first 15 tools a mechanic should buy?
- Thread starter merbie
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dlcwent
Member Emeritus
Most important a BFH.
Really
Reallymuckerbarry
Active member
This^ (go for deep sockets if you can only afford one set)
And Pliers, Snips, vicegrip, BFH, Set of screw drivers, various length socket extensions, 3/8-Allen and Torx sockets. Maybe double up on the combination wrenches in the most populr sizes, a cheap set will do for this.
These will take care of most jobs.
dlcwent
Member Emeritus
^Just wanted to add, that when you buy torx, look for nice square ends, not ones that are slightly rounded.
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SuzukiGS750EZ
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Socket set. Wrench set. Large hammer. Screwdriver set. Pocket screwdriver. Good plier set. Flashlight. Ratchet set. Picks. Assorted bits of torx, Allen, etc. Magnetic pickup tool. Extension set. Universals. 1/2" impact gun. Mirror tool. (And of course gloves and glasses)
ClineWrench
Well-known member
There's a thread around here somewhere about the basic toolbox and it has a lot of great ideas. You might check it out and grab some ideas from there.
At a minimum I imagine you'd need wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers and a hammer.
Might help if you know what kind of vehicles you'll be working on too. For instance, if you are working in a BMW shop, don't bother with the SAE fractional tools. If working for A classic hot rod shop, don't bother with the metric tools. If working for a ford, chevy, dodge dealership, God help you because you'll need everything under the sun.
My 2 cents.
At a minimum I imagine you'd need wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers and a hammer.
Might help if you know what kind of vehicles you'll be working on too. For instance, if you are working in a BMW shop, don't bother with the SAE fractional tools. If working for A classic hot rod shop, don't bother with the metric tools. If working for a ford, chevy, dodge dealership, God help you because you'll need everything under the sun.
My 2 cents.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
1. Toolbox
2. 3/8 sockets
3. 1/4 sockets
4. 1/2 sockets
5. Ratchets
6. Odd use ratchets (stubby, flex, long, etc)
7. Wrench set
8. Plier set
9. Screwdrivers
10. Bit driver set
11. Extensions
12. Hammer set
13. Drill bits
14. Flashlight
15. Oil filter tools (or whatever would help with 1st job)
2. 3/8 sockets
3. 1/4 sockets
4. 1/2 sockets
5. Ratchets
6. Odd use ratchets (stubby, flex, long, etc)
7. Wrench set
8. Plier set
9. Screwdrivers
10. Bit driver set
11. Extensions
12. Hammer set
13. Drill bits
14. Flashlight
15. Oil filter tools (or whatever would help with 1st job)
espyking83
Well-known member
Wrench set, good ratcheting screwdriver, screwdriver set, socket set, vice, air drill, screw extractors, breaker bar. Those are just the ones off the top of my head.
low_dakota94
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I say descent socket set with ratchets, a set of basic size metric and sae wrenches, screwdriver set, and a oil filter wrench. That'll get you through most basic everyday jobs. As a starting mechanic, oil changes will be your thing for a bit lol.
I would say it depends on what you are working on, but for a start I think the following would be a good starting point.
1)screwdriver set
2)decent pliers set (needle nose, side cutter, ect.)
3)Set of wrenches
4)3/8" socket set w/ breaker bar
5)1/4" socket set
6)1/2" socket set w/ breaker bar
7)ball pein hammer
8)Torque Wrench
as far as the rest is concerned I would let what ever you are working on dictate that, ex specialty sockets, power tools ect.
chiz1180
1)screwdriver set
2)decent pliers set (needle nose, side cutter, ect.)
3)Set of wrenches
4)3/8" socket set w/ breaker bar
5)1/4" socket set
6)1/2" socket set w/ breaker bar
7)ball pein hammer
8)Torque Wrench
as far as the rest is concerned I would let what ever you are working on dictate that, ex specialty sockets, power tools ect.
chiz1180
toolaholic
Well-known member
Breaker bar and maybe spline wrenches(supposed to work on slightly rounded fasteners). Oh and flare nut wrenches.
Askme42
Well-known member
Wow no love for pry bars?
I currently have a Cornwell screwdriver set snap on mini screwdriver set 1/4 snap long ratchet wurth 3/8 (Cornwell set on the way) stahlwhille 1/2 inch, craftsmen industrial sae (Cornwell metric set on the way) cheap pick set and scraper set and some other facom and Chinese stuff, also have a 175 piece craftsmen us made socket set as my main sockets
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d.mcfarland
Well-known member
The Snap On set on the top of that flier is nice and comprehensive. However, you can piece together just as good of a set for much cheaper and that box will get different views from people around here.
abvw
Well-known member
Safety and protection
Tool storage (cart, box, bucket, whatever)
Flashlights
3/8" and 1/2" torque wrench
Breaker bars in various length
Pry bars in various length
Hammers and rubber mallets, along with punches, chisels and impact drivers.
Strap style filter wrench
Sockets, extensions, ratchets
Wrenches
Pliers, mainly waterpump style and long reach/needle nose.
Trim panel tools
Files and other cutting and abrasive tools
Multimeter and test light
OBD2 scanner with ABS and I/M.
Various lube, grease, penetrant and threadlockers.
Torch and water.
Don't bother with screwdrivers. You will rarely work on Philips and flat heads will end up being abused as pry bars, just a 1/4" bit set is more than suffice.
Tool storage (cart, box, bucket, whatever)
Flashlights
3/8" and 1/2" torque wrench
Breaker bars in various length
Pry bars in various length
Hammers and rubber mallets, along with punches, chisels and impact drivers.
Strap style filter wrench
Sockets, extensions, ratchets
Wrenches
Pliers, mainly waterpump style and long reach/needle nose.
