alkemyst
No Lifer
- Feb 13, 2001
- 83,769
- 19
- 81
I am still needing tools here and there and I have:
Getting a car up:
4 jack stands, 2 wheel chocks, 2 jacks. A few spare 2x4 for lowered cars to drive up on.
Then I have SAE and Metric 12 and 6pt (as well as a dozen 8pt) sockets and crowsfoot attachments from about 4mm / 1/4" through 37mm / 1.5". Drives from 1/4 to 1/2", some stubby drivers, an assortment of various length extensions, universal joints and every combination of 'size' changer. Sometimes the 1/2" wrench works best with 1/4" sockets or vice versa.
breaker bars > rachets. Breaker bar + pipe can lift a car
Torque wrenches for 5-75 ft-lbs and 20-250 ft-lbs
various files, punches and chisels (wood and metal).
various screwdrivers
various allen, hex and torx keys / drivers / sockets.
a few pulley pullers
a couple pipe benders
various oil filter wrenchs and pliers
bleeder kit
taps and dies
various hammers and mallets (both hard and soft faced)
prybars
hole cutters, drill bits, wire wheels, cut off wheels
A good dremel
right angle drill (and regular)
metal hack saw and a smaller hand one.
flashlights
strap wrenches
stud wrench (two nuts can also work for this purpose).
tons of solvents and cleaners.
wire, brass, and nylon brushes.
dieletric and anti seize compounds
all sorts of pliers both large and mini including some snap ring ones.
adjustable wrenches from small to monster.
some extractors (broke my first one that I couldn't get out two weekends ago...$500 repair and helicoil needed in the head).
A flair tool.
A few various quick disconnects for fuel and a/c lines.
compression checker
timing light
obdII reader/reset tool/data logger
tons more.
To get started I'd pick the biggest Craftsman Mechanics set you can afford during Christmas or Father's day sales. Focus on SAE or Metric at first...no sense in buying both if you have other tools you need first (I got my start with SAE).
A decent jack kit will get you a jack and stands cheap.
Then what I did/do is buy tools as I need them, put others I'd like to have on my wish list.
The last tools I bought was a pair of cobra pliers, a small ball peen hammer, and some drill bits.
Metal drill bits are expensive, but they are worth there price in gold. New drill technology prevents skipping and delivers good holes each time. I made the mistake of using a crappy drill bit for my extractor I broke. It skipped off center and that's the last time I use a cheap bit.
Ebay is a great source for tools as well.
Getting a car up:
4 jack stands, 2 wheel chocks, 2 jacks. A few spare 2x4 for lowered cars to drive up on.
Then I have SAE and Metric 12 and 6pt (as well as a dozen 8pt) sockets and crowsfoot attachments from about 4mm / 1/4" through 37mm / 1.5". Drives from 1/4 to 1/2", some stubby drivers, an assortment of various length extensions, universal joints and every combination of 'size' changer. Sometimes the 1/2" wrench works best with 1/4" sockets or vice versa.
breaker bars > rachets. Breaker bar + pipe can lift a car
Torque wrenches for 5-75 ft-lbs and 20-250 ft-lbs
various files, punches and chisels (wood and metal).
various screwdrivers
various allen, hex and torx keys / drivers / sockets.
a few pulley pullers
a couple pipe benders
various oil filter wrenchs and pliers
bleeder kit
taps and dies
various hammers and mallets (both hard and soft faced)
prybars
hole cutters, drill bits, wire wheels, cut off wheels
A good dremel
right angle drill (and regular)
metal hack saw and a smaller hand one.
flashlights
strap wrenches
stud wrench (two nuts can also work for this purpose).
tons of solvents and cleaners.
wire, brass, and nylon brushes.
dieletric and anti seize compounds
all sorts of pliers both large and mini including some snap ring ones.
adjustable wrenches from small to monster.
some extractors (broke my first one that I couldn't get out two weekends ago...$500 repair and helicoil needed in the head
).A flair tool.
A few various quick disconnects for fuel and a/c lines.
compression checker
timing light
obdII reader/reset tool/data logger
tons more.
To get started I'd pick the biggest Craftsman Mechanics set you can afford during Christmas or Father's day sales. Focus on SAE or Metric at first...no sense in buying both if you have other tools you need first (I got my start with SAE).
A decent jack kit will get you a jack and stands cheap.
Then what I did/do is buy tools as I need them, put others I'd like to have on my wish list.
The last tools I bought was a pair of cobra pliers, a small ball peen hammer, and some drill bits.
Metal drill bits are expensive, but they are worth there price in gold. New drill technology prevents skipping and delivers good holes each time. I made the mistake of using a crappy drill bit for my extractor I broke. It skipped off center and that's the last time I use a cheap bit.
Ebay is a great source for tools as well.
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