I plan on going to Harry's U-pull it this weekend and hopefully ****** up some parts i need for my truck. I'll have my eyes on a set of fenders, a rad support and possibly a bed if they have one in decent shape (which i doubt they will). I was just curious as to what tools i would need to have with me in order to get all this stuff. If anyone could throw in some useful bits of information to make this an easier, shorter day at the junk yard, i'll be a happy scrapper!

 

i carry a basic tool kit to the yards. it has:

combo wrench set with at least 2 of the more common sizes ( one for the bolt and one for the nut), full stanley socket set, pb blaster, vise grips, wire cutters, screw drivers.

if i know i'm after a particular item then tools for that item get added. like a 4wd socket, snapring pliers. blah blah blah.....

 

make sure you do not leave any tools.

i usually take a white towel and put any tools on it.

 

Don't forget some common sockets and a breaker bar. for those stubborn bolts and nuts, maybe even a pipe too, if ya can't get the nut loose you can always snap the bolt off. . .

 

and a biggggg hammer is about the most important tool.

 

Harry's is awesome, been to all three of their locations many times over the years, mostly when they run their "dollar day" events which they don't seem to do as often as they used to.

Since Harry's is a bit of a haul for me from NJ, I usually come fully loaded with tools and a shopping list.

I haul my tools and everything around in a Lowes Garden Cart
Item #: 129180
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...180&lpage=none

Before using it as a junkyarding kart I dismounted the tires and sprayed the inner tube with rubber cement. This allows minor punctures without the tire going flat, even when filled to capacity.

For tools, I bring "flat packs" I've picked up Lowes and Home Depot. Essentially they're 4" thick, 19x19" tool boxes. One is full of wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, another is mostly a socket set (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2) and the third is mostly cutting tools - wire nippers, tin sheers, hacksaw, etc.
The advantages of the "flat packs" is that every socket, wrench, pliar and screwdriver has an official "slot" so at a quick glance you can see if you're missing something before moving to the next vehicle. I find this alone helps prevent me from leaving my stuff all over the place.

I also bring some other things. I have a 1/2" drive 3' long breaker bar that often goes for the ride, and sometimes they let me in with an 18V circular saw with a C4 carbide tipped blade. This is useful for cutting through sheet metal to get at something else, like a sunroof and associated mechanism. Sometimes they ask me to leave it in the truck which is fine.

I do have a set of "special" tools like fuel line and AC line disconnectors which are flat tools that stack nicely and reside in my back pocket, but I only bring special tools like this if I'm after something specific.

harry's is a blast... all three years. Over the years I've found more truck parts at the pennsburg location as compared to the other two. I know they shuffle their inventory around often so who knows what's where.

 

Where is Harry's located?

 

Pick one: http://www.wegotused.com

 

If replacing a part, I like to take it off at home and set all the tools I use aside in a towel, then drop the towel in by tool box. Things will go faster at the yard. The caveat here is that often times I have found a screw will have been changed on the vehicle now philips instead of torx, or a whench socket size is different 10mm istead of8mm, so be prepared.

I second the need to bring along a decent prybar, breaker bar, a giant cresent wrench, good cutters or dykes. If there are lots of bolts or screws, I take along a 18V variable speed drill with a long shaft driver and wobble extension. Breaker bar tip: sometimes I dont have a long breaker; but I always have 6-8 1" NPT plumbing nipple. I scrounge up a spinning rod from a jack out of a trunk in the yard and use the nipple to couple the spinner to the breaker- tons of leverage "----==-----------.

Also use other parts at your disposal to make the job easier, comfortable cleaner. Trunk mats or headliners thrown over moldy seats or greasy engine bays where you need to sit. A floor mat on the dirt or gravel when kneeling. A tire and rim to give you a boost over the fender into the engine bay

 

I keep a 5 gallon bucket for my junk yarding. Some common wrenches, an adjustable wrench, few random screwdrivers, socket set (3/8), common larger sizes in 1/2 drive with a 24" breaker bar, can of penetrating solvent, 8mm nut driver, hammer, channel locks, and needle nose pliers w/ cutters. Any other specifics for the job.

Change of shoes and something to wash your hands with. Man I hate messing up my interior after a day in the yard. I actually keep a spare pair of old sneakers in my truck for emergencies. Perfect for a ride home without messing up the floor too much.

 

I used to use a bucket as well. The lowes cart and equivalents can haul 1000lbs no problem, if you strap your load down.

Imagine hauling out a big block. Totally doable! Fit that into a bucket!

 

I generally take along a hand truck for days like that.

 

hey i've been to harry's a few times. I go to the one in Hazleton. Its a great yard, they claim its the world biggest. I take the 1/2 inch drive rachet set, breaker bar, big hammer, vice grips, wd40/penetrating oil, screwdrivers and various socket extensions. I know at harry's they have strict rules about what you bring: no power tools, no jacks, no torches, no alcohol, no kids, no open shoes, no cameras, and no parts to match it up. I got my sliding rear window there for 8 bucks and a whole lot of other stuff and i've never even ventured into the ford area. i've just stuck with the "pickups" area. you can also rent a cart for $2/hour. if you need to remove an engine, you can rent a hoist for free with a $20 deposit. if you get a cart, make sure to bring bungee cords so you can tie down your stuff so it stays put when you're pulling it. i was actually thinking of going there tomorrow morning. i also bring sunscreen too lol but i need it maybe you dont. thats all i can think of right now. i think i go there pretty prepared because i always get people asking me to borrow tools. vice grips are a valuable tool in a junkyard, i wouldnt go in there without a pair.

 

* A torch
* A fully charged portable air compressor
* Impact wrench
* Socket Set

 

Conanski, 3 of the 4 items you listed are not allowed in the junkyard that he's going to.