Just getting started

[weerez935]

Hey,

I have been stalking this site for years, primarily the tool section and decided it would be much easier to subscribe to threads if I joined. I'm 23 and from Texas although I'm currently in med school in Arkansas.



I got started doing auto work on my truck (04 nissan xterra) when I became a broke college student. Unfortunately my dad was never a handy man and I had to learn these tasks myself as well no tools got passed down to me. So about the time I hit 80k miles I went to target and bought my first socket set (durabuilt). Needless to say it didn't hold up well.



Luckily a few things changed and I was introduced to a good friend who built the chassis for Suzuki bike racing team. He had a garage full of snap on tools and the same truck as me. He helped me change the timing belt, thermostat, water pump, install an idler arm brace, and a lift in the same day. I was also introduced to my step dad who does drag racing and has a shop full of tools. He has shown me quite a bit as well.



So I acquired a few craftsman tools with a lot of harbor freight & kobalt as well. I finally got into a place (finances/school) where I could afford better tools to work on my truck.



So last week for my birthday I ordered:

207 easy read craftsman set

1/4" metric, sae, deep & standard 6 pt

3/8" ". "

1/2" same as above but includes impact sockets



1/4, 3/8, 1/2 RP ratchets

Nutdrivers

Allen keys



Wera bit check bits (for my matco ratcheting screwdriver)

Gearwrench 120xp 1/4, 3/8, 1/2

Crimpers from ideal

Wire strippers from ideal

Wire cutters from ideal

Wrestling socket tray





Wish list/ next few weeks:

Wiha set

Wera set

Lots of pbswiss

Armstrong locking flex heads 3/8, 1/2

CDI torque wrench

Better pliers (probably channellock with knipex snap rings)

Blackhawk locking pliers

Creeper



This is my current pegboard


Pictured/ not pictured:
Kobalt 1/2" drive socket set
Craftsman 1/4" flex head ratchet
Kobalt strap wrenches
Wiha super long slotted screwdriver
No name 3/8 socket set
Dewalt drill/ bits
Harbor freight sledge
Kobalt SAE combo wrenches
Harbor freight combo wrenches (not pictured)
Kobalt screwdrivers
Harbor freight torque wrench 1/2"
Benzomatic butane torch
Wagner heat gun
Mostly stanley pliers
Kobalt long needle nose
Kobalt bolt cutters
Vise grips
Matco ratcheting screwdriver




What do you guys think / suggest?
I'll post more pics as stuff comes in the mail.


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[ClineWrench]

Welcome. Sounds like a decent start on tools there. My advice is that while the craftsman sockets will probably hold of fine for casual work, be selective in which ones you buy. One hing I've noticed is that sears always sells larger sets with both the 12 point and 6 point sockets. Some may say the 12 points come in handy, but in my experience 6 point sockets work best and I've had rare occasion to actually need a 12 point specifically.

Wrenches on the other hand are different. If you can afford 2 sets then get a set of 6 & 12 points. If you can't, get just the 12 point wrenches because you can articulate angles easier with them.

Pliers: Channellock and you are good to go.

Hope my 2 cents helps.

 

[jim1987]

Harbor freight composite ratchets>craftsman rp. Then, definitely need ratchet wrenches if don't already. 15° reversible first, flex later. Other then that, sounds like a great start. Keep an eye on classifieds and hot deals here. They'll save and hurt your wallet at the same time lol

 

[weerez935]

Thanks.

The craftsman set is all 6 pt however I plan on adding a 3/8 set of either proto or snap on eventually.

@Jim I got the gearwrench ratchets to replace those RP.


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[bonneyman]

You've got a good start. I'd second the advice of a set of ratcheting box wrenches. I have Gear Wrench. Love 'em.

Check out Harry J. Epstein tools. They sell close-outs and NOS tools, alot of them USA-made. And absolutely a joy to deal with.

http://store.harryepstein.com/

 

[woody 73]

Fantastic start

If you have a few dollars and a little time starting at the end of the week in your area look up on line your CL heading under garage sales and find a few sales not to far from where you reside. Then hit them in the early morning hours and soon you will build up even more tools in your collection.

Don't be discouraged I find that for every ten garage sales one out of ten will be a gold mine making up for the other losses; Not saying the other nine will be a complete bust as I always can find at least one or two great tools.

