Basic tools for Auto repair?

[Classic_car_phanatic]

I am a novice interested in working on cars and would like to know the tools I need to get started.

 

[signcrafter]

What are you planning on doing?

Basic tools would be a socket set with wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. But nowadays that is just the tip of the iceburg. Lots of specialty tools needed for anything more then the very basics. But auto parts stores often "rent" these specialty tools for free.

 

[Classic_car_phanatic]

Well as far as minor restorations what will I need?

 

[klitzke]

There are a lot of tools that make your life easier, the best way to take care of your problem is buy a few tools, start working, and buy more tools as you need them! If you start out with a fairly comprehensive set, you can save money.

Pliers, breaker bars, u-joint sockets, extensions, fixed wrenches, small rachets, big rachets, vise grips, screwdrivers, multimeter, wire snips, wire strippers, a few torx, small pry bars.

How deep you plan to dig will determine most of your needs. Your car will also say a lot about that!
- Honda's you can do almost anything with a 10, 12 and 15 socket and a couple screw drivers.
- European cars you'll need a decent torx set and maybe even some 12 point sockets.
- Old american cars often call for large breaker bars, angle grinders, and impact wrenches.

Give us a few details on what you will be doing and we will have a better direction to give you advice for!

Happy Wrenching.

 

[signcrafter]

Well as far as minor restorations what will I need?

This is still pretty broad. By minor restorations do you mean fixing up old cars? Are you going to be doing body work? Replacing panels? Tearing down engines?

What tools do you have now? List some specific things you want to be able to do. Also what vehicles are you going to be working on?

 

[jd_1138]

OBD scanners can be had for about $30 or so and will help prevent swapping out parts in the hopes of swapping out the one that actually needs to be replaced. Just Google the make and model and the error code, and it will tell you what part is bad or throwing a code. It will let you reset the code so you can drive around to see if it comes back on again.

Also, allen wrenches, sockets, wrenches, and all the other stuff already mentioned. Channel Locks, vise grips, rotary tool, lubricants, etc.. Test light and other diagnostic equipment. Hacksaw, hammers, reacher/grabber tool.

Ratcheting wrenches are nice to have. I used one today to rebuild my wheelbarrow. The carriage bolts were way to long for a socket, and a regular wrench would've taken too long.