If you had 200$....

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

If you had 200$ to spend and you already had flex head ratchets in the three main drive sizes(no specialty sockets besides torx and allen SAE & Metric), wrenches both stubby and ratcheting, a full set of drivers and torx drivers, 3/8 & 1/2 cordless impacts, 1/4 and 3/8 cordless ratchets, drill/driver, DMM, assortment of basic pliers/hose pinch off pliers, PowerProbe and thread restorers (all these are the main items i think any mechanic should/would have) what would you buy?

 

[JJThrasher]

What's your use? Are you a DIYer? Are you a professional tech? Do you do automotive work? Do you do home repairs?

Right now if I had $200 to spend on tools it'd all be dash work and steer column related items because I seem to be doing more of that type of work at the moment and I am poorly equipped for it.

 

[B_Bimmer]

A hammer.

 

[Gmonkee]

I'm still selling of stuff I got because I might need it.

Sit on the cash and let future needs tell you what to get. It will be very clear then.

 

[ChevyEFI]

put it aside.

buy what's truly needed when the next job comes up.

 

[AnthonyJ124]

More rags than I think I need for a year. Wet ones hand wipes. Brake cleaner... **** that I always think I have, but am usually out of.

Wobble extensions and/or wobble sockets.

Mapp gas torch.

Pick set.

Chapman ratchet driver set.

Impact driver adapters for 1/4" and 3/8" male sockets.

Funnels, drain pans.

 

[jd_1138]

Have a set of ratcheting wrenches? Those are pretty handy. GearWrench makes a nice set. Then save the rest and see what else you need in the future and buy it when you need it.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I'd be on the phone to HJE, to see if there are any more of the boxed sets from SK.

 

[Bobioz1]

Angle head die grinder, pry bars, impact swivel sockets, hose pick tool, hose clamp pliers, torque wrenches, dead blow ballpein hammer, punches and chisels, swivel plus extensions, floor jack, jack stands. Just some of what I've used this week.

 

[Fedwrench]

Cable operated hose clamp pliers, a good flashlight, long & short hose picks, long & short trim tools, a decent hook & pick set.

Of course it also depends on what you work on.

 

[colt zantop]

Dewalt 20v max jig saw or die grinder...

 

[egnorant]

The trick is to pay attention as you work. You will come across that job that would be easier if I had a (insert tool name here). I write it on my white board and shop around. I first really noticed this with a long shank phillips screwdriver and has lead to my purchasing magnetic trays (gotta have more than one!), a couple of pumps that fit in gallon jugs for Super Clean, transmission oil (got a long hose on that one) and other fluids, a good heavy brush or 2 (like a toilet brush) for hard to clean stuff.

Possible is when you find yourself not doing a job because you don't have a tool. A man without a hammer doesn't think about driving nails.

Ratcheting wrenches were the item that made me happiest. Get the reversible ones.

Bruce

 

[Milwookie]

Anything by Knipex I don't already have.

 

[FigureItOut]

If you're really itching to spend it, there'll be as many possible suggestions as there are members. Consider something outside the (tool)box, like something to make your work space more comfortable. I just put $250 into a huge wall mounted fan for the garage. Best tool money I've spent this year.

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[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Thanks for the suggestions. I work(ed) on cars professionally. Right now I'm not in work but do work on the side. I do have the 14 piece bojo trim tool set, I saw someone mention trim tools. Cable house clamp pliers are on my list, used them in the shop and they made life so easy.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Here's what I have now.

Off memory bottom drawer has: rethread kit, compression tester, fuel pressure tester, cooling system pressure tester, jumper pack, brake caliper compression tool, spill free funnel, power probe, actron 9690 scan tool, digital caliper. I feel like I'm missing something...

 

[ca90ss]

https://store.snapon.com/Service-Trays-Service-Tray-Under-Hood-Rolling-P647886.aspx

 

[anndel]

Some steaks, beer and lobster or crab.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

A good, comfortable creeper..

 

[KMdef9]

I didn't see a dead blow hammer.

 

[Boepeep]

I see you don't have any knipex cobra pliers that was one of my best investsments and I need to pickup more sizes, and I can never seem to have enough sockets. Sadly $200 doesn't do much on the snap on truck tho, I blew another 500 today on torx screw drivers and bluepoint master set of torx and Allen sockets. I'm starting to think I spend too much money on there as he's starting to give me "deals" haha

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[Adam.C]

Interior trim pry bars?
Snap On ratcheting screwdriver set. I have this mini kit that includes a bunch of good quality bits, a couple shanks, and a few 1/4 metric sockets that's handy as all get out.