Before you can blink your eyes you will have that peg board filled up!

 

[PFSard]

Looks like you are doing REAL well to me. As an undergrad and grad student, I had to borrow everything, including the knowledge.

I would be hitting yard/garage sales, estate sales, etc. if you can find the time. So far, I have been getting my best buys at the estate sales and auctions. I have lists of things I want to buy, but do not limit myself to the lists. A lot cheaper than retail stores; just stick with quality names.

 

[weerez935]

You've got a good start. I'd second the advice of a set of ratcheting box wrenches. I have Gear Wrench. Love 'em.

Check out Harry J. Epstein tools. They sell close-outs and NOS tools, alot of them USA-made. And absolutely a joy to deal with.

http://store.harryepstein.com/

I planned on getting those when the funds were there! I've also looked at wera joker wrenches but I'm kind of wondering where I'd use an opened end ratcheting wrench. Thanks for the link I'll definitely check it out.

Fantastic start

If you have a few dollars and a little time starting at the end of the week in your area look up on line your CL heading under garage sales and find a few sales not to far from where you reside. Then hit them in the early morning hours and soon you will build up even more tools in your collection.

Don't be discouraged I find that for every ten garage sales one out of ten will be a gold mine making up for the other losses; Not saying the other nine will be a complete bust as I always can find at least one or two great tools.

Before you can blink your eyes you will have that peg board filled up!

Thanks! I've checked out a few thrift stores in the area but it's been mostly harbor freight stuff. I'll definitely hit up some garage sales though. I did find some old tools from the previous owner that I've never heard of before. They are meteor wrenches I haven't found a coo stamp yet on them.

Looks like you are doing REAL well to me. As an undergrad and grad student, I had to borrow everything, including the knowledge.

I would be hitting yard/garage sales, estate sales, etc. if you can find the time. So far, I have been getting my best buys at the estate sales and auctions. I have lists of things I want to buy, but do not limit myself to the lists. A lot cheaper than retail stores; just stick with quality names.

Thanks we just moved here so I haven't hit up many sales yet. I got most of this stuff for my birthday so I only splurged a little.

I got a toolchest today from Herbert Farts and I really like it. I got it put together mostly anyway. After I get it loaded up I'll take some pictures!


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[d.mcfarland]

If you have the money get good stuff now and thank yourself later!

 

[weerez935]

This is my first garage/ shed. I cleaned it out more today and found some old tools. They are soaking in degreaser to get the rust off but I found:
First were very small wrenches

6-7 meteor wrenches no coo

4-5 powercraft wrenches (India)

Craftsman full polish 2 wrenches (USA)

1 small proto wrench (USA)

A handful of USA craftsman sockets and spark plug sockets

3-4 "Fleet" sockets no coo

1 snap on socket

Some weird things that look like air fittings. Brass and they all say "style 1" or style 2.

An old screwdriver. Looks like klein to me.

A weird old telescoping bit driver

An old rusty punch.

This weird rusty chisel looking thing with a spring around it.

Another rusty unidentified thingy.

But my favorite find was this old green box.









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[weerez935]

As promised



Really like this box. I had to assemble it in the drive way because it's so heavy. Only thing I don't like are the nuts for the casters are too long. You can only feel the play going over bumps / cracks but it was still annoying.


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[weerez935]

I got a few tools in the mail today.

Craftsman 207 easy read set.

Every piece says made in USA. Including sockets & wrenches (I'm waiting on organizers to open them).



Organizing to do:






Gearwrench 120 XP set



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[weerez935]

New tools:







All from mcmastercarr crimper and stripper are ideal but I think the stripper/ cutter is klein.


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[franzdom]

I see PB Swiss on your list. A few years ago they were sort of on closeout at Amazon but now they are quite expensive and they are also tightly controlling the market. I don't have any and I am wanting some of their tools too but they are very difficult to justify at market prices.

 

[weerez935]

I see PB Swiss on your list. A few years ago they were sort of on closeout at Amazon but now they are quite expensive and they are also tightly controlling the market. I don't have any and I am wanting some of their tools too but they are very difficult to justify at market prices.

I agree but after reading their catalog it's hard not too. I will probably get a basic set of slotted and Phillips but I plan on getting wera and wiha first and seeing what I like better. I have had my wiha for 5 years and it has been used a lot but doesn't show it like my other drivers. My pipe dream is a purple hard handle pbswiss set but I think I'd have to order 500 lol.


