Recommended Tools & How to Start, I'm new to the 914 community and restoring cars in general. Looking for a recommended list of tools to have handy and perhaps places to start. Options

[Mark Henry]

You can come up and visit me, I am a business (engine and trans, custom fab), but I love to talk Porsche, VW, 914 and show off my babies, tools, etc.,
That's all free. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'm 20 minutes N/E of Bowmanville, 60 minutes from Young/401 but that's no traffic and I drive a tad fast.

There's also Mike's 914 in Colborne, ON he does good work and has parts.

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[PlantMan]

I would second the compressor but only after you have a selection of appropriate hand tools and a couple torque wrenches mentioned above. My compressor is running all the time, and although I am still buying air tools for it, I use it constantly to power wrenches, grinders, etc. I also have spray equipment and nail guns I use during other wood working projects I do. Get a multi stage unit and something over 40gal, larger the better. I got my used and it is the best money I ever spent.

[Olympic 914]

Get yourself a good, inexpensive camera. something that you won't cry about if it gets damaged.

I have this one in the garage/shed all the time. the pelican case protects it from dust, moisture, overspray etc.

Take pictures of everything especially wiring. it helps a lot when you go to put things back together, (especially a couple years later)





I am sure a phone would work also but I like the higher resolution pictures a camera will give you.

[stugray]

Get yourself a good, inexpensive camera. something that you won't cry about if it gets damaged.

I have this one in the garage/shed all the time. the pelican case protects it from dust, moisture, overspray etc.

Take pictures of everything especially wiring. it helps a lot when you go to put things back together, (especially a couple years later)





I am sure a phone would work also but I like the higher resolution pictures a camera will give you.

I second this!
Either get a camera with built in wifi and push the photos to your home server, or use an old cellphone.
An advantage to the cellphone is that you can also buy a $10 USB borescope to use with it.
If I take pics with my cellphone, I can go over to the computer and the pics are ready for me to post on the forums right away, no need to manually transfer first.

[Andyrew]

^Regarding this.

I use my smartphone and all my photos are live upoaded to my computers through "Dropbox" Its a free program up to a certain storage and as many computers as I want can have the photos live download. Makes it extremely easy to post pictures as well as backup information.

[iankarr]

Congrats! You're in for lots of fun. In addition to the metric socket sets (regular, deep, and thin walled 1/4"), a set of T-handle hex wrenches come in handy. A good torque wrench is key. I recently got the ac/delco 3/8 digital one off amazon. Great range for our cars (7-37 ft-lb) and very accurate at the low end, which you'll need when adjusting the valves. A set of feeler gauges for valve adjustment, too. A good digital timing light with tach is helpful if you plan on tuning your car. A multimeter to track down electrical gremlins, and a micrometer (which HF practically gives away) Then just buy tools as you need them.

As everyone has said, Definitely take lots of pics. More than you think you'll need.
And put everything in a labeled ziplock bag or container. Even things you swear don't need labeling.

Patience is super important. Figuring things out and solving problems is half the fun. If you get frustrated, just come back to it later. The people who put these cars together weren't smarter than you. And they're mechanically very simple once you get to know them. (The cars, not the people).

But the best tool is the 914world community. Remember that if you get stuck or need advice, you've got great, knowledgable people here who love to help.

Looking forward to pics of your progress. Welcome to the addiction!

[Amphicar770]

Camera is a must but do not rely solely on the photos. A notebook is equally important where you can sketch or take notes on how various assemblies go together. The photos will not always tell you which of the three slightly different length screws went where.

You will need shelves, bins, zip lock bags, tags, etc. to keep all the parts well organized. Otherwise, you will have a big box of assorted stuff and no idea what goes with what.

[dlloyd2691]

Thank-you to everyone for fantastic solutions and advice. I even brought an old computer into the garage to track everything. What an amazing community!

David (new addict)

[cary]

As the self proclaimed Tool Whore I refrained from commenting about tools.
But I thought I'd add a couple thoughts.

Triple square allen drivers. This is were you want too spend a little extra money.
You'll use these to remove the CV joint bolts.

https://store.snapon.com/Triple-Square-Stan...mm-P631924.aspx

I'd buy the 6 & 8 triple square and the 5,6 & 8 standard allen off a tool truck or SnapOn.com. These are the only SnapOn tools I owned for a long time. I'd never had to cut off a CV bolt until I had to help Mike cut one off his car. Knock on wood.