Home mechanic must haves

[webbs2jzgte]

Hey guys. I'm currently working on a lot of projects on a tight budget. (Aren't we all). I have had an issue where someone broke into my garage and took a bunch of random stuff. Since than I have moved and currently working out of a one car garage while in of legend.

My question is I know some kids who are looking to get into cars and I want to help them by giving them a must have tool/resource list. Hoping you all can chime in. This will be aimed at everyday DIY projects on tars as well as around the house so here's a basic list we can expand on hopefully.

-ratchets (1/4 , 3/8, 1/2" drives)
-sockets
-big screw driver collection
-rubber mallet
-everyday hammer
- pliers ( general, needle nose, channel locks, )
-vise grips
-corded or cordless drill with standard bits
-jack
-jack stands
-wooden service ramps
-fluid drain containers

Any others please feel free to comment. I want to get others interested in becoming mechanically inclined and hope to eventually put together small tool kits to give to some kids who may need help with that.

 

[General Geoff]

I would add a 3lb drilling or engineer's hammer to that list. Sometimes you just need a BFH to get that stubborn control arm off. And make sure that "everyday hammer" is a ball pein; claw hammers have no place in auto repair!

Set of prybars would be ideal.

Also, a full set of combo wrenches in 6mm up to at least 24mm (and corresponding standard sizes if they work on older cars). Skip the ratcheting box end wrenches for starters, you want the thinnest box ends you can get to slip into those real tight spaces.

 

[4.6litrebeater]

Torque wrench, breaker bar, wd40 or similar

 

[Zapp Branigan]

Code reader
Multi-meter

 

[Ohmthis]

A radio!!!!

 

[bgarrett]

currently working out of a one car garage while in of legend.

.

"while in of legend" Someone please explain what this means

 

[bulletpruf]

Oil filter wrench

Allen wrenches

crescent wrench

tool box

hacksaw

wood saw

 

[Jvvmusme]

Moto tool
Grinder
Entension bars in 1/4 3/8. And. 1/2
Ratchet wrenches
Oiler
Good light
Patience
Good screwdrivers
Cutting devices

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

All that plus: safety glasses and earplugs!

Chemical ice pack, eyewash bottle, basic first aid kit, box of nitril gloves, dust mask/respirator, case of cheap 500ml water bottles.

6" c-clamp, propane torch, heavy gloves, 12-18" tapered punch/drift, 1"x10' ratchet strap, roll of mechanics/baler/utility wire, brake-klean, paper towel.

When I was renting a basement suite I had all the bare essentials in two big Rubbermaid totes and a large 2 handle portable tool box, so it is possible to have enough to manage to deal with most repairs.


The eyewash is an absolute must have, when you get brakeklean behind your glasses you can not even think, let alone find your way to a sink.

 

[creativecars]

Many great ideas have been discussed here.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256233&highlight=creativecars&page=7

This was all done with a $400 budget in mind... ymmv

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are on a budget ...

Skip all of the 1/2" drive sockets, ratchets, etc. EXCEPT for a set of flip lug nut sockets and a 1/2" breaker bar.

 

[Sparkyjack]

Eye wash station - any guidance on where I can buy one?
I've been very lucky for many years and realize I should deal with this.
I'm looking for the bottles with the top that you press against your eye and squeeze the bottle.

Jack

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

My list of basics:
Combination wrenches (or box and open end wrenches)
Screw Drivers
Pliers (needle nose, vice grips)
Large adjustable wrench (Smaller sizes may also be handy).
Allen and Torx wrenches (or bits)
Jack Stands (most vehicles come with a jack).
Large Ball peen hammer
1/4 and 3/8 sockets and ratchets.

 

[dkcase]

"while in of legend" Someone please explain what this means

Don't know. This lost me too; pondering it when I saw your inquiry. Thanks.

 

[NewEdgePerf]

Test light
Jumper leads (for testing/by-passing)
remote starter switch (when working by yourself)
Wire strippers and "good" crimpers.

I hope this helps.

Tony D

 

[GarageWarrior]

With CASH and knowing the right people you can fix anything

 

[iadubber]

How about a decent stacked tool chest? I've been impressed with the quality of my Homak set from northern tool.

 

[saceone]

beer fridge

 

[IlliniJeeper]

No one has mentioned a creeper or a mechanic's seat yet? They're indispensable in my garage and they'll save your back and knees a lot of pain in the following days.

 

[iadubber]

No one has mentioned a creeper or a mechanic's seat yet? They're indispensable in my garage and they'll save your back and knees a lot of pain in the following days.

True, both very useful for me since I have no lift.

 

[Hobbit]

Saw Horses & a 2' X 4' x 3/4" sheet of plywood for portable work table.
Portable Air Compressor w/small tank
Speed square
Seal Puller
Good 35' steel tape
4' wrecking bar, Heavy 20' chain, Recip. saw (use to make good money in high school pulling down & hauling off old sheds & out buildings with these three tools.

 

[bczygan]

Torx

Electric tape and connectors

Wire

Extra fuses

Flashlight and extra batteries

Magnetic pickup extendable tool and telescoping mirror

Work light - corded

Extension cord - 100' HD

Big piece of cardboard for lying on the ground under the car.

