Need some advice on mechanic tools

MechanicforLife · Aug 25, 2008

Whatsup guys , I need some advice.

I dont really have alot of money so Im peicing my tool sets together. Heres what I got its small but hey $300 worth so far.

What I got:
137peice craftsman mechnics tool set(not enough I know)
1 low profile jack(for lowered cars and when tires go flat)
4 Floor jacks
1 set of 28 screwdrivers(on sale)
1 creeper

I now need some advice to build on this tiny set I want to become a professional mechanic some day. I did have tools before but they all got stolen off my truck I peiced alot of different ones all together. But I had alot of doubles you know I mean its good to have doubles but I want to have stuff I really need

Okay so I was looking at the craftmans catalog, and it says professionals like to use 6point sockets and wrenches. I need a good wrench set since my existing set doesnt have enough sizes I think my set only goes up to 1/2 SAE and my metric sizes only go up to 12mm
(6 total in the set ) so thats definetly not enough

"Sears has a 28 complete 6point wrench set I was looking at." I dont want ratcheting wrenches because I will be breaking loose mostly the fasteners."Alot of wear and tear"

Or maybe get a complete set of 12point wrenches first.

Let me know what you think. Like I said if I had the money I would get the best. But my family has always used Craftsman , And I have never had a problem yet with Craftsman.

ALL Experiences and Feedback welcome with your own tools and purchasing them

Thankyou Tom
________
Ducati 1098

daveblank · Aug 25, 2008

Metric & standard wrenches
All typles of plyers.
Hammers
Punch & chisel set
Test light & GOOD multimeter.

This would be a good starting point to add to what you have.

MechanicforLife · Aug 25, 2008

Should I go with 6point or 12point wrenches? I was looking at the 6 point complete set to get first which is around $100 or so

but the 12point complete set is on sale for $70
________
glass on glass bong

Moose-LandTran · Aug 25, 2008

Get 12-point wrenches. Craftsman Professional full-polish.

WSMC633 · Aug 25, 2008

Sorry Bro,

But you can't be a pro unless you buy Snap-On

Haven't you heard??

Moose-LandTran · Aug 25, 2008

WSMC633 said:
Sorry Bro,

But you can't be a pro unless you buy Snap-On Haven't you heard??

You're not wrong. :lol:

DiStOrTiOn · Aug 25, 2008

Sweet, another craftsman fan!

If I had to buy wrenches all over again, I would definatley go with the craftsman professional full-polish (though, I have been buying some used tool truck stuff lately). Pliers, my personal favorite is channellock, but I do have some craftsman that work quite well. As for multi-meters, while the craftsman ones work fine (i own one), fluke is supposed to be the best brand for that. the craftsman mechanics gloves are nice to have, especially when changing hot oil, which mine always seems to be while I change it in the 20 minutes between work and school.

just my two cents.

Detroit Diesel Man · Aug 25, 2008

If your going to work for someone skip the floor jacks and jack stands..shops will have those..concentrate on hand tools screw drivers wrenches sockets elect tools etc...are you going to school or planning too? if yes then most courses have a list of "required" tools needed for the course. regardless, buy what you can afford and have fun!

DDM

MechanicforLife · Aug 25, 2008

Hey thanks for your input, I just looked at the fully polished wrench sets and I got to admit I like them,plus they are longer for more leverage, I think Theyll do just fine.
I also noticed they dont make polished 6point craftsman wrenches.

I was also wondering about other tool sets to get, start with 6point socket sets or go with 12point socket sets first?
________
ZX900A

MechanicforLife · Aug 25, 2008

Yeah I enrolled in college to late this semester, I didnt have my Photo ID got stolen but thats a different story, Yeah I love cars and Im going to the JR college in the spring.
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GL1100I

nissan_crawler · Aug 25, 2008

First, jacks are useless without jack stands. Don't kill yourself, get some.

Go with the 12 point set, I'm with Moose on the C-Pro full polish.

Your ratchet wrench ideas are false. I've been beating the hell out of my gear wrenches professionally for 6 years. I've only had one fail, it was a 9/16", and I had both feet braced and was jerking on it as hard as I could. I wouldn't have been surprised if a regular wrench failed at that point. To be fair, it still didn't "break", it locked up. It was still technically usable as a regular wrench, and didn't cause me to break knuckles.

Watch ebay, and then, watch it some more. I got my 1/4"-1" C-Pro full polish wrench set for $45 shipped. Sure, they had some micro scratches on the finish, big deal, it's a wrench.

Get Craftsman sockets, the 199 piece sets go on sale for cheap (mine was $150, plus I sold the ratchets and extras for another $30-40).

