Basic Tools to have?
 

Ok guys, I figured I’d find out what the basics for tools to have around are for working on cars. My dad gets annoyed when I use his tools (mostly because I don’t put them back, oh well my fault) So I’m going to pick up my own set so I can leave the old man alone.

I obviously need the Metric Sockets and wrenches as well as screwdrivers. All that is the easy stuff. What else should be part of every mechanics tool set? Maybe tools Specifically for this car, such as a datalogger or something that would be just amazing to have? (Christmas gifts :))

Anyway, post away what you think would be good things to have around.

Just start with some sort of basic set. The most-used tool kit I have is a little set of metrics in a nylon case I bought at Pep Boys - it seems to have almost everything I need to work on any of my Porsches. For large jobs, I use a Craftsman starter kit bought on sale at Sears for about $100. All the other stuff (extensions, oil filter wrench, certain large sockets, multimeter), I added as needed.

Emanuel

Emanuel

Whatever you get, you'll need-

3/8 drive metric sockets- short and deep
3/8 ratchets
3/8 extensions
screw drivers
metric hex bits (beats the stuffings out of allen typ wrenches)

Then add stuff as you need it like 1/2 drive stuff, breaker bars and any specialized stuff you might run into.

torqe wrench breaker bar, extestions. if you can afford it i HIGHLY recommend air tools. im working on a 17 year old rx7 now and air tools have saved me. also i recommend MAC or craftsman because i have broken so many tools trying to get out rust bolts. also vice grip tools. but i cant stress enough to get tools with a warranty!

Ya, I was going to get craftsman, mostly because of the warrenty but it also comes in a set. I have a cheap ass toque bar, that im not ever sure how it works at this point. Air tools would be cool but that may be a little bit out of reach.

Wire wheel, vice, C-clamps, torque wrench, 10" crescent wrench, Channel Locks, needle nose pliers, jack and stands (Sears has a floor jack and 2 stands that I picked up for $25, and the jack and a piece of 2x4 fit under the car), deep well sockets, and the triple squares for CV joints. Oh, and lots of PB Blaster.

I have everything there, execpt the channel locks. triple squares and the crecent wrench.

PB blaster is indeed the greatest stuff ever created.

good set of gear pullers come in handy

but things like that can be borrowed from autozone for free

triple squares are a must have. Don't try to use allens for those or your will strip them out. My advise is to get a basic set and add on as you need to. The way to justify the tools is just get a quote from a local shop on how much it costs to do a job. Say to your self "ouchy" them go buy your tools knowing your saving a boat load of cash. For instance I quoted getting the back end off my car painted. The quote came out for more than it costed to buy a 20 gallon compressor, a nice HVLP spray gun and all the paint needed. I sprayed the car myself and it looks darn nice. Another example would be to quote a couple of timing belt changes and tensionings. That quickly justifies spending $$ on a P9201 tool.

just my $.02 worth.

and it works when you are married too!!!

Haha, hey my car does need a repaint, and I have a parts car to pratice on...

Heres a question : How well do air drills work. If i want to take off say, my calipers, are they going to have trouble with the bolts that hold them in place?

hi scheistermeiste. yes, you can borrow many a tool, but i like to have all my tools in one place, at the ready! unless of course, they have a pukka tensioning tool!!
i tend to go with the same ethic i use at work. i have all the tools i need to do my job, and i'm sure most mechanics are similiarly equipped.

Forget Craftsman and Mac, SnapOn all the way! I just hope you have $50k to spend on the full mechanics setup.

Seriously though Craftsman are good, reasonably priced, and though they do break from time to time...Sears is only 10 minutes away. Id only buy a full set of SnapOn's when i win the lottery or worked with these tools for a living. Otherwise Craftsman are more than adequte for a backyard mechanic. I brought them a rather large breaker bar bent at a 45 degree angle. They replaced it without even a funny look. Id go with a starter set from Sears, something around the $150-200 range. I bought a great starter set while it was on sale last year, includes all different sizes of sockets and wrenches...etc. Id then buy a set of the universal flex sockets as they come in very handy when working in tight areas.

Remember to pick up a good floor jack and atleast 4 jackstands. A quality Torque wrench and a selection of different breaker bars will come in very handy also. From there i would just go about buying what you need, as you need it.

I can't emphasize this one enough: Set of metric racheting gear wrenches. When working on these cars, they make working in tight spaces a dream. Also get a good 3/8 AND 1/4" rachet set. I use the 1/4 set just as much as the 3/8" I 2nd the craftsman for the majority of the tools you wil use a lot, if they break, easy and free to replace. For things like triple squares that you use once in awhile, buy a no namer. I am still on the same $1 8mm triple square bit and it looks brand new and has been through a few tranny swaps and 2 clutch jobs.

Oh and with craftsman, they dont even ask, they just replace it. I broke a 3/8" rachet once, (so i had a 5 foot breaker bar on the end of it, big deal, and was out in the field and it was the only wrench i had), it was literally in about 6 pieces when i laid it on the counter at sears, he smiled and handed me a new one and i walked out. i was in the store for probably 2 minutes tops.

Damn, so tell me again why I just bought a 27 inch 1/2 breaker bar?

I too would vouch for Craftsman, I have been using my 1/4 3/8 set and have been adding on as required. Last week I got my breaker bar, torque wrench and 1/2 sockets (still need the rachet)

From a power tools perspective I have a Circular saw, chop saw, router, corded drill, cordless drill, jig saw and a cordless screwdriver. I would like to get a compressor and air tools next... Mwah ha ha ha ha!

Snap on 3/8 and 1/4 ratchet small profile............ Awesome for tight fit places.....and STRONG

Torque wrench 3/8 and 1/4 ..........

Metric sockets, hex, cheesehead ....

Metric wrenches.

BUY THE BEST YOU CAN. Its worth every penny.

im all about mac because my cousin has an almost complete set, including air tools :eek:! and they are VERY NICE! also if you are going to be working on brake lines fuel lines or anything like that crows feet (tubing wrenches i think is their real name) are nice to have

WOOT! post 801!