Basic Tools

[eng2d2]

Suggestion for basic tools for cousin who is going to college with a camry car?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

A toyota never needs tools.....

Kidding

Vise grip
screwdriver
duct tape
zip ties
knife
bailing wire
ratchet straps
tire pressure guage
tire plug kit
portable compressor
flashlight
portable battery booster
rain gear
water

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Depends on what they're willing to do themselves.

A socket set, metric box wrenches, strap wrench and a cheap floor jack should be <$75. Then you can at least rotate your own tires and do your own oil changes, plus swap a battery or something if you need to.

 

[repoman0]

^ Add a decent screwdriver set and maybe a rubber BFH and you have a pretty well stocked basic tool kit imo

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Throw in some allen wrenches so they can assemble all their furniture. And their friends' furniture.

 

[RLGL]

When my daughter went to college I bought her a 39 dollar set of hand tools from Fleet Farm. That same set can be found at the big box stores. She thought I was nuts. At the end of the year she and her room mates had used a bunch of them. At that point she still did not know how to use a ratchet. Now 6 years later she is buying power tools.

 

[OlyAR15]

Nothing. Save your money. If your cousin doesn't already have a basic set of tools by now, what makes you think he/she will start using them now?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Nothing. Save your money. If your cousin doesn't already have a basic set of tools by now, what makes you think he/she will start using them now?

They're a college student. They used their parents tools before, or had other people do stuff for them.

When I moved out, I didn't even have a screwdriver. But every disaster is a learning experience.

 

[OlyAR15]

They're a college student. They used their parents tools before, or had other people do stuff for them.

When I moved out, I didn't even have a screwdriver. But every disaster is a learning experience.

If they used their parent's tools, then they know what they need, so no point you buying them tools, just give them some money. If they had other people do stuff for them, my point stands. If they need something, let them get it themselves.

 

[Torn Mind]

10mm, 12mm, 14mm sockets of varying lengths AND wrenches of those sizes. Believe me, some nooks and crannies can only take a wrench while others only a socket.

Swapping out the starter needs 14mm. Alternator 12mm and 14mm.

21mm socket and breaker bar. Or a cheater bar with OEM tire iron.

Mini sledge if the wheels likes to rust themselves to the hub.

 

[freeskier93]

10mm, 12mm, 14mm sockets of varying lengths AND wrenches of those sizes. Believe me, some nooks and crannies can only take a wrench while others only a socket.

Swapping out the starter needs 14mm. Alternator 12mm and 14mm.

21mm socket and breaker bar. Or a cheater bar with OEM tire iron.

Mini sledge if the wheels likes to rust themselves to the hub.

I don't always spend forever trying to find the right sized socket, but when I do it always ends up being 10mm.

 

[mindless1]

Need more info about living arrangement. You can't reasonably do most car repairs in a dorm or apartment parking lot, therefore if that is the living arrangement then I would suggest just getting one of those cheap (but not THE cheapest junk) plastic cased variety sets that includes a hammer, vice grips, big adjustable wrench, tape measure, 2 or 3 sizes ea standard and metric screwdrivers, a huge 1/4" bitdriver set (purchased separately), and a minimal assortment of 3/8" standard and metric sockets. A kit like this is usually under $40 and might handle some random car (sensor) repair but is more for everyday common uses. Add a pipe wrench separately if it's an apartment, you never know when plumbing work can't wait.

You told us nothing about the cousin's mechanical aptitude. IF s/he doesn't already know what they'll need to meet their own competency level, little point in buying automotive socket sets, wrenches, floor jack and stands, etc. I was already mechanically inclined at college age but one thing I would have done differently in that era was travel/live lighter though the cargo limit of a camry should help with that, as I had an SUV at the time but it wasn't just about what I could haul but also space vs clutter, exposure of assets in a frequent visitor/stranger environment.

 

[shortylickens]

If they used their parent's tools, then they know what they need, so no point you buying them tools, just give them some money. If they had other people do stuff for them, my point stands. If they need something, let them get it themselves.

OK I dont think you understand.

UNhelpful advice is restricted to Off Topic.
When you go anywhere else in the forums you are actually required to contribute in a thread, or not post at all.

To that end, since I'm bored at home I will take a photo of my setup and report back.

 

[shortylickens]

A decent enough brand, its worked for about 10 years, maybe 11. Those ratchets have multiple size inserts so they save space with just two pieces instead of eight. Knife is cheap and I wont care if it gets lost or stolen. To that end, I recommend you get junk from Harbor Freight. If your cousin doesnt like it, he can buy better stuff.

Wired top so it stays open, solid zipper so it stays closed.

