• Hi Guest !

    Welcome to the 500Eboard forum.

    Since its founding in late 2008, 500Eboard has become the leading resource on the Internet for all things related to the Mercedes-Benz 500E and E500. In recent years, we have also expanded to include the 400E and E420 models, which are directly related to the 500E/E500.

    We invite you to browse and take advantage of the information and resources here on the site. If you find helpful information, please register for full membership, and you'll find even more resources available. Feel free to ask questions, and make liberal use of the "Search" function to find answers.

    We hope you will become an active contributor to the community!

    Sincerely,
    500Eboard Management

What’s your best buy DIY garage tools?

I love this tiny little micro ratchet. Load it with a philips bit orsomethig and it is less than 1” in profile .... waaaaaaay better than a stupid regular right angle screwdriver, and perfect for stuff like the CHMSL screws

VIM Tools HBR3 Bit Ratchet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Y05COI/
 

Attachments

  • 31hd6NUvpNL.jpg
    31hd6NUvpNL.jpg
    9.1 KB · Views: 21
For those of us without air tools a cordless impact wrench is something that you ask "how did I live without this" once you have it. I lent mine (I know shudder) to a my friend who lives up the street who has 2 Alfa including a late 60's guilia. I watched as he used on a bolt on the differential and he came up from under the car with a big smile on his face.

I wanted to add another tool; a palm or thumb ratchet. Not for high torque jobs but to get a bolt started in a tight space they are great.
 
Funny, my birthday is coming up, and an early present appeared two nights ago.....

What model of wrench is that Gerry? Is it the Mid Torque (M18 Fuel 2861-20*Or similar) or a High Torque model?
 
Mine is the 2767-20 M18 FUEL (high-torque) model, with ring.
Yikes! 1200 1400 lb-ft of Gerry-nut-busting torque? Be careful with that thing, leave it on the medium setting... on max it might snap your lug bolts right off!

:duck:
 
For low cost, general purpose use, this LED light from Harbor Freight is fantastic. It has a strong magnetic base, rotates, pivots and has three brightness levels. It comes with a standard 18650 Li-ion battery...I recommend buying a higher quality/capacity battery and charger so it's always ready to use. [Admin edit: Regular price $30, can be found on sale with coupon for $20.]
https://www.harborfreight.com/390-lumen-magnetic-slim-bar-folding-led-worklight-63958.html


Thanks!

What's the etiquette with the coupons from Hazard Fraught? Can I just print out the coupon on my printer from the website and give it to the store clerk in person?

If you click on the coupon page on the website, the coupon actually states "Original Coupon must be Presented." So that makes me think that I cannot print this coupon out.

Clicking on the coupon however brings me to a discounted product page ---- yet the website will only let me ship the product to myself ---- I cannot pick it up at the store?

Is there some other unwritten coupon policy, like how Bed Bath & Beyond accepts all expired 20% off coupons?

Thanks
 

Attachments

  • ac.jpg
    ac.jpg
    107.6 KB · Views: 11
  • ab.jpg
    ab.jpg
    141.3 KB · Views: 11
  • aa.jpg
    aa.jpg
    87.7 KB · Views: 11
Yikes! 1200 lb-ft of Gerry-nut-busting torque? Be careful with that thing, leave it on the medium setting... on max it might snap your lug bolts right off!

:duck:

Actually I am trying to update my eBay order but might be too late... trying for a 2767-20 instead. 1400 ft lbs. I think I "need" that torque to break free super rusty w124 rear subframe bolts and the likes

I actually had a failure to remove a subframe bolt recently with my high powered CP 1/2 air wrench

EDIT: I did get my order changed to the GVZ mega nut buster
 
Last edited:
What's the etiquette with the coupons from Hazard Fraught? Can I just print out the coupon on my printer from the website and give it to the store clerk in person? If you click on the coupon page on the website, the coupon actually states "Original Coupon must be Presented." So that makes me think that I cannot print this coupon out.

