lube tech/light service tool setup

[drewvdw]

The shop I work at has 2 separate buildings and I have been working out of both of them, but have my boxes in one. I just won a new Snapon tool cart and I am planning on keeping it in the other building to have basic tools there without going back and forth for stuff. The majority of what I'll be doing out of this tool cart is oil changes, brakes, tires, etc. when the lube guys need extra help to catch up. With this stuff not being used constantly, I'd prefer to go a cheap route and I'll upgrade as things break/as needed.

Just off the top of my head, I know I'm going to need/want the following:

1/2 impact sockets
3/8 sockets
1/4 set
Prybars
Allen, torx, and external torx bit socket set
A small set of pliers (pliers, needlenose, side cuts)
Wrench set
Tire inflator
Snapon CTS725 drill/bit driver or similar
Trim clip removal tool

The following tools I have duplicates of that I can take out of my main boxes:

Brake caliper tools
A hammer or 2
1/2 impact
3/8 ratchets
Screwdrivers

Is there anything else that I might be missing? Any suggestions on good cheap brands? I was thinking Sunex for the 1/2 impact sockets, wrenches, and prybar, but I'm open to other suggestions.

 

[Wrench97]

Gray Pneumatic isn't to bad for impact sockets either.
Are you planing on a 12v impact/drill driver for the underbody panels?

I've been using the Astro Pneumatic torx and allen sockets in my cart for most things brake wise except for the transit van front hub/rotor torx(I just can't wait for that brilliant design to get some age and rust on it.................)

Filter sockets?

 

[Professional Tool User]

You don't really need that much if all they let you do is oil changes, brakes, and tires. Go ask your co workers for a tour of their boxes and suggestions.

For the sockets, I would go with cheap impact sockets for all three drive sizes (Sunex, Tekton, Harbor Freight etc.). I've never really had an issue with wall thickness. For prybars, I'd go for Mayhew Dominators if you want a soft handle and Tekton striking prybars if you want a hard handle. For Allen and torx sockets, all of them eventually break under heavy use, so just find something that's halfway decent and easy to warranty (Harbor Freight, Tekton etc.). For pliers you want to spend the extra money so the teeth hold up. If you just want something that works Channellock brand pliers will hold up. For wrenches, I would go with Tekton if you don't want to spend the money.

If you have a Snap on tool cart, I would just roll it around unless you have a tray or only need a few odd tools. An expensive cart that doesn't get rolled around much defeats the whole point of having one. Things you can add include a test light (brand doesn't matter) and multimeter (Harbor Freight or Klein) if they let you do basic electrical work. Other things I would consider adding would include a 1/2 breaker bar, a 1/4 drive ratchet, and a drill.

 

[Mr_B]

craftsman striking prybars, look at oem for some sockets
astro for torx allens and swivel sockets
some of the doyle pliers probably do you and with coupons they good value for design/quality level .

 

[Mr_B]

I would sell the snapon cart and use that money buy a us general cart and the basic tools, no outlay from you required .

 

[jimmyin3D]

Sunex is great for Impact sockets. I would stick with them.

For a lube tech you are gonna want to pick up some oil filter tools. The oil filter cup sockets from any company should do 24-38mm (Gearwrench has a 6pc Set for ~$30 Sunex has a similar one for about $50)

Also get some oil filter claw pliers for stubborn spots like the Channellock 209 or 212

 

[Fedwrench]

I like sunex impact sockets over grey pneumatic because, sunex also stamps the socket size on the socket in addition to the high vis laser etching.

A good quality digital tire inflator.

You really didn't say which vehicle brand you're working on but, if it's GM, a TPMS relearn tool off of amazon would be worthwhile for tire rotations.

I would also recommend a sure shot sprayer to hose off oil residue with shop supplied brake clean.

Good Luck!!!!

 

[Professional Tool User]

I would sell the snapon cart and use that money buy a us general cart and the basic tools, no outlay from you required .

Not worth it. The resale value on the cart is no more than $1000 where I am locally, and I'm talking about a 40" one. I picked up my used black 26" Snap on roll cab for $400 and I didn't even bother with haggling. Not sure which cart the OP won. If there is only $300-$500 left over for extra tools, it doesn't go that far. Sunex, Tekton, and even Harbor Freight tool purchases add up pretty quick if you are loading up your box.

