must have tools for a tech

[cammok5]

im finishing up school in may and wanted to know what tools a tech uses on a regular basis that you need.
i have probaly 2 if not more of everything that is on the gm asep tool list plus swivle sockets, air tools, impact sockets, ratchet wrenches, mt2500 scaner, and some other stuff. id like to get the other tools i need before i get out of school and my student discount goes away.
thanks

gm asep tool list
http://wctc.edu/programs_&_courses/skilled_trades/toyota_t_ten/tool_list.pdf

 

[curtrnev]

I would be asking the techs at the dealer where you work. I only bought a few "sets" when I was starting out. Sounds like you have a pretty good start though and remember the tool box does not make you any money spend your money on TOOLS not the box.

 

[lennoxlennox]

as an older tech told me when i first started

your most important tool

"a pen" or now your computer

make sure you document your RO's well

 

[srmofo]

a good flashlight...Im fond of streamlight stingers.
a good flaring tool...I like my mastercool hydraulic flare, but its a bit pricey for a FNG
torque wrenches
hex bits, torx bits
pullers
multimeter
damaged fastener removal tools
tap and dies
powersteering puller
ac clutch ttols
compression tester
leakdown tester
...ya know the list goes on and on

what kind fo work are you currently doing?

 

[Outlawmws]

3-5 lb engineers hammer, (16 oz is often NOT enough)
4-6 oz BP hammer (sometimes its too big...)
Dead blow hammer
Pry bars longer and shorter than 18"
Palm ratchets
Small needle nose Vise grips
3 point "nut" Vise grips, (not sure what the real name is but invaluable for rounded over/rusted flair nuts...
Screw adjusted snap ring pliers
Automatic center punch
Ez-outs (square type) and left hand drills the right size for the ez-outs.
Tappet open end wrench set
Water pump pliers
Electrical strippers and crimpers
Allen head hex sockets, (you already listed torx)
Nutdrivers for at least 5/16 11/32 and 3/8 (hose clamps if nothing else; you will thank me later...)
A more complete drift punch set
A roll pin punch set
A 1" chisel

Nice to have:

Gearwrench set, (possibly stubby if you have std lengthl)
Ignition wrench set

 

[cammok5]

i dont work at a shop yet. i have most of my tools from colecting over the last few years and buying a shed full of tools from a retired guy. i also have a few nice craftsman box's i brought when sears was closeing down for more than half off and a couple old ones so im good there. right now im reorganizeing my tools so my big box is ready to move to a shop when i get a job and still have tools at home.

 

[Deafautotech]

a good flashlight...Im fond of streamlight stingers.
a good flaring tool...I like my mastercool hydraulic flare, but its a bit pricey for a FNG
torque wrenches
hex bits, torx bits
pullers
multimeter
damaged fastener removal tools
tap and dies
powersteering puller
ac clutch ttols
compression tester
leakdown tester
...ya know the list goes on and on

what kind fo work are you currently doing?[/QUOTE]

that is big question! i am a tech who own biggest boxes at my work and sometime they will ask me if i has a tool.... i do but problems is some of techs who just prefer to do "specialist" as cheap and quick way than me as seasonal heavy line tech... my work always want me as heavy line guy.... oh well

 

[Outlawmws]

Dang, Srmofo remembered my pet tool; a flashlight... I keep single AA LED job in my pants pocket at all times and bigger ones everywhere... (I use the one in my pocket probably near a dozen times a day...)

 

[blue dog]

Dang, Srmofo remembered my pet tool; a flashlight... I keep single AA LED job in my pants pocket at all times and bigger ones everywhere... (I use the one in my pocket probably near a dozen times a day...)

Me too, carry a streamlight microstream or pelican 1910 everyday. Feel weird without a light and a pocketknife.

Nobody has mentioned a vessel to keep the tools in, you know, a cart, a rollaway. Someplace to keep your tools at the job in a secure fashion.

 

[Outlawmws]

Me too, carry a streamlight microstream or pelican 1910 everyday. Feel weird without a light and a pocketknife.

Nobody has mentioned a vessel to keep the tools in, you know, a cart, a rollaway. Someplace to keep your tools at the job in a secure fashion.

He covered that himself; post 6...