Clicking on the coupon however brings me to a discounted product page ---- yet the website will only let me ship the product to myself ---- I cannot pick it up at the store? Is there some other unwritten coupon policy, like how Bed Bath & Beyond accepts all expired 20% off coupons?
I think it's outdated text. They used to only have print ads, back before the internet, when selling stone chisels and wooden wheels. You should be able to print an electronic-version coupon and bring that to the store. The cashiers usually could not care less, as long as the barcode scans, and it's not expired.

:apl:
 
I am going to be in London in couple of weeks. Besides the set of Sealey sockets link in #1, what else is worth getting from Europe that is either available only in EU or expensive to ship?
Not looking for anything heavy or bulky but good, high quality hand tools.

Thx
 
I am going to be in London in couple of weeks. Besides the set of Sealey sockets link in #1, what else is worth getting from Europe that is either available only in EU or expensive to ship?
Not looking for anything heavy or bulky but good, high quality hand tools.

Thx

Yep those are excellent sockets and have never let me down! Here is a You Tube video review which demonstrates just how good they are:

[video=youtube;iJMTD_OR3RQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJMTD_OR3RQ&t=898s[/video]


Besides that I can’t think of anything else off hand that you might want to get whilst here.... I really like all of the Sealey premier tools they are high quality and very well priced too. Draper Expert is another UK brand of tools I buy quite alot of. Both of these brands also do a nice range of handheld COB LED worklamps. Ring is a UK brand of lighting and I have their products too. However, the charger plug will differ to USA! :doh:

Gunson are a UK brand of automotive tools. They have quite specialist stuff – it is all detailed on their website so take a look and most decent tool shops here will carry some of their range. For example I have their Trakrite alignment gauge and easibleed


If you want to upstage GVZ’s grease shelf then this Castrol rubber grease is only available here too
 
On the subject of M18 Milwaukee tools do any members have an M18 angle grinder or Sawzal?

I used (another brand) battery powered grinder at a parts yard recently and I was really impressed with it. Just like a corded grinder in terms of speed and power. The m18 grinder also has a brake on the disc which appears like a very good safety addition. So I bought one too - will let you guys know how it performs in a week or two

[video=youtube_share;FN97BvkTWyY]https://youtu.be/FN97BvkTWyY[/video]
 
Just got my Fuel m18 grinder today. Still waiting on the impact wrench from USA. Haven’t gave the Grinder a full workout yet. Initial impressions are good. I do like how the blade is braked and it does feel just like any corded grinder in terms of power output and speed. Quick change disc changes also which will save me losing the grinder spanner every 5 mins! It is larger than a corded grinder though when you take into account the battery etc so maybe not so great in tight spaces.

I intend to put it to use all winter on my C124 resto so let’s see. "Grinding and paint make me the welder I ain't". It will also be ideal for w124 parts hunting as usually I have to lug around my petrol saw – not any more. And being able to use a thin cutting disc I can make much more accurate / sanitary cuts in the field :) Although it's still fun to run a 2 stroke saw through a car every now and then :agree:

20180927_185559.jpg
 
I went for a M18 Fuel 2861-20 wrench

My high torque impact just arrived from USA today. I’ve already tried it on rear hub nuts and crankshaft bolts. No problems at all it didn’t flinch it – took them right off. It’s a beast of a gun – a bit of a handful. It’s the first time I’ve used an impact wrench and genuinely been afraid a socket might explode in my face!


I can’t see there ever being a bolt on a w124 this thing won’t undo with ease :jono: Tomorrow is 320CE rusty suspension removal time :p I have impact sockets, swivels and extensions in preperation. Don't use anything not impact rated on these modern high powered wrenches.........
 