Plus if the OP is located in a sparsely populated area, unloading the cart is going to take time. Add in that you are trading a US or Canadian made cart (If not Blue Point branded) for a Made in China one and for a potentially less reliable source for spare parts, it's just not worth it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Got a Menard's around you ? There are constantly clearancing out some of the Stanley and Crescent hand tools. If you want to go cheap, I'd probably start there and as you mentioned, replace as needed.

You can find stuff like this, yes 12pt and metric but for the price, it's not bad.
https://www.menards.com/main/p-1534228085552.htm

 

[drewvdw]

You don't really need that much if all they let you do is oil changes, brakes, and tires. Go ask your co workers for a tour of their boxes and suggestions.

For the sockets, I would go with cheap impact sockets for all three drive sizes (Sunex, Tekton, Harbor Freight etc.). I've never really had an issue with wall thickness. For prybars, I'd go for Mayhew Dominators if you want a soft handle and Tekton striking prybars if you want a hard handle. For Allen and torx sockets, all of them eventually break under heavy use, so just find something that's halfway decent and easy to warranty (Harbor Freight, Tekton etc.). For pliers you want to spend the extra money so the teeth hold up. If you just want something that works Channellock brand pliers will hold up. For wrenches, I would go with Tekton if you don't want to spend the money.

If you have a Snap on tool cart, I would just roll it around unless you have a tray or only need a few odd tools. An expensive cart that doesn't get rolled around much defeats the whole point of having one. Things you can add include a test light (brand doesn't matter) and multimeter (Harbor Freight or Klein) if they let you do basic electrical work. Other things I would consider adding would include a 1/2 breaker bar, a 1/4 drive ratchet, and a drill.

I feel like I need to clarify a bit more about the shop I work at, it's a fairly dumb setup for me as a tech. The customer entrance, and lube bays are in the same building. This is also the building I have to go to to get work orders. My lift and flat bay are in a separate building about 30-40 yards away. Theres no tire balancer or used oil container in my building, so I either use a lift in the main shop or roll the tires/oil drain to the other shop when that's on the work order.

It's not that they're only letting me do oil changes, tires, and brakes in the other shop, if it needs much more than that I bring it to my dedicated bay in the other building. I'm only ever there if my bay is taken up by a bigger job or if an appointment doesn't show up and I'm trying to stay busy. I already have a basic tool cart (open shelf style, no drawers) which I'm fine moving between the buildings, but I want to keep some stuff there so I don't have to roll my small cart around for basic stuff.

I hadn't thought about an inflator, definitely going to want one there.

 

[drewvdw]

Not worth it. The resale value on the cart is no more than $1000 where I am locally, and I'm talking about a 40" one. I picked up my used black 26" Snap on roll cab for $400 and I didn't even bother with haggling. Not sure which cart the OP won. If there is only $300-$500 left over for extra tools, that doesn't go that. Sunex, Tekton, and even Harbor Freight tool purchases add up pretty quick if you are loading up your box.

Plus if the OP is located in a sparsely populated area, unloading the cart is going to take time. Add in that you are trading a US or Canadian made cart (If not Blue Point branded) for a Made in China one and for a potentially less reliable source for spare parts, it's just not worth it.

I believe it's a KRSC323, it'll show up on the truck on Wednesday.

 

[Yarpo]

I like sunex impact sockets over grey pneumatic because, sunex also stamps the socket size on the socket in addition to the high vis laser etching.

Grey Pneumatic is stamping their sockets too.

Both are great sockets OP, cant go wrong.

A good quality digital tire inflator.

Any recommendations on a good quality digial reader/inflator? I see astros looks sweet.

Otherwise I wanted to get just a traditional one like this, but i'm moving into a dealership in a week and imagine I will be doing quite a bit with tire pressures where at my current shop I only used one a few times a week, people say the digital is very nice if you need it often.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017S3XKHQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Fedwrench]

Any recommendations on a good quality digial reader/inflator? I see astros looks sweet.

I think the current Astro model with the braided steel hose powered by penlight batteries is the best inflator.

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

Blue point one is about 100 bucks lifetime warranty on it and very durable. Matco rebranded Astros have had 3 casualties in the shop all out of warranty they then bought the blue point just incase. BTW the warranty has been used 2 different times by 2 different techs

 

[kctyphoon]

Take a ride the HF, get what you need.. if you are dead set against them - gearwrench is nice and cheap. If you already have good tools - I still say go with hf “pro” stuff.

Another option -
Sell your s/o cart, - and pay nothing for gen2 US general tool cart and all the tools you need from HF

 

[tonyprovo723]

Can you get a credit from the Snap On man? Maybe buy HF cart box, and spend the credit on on upgrade for your main box then bring the old tools to the lube rack?

