Entry Level Technician's Toolkit

[ravenzfusion]

You mention you work on VW? Well you are going to need diagnostic equipment to correctly measure emissions...

 

[sberry]

If I had to work on cars for a living I would starve. I turn it down now which is probably foolish. I would last till about the second paycheck with a dealer if that long. I would find some specialty where I needed about 25 real tools tops.

 

[HanShotFirst]

If you have nothing now, or next to nothing now, you first need quantity not quality. But hat doesn't mean you have to get **** quality. For all ratchets and sockets, until you're MAKING MONEY and you're sure this is THE line of work for you, buy Harbor Freight. Their ratchets and sockets are VERY GOOD. But DON'T buy their wrenches. Find some used wrench sets on CL or Ebay and buy the best you can afford; I'd highly recommend buying US made and at this point, it doesn't matter too much which US made wrench sets; just get them.

Only drop big coin on tools when you've actually MADE MONEY wrenching. SO many people go into it, buy a fortune in tools, then decide they don't want to be mechanics, and then loose their *** on selling their tools; that's a DUMB mistake to make.

Each payday set aside some money for tools, and watch for used truck brands at good deals. I NEVER buy new truck brands, only used. Only buy from a truck if you're in a bind and you need something in a hurry. Don't buy tools off a truck on an impulse, that's how it starts and you'll be in hock before you know it. Always pay cash for your tools, that way you don't have to sell them later if you get out of the business to pay your tool bills.

When you're new you just need tools, you don't need the best. ANYONE being honest will admit that you can get the job done with cheap tools just fine until you make enough to upgrade. Just be smart, resist the pressure to drop your kids college fund on truck brand tools.

 

[zakmartin]

You mention you work on VW? Well you are going to need diagnostic equipment to correctly measure emissions...

LOL!

 

[d.mcfarland]

Do we have an update from the OP?

 

[RotaryLove]

You mention you work on VW? Well you are going to need diagnostic equipment to correctly measure emissions...

OH! Go check the VAG stock quickly.

Only drop big coin on tools when you've actually MADE MONEY wrenching.


When you're new you just need tools, you don't need the best. ANYONE being honest will admit that you can get the job done with cheap tools just fine until you make enough to upgrade. Just be smart, resist the pressure to drop your kids college fund on truck brand tools.

Very honest, and sobering to say the least. Already cut out a few hundred dollars from my "wishlist." As I've said once before, I will be using my college fund for this but between myself and my parents we've only managed to save

Do we have an update from the OP?

Sure! Purchased the following used:
IR 3/8 Air Ratchet (107XPA), works flawlessly. $15
SO 3/8 Flexhead Ratchet (FHF936), once again works flawlessly. $25
No name band wrench, Made in USA, with four interchangeable bands. $5
SO Test Light, $5
GB SE-94 Auto Wire Stripper, $5 (Works flawlessly, but this is staying at home. Will be handy while building my RX-7 )

Also, my father is letting me borrow anything I need. So I will at the least be borrowing his IR 1/2 Impact and Craftsman 1/2 Torque Wrench. There are quite a few 1/2 impact wrenches on Craigslist pretty cheap right now so next paycheck I'll check a few out.
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As for purchasing tools, I'm still putting together a list. Here's what I've got so far, not yet purchased:
VIMXZN100 8pc Triple Square
VIMTMS34PF 34pc Torx Master Set
Gearwrench 80544 Metric 14pc deep sockets
Gearwrench 80522 Metric 14pc shallow sockets
Gearwrench Magnetic 5/8 and 13/16 Spark Plug Swivel sockets, 6"
Gearwrench 3288D 3-Jaw Oil Filter Wrench
Sunex 2569 43pc Metric 1/2 Impact set

Comes out just above $350 before the $100 MIR on the Sunex impacts.

Harbor Freight Magnetic Parts trays... x3 or x4.
Harbor Freight Magnetic Pickup tool x2
Harbor Freight 9pc 3/8 and 1/2 Hex Socket Set
Harbor Freight 3pc SAE/Metric/Torx Folding Hex Keys x2

Still need:
Metric Wrench set (Matco ratcheting?)
3/8 extensions (Locking. anyone against this?)
Screwdriver set (Proto Duratek more than likely)
Plier set (No Ryan you don't need Knipex! suggestions here?)
Vice grips (borrow a pair from my dad?)
Tire inflator (Probably from the Matco guy)
1/4 Socket set and Ratchet (Probably going to put these off for a while to be honest.)
Prybar set
Box (Either my dads five drawer craftsman with 3 drawer top box OR HF 5 drawer cart. Though it would be nice to have a full size box.)