Hazard Fraught is running a sale on this light through next weekend, $20 with coupon. Link below, image attached. I picked up one of these recently and have been pretty happy with it. The thin light bar will slip into narrow areas around the powertrain and rear subframe, and the magnet is strong enough to stick to the wheel housing when working on brakes or suspension items. My only gripe is the USB-only charge port, if you don't want to plug it into your computer, you need to get a separate wall-wart USB charger. I haven't used it enough to comment on battery life, but Glen's suggestion about a battery upgrade sounds like a good idea. I haven't looked into sources for battery replacement.

Qpon link (expires July 8):
http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...o?week=2618&campaign=c2&page=sub_coupon1.html

I bought the above today for $19.99. Its a really nice light, and there is some heft to it as the handle is all metal. The battery is removable and of course rechargeable. This is a quality product, and quite bright. Thanks for the tip!

Anyone try the underhood light bar, or have a recommendation for one like this?

Regular price $40:
https://www.harborfreight.com/845-Lumen-Underhood-Rechargeable-Work-Light-63990.html

On sale through 7/8 for $30:
http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...on.do?week=2618&campaign=c2&page=braun_1.html

:124:

I have the Braun's predecessor, the Luminar WORK. I've had it a couple years & overall, I like it.

View attachment 78122

The ends are magnetized and have recessed hooks. The ends also unscrew to add a few more inches of breadth. It nicely fits & attaches underneath the 500E hood.

View attachment 78123

It has two lighting intensity settings. At times I wish it had a bit more intensity. But the fun in the garage playing rock star singer on the microphone, or light sabre warrior with it more than compensate. Plus, I wouldn't feel a major financial loss if I actually bashed someone with it...it wields nicely.

View attachment 78124

I bought mine using coupon & discount. I would suggest the same if purchasing.

:starwars:


Gsxr, Derf --- I bought the 845 lumen Braun underwood light today. It is slightly cheaper now --- with coupon, it is $28.99. It is super duper bright. It works exactly, and in fact, the housing looks to be exactly the same design as Derf's "Luminar Work". It is also rechargeable, though I'm not sure if the battery is removable. Derf - are you able to remove the battery on your Luminar?
 
My tractor-mounted flail mower ate its drive belts this past week. It's an Italian made unit, which means three things:

1) Parts are expensive
2) Parts are in short supply
3) Working on the machine is a royal PITA.

Everything is metric, and my tools are a bit limited past the 19mm size. So I had to make several runs to Sears for various larger wrenches and sockets. 22mm, 24mm and 30mm. Each trip left me more disappointed in what has happened to Sears/Craftsman. The tools are absolute junk. They feel crappy in the hand. The machining is poor. And even though I am a sucker for a polished wrench, I couldn't get past the piss-poor finish on every single one I picked up.

Pricing is about on par with the chinese stuff on Amazon when factoring in their shipping.

On the plus side, I had to apply a 3 lb hammer to the end of a 30mm combo wrench and didn't do much more than dull the already dull finish. And when I say apply a hammer, I mean 3/4 swings to break some large fasteners free.

I was using some older Craftsman drives and breakers on the same project and the quality delta felt in the hand was absolutely massive. Smooth edges. Nice polish. Sizing roll marks consistently applied and very legible.


Wouldn't it be cool if there was an app which could show you in real time where the Mac/SnapOn/Cornwell/Matco trucks were?
 
Last edited:
Yep those are excellent sockets and have never let me down! Here is a You Tube video review which demonstrates just how good they are:

Besides that I can’t think of anything else off hand that you might want to get whilst here.... I really like all of the Sealey premier tools they are high quality and very well priced too. Draper Expert is another UK brand of tools I buy quite alot of. Both of these brands also do a nice range of handheld COB LED worklamps. Ring is a UK brand of lighting and I have their products too. However, the charger plug will differ to USA! :doh:

Gunson are a UK brand of automotive tools. They have quite specialist stuff – it is all detailed on their website so take a look and most decent tool shops here will carry some of their range. For example I have their Trakrite alignment gauge and easibleed


If you want to upstage GVZ’s grease shelf then this Castrol rubber grease is only available here too
I picked up a set of Sealey sockets during my trip last week. And, they seem to work well.
Looks like Chinese made as it does not say any country of origin and the quality seems to be slightly lower than the US made ones.
 
