Need help with a new job

[Jitsu41]

I just got a job at a local garage that has worked out a career co-op program with the college I attend. As far as I know I will be doing only tires, oil changes, flushes, brakes, etc. Light duty stuff. I am familiar with all of these procedures and have done the work on a handful of vehicles. What I need help with is figuring out what tools I will need for the variety of vehicles I will be working on. Can someone give me a list of "must haves"? I have all the wrenches, ratchets, screwdrivers, basic sockets, and pliers I could need but no specialty stuff. What size impacts would I end up needing for lugs besides the four common sizes (13/16, 3/4,19,21)? Torx? I have no idea as I just haven't worked on enough vehicles. I could wait for the boss to explain it to me but I'd rather be a step ahead. I would be very grateful for any feedback no matter how small. Thanks
Josh

 

[Blk63Vette]

Hi Josh

I would get a mighty vac brake bleeder...I love this thing it save ALOT of time..

I would get a good oil filter wrench (universal)...

Standard and metric tool set..Later look for a good used tool box to keep the extra tools you gather along the way!!

Congrats on your new job!!

 

[Jitsu41]

Just looked that mityvac up and it looks great. Beats pumping the pedal forever lol. Got all the other stuff. Thanks for the response!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Get a Sunex flip thin wall impact set for lugs. A lot of after market wheels have deep lugs that a regular impact socket can not reach.

Hopefully the boss has torque sticks. If not, buy a decent torque wrench and use it when installing lug nuts.

If you are going to be doing a lot of oil changes, get yourself an arm guard for reaching up to the filter next to the exhaust pipe (Can someone recommend a source ?)

 

[mrbreezeet1]

This is a nice set of Deep Impact sockets.
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...ools-1-2-Inch-Drive-Impact-Metric-Socket-Sets
It's IIRC 24 piece, covers all your lug nut sizes, plus all your Axle nut sizes.

 

[scott37300]

Hi Josh

I would get a mighty vac brake bleeder...I love this thing it save ALOT of time..

I would get a good oil filter wrench (universal)...

Standard and metric tool set..Later look for a good used tool box to keep the extra tools you gather along the way!!

Congrats on your new job!!

I second the mityvac, I bought one a year ago and love it. The only thing I would find out before buying it is what the boss like or what they already have. Doesn't matter how nice the tool is, if the boss says to do it the old way that is how you will do it! Also that might be a supplied shop tool.

Also there are a few filter sockets you will need for chevy and a few others

An assortment of GOOD oil filter wrenches like strap wrench, 3 jaws, different pliers, etc.

Torx and standard and metric hex bits, might need these for some of the drain plugs for trans and what not.

A good set of line disconnect tools for things like fuel filter changes.

A good set of flare wrenches for fuel filter changes.

Might want to look into some special brake bleeder wrenches.

I have a lisle spill free funnel and love it for filling coolant systems, http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-24610.aspx.

Also for filling cooling systems is a uview airlift, it ***** the fluid out and creates a vacuum and pulls new coolant in to avoid any air pockets that can cause problems.

An assortment of trim tools to remove the plastic fasteners holding splash gaurds on to get to radiator petcock.

An assortment of funnels, I find I can never have enough.

I will second the recomendation of a good torque wrench for lugs.

I'm sure there will be tons others that you will find out you need as you go.

 

[thomascreation]

dose your school offer a tool purchase deal?

 

[Jitsu41]

Not as in being allowed to buy them on credit but both snap-on and gearwrench both off great deals to the students. lol as much as I love SO there "great" deals are still to steep. I have money aside to buy the tools I still need so I'm not worried about money. I look at as an investment.

 

[Jitsu41]

scott37300 thanks for the ideas! honestly I never thought about getting various funnels. I always took them for granted

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Make the shop buy the funnels.
Your gonna be looking all over the shop for Your funnels, may as well look all over the shop for there funnels.

 

[Neuswede]

If the shop doesn't supply them, Nitrile gloves, Mechanix or other brand of shop gloves, eye and ear protection are the least glamorous, but very necessary items in the box. A good LED flashlight is also very helpful at times.

How will you be storing them overnight?

 

[chrisziem]

Get a good universal disk caliper spreader and brake service tools. KD and OTC are good but not priced outragously.

Get a good impact... IR is good!

Channellock makes great plier for a reasonable price and they are tough.

US made Crescent adjustables with the orange handles.

Get your metrics new, but you should be able to get most of your fractional tools used for a good price. Craftsman is a good way to start out for cheap. After a few months start replacing the combo wrenches and ratchets with Snap-on or Mac....it makes a difference!