Trim panel tools
Files and other cutting and abrasive tools
Multimeter and test light
OBD2 scanner with ABS and I/M.
Various lube, grease, penetrant and threadlockers.
Torch and water.
Don't bother with screwdrivers. You will rarely work on Philips and flat heads will end up being abused as pry bars, just a 1/4" bit set is more than suffice.
bcradio
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hans1926
Member
A cape chisel
ihateminimumwage
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It's funny how little you can actually get by with starting out. Most forget that after accumulating all the specialty tools (guilty myself in some recent times). In between jobs currently, so all my 'shade tree' work is done out of a 3 drawer Husky box with the basics and a Craftsman bag with some electrical and specialty tools (including some M12 cordless impacts, once you spoil yourself with those, it's hard to go back). I'm sure my list will be about the same as the rest, trying to remember what I had just starting out.
1. Socket set - 1/4" & 3/8" chrome set with extensions and ratchets, 1/2" impact (planning ahead, I stopped using my 1/2" chrome sockets when I switched to impact, still use them on a breaker bar though)
2. Wrench sets - Don't need to the biggest set starting out (I think I only had up to 3/4" and anything larger I just used an adjustable)
3. Hammers - Mini sledge, ball peen and dead blow (Still the only 3 I use to this day)
4. DMM and/or test light - Get to know how every function of a DMM works, and a test light for quick lazy checks)
5. Pliers/Cutters - Made due for years with a cheap set (and still have a couple), wire strippers are a must.
6. Screwdrivers - As said above, a bit set and driver will cover most everything later on, but starting out screwdrivers are extremely versatile tools (prying, lining up holes, scraping, used a a punch in a cinch).
7. Torque Wrench - 1/2" to start, 3/8" depending on what you're working on. Can't guess on how tight that head gasket is being clamped down (and makes sure those oil drain plugs stay in).
8. Punches/chisels - Amazing how often you'll use them.
9. Razor blades - Cleaning gasket surfaces
10. Picks - Another tool I got by without for 5 years, then once I had a set didn't know how I lived without them so long.
11. Pry Bars - I spent years using a couple of standard crowbars (still do), but even a set of $20 Craftsman bars is a major improvement.
12. Filter pliers/wrenches - If you're starting out in a shop, you'll be changing a lot of oil.
13. Flashlight - Couldn't do my job without my Streamlight, I take it with me everywhere.
14. Magnetic Pickup - Because you're going to drop ****.
15. Service cart - If you're just starting out in a shop environment, you don't want to be loading in a mostly empty 56" box and crowding precious shop space.
Then things get out of control with air and cordless tools, ratcheting wrenches, stubby wrenches, ratcheting stubby wrenches, specialty tools that you'll use once every 5 years, etc. GJ is dangerous like that.
1. Socket set - 1/4" & 3/8" chrome set with extensions and ratchets, 1/2" impact (planning ahead, I stopped using my 1/2" chrome sockets when I switched to impact, still use them on a breaker bar though)
2. Wrench sets - Don't need to the biggest set starting out (I think I only had up to 3/4" and anything larger I just used an adjustable)
3. Hammers - Mini sledge, ball peen and dead blow (Still the only 3 I use to this day)
4. DMM and/or test light - Get to know how every function of a DMM works, and a test light for quick lazy checks)
5. Pliers/Cutters - Made due for years with a cheap set (and still have a couple), wire strippers are a must.
6. Screwdrivers - As said above, a bit set and driver will cover most everything later on, but starting out screwdrivers are extremely versatile tools (prying, lining up holes, scraping, used a a punch in a cinch).
7. Torque Wrench - 1/2" to start, 3/8" depending on what you're working on. Can't guess on how tight that head gasket is being clamped down (and makes sure those oil drain plugs stay in).
8. Punches/chisels - Amazing how often you'll use them.
9. Razor blades - Cleaning gasket surfaces
10. Picks - Another tool I got by without for 5 years, then once I had a set didn't know how I lived without them so long.
11. Pry Bars - I spent years using a couple of standard crowbars (still do), but even a set of $20 Craftsman bars is a major improvement.
12. Filter pliers/wrenches - If you're starting out in a shop, you'll be changing a lot of oil.
13. Flashlight - Couldn't do my job without my Streamlight, I take it with me everywhere.
14. Magnetic Pickup - Because you're going to drop ****.
15. Service cart - If you're just starting out in a shop environment, you don't want to be loading in a mostly empty 56" box and crowding precious shop space.
Then things get out of control with air and cordless tools, ratcheting wrenches, stubby wrenches, ratcheting stubby wrenches, specialty tools that you'll use once every 5 years, etc. GJ is dangerous like that.
Haha yeah well I have a 42 inch box on the way have been using a top box on a 3 tier trolley until now, have been working in a shop for a few years but only really started getting serious in this last year so time for my own tools! Ingersoll rand impact 2135 is next on the list
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woody 73
Well-known member
A few tools to have around...
A sharp pocket knife comes in handy.
Flashlight for those dark spaces.
Pick up magnetic tool for those dropped screws.
A brass hammer.
A set of good picks.
A good drill bit set.
Oil filter cup set.
Find a good hand file.
Good screwdriver set.
A good scraper.
Torque wrench.
Pry bar.
Set of impact sockets.
1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 socket sets.
Metric wrench set.
pliers.
a few punch & chisels.
That should be a good start.
A sharp pocket knife comes in handy.
Flashlight for those dark spaces.
Pick up magnetic tool for those dropped screws.
A brass hammer.
A set of good picks.
A good drill bit set.
Oil filter cup set.
Find a good hand file.
Good screwdriver set.
A good scraper.
Torque wrench.
Pry bar.
Set of impact sockets.
1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 socket sets.
Metric wrench set.
pliers.
a few punch & chisels.
That should be a good start.