Best Tools for an apprentice mechanic

[Futremechanic]

Helllo people,I am based in Ireland, I hope I am posting this in the right place
I would like what would the best tools ideallly lifetime gaunatree would you all reccomonend an apprentice mechanic but I do work alot more tractors,bits of plant,machaniery, a couple of lorries, and the osscaincanial car, I have a bit of a collection build up since a young age which I currently have a 1001 Teng Tools kit dont know if they are avaliable in the usa,Britool Expert 8mm to 19mm rachet spanners dont know if they are avaliable in the usa , a nice selection of oil filter straps, anti-freeze tester,1/2 inch Britool Breaker Bar 24inch,Fuchs Grease Gun,

Does anyone have any suggestions for deep sockets,impact sockets,ideal tools required for working on heavy on a a daily basis

Any tips and links gratly apprectied,

Thanks for taking your time for reading

 

[BajaBound]

Teng is what Ed China uses on wheeler dealers?

Looks like a good start, I would suggest 3/4 drive sockets for the larger bolts and appropriate breaker for that
Torque wrench
Large Metric wrenches 21 24 27 30 32 36 etc
Pliers and vise grips

As an apprentice I would be ready for anything so keep stocking up.

 

[jaredlucky16]

Snap On

 

[wornoutoldman]

Not sure what you have available to you across the pond. That said, Toptul is good stuff and not too expensive.

King **** because hey who doesn't want to stuff a box full of King ****?

You should likely go with a supplier that has a good offerings and coverage for your area at a price you want to pay with a warranty that will satisfy you.

 

[defy]

Imo, not one company makes the best of everything, you have to research a bit. This site is great for that

 

[Futremechanic]

I forgot to add I have a 3/4 inch rachet & extinison set 12 metric sockets, would you all think a imperial 3/4 inch socket, A wire brush,

Would 1 inch air gun advisable for a apprentice than 3/4 inch air gun?
What would be the best air guns on the market?
Does Snap On have special offers on?
Would it be advisable to buy six point sockets aswell as twelve point sockets?

Does there be any differnces in drill bits or they all the same
Would any cheap drill bit do as well as files

Thanks for your all feedback so far

 

[bcradio]

I forgot to add I have a 3/4 inch rachet & extinison set 12 metric sockets, would you all think a imperial 3/4 inch socket, A wire brush,

Would 1 inch air gun advisable for a apprentice than 3/4 inch air gun?

Don't get a 1" impact instead of 3/4", but maybe in addition.

 

[jetmech09]

A lot of people disagree here, but I recommend high quality 12 point sockets. They cover 6 and 12 point bolts. I personally have never had one round off a bolt...ever..

 

[richfinn]

I think the Britool Expert stuff is pretty good for starting out with. The guy with 8 posts who just blurted out "Snap On" has probably never been outside America and has no idea how much imported American things cost in Ireland (twice the price). There are some German and French brands which are equally good for a lot less Euros.

 

[Hawk321]

Avoid Teng ...to much issues...safe your money and buy standard stuff like sealey or britool. Ratchets from Armstron, SK or SnapOn..all available in UK.

Spend your money in premium impacts like SnapOn for extensions and swivels.
Sockets just sealey or something else.

 

[mambo]

my thoughts would be, as your in the UK and working on Tractors/plant mostly. Get a good set of ratchets 3/8 1/2 3/4 with imp and metric 6point standard sockets. sockets can be cheep an halfords pro are good. ratchets look for Mac or Snapon. Also get plenty of extensions, 1/2" 24" breaker 3/4" 36" breaker
get 12point spanners 8-30mm old school Britool maybe. ratchet spanners are good for speeding of nuts in tight spaces but i dont trust cracking nuts off with them.
couple of pry bars 12" and 36" perhaps
Some big Stilsons Record 36"? and big adjustable spanner Bahco
Range of screwdrivers and pliers/sidecutters etc
Some hammers 8oz 16oz 24oz and files, hacksaw. stanley knife. scraper.
multimeter
as for drills, you can get a good set of cobalt 1mm-13mm from screwfix pretty cheep

 

[AETD]

Avoid Teng ...to much issues...QUOTE]


issues Like?