Battery post cleaner

Distilled water

Shop towels or rags

Spare auto bulbs

Chunks of 2x4 and 4x4 to adjust the jack

Shop vac

Auto cleaning and detailing supplies and buckets

Water hose

Tire gauge

Extra fluids oil, coolant, PS, brake and WS washer.

Propane torch

Soldering gun and solder

1/2, 3/8 and 1/4" torque wrenches

Oil drain pan

A bunch of other stuff you won't realize you need, until late Sunday evening with the car taken apart.

 

[Syberia]

Magnetic parts tray

Impact wrench (even the cheapo Harbor Freight electric one is better than sitting there in frustration after rounding off a bolt you couldn't get out)

Sent from my Tricorder using Tapatalk

 

[theoldwizard1]

No one has mentioned a creeper ...

For home oil changes I have come to prefer large sheets of cardboard.

 

[Jvvmusme]

A big compressor
Ultrasonic cleaner

 

[Jvvmusme]

Fire extinguisher

 

[NewEdgePerf]

For home oil changes I have come to prefer large sheets of cardboard.

Cardboard is also handy when you have to work on location that is gravelled.

Tony D

 

[rambo19]

Irwin bolt grippers.

 

[themiller]

If you are on a budget ...

Skip all of the 1/2" drive sockets, ratchets, etc. EXCEPT for a set of flip lug nut sockets and a 1/2" breaker bar.

I 2nd this. Only on suspension do I ever seem to use 1/2 gear.

 

[noslocars]

Air compressor and impact tools. They will pay for themselves quickly.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

All you need is a good credit card; leave the work to the pros so you don't hurt yourself.....

 

[Lassen Forge]

A good roll around work chest, with the tools inside and a tabletop on the top. Take the most used tools to the job, not have to run allover the shop over and over to do a simple job...

And a good set of swivel casters under it, that will handle some weight and still roll well.

Did someone mention a big compressor and air tools. Yep, someone did. Best investment you can make.

 

[Sask dude]

6 point impact sockets ! I won't buy 12 point or thin wall chrome again. To me there's no point as you can't use thin wall with a gun and 12 point is more likely to break or strip due to less contact area.

Plus you only need one set and save money and storage.

 

[zach540]

Left handed drill bits

 

[JKennedy]

dead blow hammers (shamefully, the HF ones are actually really durable).

 

[Responder]

Digital Multi-meter.

Edit: I see that has been mentioned already

 

[metalhead140]

Gee! Starting out, I bought a reasonable Stanley 3/8 drive ratchet and socket set, followed shortly after by a big (very) cheap spanner set and a set of screwdrivers. That, along with a couple of jack stands, enabled me to do a hell of a lot of work, including suspension rebuilds and engine and gearbox replacements (though I did borrow a chain block for the engine replacement). Sure, get a digital multimeter when you need one, and other bits and pieces (some pliers and cutters, or vice grips) as you go, but realistically for working on cars you can do the vast majority of jobs with these few tools. When starting out you don't need all those extras, they are just to make life easier. I didn't own a trolley jack for the first 2-3 years working on cars, as cars generally come with a jack! Do none of you remember starting off on a tight budget and no tools, or have none of you been in that situation? If you want to work on house stuff, add a drill and a saw and there's not much you can't do! Other tools make life easier, but to me those are the essentials.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hey guys. I'm currently working on a lot of projects on a tight budget. (Aren't we all). I have had an issue where someone broke into my garage and took a bunch of random stuff. Since than I have moved and currently working out of a one car garage while in of legend.

My question is I know some kids who are looking to get into cars and I want to help them by giving them a must have tool/resource list. Hoping you all can chime in. This will be aimed at everyday DIY projects on tars as well as around the house so here's a basic list we can expand on hopefully.

-ratchets (1/4 , 3/8, 1/2" drives)
-sockets
-big screw driver collection
-rubber mallet
-everyday hammer
- pliers ( general, needle nose, channel locks, )
-vise grips
-corded or cordless drill with standard bits
-jack
-jack stands
-wooden service ramps
-fluid drain containers

Any others please feel free to comment. I want to get others interested in becoming mechanically inclined and hope to eventually put together small tool kits to give to some kids who may need help with that.

When you're on a budget...a lot of this stuff shouldn't be in your garage. I mean 1/4"? Come on man. I'm still trying to find an excuse to buy better 1/4" stuff and I haven't found it.

But...different strokes for different folks. I don't know if you can buy wood service ramps but I like the idea. It can be hard to plan projects tool wise because you won't know what you need until you start doing it...you can load up on incidentals ("maybe I need this") but the way it usually works is even that stuff won't be what you need. Been there too many times.

 

[600SL]

The packaged deals from Sears are a very good value. I wish they would sell some of those kits in 6pt only.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...00983096000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=15&blockType=G15

 

[mbret2004]

repair manuals/internet access to same
flexible magnet
flexible "pick-up" tool
hand impact
flare nut wrenches (brake lines)
fender covers
crows feet
bleeder kit (mity vac)
wobble extensions