Good call on the digital calipers -- they're accurate enough to measure unknown shims.
Even better, Harbor Freight now sells a very nice digital micrometer -- about $30 with coupon. Dead-nuts accuracy, and no pesky conversions from inch to metric.
Other things to add along the lines of "persuasion":
- Rubber mallet. The even gentler persuader. I keep two or three around because they get used daily.
- Large copper hammer. Great for persuading bearing races into place without marring the steel. I didn't even know I needed this until I inherited one.
- Bearing and seal driver set from Harbor Freight. Made from aluminum so it won't mar bearings. Much more civilized than pounding on sockets.
- Assortment of nylon prybars -- also excellent for gentle persuasion without damage.
"Universal" Spares:
- Large collection of metric hardware, mostly stainless.
- Large assortments of Buna-N metric and inch o-rings.
- Viton o-rings for intake boots to fit most GS models.
- Assortments of cotter pins, roll pins, e-clips, etc. Have saved the day and a trip to the hardware store many times.
- Aluminum, steel, and stainless bar stock for making brackets and suchlike.
- Assorted PVC, steel, aluminum tubing, mostly used for making fork spring spacers.
One EXTREMELY useful category I forgot above:
- Left-handed drill bits. Incredibly effective on stuck fasteners -- most of the time, the fastener will "catch" on the bit and unscrew itself, usually just before the head pops off. Believe it or not, Harbor Freight sells a VERY high-quality set of lefties. No idea how or why -- their regular drill bits are horrible. You can also get lefties individually from McMaster-Carr.
Even better, Harbor Freight now sells a very nice digital micrometer -- about $30 with coupon. Dead-nuts accuracy, and no pesky conversions from inch to metric.
Other things to add along the lines of "persuasion":
- Rubber mallet. The even gentler persuader. I keep two or three around because they get used daily.
- Large copper hammer. Great for persuading bearing races into place without marring the steel. I didn't even know I needed this until I inherited one.
- Bearing and seal driver set from Harbor Freight. Made from aluminum so it won't mar bearings. Much more civilized than pounding on sockets.
- Assortment of nylon prybars -- also excellent for gentle persuasion without damage.
"Universal" Spares:
- Large collection of metric hardware, mostly stainless.
- Large assortments of Buna-N metric and inch o-rings.
- Viton o-rings for intake boots to fit most GS models.
- Assortments of cotter pins, roll pins, e-clips, etc. Have saved the day and a trip to the hardware store many times.
- Aluminum, steel, and stainless bar stock for making brackets and suchlike.
- Assorted PVC, steel, aluminum tubing, mostly used for making fork spring spacers.
One EXTREMELY useful category I forgot above:
- Left-handed drill bits. Incredibly effective on stuck fasteners -- most of the time, the fastener will "catch" on the bit and unscrew itself, usually just before the head pops off. Believe it or not, Harbor Freight sells a VERY high-quality set of lefties. No idea how or why -- their regular drill bits are horrible. You can also get lefties individually from McMaster-Carr.
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