Buy some used Snap-On ratchets off ebay. Heck, I bought mine with oddball sockets and extensions, and resold them separately. I had a 3/8" Snap-On ratchet that cost me $5, and a 1/2" Snap-On that was free. Now I have a new 1/4" round head Snap-On, for $40, a 3/8" one that looks brand new for around $40, and a 1/2" for a little more than $40 that looks like new.

paramudduck · Aug 25, 2008

Nissans right, buy cheap lots sell of what you don't want and you can fill a box on the cheap.

philw · Aug 25, 2008

You do not want 6 point wrenches starting out. They will not fit where 12 pts will. I have a small SK 6 pt set and they come in handy but not essential. The small 6 pt sizes work very well on bleeders.

If you enroll in an auto tech program keep in mind the tool trucks will normally give discounts so I would hold off any tool truck purchases until you find out more info.

WSMC633 · Aug 25, 2008

Moose-LandTran said:
You're not wrong.

I guess I better take the sign off the front of my shop and move everything back home then. :thumbup:

WSMC633 · Aug 25, 2008

Yeah, I wouldn't buy 6pts as my primary wrenches. I would buy 6pt sockets though. There was a big thread on that subject a few weeks back. Do a little search for it.

Good advice from Nissan BTW

a390st · Aug 25, 2008

I used my Craftsman Pro metric set last week and they were pretty useful. My Bonney and Snap On wrenches wouldn't fit a lot of the fasteners because they were soft and had been buggered up. When I got to them, the Pro's would get on them where the others wouldn't. That's always an issue for me because I work on a lot of older stuff. Actually, mostly at least 10 years old, some up to 50. The Pro's weren't loose or anything, but not as tight as the more expensive wrenches. Also, they did seem to flex a bit more than the others when I was really putting out, but they still felt fine.

z28toz06 · Aug 25, 2008

I have owned dozens of pliers in my 30 plus years but I have to say nothing to date equals these knipex pliers.

http://www.crawfordtool.com/knipex_cobra.html

I have bought a lot of stuff second hand with no regrets. Craftsman is ok stuff. Get started and trade up as you go.

nissan_crawler · Aug 25, 2008

z28toz06 said:
I have owned dozens of pliers in my 30 plus years but I have to say nothing to date equals these knipex pliers.

http://www.crawfordtool.com/knipex_cobra.html

I have bought a lot of stuff second hand with no regrets. Craftsman is ok stuff. Get started and trade up as you go.

Knipex is awesome, but crawford is a ripoff. aktoolsonline has better prices.

Edit: I guess I'm going to take that back, their prices are reasonable now. I would still stick to aktools, after ordering from both, but that's personal preference.

MechanicforLife · Aug 25, 2008

Nissan, Thanks for your input, as far as ratchet wrench subject goes I apologize if I was stating like I knew, It was just my opinion, I only own 1 rachet wrench "right now" and its a gearwrench 17mm, I have never used the thing it was my late uncles, I personally happen to like the ratchet wrench idea, I just dont have the money to get the goodies right now, but thankyou and everyone else for your input.

And I have already began to check out ebay for used tools, I mean nothings wrong with them as long as they arent fragged. Good info
________
DR-Z400SM

Merkava_4 · Aug 25, 2008

MechanicforLife said:
And I have already began to check out ebay for used tools, I mean nothings wrong with them as long as they aren't fragged. Good info

I learned a new word today. :headscrat

paramudduck · Aug 25, 2008

I kind of prefer used tools. I don't get the compulsion to keep them polished and scratch free. Plus being able to get them at 30 percent of list (if you shop around) makes them beautiful in my eyes.

Merkava_4 · Aug 25, 2008

paramudduck said:
I don't get the compulsion to keep them polished and scratch free.

That reminds me, I need to get some more 400 grit sand paper.

Printer Mike · Aug 25, 2008

A hammer and a prybar to persuade tight fitting sockets on and off.......lol

paramudduck · Aug 25, 2008

A pocket screwdriver and a mini prybar work better.

But seriously don't forget hammers and prybars as in different sizes and styles. Rubber mallet, dead blow hammers etc.

Merkava you do have some beautiful tools. I just prefer the used gloss to the shiney new look.

MechanicforLife · Aug 27, 2008

I called sears today and they are going to accept my return of the 137 peice tool set in exchange for store credit =)
So now I want to know if I should get the 260 peice tool set or

the 145 6 point all meat tool set?

Let me know what you think
________
buy vaporizer

Need some advice on mechanic tools

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