 

[c-moe_117]

Cordless test light, I use this a lot...

https://store.snapon.com/Cord-Free-Circuit-Testers-Cord-Free-DC-Circuit-Tester-P834585.aspx

 

[T45]

If you're looking for ideas on stuff you won't regret buying, some ideas may be Knipex or Snap on pliers, XL or Long box wrenches, and maybe depending on application, universal sockets.

 

[Superbec]

Beer !!!

I have some other things in mind but can't disclose here...

oh.. you could use a few hammers , at least one dead blow.. so that will be the end of the 200...

 

[gdocktor3]

A good set of drill bits, possible left handed, and a good bolt extractor set from Ridgid or Hansen. Irwin/Hansen and Ridgid make most of the ez out and extractor sets sold by Snap On, Mac and Matco. The flute style extractors are the best because they do not spread the broken fastener apart like the spiral type do, in turn making it even tighter and harder to remove. A good set will save your *** when you really need it. You can thank me later. Here are some good deals to get you started.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRG66/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ridgid-20-P...536280?hash=item4d47e2ee58:g:JwEAAOSw~bFWL~dP

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Irwin-5pc-L...843490?hash=item4aff4d6a62:g:kVAAAOSwcvdXOgeh

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

My want tools: Milwaukee cordless ratchet, rigol oscilloscope

My need tool: a boring ol' ladder! Easy enough, but I'm a big man, I need one that supports at least 375 lbs! LOL!

Quite the conundrum!

 

[BK13]

My need tool: a boring ol' ladder! Easy enough, but I'm a big man, I need one that supports at least 375 lbs! LOL!

Yup. I'm at 340 or so before you start adding any tools or materials I might be working with....



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[Justanoldguy]

When did this hundreds of years old tradition ($200) turn into this (200$)?

 

[zoomieport]

SK X-Frame SAE wrenches.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

When did this hundreds of years old tradition ($200) turn into this (200$)?

Dollars 200 or 200 dollars? lol. I don't know, when i don't use a decimal, i tend to do that. I assure you i put it in front of the amount when i use a decimal.

 

[CoogarXR]

I see you have a small craftsman 3-drawer box. Go buy a roller bottom box to match it, then you'll have even more room to buy stuff

 

[jallyn]

Vote #5 for Knipex. A few sizes of Cobra pliers and PliersWrenches will consume $200 real quick. Then you will want more of their stuff.

 

[Finky198]

Angle head die grinder, pry bars, impact swivel sockets, hose pick tool, hose clamp pliers, torque wrenches, dead blow ballpein hammer, punches and chisels, swivel plus extensions, floor jack, jack stands. Just some of what I've used this week.

This Would be my advice as well. The list above seems to be my most used tools, secondary to my sockets, impacts, ratchets and wrenches. I'd say work on completing a solid core set of hand tools before anything else. You have a very good start from the looks of it.

 

[finn]

Put it in the bank to build a reserve fund.

Buying tools because you have a few dollars in your pocket is a dumb idea unless you have a substantial financial kitty and plan for emergencies and retirement.

If the tools are critical to your current job, that's a different story, but then you wouldn't be asking what you need, would you?

 

[maxpower_hd]

If you don't know what you need I would simply set the money aside in a can in the box as "tool money" until you know what you really need. Undoubtedly when you start wrenching on your motorcycle project which I thought I read in another post, you will come across something. Snap ring pliers, a IR thermometer, a hand held impact driver, etc. That way the money will be more well spent instead of guessing what you will need.

 

[MShaw]

My rule was:
The first time you need something you don't have check to see if it is made, the second time check the price, the third time buy it.

If you can't remember needing it three times it is not worth buying.

 

[maxpower_hd]

One thing I have needed working on older Japanese bikes from the 80's is metric taps and dies for when corroded bolts break off. Thus the manual impact as well. And like Doc said, left handed drill bits along with easy outs to drill out the broken bolts.

 

[icthruu74]

In the last week I've had several times that wobble sockets would have been nice to have instead of having to use a u-joint.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

In the last week I've had several times that wobble sockets would have been nice to have instead of having to use a u-joint.

I've been meaning to ask. Are the ones that have the u joint not as easy to use as the ones with a ball socket? I have ball socket joints I use with sockets arms have used impact wobbles with the ball socket, but never the u joint kind. They are cheaper I see and I rarely use them with impact. But if they bind up like the u joint you use with a socket, forget it.