Setting Up a Garage, List Out The Tools...

[M.D. Holloway]

Ok, say you are going to become a wrench - a mechanic. While I know its rather open ended (like the wrench - I know, bad pun), list out the tools and the approximate cost to set up your garage for the tools you would need for either diesel or gas. Things not to worry about would be compressed air or welding supplies or a lift. Lets say the company will take care of that. What they won't cover would be the box, the tools (wrenches, sockets, etc...), the power tools and the accessories.

How much do you think all this would cost to sort out a functioning garage? $!0,000?

For instance (from a few different sites):

Tool Box - Roll Away with Key Lock

Socket Set - 1/4" Drive
•3/16" - 1" Standard Depth (6 Point)
•3/16" - 1" Deep (6 Point)
•5mm - 19mm Shallow (6 Point)
•5mm - 19mm Deep (6 Point)
•Ratchet
•Extension - 3", 6", 12", 18"
•Flex/Universal Joint


Socket Set - 3/8" Drive
•5/16" - 7/8" Standard Depth (6 Point)
•3/8" - 7/8" Deep (6 Point)
•8mm - 19mm Standard Depth (6 Point)
•8mm - 19mm Deep (6 Point)
•Ratchet
•Extension - 3", 6", 12", 18"
•Universal Joint
•Fractional Universal Impact Socket Set 3/8" - 7/8" (Rec mid-depth)
•Metric Universal Impact Socket Set 9mm - 19mm (Rec mid-depth)

Socket Set - 1/2" Drive
•7/16" - 1 1/8" Standard Depth (6 Point)
•7/16" - 1 1/8" Deep (6 Point)
•10mm - 25mm Standard Depth (6 Point)
•10mm - 25mm Deep (6 Point)
•Ratchet
•Breaker Bar
•Extension 3", 6", 12", 20"

Combination Wrenches
•1/4" - 1 1/4" Standard
•7mm - 24mm Metric



Tubing Wrenches
•3/8" - 3/4"
•10mm - 18mm


Hex (Allen) Wrenches
•050" - 3" Fractional
•2mm - 22mm Metric

Screw Drivers

Blade Type
•Stubby
•Pocket Screwdriver
•1/4" x 6"
•1/4" x 9"
•3/8" x 9"
•3/8" x 16"
•Offset

Phillips
•#2 Stubby
•#1 Tip
•#2 Tip
•#3 Tip
•Offset

Torx Bits Tamper Proof (Screwdriver or Sockets)

T-8, T-10, T-20, T-25, T-27, T-30, T-40, T-50, T-55


Pliers
•Slip Joint 6"
•Needle Nose 6"
•Diagonal Cutter 7"
•Channel Locks 12"
•Duck Bill Pliers 7 3/4" (ex. snap-on # 61ACP)
•Vise Grip Pliers 10" (10WR)

Snap/Retaining Ring Pliers
•Internal Retaining Ring Pliers
•External Retaining Ring Pliers
•Snap Ring Pliers (ex. Snap-On SRP2 style)

Files with Handles
•Flat 10" Mill Bastard
•Round 8" - 10"
•Three Cornered

Hammers
•16oz Ball Peen
•160z Soft Faced Dead Blow
•Hand Drilling 3 to 4 lb.

Punch and Chisel Set
•Center Punch
•Pin Punch - 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16"
•Taper Punch 3/8", 1/2", 5/8"
•Brass Punch - 3/4"
•Cape Chisel - 5/16"
•Cold Chisel - 3/8" - 3/4"

Pry Bars
•Rolling Head 16"
•Straight 16"

Brake Service Tools
•Brake Spring Pliers
•Spring Hold Down Tool

Safety Equipment
•Safety Glasses
•Hearing Protectors (recommend ear muff type)

Electrical Tools
•Digital Multi meter (Rec Fluke 87,88 or 1587)
•Powerprobe Electric Circuit Tester
•Wire Stripper/Cutter Pliers 8" (ex Snap-On PWCCS8)

Small Tools
•Pocket Knife
•"O" Ring Pick Set
•Inspection Mirror
•Spark Plug Feeler Gauge (gap tool)
•Feeler Gauge (Blade type)
•Flexible Pick Up Tool (magnetic and claw type)
•Tape Measure 12"
•Hack Saw