Sent from my SM-G965U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Mr_B]

Not worth it. The resale value on the cart is no more than $1000 where I am locally, and I'm talking about a 40" one. I picked up my used black 26" Snap on roll cab for $400 and I didn't even bother with haggling. Not sure which cart the OP won. If there is only $300-$500 left over for extra tools, that doesn't go that. Sunex, Tekton, and even Harbor Freight tool purchases add up pretty quick if you are loading up your box.

Plus if the OP is located in a sparsely populated area, unloading the cart is going to take time. Add in that you are trading a US or Canadian made cart (If not Blue Point branded) for a Made in China one and for a potentially less reliable source for spare parts, it's just not worth it.

It only occasionally used as second box and he only needs a few basic filler tools that few hundred bucks at most.
If it decent spec cart I would sell it while like new .
Absolute no need for spare support on light use lube tool cart , can get slides and catches no issues if concerned .
I been down this road years ago with a box in a second building and if you ain't using it or keeping an eye on it daily it dead money and devalued for collecting dust and damage .

 

[dledinger]

Let’s see when you get it set up! That kind of work can easily fit into a cart.

 

[bob_the_builder]

Interested in following this topic . Let's see some pictures when you get it all setup.

Sent from my SM-G960W using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[drewvdw]

Interested in following this topic . Let's see some pictures when you get it all setup.

Sent from my SM-G960W using The Garage Journal mobile app

Let’s see when you get it set up! That kind of work can easily fit into a cart.

I'll try to get pics when it's set up. It probably won't get set up for a while and I'm not very active on here.

Can you get a credit from the Snap On man? Maybe buy HF cart box, and spend the credit on on upgrade for your main box then bring the old tools to the lube rack?

Sent from my SM-G965U using The Garage Journal mobile app

I'm going to keep the cart. If I change jobs, it'll come home with the tools that are in it so I'm not bringing tools home every now and then.

Take a ride the HF, get what you need.. if you are dead set against them - gearwrench is nice and cheap. If you already have good tools - I still say go with hf “pro” stuff.

Another option -
Sell your s/o cart, - and pay nothing for gen2 US general tool cart and all the tools you need from HF

I'm not above HF for this setup, it's just not the most convenient place for me to get things.

 

[Tallpilot]

I think this is a great experiment. The logistics of your bay sound like a PITA for some jobs but it could be worse. Fill this cart up with the best utility value options: Tekton, Doyle, Astro. Maybe go with VIm for Torx since the 1/2 cut stuff is less likely to break.

Let us know how that stuff holds up compared to your other stuff in the main box. Worst case if you break something you can always go to your main box for a spare losing that time will **** if you are flat rate but it won't be the end of the world if it only happens occasionally.

In the end you should also have a really concise list for new techs so they can focus on what they need the most.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Got a Home Depot nearby? The 200pc set that's been on clearance for $90 will cover you for sockets.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430491

 

[drewvdw]

I think this is a great experiment. The logistics of your bay sound like a PITA for some jobs but it could be worse. Fill this cart up with the best utility value options: Tekton, Doyle, Astro. Maybe go with VIm for Torx since the 1/2 cut stuff is less likely to break.

Let us know how that stuff holds up compared to your other stuff in the main box. Worst case if you break something you can always go to your main box for a spare losing that time will **** if you are flat rate but it won't be the end of the world if it only happens occasionally.

In the end you should also have a really concise list for new techs so they can focus on what they need the most.

It really is a pain, haha, I had a complete brake line kit job on a GM 1500 and parts didn't show up on time (supposed to be at the shop around noon, so I started disassembling first thing in the morning). Lost a weekend of work on that lift because of it, so I was working out of the lube shop. My old tool cart was packed with stuff that I brought over and still found myself going back and forth throughout the days for odds and ends. I understand that will happen, but with my old cart being full, I would end up making multiple trips for tool bags. Not to mention bringing it all back each night.

The point of this new tool cart is to just hold some of the stuff that I would take to that shop for most jobs-impact sockets, etc that would fill up my small cart that I can use for transferring stuff between shops.

As I'm thinking about it, I may go for a second Bluepoint kit with allen bit sockets, internal and external torx sockets in long and short. If I remember right, it was very reasonably priced.

