First Tool set

[sizzler90]

So my question is what tool set should someone get for his first one. What brand and size?

My future son and law has been working with me on my cars and his truck since I met him 6 months ago. He has never worked with any tools in the past. He has really taken a liking to it. He leaves about 150 miles from my house and wants to get his own tool set to work on his truck when needed so he doesn't have to wait. Oh he has a Toyota.

 

[hamburglar]

Just to be different...(as opposed to the expected CRAFTSMANSEARSBLAHBLAH)

 

[sizzler90]

Just to be different...(as opposed to the expected CRAFTSMANSEARSBLAHBLAH)

What brand is that?

 

[hamburglar]

What brand is that?

Proxxon/Felo/Knipex

I'm just a big fan of all-in-one kits for people. The tools can graduate to an emergency set if they decide to buy a big ol' box and proceed to fill it up. Plus a lot of folks with no tools tend to have no garage and basically need something to haul out to the vehicle.

The Bluepoint equivalent seems to go for a tolerable price on eBay every couple of weeks or so.

 

[eschoendorff]

I would assemble a tool set of your own based on your knowledge of his needs and preferences...

ie:

Channellock pliers
Craftsman wrenches
*insert favorite brand of screwdrivers*
*insert favorite ratchets*
Craftsman sockets - bit sockets
Gear Wrenches

That should get him going with the basics... and they should last him.

 

[PoorOwner]

On a Toyota a metric set and a breaker bar and torque wrench would be all the beginner needs, then things like the oil filter wrench, brake piston compress tools etc.

 

[Lightning]

The SK brand would be my choice for your first tool set. Very inexpensive and good quality.

 

[billymade]

Not a big Craftsman fan but this is a pretty good set to start with; add a basic set of screwdrivers/pliers and your good to go:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934245000P?adCell=A3

Craftsman 245 pc. Mechanics Tool Set with Easy-To-Read Sockets in 3-Drawer Chest Sears item# 00934245000 Mfr. model# 34245
CLEARANCE $189.88 (originally $259.99)
Save $70.11 thru 05/22/08

 

[nissan_crawler]

watch ebay.

All these sockets (except the two specialty rails on the right), all the extensions, a 1/4" craftsman and New Britain ratchet, 3/8" Craftsman and New Britain ratchet, and 1/2" Craftsman, 10" New Britain, and 15" New Britain ratchet, 1/2" el cheapo torque wrench (but calibrated)...

and this wrench drawer: 3/8-3/4" Snap on 30/60 wrenches, 3/8-3/4" gear wrench stubbies, 1/4"-1" Craftsman Pro, 1- 1 1/4" el cheapo, 1/4"-3/4" gearwrench, 1/4"-1" Craftsman (regular), 10-18mm Gearwrench, 6-18mm Craftsman (regular)

All the sockets and Craftsman ratchets were in a set I got on sale for $150, except for the 5-6 largest 1/2" SAE and Metrics, which were $20 for each set on sale.

$190

the 4 New Britain ratchets cost me $45

235

Extension sets were $10 each for 4 piece sets, so $30, plus a long 1/4" for $9
$274

torque wrench, $9

$283

Snappy 30/60's, $80 (these were used on ebay, I got the same set here for $90 and took them to work, so deals are out there)
$363,

C-pro $40 (used on ebay again)

$403

All regular Craftsman came in socket set above, along with complete ignition and hex key sets in SAE and Metric

stubby Gearwrench set on closeout for...$5
$408

Other two Gearwrench sets, $20 each
$448
Sold off some various extras and such that came with the other stuff...

I MAY be a tick over $400 for it, but not by much.

(Yes, I copied and pasted this from another thread, I'm too lazy to retype all of it).

 

[dxdexter]

If you really like him, this one is a steal (for the seller) at $10,400.

 

[PoorOwner]

If you really like him, this one is a steal (for the seller) at $10,400.

Is this one of those Toyota apprentice set?

 

[billymade]

LOL! That would be a nice first set!

 

[Fedwrench]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=12735&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

You could use this tool set as a guide. You don't have to start with Snap on. Craftsman, SK, and others make excellent tools besides what comes off of a truck.

 

[dxdexter]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=12735&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

You could use this tool set as a guide. You don't have to start with Snap on. Craftsman, SK, and others make excellent tools besides what comes off of a truck.

That picture is indeed a great guide, but I can't see what exactly makes it a Toyota apprentice set anymore than any other metric set. I don't see any Toyota specific tools other than perhaps some large sockets on the top.

 

[Fedwrench]

That picture is indeed a great guide, but I can't see what exactly makes it a Toyota apprentice set anymore than any other metric set. I don't see any Toyota specific tools other than perhaps some large sockets on the top.

Perhaps Snap on asked Toyota what tools they wanted their entry level techs to have and this set was their response, or they could have gotten a list from students in the Toyota Technician Education Program. who knows, it could even be a baited hook for someone aspiring to be a Toyota tech. I thought for sure that Hydrometer was a factory requirement, who else would include one in a basic tool set?
Snap on used to offer OEM set building for the larger makes. Alot of tools sets offer pieces over substance. I used to tell new techs to look on an older tech's cart and see what looks worn out, beat up, or used the most. Start with those items when set building.

 

[dxdexter]

Perhaps Snap on asked Toyota what tools they wanted their entry level techs to have and this set was their response, or they could have gotten a list from students in the Toyota Technician Education Program. who knows, it could even be a baited hook for someone aspiring to be a Toyota tech. I thought for sure that Hydrometer was a factory requirement, who else would include one in a basic tool set?
Snap on used to offer OEM set building for the larger makes. Alot of tools sets offer pieces over substance. I used to tell new techs to look on an older tech's cart and see what looks worn out, beat up, or used the most. Start with those items when set building.

Good point. I guess most any metric vehicle would use the same tools, just some may be used more so than others depending on the manufacturer in question.

 

[GDA]

I would assemble a tool set of your own based on your knowledge of his needs and preferences...

ie:

Channellock pliers
Craftsman wrenches
*insert favorite brand of screwdrivers*
*insert favorite ratchets*
Craftsman sockets - bit sockets
Gear Wrenches

That should get him going with the basics... and they should last him.

Good advice here...

I think buying from several different manufacturers you can build a very high quality tool set for a respectable price. Lots of great deals on used tools can still be found on craigslist locally.

My .02 - Dont skimp on spending for screwdrivers, ratchets and combination wrenches. Since those are the most used you will appreciate the quality/strength and longevity every time you/he uses them.

 

[annoyingrob]

What I did when starting my tool collection, was make a list of every tool I needed to do a job. If I did a new job, and needed a tool that wasn't on there, then I would add it to the list. Then, I would slowly start buying sets that included the most tools I needed.

Eg: 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 22mm, 24mm sockets (I also work on Toyotas)
10, 12, 14, 17mm wrenches
some various torx bits, some random hex bits, gear puller, etc.

My suggestion, if you buy wrenches, but ratheting wrenches. I will never go back to using a regular wrench.