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[franzdom]

Wera and Wiha are so nice, I have a bunch of Wera bit sets and a lot of Wiha. Micro and regular size screwdrivers, same for torx bits and their nut drivers. The Wiha are all made in Germany, I am a sucker for that, just ask my (German) wife

 

[weerez935]

Haha nice!

I just got a wera bit set.
I keep going back and forth on wihas big set or the microfinish set. I'm going to be honest I'm leaning towards microfinish because they are purple lol.


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[RM209]

Welcome aboard! You've got a good assortment of tools. The Craftsman are aa good value, and fine now (and actually for most work you'll probably do in the future). Once you've got the MD after your name, you can set aside some dough for the Snappy's.

Good luck in your studies.

RM209

 

[weerez935]

Welcome aboard! You've got a good assortment of tools. The Craftsman are aa good value, and fine now (and actually for most work you'll probably do in the future). Once you've got the MD after your name, you can set aside some dough for the Snappy's.



Good luck in your studies.



RM209

Thanks haha unfortunately it will be a PharmD / PhD / MBA not an MD.

I wouldn't want someone with one hand sticking me with needles lol.
I'm trying to get into nuclear pharmacy. They make the stuff that makes your brain/ heart glow when you get a scan.


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[Cato]

Sounds like my story...no mechanical tradition nor hand-me-down tools.

I started by working on my firearms, then my cars.

I remember seeing something on the local news about how six out of nine (?) Jiffy Lubes don't even change your oil when you bring your car in. They just stand around your car and joke around while you sit in the waiting room. Anyway that got me thinking I had better learn to do it myself.

Now I have too many tools for my tool box. Anyway, if I could do it again, I'd only buy the tools I need for the job and buy high quality ones. I went out and bought sets, and have stuff I'll never use and don't like (RP Craftsman ratchets). Anyway I have some Target Duralast stuff and it is holding fine after a decade of use.

 

[Lance-AR]

Is that Stripmaster the OEM for the $242 Snap-On stripper? I used one once and it was awesome! While I have plenty of Snap-On there's no way I can justify that price. I'd love to find the OEM. Thanks!

 

[weerez935]

Sounds like my story...no mechanical tradition nor hand-me-down tools.



I started by working on my firearms, then my cars.



I remember seeing something on the local news about how six out of nine (?) Jiffy Lubes don't even change your oil when you bring your car in. They just stand around your car and joke around while you sit in the waiting room. Anyway that got me thinking I had better learn to do it myself.



Now I have too many tools for my tool box. Anyway, if I could do it again, I'd only buy the tools I need for the job and buy high quality ones. I went out and bought sets, and have stuff I'll never use and don't like (RP Craftsman ratchets). Anyway I have some Target Duralast stuff and it is holding fine after a decade of use.

Thanks. I heard similiar stories from my buddy who worked on the Suzuki team. He took his truck to the dealership to get the plugs changed and they only changed 3 of 6 lol. After that I was sold on doing it myself to make sure it's done right. Aside from brakes/ alignment stuff. It's a pretty steep learning curve without any mechanical know how.

Is that Stripmaster the OEM for the $242 Snap-On stripper? I used one once and it was awesome! While I have plenty of Snap-On there's no way I can justify that price. I'd love to find the OEM. Thanks!

The OEM is ideal and they are made in America. I got them from mcmastercarr part number 7292K42.


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[Lance-AR]

Thank you!

 

[weerez935]

Came home to these:



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[weerez935]

Update:
















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[d.mcfarland]

I would sell off the Craftsman and add stubby/long handle ratchets in their place. Great start!!

 

[weerez935]

I would sell off the Craftsman and add stubby/long handle ratchets in their place. Great start!!

Thanks.

I plan on getting the Armstrong locking flex head set, gearwrench roto head set, and snap on stubbies (as well some CDI torque wrenches). The craftsman will probably stay in the truck but I haven't made up my mind those 120xp and even the kobalt put the the craftsman RP to shame.


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[d.mcfarland]

Don't forget how you're going to get to the fastener. You will need an assortment of extensions (wobble and straight possibly) universal joints, and adapters.

 

[davesnothere]

Pry bars.
Duh.

 

[weerez935]

I'm working on it guys!
Good ideas though.
Waiting on funds haha


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