I love my teng, (ab)used facom, beta, gedore, etc before. all more expensive all bullsh!t warranty.
My tengtools MMT1001 replaced all that. (i'm no pro but i abuse them alot) Never had warranty problems with them. i put my 100kg on some screwdrivers, they broke... they gave me new. i put a bar on a wrench and it bended. they gave me a new one... i used a normal 24 socket on a 1200Nm impact wrench hamering the hell out of it. it split open (after some time). they gave me a new without a question.

more importend to me is, if it brakes how "lifetime" is your warranty?
Tengtool stuff brakes but so do Gedore, Facom, Beta, stahlwille and others. At least Tengtools stand up to their warranty.

All motorsport events i've been visiting the last years, from funcup, bergrenn, offroad, rally to GT races. i see more and more crews working with teng tools. From the no sponsor enthousiast over constructor rally teams.
Why? not for the price, the color or the looks. but for the no bullsh!t warranty

 

[alfazer]

You already have the 1001 Teng, that's a good start. Never had a problem with teng and plenty of dealers too.

You're working on heavy plant so it's always worth keeping a look out for old army tools and second hand decent brands at disposal auctions because big tools 3/4 or 1" tools are expensive.

As well as your filter straps you need the cup type filter wrench that goes over the end of the filter or the end cap, like Toyota 2.0 D4D for example it's the only way to get them off. You can buy them in sets of different sizes.

 

[Subytech]

-Good set of visegrips
-Impact gun
-Dead blow hammer to take off tires when they are seized.
-I would not skimp on quality when it comes to line wrenches.
-Basic tools wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers etc.

Good luck on your quest becoming a mechanic.

 

[RCStocker]

I think the Britool Expert stuff is pretty good for starting out with. The guy with 8 posts who just blurted out "Snap On" has probably never been outside America and has no idea how much imported American things cost in Ireland (twice the price). There are some German and French brands which are equally good for a lot less Euros.

Well, Iraland and GB do not use the Euro. They never joined the EU Union.

Snap-on makes other brands that it sells on the forign market.

I would stick with a good brand that you can buy local or at least in your country or GB. There are many good German tools. I have had great luck with old English made tools. If you buy local you will not have a problem getting a replacement. If you buy from the States you will pay double for the tools because of the shipping cost.

British, Canadian, Australian and German tools are very good. My wife is form Australia and I have some of their brands and they are very well made.

I list those countries and thier tools because I think you will find more of them there than the American made tools. When I have been in London I have gone in several tools stores and found good tools form those countries.

Good luck with your training. I having spent several years in Australia and one in Canada I know they don't have a fraction of the used things we do here in the states. I am sure that is true for you there. The used items are much more dear there than here in the US (For you rednecks, Dear is cost a lot in the UK empire. LOL) UK is the British Empier, England One in the same. LOL Cheers


I gather you are in Iraland and not northern Ireland. Beautiful place. I went to to the Waterford glass company years ago. You live in a very nice place.

 

[Murphy4570]

Your in Ireland?

Best tool to have?

Bottle opener.

 

[LSU]

Where in Ireland? I've got family in the southeastern part of Ireland.

Before you spend all your Guinness money on tools, I'd suggest you spend a couple of hours reading this website. You will quickly learn that while many o f the folks on here need to go to rehab for their tool addictions they can't agree on much. Some folks love Snap On, others hate them because they're over priced.

I'd look at what the pros around you are using. Spend money on good tools, get ones that come with a good warrant and can be easily replaced, quickly and easily. If you're doing this for a living, you can't be waiting on a two week turnaround to replace a socket that cracks.

Look at what the big boys are using and then slowly (without going into debt) buy what they use.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

Your in Ireland?

Best tool to have?

Bottle opener.

wtf ?
my people are from kerry

 

[BullfrogJohnson]

I work on heavy equipment and tractors for a living and the tools I could not live without are my 4 way angle wrenches 3/8" - 1-1/2" and my 3/8" and 1/2" drive impact swivel sockets. Also a good selection of hammers and prybars.