Going to start hitting up pawn shops soon.

 

[inline five]

Personally I would reconsider the VW brand, personally. With Honda and Toyota you will always have work, a lot of it, if you want to stay automotive I would go there to start. Another bonus with those brands is few specialty tools like triple square bits and so forth. For example, look at a Toyota tech's box, they only need like 5 wrenches...total...

Another option is a luxury brand like Mercedes, not sure how they pay compared to Honda/Toyota though, and the volume of work would probably be less.

I know you're not thinking about this but look 10+ years down the road. Your objective in life should be maximum pay minimum time at work.

 

[RotaryLove]

Personally I would reconsider the VW brand, personally. With Honda and Toyota you will always have work, a lot of it, if you want to stay automotive I would go there to start. Another bonus with those brands is few specialty tools like triple square bits and so forth. For example, look at a Toyota tech's box, they only need like 5 wrenches...total...

Another option is a luxury brand like Mercedes, not sure how they pay compared to Honda/Toyota though, and the volume of work would probably be less.

I know you're not thinking about this but look 10+ years down the road. Your objective in life should be maximum pay minimum time at work.

I've been with Volkswagen since February this year as a lube tech, though I was going to move on which is why they offered me this particular position. An Acura/Subaru Dealership, and a Toyota Dealership around 20 miles from home had gotten in contact with me. Along with a Mazda dealership about 25 miles from home offered me a position as a light duty tech. I was about to accept Mazda's offer until Volkswagen gave me a counter offer. The pay at Volkswagen is less than the others, but being far closer (8 miles) is Worth it for me.

The Toyota dealership which had contacted me was offering me a position as an express lube tech. Incredibly fast paced, nothing like being a Maintenance/Light Duty tech. Not only that, but I have absolutely zero interest in Honda or Toyota and their product lines. If I was going to choose a brand based on product line and Volume, it would be Chevrolet or Ford. I live in the middle class suburbs rather than the wealthy suburbs, the nearest luxury dealerships are about 20 miles away and I have a feeling they're not hiring.

If you're curious of my intentions let me explain; I'm looking for a position exactly like Volkswagen is offering. This will allow me to see if automotive is truly right for me with minimal investment... If it doesn't work out I have a set of tools that'll be handy when I move out on my own.

I've got two particular "plans:"
1.) Go to school for automotive, and fabrication (or get an engineering degree). Many of my friends are doing this same thing. Start my own Performance shop.

2.) Realize despite the fact that I love wrenching its not right for me on a professional level. Pursue Architecture or Industrial Design.

At the end of the day making a buck isn't the meaning of life... While it's easy for me to say now, being a young kid living with his parents, If my only goal was to make money I most definitely wouldn't be posting on Garage Journal. I'd be out pursuing other fields such as business or law... I haven't even mentioned the illicit things yet

 

[MDK22]

Get the Blue Point FWA62121A filter claw all the other brands like to break. I say this cause I had a coworker when I worked at pepboys who opened a drawer with 15 different brands all broken and he said he finally bought the Blue Point one and it hadn't broke in over a year.

If you are going to get ratcheting wrenches Gearwrench are stronger for the ratcheting mechanism then anyone else. As far as the open end goes that steel is normally not as good as tool truck ones. I would recommend the flex head aka broken head style but, a lot of guys also like the flip lever 15 degree offset ones so one of those. I have only had 2 broken Gearwrench flex heads and that was because of heavy abuse by 1 co worker and 1 by me. They are not going to break stuff loose that is really tight without messing stuff up.

Those Harbor freight folding key sets you are going to find flex really bad under heavy load. They might be ok for a little while but, I doubt that they will last long. But, considering you will have the VIM ones you will rarely have to use the flip ones anyway.

 

[shoggoth80]

Business degrees are generic, and don't count for much... Coming from someone who has one. I make more money wrenching. Lol.

 

[Skin]

Personally I would reconsider the VW brand, personally. With Honda and Toyota you will always have work, a lot of it, if you want to stay automotive I would go there to start. Another bonus with those brands is few specialty tools like triple square bits and so forth. For example, look at a Toyota tech's box, they only need like 5 wrenches...total...

