In the market for tools

[Asiah119]

Gentlemen,

I'm in the market for some tools. When I was younger I would tinker with the 'merican cars that my family had (eg oil and mid level maint. type tasks). All of my father's tools went with him when he retired, and when I was living in an apartment with a car that I didn't care about not having tools wasn't an issue. Now that I have an not-special car I want to get back into working on it (and with all of the guides and DIYs here I should be able to).

As such, I look to you masters of the wrench to throw some recommendations at me for what the basics are that I would need in order to sucessfully take on projects especially oil, VANOS, brakes, and window regulators. I'll eventually need to be brave enough to pull the interior apart when the wrinkles on the A pillar get bad enough and to fix the sub rattle\repaint the rear deck.

I know that I'll need a set of metric sockets. What's the range that I should need? I recently stole a jack and stands from my father so those are taken care of.

[danewilson77]

I use the Kobolt series from Lowes. No haggle lifetime guarantee.

Get a metric 1/4" set, and a 3/8" set. Extensions (3" and 6"), sockets, and ratchets. Get a set of screw drivers. Get the oil filter socket, and a set of torx wrenches, plus Allen wrenches.

I would go with Kobolt, Snap-on, or Craftsman.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...ighlight=tools

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[HokieZHP]

+1 just don't cheap out on tools if you can. Buy once cause they'll last you a lifetime

[johnrando]

Also, last months Car and Driver had an article on starting a general mechanics tool set.

[JupiterBMW]

I once heard a very valuable quote about tools... "Only a rich man can afford cheap tools"... If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense, and its true.

That being said, don't waste your money on the really high dollar stuff like Snap-On and Mac. Those are great if you want to be the cool kid around, but they're hard to find. I have Craftsman for all my hand tools, easily available at any Sears and a lifetime replacement guarantee. Or you can go with Kobalt as DW said, same deal... For me, Sears is closer than Lowe's... But I digress..

Torque wrenches are great because properly torquing bolts is very important, and sometimes people skip that step. Not a wise move. I take the time to torque stuff, even lug nuts. Why people wouldn't torque those is beyond me...

A variety of sockets, 1/4" and 3/8" drive are best for carsn(interior and engine work). You will at times enjoy having a 1/2" drive set (suspension work), so I would get those too if budget allows. I have standard and metric, but really, you don't need them. Also, I would try and buy 12 point sockets instead of 6 as they're a little more flexible. And like others mentioned, extensions, adapter sockets, maybe a couple universal joints, and a breaker bar wouldn't hurt either. Cars typically have a lot of tight spaces, so the adapters and universals do come in handy.

Inspection mirror, magnet on a pole... Those are must haves... In addition, I have a set of dental picks and stuff like that (I call it my pokey tools drawer). Those are great for doing gaskets, removing o-rings, and picking grime out of small places...

Heck, I could write forever.. I should just go take a picture of all the drawers in my roll away...

[Asiah119]

Thanks for the responses. I was driving by a Lowe's and found a few sets by Kobalt that look like they'll work for me. The only follow up that I have is if getting the deep sockets is worth the extra money?

[danewilson77]

Thanks for the responses. I was driving by a Lowe's and found a few sets by Kobalt that look like they'll work for me. The only follow up that I have is if getting the deep sockets is worth the extra money?

Yeah...I use the deepies every now and then. Definitely a weapon you want in your arsenal.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[JupiterBMW]

When you need a shallow socket, a deep one will work... When you need a deep socket, shallow sockets will leave you up shit's creek without a paddle!

[HokieZHP]

Tight spaces sometimes require shallow sockets. Id get both prtsobally


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[HokieZHP]

This could be another option. I may pick up a set because I'm beginning to build my own tool set as well.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-30pc-...6&blockType=G6

These would replace deep sockets except for places where the screw is down in a hole.