stay away from (unless I need to remove wheel locks ) is their impact sockets. I've cracked many and you don't want impact socket pieces flying around. I've got a large set of http://sunextools.com/impact-sockets.php and I've had them for over two years now and they are bulletproof.

Another item I always stack up on is their double ply latex/nitride gloves. I hate having dirty hands and leather/mechanix gloves don't have the right feel. I'll usually go through 20 pairs of gloves doing a project but it beats scrubbing your nails from grease.

Another tool that I've had luck with on certain projects is:

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...tive+spray+gun

It's as cheap as it gets when it comes to spray guns, but when I compared them to my buddies :

http://www.amazon.com/DeVILBISS-FinishLine-HVLP-SPRAY-PAINT/dp/B001DA5R2M

They seem like they're made by the same manufacturer minus the Chrome. They work really well for $50 guns.

Also another thumbs up on the 1/2 High Torque drill. It will take your arm off before you jam this puppy.

I also have their buffer/polisher, but the switch is junk and seems like the radiator for the variable resistor is poor. For a quick job it will work but if you use it over 2 minutes the RPM starts to climb and you loose the adjustment. It's great if you want to strip a car to bare metal. They have the 8" 40-80 grit sandpaper discs and they work. I can probably strip a whole car with that stuff in under an hour

Also, if you're subscribed to any motorcycle magazine they always have a 20% off coupon in there.

As far as Specialty tools for the 996, I find this as a must: (if you ever plan on doing DV make sure you get this)

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...4&blockType=L4

I use this on all German cars.

 

Adam699, Thanks for the great write up on tools that you use. If people will search your threads they will see and learn that you've got wrenching skills. You've put some great links and info in this thread.