Another option is a luxury brand like Mercedes, not sure how they pay compared to Honda/Toyota though, and the volume of work would probably be less.

I know you're not thinking about this but look 10+ years down the road. Your objective in life should be maximum pay minimum time at work.

Perhaps a byproduct of where you live but VW is one of the top automakers in the world in sales. Plenty of their cars on the road to keep a shop busy and they break more than a Honda or Toyota too .

Toyota and Honda have some oddball fasteners as well like 12pt axle nuts, 10pt control arm bolts, double hex head bolts etc.. in addition to internal Torx and Hex. For German brands all you really need is roughly 6 triple squares in addition to what you should already have so its not exactly a huge requirement.

 

[d.mcfarland]

As for purchasing tools, I'm still putting together a list. Here's what I've got so far, not yet purchased:

Harbor Freight 9pc 3/8 and 1/2 Hex Socket Set
Harbor Freight 3pc SAE/Metric/Torx Folding Hex Keys x2

Still need:
Metric Wrench set (Matco ratcheting?)

Vice grips (borrow a pair from my dad?)

Pony up for the hex and torx stuff. When you need it you want it to work the first time. There is no backup. Same with vice grips. It's a last resort or something really needs that particular tool.

For wrenches I like you plan because warranty you will need quickly.

I've got two particular "plans:"Start my own Performance shop."

Being honest here. Don't count on it.

 

[Supe]

Perhaps a byproduct of where you live but VW is one of the top automakers in the world in sales. Plenty of their cars on the road to keep a shop busy and they break more than a Honda or Toyota too .

VW has had a rough few days after being caught out cheating emissions testing, affecting their share price and reputation. VW will be facing tough times in the coming months. Looking ahead, will that deter potential buyers/

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34325005

 

[WhiffySpark]

VW has had a rough few days after being caught out cheating emissions testing, affecting their share price and reputation. VW will be facing tough times in the coming months. Looking ahead, will that deter potential buyers/

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34325005

No it won't. In the grand scheme of things if it wasn't for the epa no one would care.

They have fines and recalls all the time. Doesn't stop anyone

 

[HanShotFirst]

No it won't. In the grand scheme of things if it wasn't for the epa no one would care.

They have fines and recalls all the time. Doesn't stop anyone

I disagree. Not only do they have the fines for not meeting emissions, it was done by fraud, so that's going to be additional fines. That's going to add up to real money in the hundreds of millions. But the BIG money is going to come from the class action suit from the owners of these cars who were told they were buying "A" but actually got "B". Between the government fines and the lawsuits, there's a good chance that VW may have to exit the US market.

Not to mention there's an ongoing investigation in South Korea, the drop to their stock price, and the worldwide drop in sales they're likely to experience.

 

[shoggoth80]

Makes me wish I had some investment capital. I missed out on Ford when they dropped real low during the worst parts of the recession. Could have quintupled my money. Lol.

I expect this to hurt VW financially. I however do expect them to make a comeback. I personally would love to see more diesel in use for passenger cars.

 

[575cat]

Get on the tool truck and buy repo,d tools from the guys who didnt make it .

 

[WhiffySpark]

I disagree. Not only do they have the fines for not meeting emissions, it was done by fraud, so that's going to be additional fines. That's going to add up to real money in the hundreds of millions. But the BIG money is going to come from the class action suit from the owners of these cars who were told they were buying "A" but actually got "B". Between the government fines and the lawsuits, there's a good chance that VW may have to exit the US market.

Not to mention there's an ongoing investigation in South Korea, the drop to their stock price, and the worldwide drop in sales they're likely to experience.

They're not going anywhere. Stock has already came up some from yesterday.

Not to mention all the other brands they own. They'll be fine

 

[Thax]

Maybe somebody has suggested these already? Has the OP looked at Industrial brands such as Armstrong , Wright or Proto. Along with SK these brands offer quality equal or better than the tool truck brands. Armstrong MAXX ratchets are Matco 88's , Wright and Proto Sockets and Wrenches are fantastic and are priced much cheaper than the truck offerings. Dont forget JH Williams , as long as they are US made they are fantastic for the money. Harbor Freights Earthquake like of air tools is surprisingly good for the money as well. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Skin]

I disagree. Not only do they have the fines for not meeting emissions, it was done by fraud, so that's going to be additional fines. That's going to add up to real money in the hundreds of millions. But the BIG money is going to come from the class action suit from the owners of these cars who were told they were buying "A" but actually got "B".