My wrenches are Martin, Williams, and Snap-On. My Sockets are Snap-On. I learned very quickly that high end impact swivel sockets are worth the money.

 

[kissmeimgerman]

Can't you get Hazet in Ireland? 8)

 

[Futremechanic]

Teng is what Ed China uses on wheeler dealers?

Looks like a good start, I would suggest 3/4 drive sockets for the larger bolts and appropriate breaker for that
Torque wrench
Large Metric wrenches 21 24 27 30 32 36 etc
Pliers and vise grips

As an apprentice I would be ready for anything so keep stocking up.

That I am doing when I have money one of old boss kept telling me to do for every 200 euros I earn but aleast 50 to 75 euro aside, instead drinking or smoking it as I dont drink,smoke or do drugs

 

[Futremechanic]

Snap On

Do you think Snap on are really worth the extra money

 

[Futremechanic]

Imo, not one company makes the best of everything, you have to research a bit. This site is great for that

Thats for sure

 

[Futremechanic]

Not sure what you have available to you across the pond. That said, Toptul is good stuff and not too expensive.

King **** because hey who doesn't want to stuff a box full of King ****?

You should likely go with a supplier that has a good offerings and coverage for your area at a price you want to pay with a warranty that will satisfy you.

A lot of people disagree here, but I recommend high quality 12 point sockets. They cover 6 and 12 point bolts. I personally have never had one round off a bolt...ever..

Avoid Teng ...to much issues...safe your money and buy standard stuff like sealey or britool. Ratchets from Armstron, SK or SnapOn..all available in UK.

Spend your money in premium impacts like SnapOn for extensions and swivels.
Sockets just sealey or something else.

I think the Britool Expert stuff is pretty good for starting out with. The guy with 8 posts who just blurted out "Snap On" has probably never been outside America and has no idea how much imported American things cost in Ireland (twice the price). There are some German and French brands which are equally good for a lot less Euros.

I have two pieces of britool expert which 3/8 inch swivel head racthet wich I like a lot saved me alot of time & hassle already & I have a 1/2 inch 24 inch breaker bar which I brought in their latest promiotions they have on but seriously thinking 1/4 & 1/2 inch swivel head racthet

 

[Futremechanic]

-Good set of visegrips
-Impact gun
-Dead blow hammer to take off tires when they are seized.
-I would not skimp on quality when it comes to line wrenches.
-Basic tools wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers etc.

Good luck on your quest becoming a mechanic.

I really enjoy doing it day and out learning loads but saying that I alaways enjoyed everything mechanical or anything to do cars,farm machinery,hgvs,prepation aslo valeting which I do part time,be it my own or somebody elses,

I have Irwin visegrips.

Do you think snap on worth the extra money

Enjoyed reading your blog

 

[Futremechanic]

Your in Ireland?

Best tool to have?

Bottle opener.

found this funny even though I dont drink

 

[richfinn]

Well, Iraland and GB do not use the Euro. They never joined the EU Union.

Snap-on makes other brands that it sells on the forign market.

I would stick with a good brand that you can buy local or at least in your country or GB. There are many good German tools. I have had great luck with old English made tools. If you buy local you will not have a problem getting a replacement. If you buy from the States you will pay double for the tools because of the shipping cost.

British, Canadian, Australian and German tools are very good. My wife is form Australia and I have some of their brands and they are very well made.

I list those countries and thier tools because I think you will find more of them there than the American made tools. When I have been in London I have gone in several tools stores and found good tools form those countries.

Good luck with your training. I having spent several years in Australia and one in Canada I know they don't have a fraction of the used things we do here in the states. I am sure that is true for you there. The used items are much more dear there than here in the US (For you rednecks, Dear is cost a lot in the UK empire. LOL) UK is the British Empier, England One in the same. LOL Cheers


I gather you are in Iraland and not northern Ireland. Beautiful place. I went to to the Waterford glass company years ago. You live in a very nice place.

I,m British so I know what currency I use, I mention Euros since that has been the currency in the Republic of Ireland since 2002

 

[Futremechanic]

Where in Ireland? I've got family in the southeastern part of Ireland.

