help a youngin out?

[Djstorm100]

Starting black friday I bought about 600 bucks worth of tools including the HF black tool cart, 255 piece craftsman tool set that was originally 300 for 150. This was to help start my "shop" tools. I've always had specialty tools and my pops had all the basic stuff. We just borrow one another tools since I still live at home with him (my shop is at out house)

anyway I started my own mechanic business (mobile) needless to say I find my self buying two of everything at times.. one for the truck's tool box and then for my shop. What do you guys do that are mechanics for a living but have a shop at home also do? Seems like it be a pita running back in forth to get a tool. Then only to forget about it and leave it the shop's tool box when it needs to be in the trucks tool box. I've done that a few times where I left a certain length extension in my shop when I needed it at a job site.

also I find my self always buying sears ratchets and sockets ...not really I bought 6 and 10 inch extensions for 1/2 drive and 10 for 3/8 for my shop. craftsman is all i've ever been exposed to so I'm bias to them vs macto and snap on but being 23 I don't have the $$ for those. Used is a option but the thing is I don't know how well they have been treated/if they break do I still have the warranty.

I did have a broke 3/8 drive ratchets and sears was out of them so they gave me a 7 inch flex head 3.8 drive for free...score! it was refurnished but hell who cares..I know I still have my warranty.

 

[Suprman]

i'm in the same boat as you, except i don't have dads tools.

I'm 24 and starting over after all my tools were stolen earlier this year. i bought the same tool kit from Sears on Black Friday and will be getting a HF cart as my new toolbox.

the toughest thing is replacing all the specialty tools i had from working on cars from 16-24, you know the things you don't think about until you really need em!

 

[Djstorm100]

i'm in the same boat as you, except i don't have dads tools.

I'm 24 and starting over after all my tools were stolen earlier this year. i bought the same tool kit from Sears on Black Friday and will be getting a HF cart as my new toolbox.

the toughest thing is replacing all the specialty tools i had from working on cars from 16-24, you know the things you don't think about until you really need em!

exactly those tools stay in my truck's tool box under lock and key. My ruger lcp does some of the talking lol

 

[Sh1thead]

Craigslist ... you would be surprised what crackheads and fellow gearheads will sell when they need funds to support their addiction/family/hobby.

 

[Suprman]

exactly those tools stay in my truck's tool box under lock and key. My ruger lcp does some of the talking lol

be careful, they took my f250 diesel along with all my tools in it. its the main reason i now have a glock 23 and carry it everywhere i go.

 

[pipsters]

be careful, they took my f250 diesel along with all my tools in it. its the main reason i now have a glock 23 and carry it everywhere i go.

Shooting someone for stealing your car is a really quick way to go to jail for a long time for murder, unless you live in Texas. I would highly recommend you not do it.

 

[nismomans13]

if you're going to work out of two shops the only logical way to do it with tools is to.

1. Buy duplicates of everything which can easily get VERy expensive

or

2. Get a mobile tool box. Dunno if you have a pickup or not but matco, and Mac both offer truck tool boxes with drawers that can be moved from the back of the bed to the front on a slide system this way you're tools are always with you. however if you're car gets stolen so does your tools, but thats what insurance is for.

 

[Wes28376]

Shooting someone for stealing your car is a really quick way to go to jail for a long time for murder, unless you live in Texas. I would highly recommend you not do it.

That's why I love Texas.

 

[pipsters]

That's why I love Texas.

I'm actually not even 100% about that, buy they do have the most liberal laws for deadly force. And yes, I do like Texas for that fact.

 

[spongerich]

If you can make the time, you can often find some great tool buys at auction. I generally find especially good deals on the more common sizes (which are exactly the ones you want to have multiple sets of). I've frequently bought a box of tools just to get 2 or 3 that I've needed and then sold the rest here on the classifieds or on eBay. Craigslist/Garage Sales are often worthwhile too.

 

[pipsters]

Where are these auctions? I live in the capital city of my state (fairly large city) and there are but a few estate auctions advertised. What other auctions should I be looking for?

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Craigslist ... you would be surprised what crackheads and fellow gearheads will sell when they need funds to support their addiction/family/hobby.

no joke. some of them need/want money so bad they sell stuff for dirt cheap. just be very cautious, some of them can burn ya good.

 

[Suprman]

Shooting someone for stealing your car is a really quick way to go to jail for a long time for murder, unless you live in Texas. I would highly recommend you not do it.

I live in Georgia, so pretty much the same as Texas!

 

[Stick Figure]

When i closed my shop and moved out here to work for someone else, i had to basically buy a whole second set of tools for the house. Then i added another smaller basic set to carry in my 4Runner. It ***** but what can you do? The good thing is usually the specialty tools don't have to be duplicated. I usually have enough warning to bring them home or two the shop if needed at either place. I will agree with the rest that have said buy used, that's where a good percentage of my stuff has come from.

 

[blue dog]

Don't forget the classifieds of the GARAGEJOURNAL.
recently i purchased a brand new proto torque wrench that goes from 50 FT lbs to 250 for $50 on CL. if you are persistent and check daily, you will slowly find good deals on what you are looking for.

 

[kams1973]

I too have a ton of tools packed tightly in various boxes in my truck, and yes it is a PITA having to go back and forth between my small work shop in the backyard and my truck to get tools. I've doubling up on tools by going to the flea market, pawn shops, and the gj classifieds.