DO NOT GET "BLACK CHROME" SOCKETS....YOU WILL LOSE THEM!!!!!

A few tools below...

Various filter wrenches

Brake pliers, spoon and caliper tool

antifreeze hydrometer

Battery terminal remover

Hi visability Cresent wrench USA, Hose clamp pliers, battery terminal pliers

 

[Keister]

The most important tool is the proper attitude. Always do the best job you can and all of the other tools will accumulate as needed.

 

[chrisziem]

A few more specialty tools..

Brake tube bender...... I want to get a spring tube bender too.

oil plug tool

Spark plug socket tool (needs a spring on joint)

...before anyone blows on me, a flex head ratchet with locking extensions or a specialty spark plug socket with welded extension and joint would be better tools.

 

[pinebarkauto]

Keep a roll of cheap tin foil handy. It works great to wrap around an exhaust pipe or drive shaft to divert oil away when draining. Every time I got my Chevy 3/4 ton 4X4 back from having it serviced, it would drip oil and smell like oil burning for a couple days. First time I did it myself, I realized that the oil drained straight into the exhaust crossover and the filter drained straight into the front drive shaft u-joint. Congratulations on the new job. Your asking these questions speaks volumns as to your aptitude. Chip.

 

[back2class]

HF sells a great universal brake spreader tool. BUY IT!

You will also need an hand impact driver for taking off rotors.

a decent mircometer for calipers.

dust maks for brake dust.

Prybars

bronze and plastic dead blow hammers.

hex sockets for sure, up to 10mm and 3/8 should get you started, but up to 19mm later.

I think you got great advice here. Most of the tools mentioned above will be tools you need near every day. Should be able to score this buying used quality stuff one ebay for under $500 and grab a few of the good Harbor Freight items that are a good value and up to pro use.

 

[Jitsu41]

Thanks a ton for all the help guys! I'm gonna order most of the things listed today. Thanks again

 

[jsaw]

A good 1/2" Impact, 15-24 MM deep sockets
3/8 shallow & deep metric sockets
1/4' shallow & deep metric sockets
7-22 MM gear wrenches
pliers
#1 &#2 phillips screw driver
,

 

[asemastertech]

if you have a cornwell guy, get the master torx set, about a 100 bucks, best torx set for the money. also snap on long 3/8 flex head ratchet and any cordless tools you can get. IR TNT impact, very powerful but most important its lightweight. You also need a good set of axle nut sockets and a good ball joint set. I have the otc master ball joint set plus the adapters for doing tauras ball joints. Get a good cooling system pressure tester and get the yellow spill free funnel that all the other guys have. Alot of people will disagree, but get a good professional type tool box like snap on, mac, matco or cornwell. You will show everyone that you are serious about this feild and you wont be looked at like a rookie. I have been in the field awhile now, so if you have a question just ask.

 

[Plombob]

The most important tool is the proper attitude. Always do the best job you can and all of the other tools will accumulate as needed.

+1 on that!

 

[SMKS]

I worked as an oil change/tire guy in college (about 6 years ago).

We had a fabric sleeve that we would put over our arm when we had to reach near a hot engine part. It was great for getting filters next to a hot manifold without burning yourself. I can't think of what it's called, and I can't seem to find one by googling it.

Also, skip the Crescent brand adjustable wrenches. The seem to always have sloppy lower jaws. Check out the Western Forge made brands (Craftsman and others). But, it seems the best adjustable wrenches are made in Spain. I believe Snap-Ons are now Spanish and I think they're made by Acesa. I had several Acesa-brands ones that were very nice.

 

[Davi]

We had a fabric sleeve that we would put over our arm when we had to reach near a hot engine part. It was great for getting filters next to a hot manifold without burning yourself. I can't think of what it's called, and I can't seem to find one by googling it.

kevlar sleeve. Googling mechanic kevlar sleeve brings up a lot of results

 

[Drew_flux]

multi meter with amp clamp attachment,test light,spark tester,lead light,verniers,small steel ruler and a good flashlite. Why? cant sell/repair,what you cant see or test.

 

[93sr20det]

Lisle has 2-3 sleeves available. You can get them on tooltopia.com for very cheap.

 

[SMKS]

kevlar sleeve. Googling mechanic kevlar sleeve brings up a lot of results

Kevlar is the word I couldn't remember. I kept googling "mechanic sleeve," but that didn't come up with the right item.

There are lots on ebay for pretty cheap. Here's one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Kevlar-Sl...555?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb97a098b