Before you spend all your Guinness money on tools, I'd suggest you spend a couple of hours reading this website. You will quickly learn that while many o f the folks on here need to go to rehab for their tool addictions they can't agree on much. Some folks love Snap On, others hate them because they're over priced.

I'd look at what the pros around you are using. Spend money on good tools, get ones that come with a good warrant and can be easily replaced, quickly and easily. If you're doing this for a living, you can't be waiting on a two week turnaround to replace a socket that cracks.

Look at what the big boys are using and then slowly (without going into debt) buy what they use.

I am in the northeast of Ireland,Thats why I buy from dealers who stand by the tools they sell not which are not laugh at me with any questions & the manufacters warranty not ones who are plain rude

 

[Futremechanic]

Can't you get Hazet in Ireland? 8)

I honestly dont so but I might wrong but saying I have a 5/8 imperial spanner which I brought at car boot sale but still works as good as new, Would they be real good quailty

 

[SpawnedX]

You can always buy the Cornwell pre-made Apprentice Mechanic set, all in all it costs about 5100.00 USD for service cart and tools.

 

[Futremechanic]

You can always buy the Cornwell pre-made Apprentice Mechanic set, all in all it costs about 5100.00 USD for service cart and tools.

Do you have any links for the service cart and would postage not cost a arm and leg for postage to Ireland

 

[SpawnedX]

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=XPLMASBK-%2d-Apprentice-Tool-Set%2dBlack

 

[Futremechanic]

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=XPLMASBK-%2d-Apprentice-Tool-Set%2dBlack

Would Cornwell tools be good quailty?, would not have that money put by yet

 

[Nak]

Just a suggestion here. I don't know what is available where you are located but as far as nut and bolt removal is concerned get what is affordable and is readily available for warranty purposes. Spend the money on a professional quality multimeter. I have no idea what a lorry is but whether you are working on an excavator or a vespa or even your house for that matter you will need it.

 

[Hawk Thor]

Do you think Snap on are really worth the extra money

I'm kind of on the same boat as you are. I'm a journeyman mechanical engineer on a european island, work on ships and some big stuff that gets dropped of at the shipyards shop. I also work on cars and off-road vehicles in my free time (They are kinda cute and easy to work on compared to the big stuff eh?).

For us non-USA-ers SO tools are not worth it. We can't jump on the SO truck to replace them when they break.

I have had great luck with Teng tools, I love their plastic ratchets (Same or identical to Kamasa plastic ratchets.) for working in the cold or when I have to carry my tools around a lot.

I have a set of Snap-On 3/8" dr. universal sockets in SAE sizes. They are nothing special, high end Euro stuff is just as good.

If you want the SO ratchets then buy Bahco ratchets, Bahco and Snap-On are part of the same conglomerate and many of the ratchets share drive guts made in Spain.

I would choose Euro made tools over USA made tools. Easier too find, less shipping costs and the quality is the same. Just research your purchases to find out if you can get the exact same tool for less with another brand on the handle.

Start out with tools that are medium to high quality. If you are just stocking up to be ready for what is thrown at you then that will work fine. If you find yourself doing the same things over and over or your tools are not up to snuff the buy stronger or bigger tools. I use a mix of old, new, USA, Euro, Taiwan, Japan, cheap, expensive and home made tools. I started out with cheap tools but upgrade to bigger, stronger or more expensive tools as need arises.

I would love to have the tool prices that I see the Americans or continental Europeans here mention, but we islanders need to live with our location.

I would suggest buying slogging wrenches and single end wrenches in black phosphate finish for those big fasteners in plants, ships and agricultural jobs. Single end wrenches are great for tightening and loosening big hydraulic fittings, they fit into tight spaces and are designed to slip a pipe on the end for leverage.

Torque multipliers in 3/4" and 1" drive can really come in handy when working on big stuff, but I would not run out and buy them.

Talk to some guys working in similar jobs as you and ask them what they think are really useful tools that are not part of the usual tool collection.

I often feel like the garagejournal is mostly occupied by car mechanics. That's not a bad thing, it just moves the focus more towards the smaller tools.

 

[Hawk Thor]

I have no idea what a lorry is but whether you are working on an excavator or a vespa or even your house for that matter you will need it.