Larger sockets for stuff commonly found on a car, the ratchet is huge and still in the car, in the little compartment for the jack. Extra long means extra force and an easier time taking the rims off.
I think those chem lights need to be replaced. The little round thing is a multi strobe light, batteries taped to the back. That nylon cord is NOT for towing or suspending weight, its for lashing things together. The need for matches should be obvious, and the valve caps are because some people steal, cuz they are little bitches.
The polish nose-picker is probably the most useful item in the kit, and the screwdriver is the least helpful. Theres actually few things on a car requiring philips or slotted screws.
Oh, and I think I may replace the four long flares with several short flares.


Keep in mind this is only the CAR kit, not the survival kit. Mine is still in the trunk, its all stuffed into an orange backpack. As are the various flashlights.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

During my college years I distinctly remember swapping out the differential for my 280z in the apartment complex parking lot. That was probably the most involved job and required a few more tools than most of these lists have. I doubt that is what the OP means by "basic".

 

[Unico]

Booster Cables – helped me, and others, more than just a few times.

 

[Torn Mind]

If they used their parent's tools, then they know what they need, so no point you buying them tools, just give them some money. If they had other people do stuff for them, my point stands. If they need something, let them get it themselves.

The OP's question is about WHAT to get. That does not imply that he's doing the task of actually purchasing it.

You take issue with a person's unwillingless to learn. But the matter is that if some is actually willing to learn, but you are not do any "seeding" of knowledge.

When that alternator or breaks down suddenly and you don't have than 12 mm, 14 mm, and leverage from a breaker or cheater bar, the poor guy is going to have to call the tow company because of knowledge tight-wads like you.

 

[jlee]

Suggestion for basic tools for cousin who is going to college with a camry car?

To clarify, are these tools to keep in the car or just tools to have available?

 

[eng2d2]

To clarify, are these tools to keep in the car or just tools to have available?

Prefer a small bag like the one above to be able to put in car or leave in the apt in case of theft.

 

[jlee]

Prefer a small bag like the one above to be able to put in car or leave in the apt in case of theft.

This is what I have in my MR2, in a soft tool bag:

Long needle nose pliers, straight and curved tip (for hose clamps)
Small socket set
Extendable ratchet (for additional leverage)
Ratcheting wrenches
Spark plug socket and extension
Hex keys
Screwdriver with assorted bits
Vise grips

 

[PottedMeat]

i'd add one of those free harbor freight multimeters in a bag too (just make sure it works before tossing in to forget for months)

 

[eng2d2]

This is what I have in my MR2, in a soft tool bag:

Long needle nose pliers, straight and curved tip (for hose clamps)
Small socket set
Extendable ratchet (for additional leverage)
Ratcheting wrenches
Spark plug socket and extension
Hex keys
Screwdriver with assorted bits
Vise grips

Thats a nice list and thanks for the pictures. Half of those tools look like quality expensive tools.

 

[eng2d2]

During my college years I distinctly remember swapping out the differential for my 280z in the apartment complex parking lot. That was probably the most involved job and required a few more tools than most of these lists have. I doubt that is what the OP means by "basic".

Yeah thats not basic for him.

 

[eng2d2]

Need more info about living arrangement. You can't reasonably do most car repairs in a dorm or apartment parking lot, therefore if that is the living arrangement then I would suggest just getting one of those cheap (but not THE cheapest junk) plastic cased variety sets that includes a hammer, vice grips, big adjustable wrench, tape measure, 2 or 3 sizes ea standard and metric screwdrivers, a huge 1/4" bitdriver set (purchased separately), and a minimal assortment of 3/8" standard and metric sockets. A kit like this is usually under $40 and might handle some random car (sensor) repair but is more for everyday common uses. Add a pipe wrench separately if it's an apartment, you never know when plumbing work can't wait.

You told us nothing about the cousin's mechanical aptitude. IF s/he doesn't already know what they'll need to meet their own competency level, little point in buying automotive socket sets, wrenches, floor jack and stands, etc. I was already mechanically inclined at college age but one thing I would have done differently in that era was travel/live lighter though the cargo limit of a camry should help with that, as I had an SUV at the time but it wasn't just about what I could haul but also space vs clutter, exposure of assets in a frequent visitor/stranger environment.

Mechanical aptitude is just basic stuff. Tune up, oil change, radiator change. No overhauling or transmission change. He would like to travel light and not worry about the car.

 

[jlee]

Thats a nice list and thanks for the pictures. Half of those tools look like quality expensive tools.

The Gearwrench set was 50% off at Advance Auto Parts ($30). The socket set, extension, and spark plug socket were bought at a parts store when my car was acting up ($20-30 for all, I think). The rest came from Harbor Freight.