Special Tools
•Torque Wrench - 1/2" Drive (Snap-On Quality)
•Micrometer - 0-1" or dial caliper 0-6
•3/8" Drive Air Ratchet
•1/2" Drive Air Impact Gun
•Socket Set - 1/2" Drive Drive Impact 1/2" - 1"
•Pry Bar Screwdriver style 30" or larger
•Hand Operated Vacuum Pump
•Compression Gauge
•Feeler Gauge (Go-No-Go, blade type)

Power Tools to include corded and cordless drill metric and Eng bits, impact drill, air tools, sawzall,

I'm sure I'm leaving stuff off...

[stomachmonkey]

Don't forget for a lot of that stuff you need at least double.

[wdfifteen]

By "tube wrench" I assume to mean a line wrench. I've never needed one over 1/2"

[1990C4S]

You only list a 1/2" torque wrench, you would want a 1/4" and 3/8".

An some sort of vacuum tool for bleeding brakes.

I would also add a 'fox & hound' under electrical, along with a soldering iron.

[widebody911]

Metric and SAE tap and die sets
Metric and SAE thread files
Metric and SAE nut driver sets
Oxy/acetyline torch
small butane torge
electric heat gun
gear pullers

[grendiers]

3/4" air wrench is something to consider for those pesky crank bolts. And, if you are not detail-oriented, two of some of the common sizes are nice to have. In both wrenches and sockets, 6,7,8,9,10,13,17,19mm. Long philips screwdriver for 944 air box screws, T-handle hex wrenches, Go-Jo hand cleaner.

[shadowjack1]

Originally Posted by grendiers

3/4" air wrench is something to consider for those pesky crank bolts. And, if you are not detail-oriented, two of some of the common sizes are nice to have. In both wrenches and sockets, 6,7,8,9,10,13,17,19mm. Long philips screwdriver for 944 air box screws, T-handle hex wrenches, Go-Jo hand cleaner.

15MM for sure

[RANDY P]

huge air compressor, rotary cutting wheel, sawzall, sledgehammer. Spring compressors for struts. GOOD torque wrench 3/8 drive.

Make sure you buy a long handle ratchet in 3/8, same with your combo wrenches- LONG handles, and 1/4" flex head rats.

various files, tools to pick, poke and prod help too.

Not sure if you need the duplicate sizes in 1/2"- truthfully, on a passenger car I rarely use 1/2. Whatever sizes you don't have in 3/8 get in 1/2 instead.

also, maybe 12 point SAE if you are playing with hotrods- in 1/4 drive, up to 9/16"

rjp

[Aragorn]

A good used snap-on tool box on craigslist will run in the neighborhood of $2,500 to $5,000+.

Didn't see any scan tools on your list. That's some coin.

You will also need a big sign on the box telling the other wrenches that "Fingers that touch my tools will be added to my collection..."

[ckelly78z]

Other things that are handy to have on hand:

A full easy-out set for extracting broken bolts.
small maglite flash light
scissors/sheers
steel brushs
zip ties
deburring tool
hand scraper
socket step down adapters 3/8"-1/4". 1/2"-3/8"

[masraum]

My guess is that you could spend $20k-50k on tools if you bought new and of pro quality (not HF or Craftsman) and everything that you might need.

[lane912]

a computer or laptop so you may get to the glory of the Pelican!!!!

[on2wheels52]

Just come and buy my top & bottom boxes
Even have Whitworth sizes.
Jim

[GH85Carrera]

It would be interesting to get a reply from an active professional mechanic. I would guess 50K as a start point with tools. Any mechanic that has worked for long will have way more than that invested in a few years. I know some long term pros that have several large tool boxes of stuff. It will all depend if you are going to stay with one make of car or multiple brands foreign and domestic.

[charlesbahn]

I've had good luck on Ebay looking for used tool lots. Got interested in woodworking and found a guy retiring and selling out his whole shop (planer, joiners, band saw, table saw, a billion hand tools). I've also bought chests full of automotive tools. If you don't require new and shiny, it is a good way to get started.