Safety cover-ups are a much bigger deal, wouldn't you agree? Fact is most of those owners, and certainly any involved law firms, are going to simply be seeking "free" money, they could care less about pollution. As far as implications look at the GM ignition switch debacle, which has all but been pushed behind the curtain. There was a problem that they knew about which could potentially kill you and they tried to hide it. Most people worried about the issue took their affected GM vehicles to the dealer and, wait for it...., traded the vehicle in for a new model GM vehicle! That's a statistical fact. Point being if people don't really care about a company sacrificing safety to save a few dollars a unit, they certainly aren't going to be bothered by VW skirting emissions to boost MPG and power to the end users benefit, not detriment. VW is in for a financial hurting but as far as production and sales go I don't see that being affected at all. Not to mention the fact that they haven't even begun to test other brands for similar defeat procedures.

 

[Jo Diesel]

If you have to finance any tools GET A CREDIT CARD. Use it only for tools. Makes it real easy to keep records for taxes. Snappy credit is worse than a loan shark. Like 24%
Buy a set of SO Deep Metrics, 3/8 & 1/2 and swivel impacts. This is the tools that you will beat the **** out of every day and when they get worn they can be replaced.
Buy a larger tool box than you think you need. Lot of great deals lately on Craigs List. Buy a bigger bottom box then you can add a top later. Personally I have a large bottom and no top as I use it as a work bench
Start out with all Metrics. You will not find fractional on VW's
I recently bought a set of Gearwrench brake line wrenches that are pretty cool

 

[WhiffySpark]

Why would you finance hand tools? Truck account is zero percent. Plus with deals they run half the time it ends up cheaper than all the other stuff you recommend.

The only time you pay list is when you can't wait for a deal. Even then my dealer gives a percentage off.

This is assuming you have a good dealer

 

[shoggoth80]

Flexible line wrenches can save your tail. I've got Astros, and the larger ones are 12pt. I've had these work in really odd/awkward spots and angles. Those GW look good too. A nice addition if you can spare the $$$.

 

[K-Dog]

I recently bought a set of Gearwrench brake line wrenches that are pretty cool

Something else added to my Amazon wish list....

Damn this web site...

 

[RotaryLove]

A little update for everyone... Tomorrow is the day I technically speaking get the promotion. We've agreed I'll have my tools by the end of the week. I've got most of the big items, and I'm still looking for a few but I think I've made up my mind.

The following tools I've yet to decide on:

• Metric Wrench Set. I feel as if GW Ratcheting is the way to go considering I can get the full 8-19 set plus a finisher set for about $160, that's hard to beat. But I fear if I break one I'll have a hard time with warranty... A truck brand would be far easier to warranty though far more expensive. Would it be a bad idea to have ratcheting wrenches as my only set?
  
• 1/2 Impact Wrench. Probably going to pick up a used IR or Matco
  
• Pliers Set. No idea.
  
• Box. I think the HF 44" is hard to beat for the price, if there is room for it in our shop. Just shy of $400, and I can get end cabinets for it if I need the extra space.
  
• Socket Trays. Need to be easily adjustable for different sets, between all three common drives.
  
• Cordless tools. My main worry. I'll be borrowing my dad's 1/4 hex ridgid impact for the time being, but I'd like to get a milwaukee M12 or M18. I'll be sticking to one product line, so I'm thinking the M12 line. The M12 Fuel 3/8 impact driver should be adequate, no? How about the 3/8 Impact verus the 1/4 hex impact? They can both accomplish the same task, but I'm not sure if one is better than the other.

 

[shoggoth80]

I wouldn't use less than 18v for cordless. I will say that I favor Milwaukee for impacts. We had some in the shop. They disappeared. They got replaced with DeWalts, and they are not of the same caliber. Got a buddy that buys Milwaukee... bought one broken at $25, and they warrantied it for him. As a company they seem to exceed expectation. The little hex impact is great for quick, small stuff. If you need to zip off a cover from the undercarriage... you'll be happy to have it.