Looks like Chinese made as it does not say any country of origin and the quality seems to be slightly lower than the US made ones.

That's great you got some on your visit. It's disappointing you think the quality is poor..... never heard a single person say that before but your experience may vary!

On the subject of Chinese made tools - that's the way of the world. Milwaukee (A USA brand) for one example is all Chinese made but doesn't mean it's bad
 
Here is a "test" today before my latest parts car went to get crushed

[video=youtube_share;apTLx4pn-Ks]https://youtu.be/apTLx4pn-Ks[/video]
 
Disclaimer: Only a rusted out w124 was harmed in the making of that video. It sat in a field for over 5 years with grass higher than the fenders. It was extra crusty and the hubs were no good for anyone
 
I have a harbor freight large tool chest full of Craftsman tools bought from the 1990s to now and no complaints. yes, the Snap On stuff is nicer, but for this shade tree hack mechanic I appreciate the bang for the buck i get from them. Sears (now bankrupt?) sold the Craftsman tool line to Stanley a bit over a year ago so it will live on. I just hope the lifetime warranty still applies.
 
Last edited:
My second visit to Sears this week was particularly frustrating. I found what I needed but there were no staff in the tool or adjacent garden area. So I went into the vision clinic. Nope, couldn't ring up my purchase there. How about appliances? Nope not a soul to be found. Ended up in the mattress department where there was one lone employee. And he had nothing else to do.

So on one floor of a large-ish store, there was exactly one employee. And one customer.

#CirclingTheDrain
 
I have a harbor freight large tool chest full of Craftsman tools bought from the 1990s to now and no complaints. yes, the Snap On stuff is nicer, but for this shade tree hack mechanic I appreciate the bang for the buck i get from them. Sears (now bankrupt?) sold the Craftsman tool line to Stanley a bit over a year ago so it will live on. I just hope the lifetime warranty still applies.


If you pick up anything with the Craftsman mark on it from twenty years ago and the comparable item on their shelf today, there's a massive difference IMO.

Five years ago, the tool area was awash in empty shelves. Whether it was poor inventory management or the case flow issues, I cannot say. But now everything is in stock, the website appears to be reasonable accurate WRT to what's on hand, but I won't be buying anything else from there unless it's another time sensitive need.
 
The 1400 ib ft High Torque impact gun is seeing alot of use for me stripping my w124 parts cars. I do not find it heavy from prolonged use. It is quite large though but with an impact rated swivel and extensions I can undo all bolts on the w124 chassis such as propshaft bolts and other inaccessible areas. It takes all bolts off with ease – but I do keep the settings down as low as possible on it as it can sheer rusted bolts clean off.

So start on setting one and work your way up – don’t just leave on 3 or 4 all the time IMO.

My best buy tool of this year though has to be the M18 Sawzall – (or just the Sawzall concept really). It’s soooo good at reaching into tight areas and cutting steel or anything else. For pulling the 300D donor engine in a hurry this weekend I noticed the downpipe tubes were hanging up on the power steering pump. Someone had previously cut them off just below the car so I thought they would be OK..... but they were not :doh:

What would have otherwise required jacking the car up again, crawling under and trying to undo the rusted tube to manifold clamp bolts (Total PITA) only required a couple minutes to reach in and cutting the tubes :sawzall:


20181020_092742.jpg
 
That's great you got some on your visit. It's disappointing you think the quality is poor..... never heard a single person say that before but your experience may vary!

On the subject of Chinese made tools - that's the way of the world. Milwaukee (A USA brand) for one example is all Chinese made but doesn't mean it's bad

Don't get me wrong. For 11 GBP, it is a great set and works well, so no complains there. Glad to add it to my collection.
 
