service tools for apprentice tech?

[BerninicaCO3]

Hand tools are self explanatory. 10-20something millimeters in several permutations (wobble, impact, shallow, deep, 6pt, 12pt, etc) and you're more than covered.

I'm wondering, what are all of those specialty service tools that you don't immediately think of until the day you need it?
Basic things like tap & dies, a multimeter, I have.

I thinking about the service kits. For example, in class we're doing brakes, and we used a dial indicator with a specialty snake arm to mount it to the car. Not having thought about runout before, I never would have thought to even look for something like this.

What other service kits am I going to be using weekly, once I start my dealer apprenticeship come January? What to add to the x-mas wishlist?

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

on warranty cars , you have to measure runout and thickness specs

 

[DrkMtnDew]

well i can't speak for everyone but i frequently use a good compression tester and my new powerprobe 3.

 

[MattT]

You'll probably be best served asking for gift certificates or cash for Christmas then using that to buy what you need when you find out what you need.

 

[mrholeshot]

The one thing you will need if you go to work in a dealership is a set of those plastic lips like you buy in a novelty store. That way when you are kissing the service writers *** you can avoid germ transfer. Just put them in the parts washer until the next morning

 

[wornoutoldman]

A good set of sturdy kneepads and quality waterbased lubricant are also helpful.

 

[crewchief888]

without knowing what you'll be working on, it's a toss up, but heres my $0.02

torque wrench
1/2" dr impact
torx bits
1/2" dr impact sockets in the sizes you'll need
fuel line disconnects
serpinetine belt tools
best bet is to ask around about common size sockets, wrenches you'll be needing to get started.

as has been stated numerous times on this forum, buy the tools you need to get started, as your pay increases, start adding tools as needed.
i think the biggest downfall of a new mechanic, is falling into the "big toolbox & every tool on the truck" mentality. for most of us that have been pulling wrenches for years, it's taken a long long time to accumulate the amount of tools and boxes.
thats how i started 25+ years ago wrenching on const equipment, 26" top and bottom, with a selection of hand tools.
it's grown into a monster since then


good luck, and welcome to the dark side of the force

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Brake service sets and cooling system tools will always come in handy

 

[toolnut]

Interior trim tools and a good set of security bits.

 

[Coach James]

The one thing you will need if you go to work in a dealership is a set of those plastic lips like you buy in a novelty store. That way when you are kissing the service writers *** you can avoid germ transfer. Just put them in the parts washer until the next morning

Now that's funny!


Coach

 

[scott37300]

I started this thread a couple months ago about common or must have specialty tools, http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74603&highlight=specialty+tools. I have since bought many things from that list, it is a very nice list and exactly what I was looking for. When I have a little extra cash I just look threw the list and find what tool I think I would use most and order it.

I got one of those rotor run out gauges by central tools a couple months ago on ebay, it was like new and got it for around 20 bucks, they are around 200 new. I used it the other day for the first time installing new rotors on the woman's car.

 

[littletoes]

without knowing what you'll be working on, it's a toss up, but heres my $0.02

torque wrench
1/2" dr impact
torx bits
1/2" dr impact sockets in the sizes you'll need
fuel line disconnects
serpinetine belt tools
best bet is to ask around about common size sockets, wrenches you'll be needing to get started.

as has been stated numerous times on this forum, buy the tools you need to get started, as your pay increases, start adding tools as needed.
i think the biggest downfall of a new mechanic, is falling into the "big toolbox & every tool on the truck" mentality. for most of us that have been pulling wrenches for years, it's taken a long long time to accumulate the amount of tools and boxes.
thats how i started 25+ years ago wrenching on const equipment, 26" top and bottom, with a selection of hand tools.
it's grown into a monster since then


good luck, and welcome to the dark side of the force

Good Advice! Don't fall into a pit, the interest will kill you.

 

[nexum1919]

i find myself reaching for this tool every day more than anything else. it's called "Steck Autobody (STK21730) Easy Pry Tool", plain simple but extremely effective.
You can also invest in harborfreight's yellow trim tool set. those will save your finger tips!

you'll be working on newer vehicles with lots of thin and cheap plastic and last thing you want is to crack panels and break the clip landings just trying to replace a light bulb.

http://www.tooltopia.com/steck-autobody-21730.aspx

 

[Dust]

Most of your jobs will involve these two tools:

Get those, and life will be much easier.

 

[bmxr4life87]

What brand are you working on?

 

[SS5150]

Pocket screwdriver (I prefer the Mac ones myself), pocket magnet & pen, I like the clicker type

Interior trim tools would be a good idea too

Our apprentices do oil changes, rotates, and little things like radio swaps, squeaks and rattles, and water leaks.

I'd probably just start there with the basics, save your money and buy things as you need them....and don't bury yourself in tool truck credit.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

My top three would have to be...

Compression Gauge/Tester

Vacuum Gauge

Coolant Pressure Tester

4th, is a DVOM

In order to diagnose an engine problem, you should be using at least one of these.

 

[Goinlow]

Battery tester is a great tool.

 

[BerninicaCO3]

Is a battery tester the same as a DVOM: if voltage is below 12V the battery's no good?
Or can it read cold cranking amps, too, somehow?

 

[MattT]

Is a battery tester the same as a DVOM: if voltage is below 12V the battery's no good?
Or can it read cold cranking amps, too, somehow?

We had a pretty good discussion on battery testing a few weeks back.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79650&highlight=battery+tester&showall=1

The dealership will probably have a high end battery tester, for warranty claims, you'll be able to use if/when you need one. You will definitely need your own DVOM at some point though. Maybe not right away depending on what they start you out doing.

 

[bsaint]

Make sure you have at least up to 21.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

too bad tech schools don't teach students how to crush the flat rate system

they don't really go into how you get paid ....do they ?

 

[jfcasey]

I am attending a tech school and we frequently talk about flat rate work. They go over the ways you get paid in the 2nd week of classes.

 

[bsaint]

make sense.