 

[drewvdw]

I found it, $375 isn't a bad price for all of that.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/BLPTHC87

 

[Fedwrench]

I found it, $375 isn't a bad price for all of that.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/BLPTHC87

It is when you realize that it's Blue point and not snap on

You could easily cut that in half by getting Carlyle or Gearwrench especially when on sale.

 

[drewvdw]

Good call, found a comparable gearwrench kit for less than $100 on amazon.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I would sell the snapon cart and use that money buy a us general cart and the basic tools, no outlay from you required .

Sounds like a businessman talking!

 

[Yarpo]

Good call, found a comparable gearwrench kit for less than $100 on amazon.

The Gearwrench torx and e torx have been really good to me, Capri tools also makes a pretty complete set and I'm very impressed with their stuff too.

 

[jd_1138]

Sounds like a businessman talking!

Sounds more like a man who's never sold used stuff on OfferUp or CL. lol. Buyers are friggin' cheap. I've had items that retail for $1,000 but can't even sell them here in the armpit of Ohio for $150-$200 even in mint shape.

Why sell a SO cart for a few hunnert (after suffering through 100 stupid messages from morons) then having to drive to HF and spend most of it on a HF cart that isn't made as well and then you have to put it together.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I feel like I need to clarify a bit more about the shop I work at, it's a fairly dumb setup for me as a tech. The customer entrance, and lube bays are in the same building. This is also the building I have to go to to get work orders. My lift and flat bay are in a separate building about 30-40 yards away. Theres no tire balancer or used oil container in my building, so I either use a lift in the main shop or roll the tires/oil drain to the other shop when that's on the work order.

It's not that they're only letting me do oil changes, tires, and brakes in the other shop, if it needs much more than that I bring it to my dedicated bay in the other building. I'm only ever there if my bay is taken up by a bigger job or if an appointment doesn't show up and I'm trying to stay busy. I already have a basic tool cart (open shelf style, no drawers) which I'm fine moving between the buildings, but I want to keep some stuff there so I don't have to roll my small cart around for basic stuff.

I hadn't thought about an inflator, definitely going to want one there.

My bad. I was thinking of the place the place I used to work at where all the filter wrenches you will ever need are in the lube bay where I only needed to grab a handful of tools for an oil change. There was also a guy there who carried a tray with his most used tools around because the floor was badly damaged.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Sounds like a businessman talking!

If I were the OP I'd much rather do a few side jobs or have fun than spend the time responding to inquiries.

 

[Mr_B]

Not that hard sell a new unused snapon cart .
I've sold a lot of used boxes as flipped plenty over the years, really not that much hassle .
At end of day we are business men, we work to make sensible income not spend unnecessary money on duplicate tool kits work in multi locations due shop you work for being poor setup.
Before I had my own shop I worked in scenario I needed 2 kits and back then not so much cheap good usable options .
No way I would invest more than needed double up a basic service cart setup, usable tools never been so cheap, bluepoint kit mentioned above classic example, you can get better for half and about equal for quarter the price if look and judge product by manufacture/design rather than brand .
The HF 5 drawer cart also be very usable and well proven suitable for this type role .

 

[drewvdw]

My bad. I was thinking of the place the place I used to work at where all the filter wrenches you will ever need are in the lube bay where I only needed to grab a handful of tools for an oil change. There was also a guy there who carried a tray with his most used tools around because the floor was badly damaged.

No worries, theres a stack of filter wrenches on each oil drain and specialty sockets for cartridge style filters are available in a shop toolbox.

From the looks of it, I think about $400-$450 should cover it aside from a small, underpowered screw gun. Was thinking about getting one from SO to match all of my other 14.4 tools, but I am open to other options as well. I was also looking at the Milwaukee M12. I've got a full setup of M18 tools, but no M12.

 

[Professional Tool User]

It only occasionally used as second box and he only needs a few basic filler tools that few hundred bucks at most.
If it decent spec cart I would sell it while like new .
Absolute no need for spare support on light use lube tool cart , can get slides and catches no issues if concerned .
I been down this road years ago with a box in a second building and if you ain't using it or keeping an eye on it daily it dead money and devalued for collecting dust and damage .

Oh well. Each to his own. For Snap on tool boxes and tools, condition doesn't make a huge difference when it comes to resale value. The roll cab I mentioned was in practically new condition. I'm only willing to pay around 1/3 of list price for a used Snap on box and buyers on classifieds are looking to buy stuff for pennies on the dollar. For spare parts, I am talking about 20+ years down the road. I wonder how long HF is going to supply spare parts for US general series 1 boxes.