I'm in the process of putting together a list of stuff. 12-Gauge Garage got a lot of play a few years back but it really didn't quench my thirst with respect to functional utility.

Workshop Practice Series is a good place to start.

https://www.teepublishing.co.uk/books/workshop-practice-series/

Also become familiar with Ohms Law and your Breaker Panel, if you have a 100A panel I'd start by upgrading to a 200A panel.

You can never have too much light. Also define your layout/storage strategy. Industrial tool cabinets aren't cheap and I'm not referring to the stuff at retail stores.

Lastly, any tool labeled 2-in-1, 3-in-1, multi-purpose... Typically does a shitty job at whatever it's intended functions happen to be.

Sent from my MI MAX 2 using Tapatalk
 
I also don't understand how "Snap-On" ever built it's reputation as the flagship of tools. Hazet, Stahlwille, OG South Bend, Illinois Tool Works, Mituoyo, etc have a story. Snap-On appears to have been created out of thin air at some point and trolled along with it's Cadillac strategy: "We're proud to fornicate with our siblings, and we are the best because we say we are!"

Everything Snap-On including it's CEO/Founders counld be napalmed out of existence and I doubt a single significant manufacturing entity would flinch other than possibly Lockheed & Friends.

Sent from my MI MAX 2 using Tapatalk
 
I also don't understand how "Snap-On" ever built it's reputation as the flagship of tools. Hazet, Stahlwille, OG South Bend, Illinois Tool Works, Mituoyo, etc have a story. Snap-On appears to have been created out of thin air at some point and trolled along with it's Cadillac strategy: "We're proud to fornicate with our siblings, and we are the best because we say we are!"

Everything Snap-On including it's CEO/Founders counld be napalmed out of existence and I doubt a single significant manufacturing entity would flinch other than possibly Lockheed & Friends.

Sent from my MI MAX 2 using Tapatalk
If you ever stumble across anything Bosch/Rexroth "New Old Stock" with the invoice still attached on the outside of the box. Look at the return shipping address, if it doesn't ring a bell go watch the movie Memphis Belle.

Also let it be known on our side of the pond, Rockford, IL is known as the "Screw Capital of the World."
1.jpg


Sent from my MI MAX 2 using Tapatalk
 
not mentioned before- but does anyone here use stoveburner drill bits? They don't cut on the edges, so it makes matching and aids in drilling out. I have a clamp block with a few guide bushings. Nice to be able to hit a broken bolt on-center and remove it without damaging threads.

M
 
Gerry, these look very interesting. I have massive spiral CFLs now in my basic light fixture sockets as shown in the photo above. This will be the direction I go when those CFLs crap out. I think I will replace my fluorescent light fixtures with something like this as those need maintenance as well.

I did the direct LED fluorescent replacements at my Dad's (you bypass the ballasts) but I think these will produce more lumens. The older I get the brighter I need things.
 
I replaced all of my fluorescents with LED equivalents and have been very, very pleased. Costco had a deal on dual LED fluorescent fixtures last year about this time and I loaded up on them. I really hate in the "winter" when it gets down in the 60s and the lamps would flicker.

Dan
 
A recent great garage buy for me was proper metal shelves / racking! I had removed a few old wooden shelves when I was having a new insulated / automated garage door installed and it took me a couple of years to get around to getting the "new" (Good used) shelving in. Such a relief to have the extra storage space!

20181203_210641.jpg

Excuse the mess, these are items laying around threw up onto the shelves for now, the shelves will soon be uber organised and filled in the coming weeks hopefully.
 
Last edited:
A recent great garage buy for me was proper metal shelves / racking! I had removed a few old wooden shelves when I was having a new insulated / automated garage door installed and it took me a couple of years to get around to getting the "new" (Good used) shelving in. Such a relief to have the extra storage space!

View attachment 83780

Excuse the mess, these are items laying around threw up onto the shelves for now, the shelves will soon be uber organised and filled in the coming weeks hopefully.