 

[lennoxlennox]

there's been a lot of good comments... here's a quick brain dump... by no means complete...

a set of swivel head metric sockets, plus a 36mm socket, a 32mm wrench
semi deep impact sockets
short and deepwell sockets for 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2
all torx and E-torx sockets
allen head sockets
basic set of combination wrenches, basic set of from 8mm up to 19 (obviously it's good to have the larger size too)
oil filter housing sockets
extensions for all 3 drive sizes. adapters to go up and down all drive sizes. swivels for all drive sizes
my advise is anything 1/2" drive you buy, go ahead and get it as an impact or industrial finish type, so you can use it all with an air gun
a good 72+ tooth ratchet for 3/8" and 1/4" drive. swivel head is nice
the best air gun you can afford
a whiz-wheel, angle or straight is fine. probably angle would be best though
a good screwdriver set, including phillips, flathead, and torx. you don't need a gazillion of them, just a nice set of them. i have used my ratcheting screwdriver alot with the bits i have, comes in handy alot.
a good set of mallots, brass hammer, and a good weight metal hammer. ball peen preferred.
a good set of drill bits, not used often but when you need it it's nice to have.
breaker bar and torque wrench(es), and a good prybar set(striking).
A good Fluke 88 (and knowing how to use it), will be your best friend.
get a set of wheel hangers, they make life much easier.
torch is great for loosening rusted bolts
Ratcheting box end wrenches up to 24mm - this is a must
Vice grips/pliers
duck tape... zip ties
Slide hammer kit
ohhh and 6 point... don't do 12 point
Fan Clutch Tools
Roll Cart
electric/battery/pneumatic screwdriver/drill
air hammer
Radiator hose pics
Hose pinch off pliers
easy out
tap and die set
Exhaust Donut Tool
Long HD Dykes
hood prop
trim tools
vacuum brake bleeder
crowfeet set
ratcheting screwdriver set
brass drifts
chisels and files

i'm tired of typing but wait theres more!

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Over at the electrician forum they're aways taking about tool bags and screwdrivers; no where near the tools needed for automotive.

 

[mypov]

it's craaazy the amount of tools needed for this trade - does not compare to the other trades, and we're paid less, sort of. I definitely think there should be some sort of reflection of pay to the amount of tools required. don't think that'll ever come though.

good luck. I'm still building my tool collection....I keep a pad of paper in my tool box where I write down the tools I need when I reach for a tool and don't have it...mark it down and buy it when the truck comes in or look on here for someone selling the tool. But I can borrow from my boss for now so no panic.

anyway, happy collecting and hopefully work comes quick for ya!

 

[wreckerman5357]

I'm guessing auto mechanics is similar to the bodyshop business. You will find when you get out of school that you are not doing the same **** you were doing in school. Some of the tools you thought were important or were on the tool list are just sitting in your box. You will also find that you need **** that was not on the list and that you wouldn't have thought you needed.

I learned this lesson in my collision repair career, I found that a good pair of scissors was a nice thing to have in your box. It's amazing the uses I find for them. Earlier in my career I would have seen them as a waste of space.

 

[wornoutoldman]

1/4 and 3/8 drive impact swivel sockets
1/4 extensions up to 24 inches and 3/8 drive extensions up to 36 inches
Duckbill pliers
clipboard (clean writing surface)

 

[Juddy]

If I had to borrow a tool off someone to do a job than I went out and bought that tool. You have a good list in the posts above. Buy the best sockets and wrenches you can afford and invest in a good set of ezi outs, stud removers and tap and die set

 

[clark_nicholas]

Jump On the snap on student program before its to late. I wish i would have, I didnt and now paying way more than if i would have done the student program.

 

[cammok5]

thank you all for the list. furtantly it looks like i dont need to much more yet. of course its some of the more exspensive tools but oh well.

 

[chris142]

1/4 air ratchet. 3/8 air ratchet.good 1/2 impact. And a northstar water pump socket

 

[jk47]

A head on your shoulders...

All the tools in the world won't make a difference if you can't learn from your mistakes. Believe me, I've made more than a few...

 

[crewchief888]

A head on your shoulders...

All the tools in the world won't make a difference if you can't learn from your mistakes. Believe me, I've made more than a few...

yea me too.

like my old boss once told me after i had a major malfunction,

" if you dont f*ck up once in a while, you aint doing anything"

the other thing i've learned over the past 25+ years of wrenching, is be a better mechanic tomorrow, than i was today

 

[Sparkfarmer]

Not snapon but no one mentioned them and they sure are handy. I am always finding new uses for Knipex plier wrench's.