Hey all, I've been lurking for the last few weeks as I'm about to get a hold of my very first mini I'm starting to wonder about tools, and if there's anything else that I need as a start-up kit for basic servicing. I've got a good selection of building tools, with the usual screwdrivers and sockets which will come in handy, but is there anything else that I might be forgetting?

Also, what do you carry with you in the boot for breakdowns?

Thanks, Andrew.

A jerry can of fuel comes in handy

Start with a set of combination A/F spanners and an A/F socket/ratchet set. Buy good tools to start off with, they will last you a lifetime. Sidcrhrome, kincrome would be your best bet (kincrome being a little cheaper, but very decent tools). Repco as well, not sure how much their branded tools are though (i've got a great stubbie combination spanner set that my uncle gave me for my 21st).

Also make sure you have a good set of screw drivers (Stanley).

Wire cutters, strippers and crimpers. Electrical tape.

Cable ties

WD40

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You'll need AF not metric tools. If carrying them in the boot then make sure the battery terminals are well covered.

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Dont carry a full jerry can of fuel in the boot, carry it empty and then walk and fill it up would be my advice or you may end up with no mini! The battery is in the boot and fuel vapours mix very well with battery sparks should anything touch the terminals.

You beat me too it wombat!

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

You can get some great tools out there these days for not a lot of cash. Sidchrome are very competitive, but other brands of spanners etc are definitely worth a look. Repco, JBS (through Blackwoods) are a couple of examples.

Long (and very slender) nose pliers are very useful, as is a few extra 1/2", 7/16" and 9/16" spanners to use on both sides of a bolt you are trying to undo.

Don't be roped into the "Must have Snap-On" argument. You won't see the value as they are hideously expensive and will simply prevent you from getting the tools you really need.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

So far my two el cheapo no brand socket sets and spanners are doing me fine ($30 & $10 for the socket sets), I guess they'll break/wear out at some stage but for the price I paid i wouldn't care.

Something that came in some cheap toolkit I got that I find very helpful is a telescopic thingy (think car aerial) with a little magnet on the end. I guess you get those grabber tools as well but with those you need to be able to see where you're grabbing, the only downside of the magnet is stopping it from attaching itself to every part of the engine on the way down into the little nooks and crannies that nuts and bolts inevitably end up in.

Circuit tester or voltmeter thingy also good for electrical stuff.

What they said and try eBay. I have bought most of my mini tools there.

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1964 Cooper UK 970 S 'CZ 4289'

Always carry water and oil

I know some people that carry spare fan belts etc but I am too lazy to do that

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As Mick said dont buy Snap-On unless you use them every day and can use them for tax purposes.
Repco and Powerbuilt have some good toolkits available (powerbuilt is found at Repco)
Tools you will need are 1/4 drive socket set and various lenght extentions
3/8 drive socket set with tube sockets and normal stubby sockets, if possible get single hex type
various 3/8 lenght extentions reccommend wobble type
Spanner set Imperial(A/F) from 5/16" to at least 1" (you will use them all at one stage or another) Open end/ring spanners
Ratchet spanners 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4
Long straight pointy nose pliers
long 45degree pointy nose pliers
Various Hammers plastic, rubber and normal
5lb steel mallet
vise grips
screw drivers philips and flat blade No.2's
Long No.2 flat blade screw driver (about 40 - 60 cm long shaft)
Good set of small and large multi grips
a Magnet very important!!.....retractable type best if it has a non magnetic sleeve that you can slide off.
Good thick shaft Pry Bar set!! (Snap-On is best here!)
side cutters
good brand wire stripper/cutter/crimper
multi meter
test light
Jar of Lucas Smoke if unavailable Bosch smoke will do the job.
3/4 socket set (super crap cheapies will do the job just fine
Pick set

Thats all i can think of that I use often but if i think of anything else i will post it.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Wow, thanks! That's a great list to start with. I'd not thought of the telescopic magnet, but that'd be really handy with my clumsy fingers.

I've done a bit of reading about Lucas smoke, but I'm still confused Is it to test where electrical leakage happens, or where dodgy components are, or both?

No it's to replace the smoke that leaks out of the wiring when you hook something up wrong

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

There's only two things I've had to buy especially for the Mini.

One was a huge spanner for the hub nut - I think it was 1 & 5/16" (looking back, I should've bought a socket, not a spanner!); and,

The second purchase has become my third oil filter removal tool as neither of my old ones worked on the Mini. You put a socket wrench into the bottom of it and it grabs the filter from underneath. There was no way the other two were going to be any help.

If you are looking to get some Lucas smoke, be sure to get a couple of long weights and maybe a short weight too. They'll come in very handy, especially if you run out of fuel or have a flat battery.