Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,645
Likes: 1,109
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
+1 HCW-4, HCW-5 and HCW-11 are my three most used bb tools. If you are going to work on your bike again, you will need them. If not, take it to your favorite shop and have them do the work. Tools are rarely worth it for a one time job.
+1 Spindle length is related to your crankset.
+1 Those old style bb are often/almost always rebuildable. Just get new ball bearings and grease, and you will be ready to go. The newer cartridge style bb are handy, but you toss them and replace (and they require different tools).