If the OP is going to be in the trade for the long term, filler tools are just going to be a stop gap measure. Even if you go to HF and buy a bunch of specialty tools and HF's premium tools, you can easily spend a few hundred dollars.

 

[drewvdw]

Not that hard sell a new unused snapon cart .
I've sold a lot of used boxes as flipped plenty over the years, really not that much hassle .
At end of day we are business men, we work to make sensible income not spend unnecessary money on duplicate tool kits work in multi locations due shop you work for being poor setup.
Before I had my own shop I worked in scenario I needed 2 kits and back then not so much cheap good usable options .
No way I would invest more than needed double up a basic service cart setup, usable tools never been so cheap, bluepoint kit mentioned above classic example, you can get better for half and about equal for quarter the price if look and judge product by manufacture/design rather than brand .
The HF 5 drawer cart also be very usable and well proven suitable for this type role .

I'm not selling the cart. I don't care if it would make more financial sense. I entered the raffle because I wanted that specific cart. If I had wanted a HF cart, I could've bought one new or even used from a coworker.

 

[Mr_B]

Oh well. Each to his own. For Snap on tool boxes and tools, condition doesn't make a huge difference when it comes to resale value. The roll cab I mentioned was in practically new condition. I'm only willing to pay around 1/3 of list price for a used Snap on box and buyers on classifieds are looking to buy stuff for pennies on the dollar. For spare parts, I am talking about 20+ years down the road. I wonder how long HF is going to supply spare parts for US general series 1 boxes.

If the OP is going to be in the trade for the long term, filler tools are just going to be a stop gap measure. Even if you go to HF and buy a bunch of specialty tools and HF's premium tools, you can easily spend a few hundred dollars.

It makes a difference to resale value but more importantly it attracts more serious interest thus shifts faster,
any time you got a serious clean good order item it gone 1st serious buyer .
I few hundred dollars is way smarter on second kit than a few grand truck branded and perhaps being without some useful tools as out of cash .
These days you buy hell of a lot basic service tech suitable tools for sensible money, the OP already got some main kit he duplicating for another onsite shop doing basic service work .

 

[Mr_B]

I'm not selling the cart. I don't care if it would make more financial sense. I entered the raffle because I wanted that specific cart. If I had wanted a HF cart, I could've bought one new or even used from a coworker.

That fine, it just an idea of what could be done .
At end of day your preferences and circumstances will be the deciding factor and if that cart exactly what you after you on a good start as only cost you a raffle .

 

[drewvdw]

I had plans to buy this cart eventually, even in the same color. It was just lucky that my dealer put on this raffle and that I ended up winning it.

 

[Yarpo]

No worries, theres a stack of filter wrenches on each oil drain and specialty sockets for cartridge style filters are available in a shop toolbox.

From the looks of it, I think about $400-$450 should cover it aside from a small, underpowered screw gun. Was thinking about getting one from SO to match all of my other 14.4 tools, but I am open to other options as well. I was also looking at the Milwaukee M12. I've got a full setup of M18 tools, but no M12.

Yeah I think the 400-500 dollar mark gets you a lot of pretty good tools. I bought a lot of the below when I started at a new shop at the beginning of the year. Comes to 455 dollars, complete with bit sockets (including security torx/torx/etrox/triple square) semi deep sockets, 1/2" impact sockets, complete set of 1/4" sockets and ratchet, flex head ratchets, breaker bars and screwdrivers, trim tools (tho I have no idea how these are, I just bought them last Thursday or Friday and they'll be in Monday) tire inflator and a complete metric wrench set.

Like you said you'll want an Impact driver or small impact to deal with the belly pan shields/guards, and an impact or a breaker bar to deal with lug nut removal. I also didn't throw on pliers because I couldn't decide what I'd reccomend, I love my Snap on Pliers and the 3 pc set costs like 110 dollars, so I'd buy a second but you could get buy with Channellock, Doyle, Milwaukee or whatever else.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V5G7LU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UM5ZIU0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P7WMK4L/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075MDC259/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NA9PG8A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0080JBZN4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.harborfreight.com/13-pc-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67902.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-pc-12-in-drive-metric-impact-deep-socket-set-67915.html

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OZJN3PQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017S3XKHQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L8GHB7O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP8CVM0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jd_1138]

One of the most important tools for a tech is a notepad and pen. If you come up with a tool you need, just write it down on the notebook so you can order one when you get home. A lot of techs now have laptops on their tool chests.