 

[dankicksass]

Stanley/Husky wrenches and sockets are good quality, easy to warranty and for the most part cheaper than Craftsman if you're feeling crunched on the two-of-everything area. They're made in China (some tools still USA) so I'll mention that before somebody crucifies me for recommending a China tool not from Harbor Freight. I'm not a fan of Harbor Freight for the most part...

 

[bmxr4life87]

As far as extensions go I would suggest hf get a set of impact rated 3/8 and 1/2 and a set of locking chrome 3/8 and 1/2 and then pick a set of craftsmans for the 1/4 and maybe extra long and you will be good I have had no problems with any hf extensions even the impact wobbles are a major bargain

 

[spoolgarage]

That mobile mechanic stuff is gonna get old real quick. I used to do it too but if your honest and do good work then the customers line up. Right now I have more tools then most shops. I love it when a shop goes out of business and I swoop in like a vulture. Anyway my advice would be to buy the best you can now. Its not worth using cheater bars and making that sears trip all the time. Every dime you make should be saved either for tools or the bare minimum.

 

[Djstorm100]

be careful, they took my f250 diesel along with all my tools in it. its the main reason i now have a glock 23 and carry it everywhere i go.

Yea NC law states if they endanger your life you can use deadly force. litle brother of texas lol

That mobile mechanic stuff is gonna get old real quick. I used to do it too but if your honest and do good work then the customers line up. Right now I have more tools then most shops. I love it when a shop goes out of business and I swoop in like a vulture. Anyway my advice would be to buy the best you can now. Its not worth using cheater bars and making that sears trip all the time. Every dime you make should be saved either for tools or the bare minimum.

your right, I take pride in my work and if i don't know something I try to find out. If I can't find out I tell the customer and that I'm not going to learn on their car. Most of them about 90% come back because I'm just straight up honest.t

 

[Djstorm100]

also I started to see ententions label wobbles where the socket on the end will wobble. How many of you guys actually use these an how much of a help was it versus using a u-joint?

 

[blue dog]

I have a set of the Nepros coming, cant wait, oohhhh wobble extensions.
really what you should do is spend your money on hookers and blow, tools , what were you thinking.
just kidding, you are asking the right questions, you will be fine. I used to do 1 new tool a week, then it was $50 a week, now i just buy what ever i want when i need it, next thing you know, you don't have enough room for all the tools.

http://www.nepros.net/tools/IDX.html

 

[pipsters]

Yea NC law states if they endanger your life you can use deadly force. litle brother of texas lol

NC laws are nothing like TX laws. TX allows the use of deadly force to defend property (such as your truck), NC does not. In fact in Texas you can even defend your neighbors property with deadly force! Go Texas!

 

[Djstorm100]

NC laws are nothing like TX laws. TX allows the use of deadly force to defend property (such as your truck), NC does not. In fact in Texas you can even defend your neighbors property with deadly force! Go Texas!

no entirely true from a nc stand point. If they thread your life game over.

 

[crawlin91]

colorado has a make my day law, but they have to be breaking into your house. Some 80 year old man had his trailer stolen by some illegals, he shot em both (one dead) while they were driving off with it. They gave him 3 years unsupervised probation.

Im building up my tool arsenal slowly, most of what I got in hand tools is foreign made, Husky, Ace, Workforce, HF, a few craftsman etc. I thought I had a decent set of tools till I came to this site, lol. But seriously I love my husky sockets and ratchets, Ive beat the hell out of them and they work great. I recently stopped by a pawn shop and they had all sorts of stuff, I might go this route more often, just know what everything costs new so you get a good deal.

 

[Graymills - Craig]

I thought I had a decent set of tools till I came to this site, lol.

Welcome to Garage Journal, the official site of Upgrade Fever(tm).

 

[Djstorm100]

how wobble are the wobble extensions? do they wear out quickly since they wobble?

 

[kams1973]

Wobble extensions are great. Once you buy a set you'll wonder how you ever got along without them.

 

[Suprman]

Wobble extensions are great. Once you buy a set you'll wonder how you ever got along without them.

how do wobble extensions work and what do you use them on?

 

[kams1973]

how do wobble extensions work and what do you use them on?

The drive in is tapered. You use them with any common socket. Each company machines them a bit different. Take a look here

 

[Hiball]

To The OP.. If i was in your shoes i wouldnt go Crazy on buying 2 sets of tools right off the Bat. There is No doubt it might be the "Easy" Thing to do but You would be Money ahead to keep a good single set (Like you already did) and build your tool collection like you would your clientel in your business. Its tough to make a go in todays economy and you need to keep cash flow available and Debt at a mininum, Especially while your starting out. This goes for everything in Life, It seems like there are Millions of 23 year old kids rocking New 6 digit houses and Vehicles. I would think you could deal with inconvenience for awhile of transporting tools from Truck to Shop. Just my 2 cents...

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

also I started to see ententions label wobbles where the socket on the end will wobble. How many of you guys actually use these an how much of a help was it versus using a u-joint?

Now that I've had a quality set of wobble extensions, I can't believe how helpful they've been. Now I look at universal joints as junk. You just can't put serious pressure on them without ending up rounding the fastener, or slipping.

The end of the wobble extension is beveled (usually) 15-30 degrees, depending on brand. Get the ones that let you use them as a wobble OR straight on. You can link two of them together to get a nice bend around a tight obstacle.

You can also get these types of universal joints, which are 100% better than traditional u-joints, IMO.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00901427000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
You get 30 degrees of flexibility without any kinks from a normal universal joint.