As for wrenches... I would get standard combos, plus ratcheting. If you really need to ream on something, you won't want to do it with a ratcheting box end.

1/2 air impact. IR is good stuff, SK is alright, I have a Sioux in 1/2 at work (IR is 3/4"). Aircat is pretty damned nice if I may say so. I think that they are the OEM for the Matco stuff? I could be wrong. I know that some truck brand rebadges them. Coworker has an Aircat. I use it anytime I work in "his" bay. He leaves it on his cart, and doesn't care as long as it gets back. All our boxes live in different parts/divisions of the shop, and depending on what gets brought in for work (postal fleet), depends on how much bouncing around anyone does. Anyways, lots of love for Aircat. I've blown out two older, and much used IRs. Also had two IR butterfly wrenches break at the swivel. This isn't to steer you away from IR... but if you are buying used... give it a GOOD look over. Avoid Kobalt impacts like the plague. I blew a lot of them up starting out (they were easy on the wallet though). IF you don't mind Asian tools... Astro perhaps, or the HF Earthquake 1/2 (itself an IR Thundergun clone).

Pliers... whatever gets you started without too much wallet pain. Avoid cheap stuff with soft metal. A little homework needed here. I am not as experienced on this end. SK is ok, as I've got some at work. Channel Lock gets the job done. I am partial to Knipex, because it's German. Don't own any, have handled some. Good needle nose, something with long reach (you'd be surprised at how often you'd use it. First time you drop something in an engine bay), some kind of Vise Grip, some kind of channlelock jaw, or cobra, and if you can a cable operated hose clamp plier. Sometimes assemblers are stupid, and will orient clamps in a way that you absolutely cannot reach any other way than to have a set of these. Many varieties. Many rebadges. Got Astros on my personal wish list.

Good call on the HF box. Some of those are pure gold for what they are. I had a black 5 drawer cart. Was nice. Had no space for it when I changed employers. Got a Flight Line now. It does what I need it to. The HF cart was great for the price paid. By all accounts, that 44" US General is an amazing bang for the buck deal. If you are worried about getting flack from coworkers... you can either 1. give them the finger, or 2. pull teh badge and cover with stickers. Lol. The 44" box may be a bit big for starting out... but bigger can save you buying more in the long run.

 

[Jacobson]

If you agreed by end of the week, at this point, you just need to pull the trigger.
Anything is better than nothing, and you don't even have a wrench set yet.
Keep overshopping, browsing, and this could reflect poorly on you (OCD overanalyser who can't get anything done)

 

[Mikerodrig27]

[*]1/2 Impact Wrench. Probably going to pick up a used IR or Matco

[*]Pliers Set. No idea.

[*]Box.

[*]Socket Trays.

[*]I'd like to get a milwaukee M12 or M18. The M12 Fuel 3/8 impact driver should be adequate, no? How about the 3/8 Impact verus the 1/4 hex impact? They can both accomplish the same task, but I'm not sure if one is better than the other.
[/LIST]

Impact wrench, IR is the best most proven manufacturer for impacts out there. If you can break one, then you shouldn't be fixing things for a living!

Box, I had the HF 44" top chest that I kept in my truck. It was an awesome box for the money. It can be used professionally in my opinion. Now I have a bluepoint top/bottom combo and it is definitely beefier than the HF box. The best part about it is I got it for $100 in pretty bad shape. It took me a couple days of elbow grease and calling snapon for warranty on the hinges but now it is a great box. My point is, check craigs out and see if you can find a good used deal. If you can't there is nothing wrong with the HF box.

Socket trays, Mechanics time savers makes a nice twist lock socket tray. So does ernst. Ernst is cheaper than MTS.

I have a 18v hitachi impact at home and a m12 Milwaukee at work. I personally use the hex drive. I buy the ridgid $20 deals that comes with the large assortment of driver bits. The assortment even comes with the 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" adapters. I like the m12 because I can use it on small fasteners like Honda airbox bolts or engine shroud bolts without stripping them. If I need something stronger, I'll probably go pneumatic for that or loosen whatever fastener with a handwrench first. I use the m12 to drive lug nuts before I torque them when I'm too lazy to grab the pneumatic. Any pawn shop is going to have m12 stuff. Heck, I got a brand new charger for mine at goodwill for $2. If you want a 18v, I suggest you get the 12v as well for tight areas.