Tools list for Junkyard scrounging

[RAS C-10]

Im going to a Junkyard for the first time and was wondering what are the essential tools I should bring with me on my adventure

As of right now im thinking

Screwdrivers
Socket set
Wrenches
pliers
Can of Liquid Wrench
Steering wheel puller

You guys think of anything I may be missing?


Im not looking to drag out anything big, small items

I apologize before hand if I put this in the wrong message board

[D-man313]

Hammers
Breaker bar
wire cutters
hand metal saw?
chisel


Me and my dad usually carry a backpack with a good amount of tools.

[slikside]

A cart, wagon, or something else with wheels on it to haul 'em (and whatever you find) around. Some yards are pretty big places, and tools are heavy.

[krue]

I find my cordless impact wrench is always handy to have.

[donut]

Small flashlight?

I usually put together a small box and or a bucket, bungee them to a hand truck. If I can, I'll scout ahead of time to get a better idea of what I need. I usually have a battery sawzall and drill in the truck, they'll go in if needed. Along with a jack.

This worked for the pick and pull I used to frequent, yards in your area may vary.

[PanelDeland]

I usually use a tool pouch(like electricians use) and do a walk thru.If I find something big or need tools the truck has a wagon and a box in it.That way if all I find is small stuff,I can get it without the weight of the box.I sometimes get lucky and have to go back to the truck.

[leddzepp]

Don't take any tools. That way Murphy's Law will come into effect, and there will be a set of tow hooks, bucket seats, and an AM/FM sitting there.

[mcbassin]

You won't be able to carry all the tools you'll need

[fastwillie 696969]

bandaid

[fastwillie 696969]

let me fix that bandaids

[yuccales]

Vice-grips and one of those extendo magnet things, because you know your going to drop a socket or wrench somewhere you can't reach! Gloves & hand cleaner allways goes with me. Have a good time.

[lil hoodlum]

You might consider bug spray. Standing in an ant bed or getting stung by wasps isn't a whole lot of fun.

But yeah, you just need to bring your basic hand tools just like working on any other vehicle unless you are planning on pulling a motor or dropping a transmission.

I also like to bring some rags. To clean old nasty partes or to wipe my hands on.

Some water or gatorade is nice to have.

Hand cleaner.

Liquid wrench/ WD40 etc. and a breaker bar come in handy.

Small flashlight comes in handy sometimes and like fastwilly sezs bandaids.

Oh yeah and one more item that might come in handy, Camera. We like to see pictures of other people junk/ treasure.

Keith

[screamin_c10]

kids....

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by screamin_c10

kids....

Now that is open to interpertation.
1. Gophers....
2. Keepin' the ol'lady happy
3. Introducing a new generation to these wonderful trucks.

[Jacfourteen]

Originally Posted by screamin_c10

kids....

I'm not sure who likes to go to the junkyard more, my son thats 10 or my 5 year old daughter. I bring them along if I'm scouting or just getting something small, but if I'm getting something Bigger like an engine, I usually leave them home.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hubscrub]

i really can't add much but i will say i took my wife junkyarding last weekend (her first) and she really enjoyed it (helped me alot) she was digging through more cars and pulling part than i was

[Lippyp]

Most old style junkyards have gone in the UK to be replaced by the sort of places where its all stripped for you, kept on shelves and you pay only slightly less than a newpart sadly. The generally only seem to be interested in selling major parts/assemblies and aren't interested in selling you a few bits of trim etc. The days of teetering uposide down in the footwell of a car four up in a wobbly stack seem to be dead and gone.

One thing I would add is take something like a small groundsheet or old poncho to lie on, beats getting covered in oily muck if you want something from under a truck.

[Beelzeburb]

My Junkyard Toolkit:

Wrenches & Sockets – small to fairly large. Small ones for tiny trim or, say, carburetor fasteners (down to about 1/4”). Big ones for suspension pieces and crankshaft damper bolts (up to around 1” or so). I also bring both shallow and deep sockets in the medium sizes because they both have their place.
3/8” & 1/2” ratchets, swivels and both short and long extensions - 1/2” ratchet for the big sockets and lug nuts, etc...
1/2” to 3/8” adapter, 3/8” to 1/2” adapter – especially handy if you only bring a 1/2” breaker bar
Breaker Bar – I have ruined ratchets by applying too much torque on stubborn junkyard fasteners
Pry bar
Screwdrivers
Vice-Grip pliers – big 'ol honkers and needle nose type. The needle nose ones are perfect for wire hose clamps
Side Cutters – gotta cut wires sometimes, also works great on stubborn hoses and belts
Spark Plug Socket – Pick-N-Pull places will charge for each individual plug, so pulling the old, used up ones from a cylinder head saves you money
Razor Blade – cut, scrape

Optional:

Flare Nut Wrench Set – necessary if you'll be removing any brake components
Allen Wrench Set – some newer cars use them, also sometimes found on brake components
Small Can of Aero-Kroil – for rusty fasteners, does wonders
Hammer – Pretty handy, especially in conjunction with the pry bar, but you can usually find a large, heavy object laying around in a junkyard in a pinch

I take one small tool kit still in its blow molded case, and the rest are in a fabric tool bag they gave me at Sears a few years back during some promotion. This makes the whole set very portable, and it isn't too heavy to carry around for hours in the largest of yards. Grab a wheelbarrow or cart if the yard has them and you need to haul out something bigger. Using only the stuff in this tool kit I've disassembled complete engines down to a bare block in the car (then removed the block myself), removed transmissions, flywheels and whole axle assemblies as well as gutted a car of its interior. I don't carry a blanket or anything to lay down on, that's what the worn out floor mats in other cars are for.

[into69z]

to add to these lists, which are very good, you need a charged cell phone. I call my wife (mostly) or a buddy to check part numbers and sometimes to call the pick-a-part desk to check on prices. I also call for help-like the time i went with minimal tools and found a complete Chrysler Hemi motor that was just put out-called a friend for more tools while I watched the motor so no one else got it.......ya never know what will be there!

[Boog]

Having a cell phone to call for backup. That's good.