A lorry is a commercial truck, box truck, tractor trailer, bus etc.

 

[Futremechanic]

I'm kind of on the same boat as you are. I'm a journeyman mechanical engineer on a european island, work on ships and some big stuff that gets dropped of at the shipyards shop. I also work on cars and off-road vehicles in my free time (They are kinda cute and easy to work on compared to the big stuff eh?).

For us non-USA-ers SO tools are not worth it. We can't jump on the SO truck to replace them when they break.

I have had great luck with Teng tools, I love their plastic ratchets (Same or identical to Kamasa plastic ratchets.) for working in the cold or when I have to carry my tools around a lot.

I have a set of Snap-On 3/8" dr. universal sockets in SAE sizes. They are nothing special, high end Euro stuff is just as good.

If you want the SO ratchets then buy Bahco ratchets, Bahco and Snap-On are part of the same conglomerate and many of the ratchets share drive guts made in Spain.

I would choose Euro made tools over USA made tools. Easier too find, less shipping costs and the quality is the same. Just research your purchases to find out if you can get the exact same tool for less with another brand on the handle.

Start out with tools that are medium to high quality. If you are just stocking up to be ready for what is thrown at you then that will work fine. If you find yourself doing the same things over and over or your tools are not up to snuff the buy stronger or bigger tools. I use a mix of old, new, USA, Euro, Taiwan, Japan, cheap, expensive and home made tools. I started out with cheap tools but upgrade to bigger, stronger or more expensive tools as need arises.

I would love to have the tool prices that I see the Americans or continental Europeans here mention, but we islanders need to live with our location.

I would suggest buying slogging wrenches and single end wrenches in black phosphate finish for those big fasteners in plants, ships and agricultural jobs. Single end wrenches are great for tightening and loosening big hydraulic fittings, they fit into tight spaces and are designed to slip a pipe on the end for leverage.

Torque multipliers in 3/4" and 1" drive can really come in handy when working on big stuff, but I would not run out and buy them.

Talk to some guys working in similar jobs as you and ask them what they think are really useful tools that are not part of the usual tool collection.

I often feel like the garagejournal is mostly occupied by car mechanics. That's not a bad thing, it just moves the focus more towards the smaller tools.

Thanks for your informative post ,I always enjoyed working with plant,hgvs & farm machinery to cars but saying if that if a needs work I would not refuse do it the way look at is I really enjoy mechanical/welding or elecrtical work I get great sense of enjoyment doing it and I do valeting part time also,never seen any slogging wrenches and single end wrenches in black phosphate finish before, could you put a link up so I will know what they look like if I ever come cross them here in Ireland

 

[Futremechanic]

Does anyone the Fluke multimeters are the worth the money alot of people in the motor sector I know swear by them

 

[kiatech]

Last time I checked cornwell ONLY sells from the trucks.

 

[Hawk Thor]

Thanks for your informative post ,I always enjoyed working with plant,hgvs & farm machinery to cars but saying if that if a needs work I would not refuse do it the way look at is I really enjoy mechanical/welding or elecrtical work I get great sense of enjoyment doing it and I do valeting part time also,never seen any slogging wrenches and single end wrenches in black phosphate finish before, could you put a link up so I will know what they look like if I ever come cross them here in Ireland

I've only seen good slogging wrenches from dealers that focus on industrial tools and even spare parts for ships, plants and heavy machinery. Ask someone who works in a shipyard or in steel construction, they might point you in the right direction. We have a bunch of Gedore and other euro brands, slogging and single end wrenches in BP at work.

http://gedoreuk.com/default/products-1/gedore-2012/spanners/slogging-spanners

You know the finish that Bahco adjustable wrenches and pipe wrenches have? It's the same finish that impact sockets have. The flat black finish that does not crack and is very durable, thats black phosphate.

Chrome will crack and peel if you use hammers, cheater pipes and the like on it. BP will just scratch and mar. Eventually it will rub off, but that takes a lot of use and abuse. Don't confuse black phosphate (or phosphate finishes in general.) with black oxide finish. BO is prettier than BP but much thinner and not as good of a corrosion prevention.