A lot of bare shelves there. You’ve got work to do on your hoard.
 
A recent great garage buy for me was proper metal shelves / racking! I had removed a few old wooden shelves when I was having a new insulated / automated garage door installed and it took me a couple of years to get around to getting the "new" (Good used) shelving in. Such a relief to have the extra storage space!

Excuse the mess, these are items laying around threw up onto the shelves for now, the shelves will soon be uber organised and filled in the coming weeks hopefully.
Nicely done, I see you have the 12" & 18" depth. I have the same ones, well an iteration of them they're made by a handful of companies. Equipto is stamped into a few of the shelves.

I have a whole stack of them I bought surplus yet to set them up in their permanent positions.

IMG_20181203_212410.jpgIMG_20181203_212357.jpg

Sent from my MI MAX 2 using Tapatalk
 
A lot of bare shelves there. You’ve got work to do on your hoard.

I agree it looks that way Gerry! But my hoard is in a different top secret location with biometric authentication
 
As much as I would like the rust removing laser for $39.00 to be true, I found this on youtube. Note that $39.00 advertisement lifted the same images from this video:

[video=youtube;ACGSzBXKONo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACGSzBXKONo[/video]

and they mention this in the comments of the youtube video:

★★★ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VIDEO / FACT UPDATES ★★★1) WARNING!!! - Facebook is advertising this Laser for $39.00 such as through Topbazaar.shop - I did some quick research and found a website listing hundreds of scammer sites (including Topbazaar.shop) that take some images from the web, often from Kickstarter, Indiegogo etc. – and they sell it at ridiculous low prices. it states buyers will never receive any goods. Link = https://noscams.info/list-of-facebook-sponsored-ad-scams. BUY AT OWN RISK!!Please use common sense, this Laser Rust Cleaner was selling for nearly $500k in 2017, there is no way to make it and sell it for $39.00 6-12 months later, even shitty Cordless Drills usually sell for $39.00.
 
For low cost, general purpose use, this LED light from Harbor Freight is fantastic. It has a strong magnetic base, rotates, pivots and has three brightness levels. It comes with a standard 18650 Li-ion battery...I recommend buying a higher quality/capacity battery and charger so it's always ready to use. [Admin edit: Regular price $30, can be found on sale with coupon for $20.]
https://www.harborfreight.com/390-lumen-magnetic-slim-bar-folding-led-worklight-63958.html[/I]
Been using this LED light for the past 6 months and agree, one of the best buys from HF and in general. I have used it much more than expected from auto work to playing dog now that it gets dark at 4 pm to general stuff around the house. Looking for something similar with more lumens and may be 4-5 adjustment levels. Any recommendations?
 
Looking for something similar with more lumens and may be 4-5 adjustment levels. Any recommendations?
The Big Ass Light Bar I had earlier in the thread has about 8-10 levels of adjustment/brightness and will blind you if not careful when on its highest settings. It's very expensive, but well worth it. I recently used it on the replacement of my E500 Neutral Safety Switch.

Cheers,
Gerry

41.jpg


https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/big-ass-light-bar#/

[video=youtube;_w3uA9-LS-A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w3uA9-LS-A[/video]
 
Shout out to Ricardo on the Boxer with a bazillion number of ends to choose from. Had to swap out a right side door striker on the c126 and of course the 5mm head stripped out. Ball Peen hammer and a few Boxer bits and it was swapped with a serviceable spare in minutes!
 
The Big Ass Light Bar I had earlier in the thread has about 8-10 levels of adjustment/brightness and will blind you if not careful when on its highest settings. It's very expensive, but well worth it. I recently used it on the replacement of my E500 Neutral Safety Switch.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/big-ass-light-bar#/
I think this is the URL that Honch meant to share, as the one above is for funding the original development.

$400, in case you were wondering. Plus tax. Second battery is $75.

https://store.bigassfans.com/big-ass-light-bar-c

:spend:
 
Back
Top