My nephew is going through Wyotech to become a diesel tech. He has no tools and will be buying them little by little while going to school. I want to help him out a little and was wondering what would you recommend for me to buy him. I'm looking for something that he will use often and wanting to spend between $500 and $750. Any suggestions? Thanks,
Question for Diesel Techs
- Thread starter Wes28376
- Start date
Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
I would start with 1/2" and 3/8" sets and basic combo wrenches, might as well take care of the substantial discounts hes eligible for from Snap-on and MATCO while you are at it.
That's what I was leaning towards. How much do you use your 3/8" set?
Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
Quite often, rarely use 1/4" though.
crewchief888
Well-known member
i use 3/8" dr 90% of the time. along with a longhandle flex ratchet.
tool selection/needs are vehicle specific. ive worked at construction eq dealers for 25+ years, every manufacturer has it's own "quirks"
you may want to consider is a good DVM. see what they are using at school, and check into that brand & model.
electronic fuel injection is on all the over the road engines, and is slowly making it's way down to lower HP ratings.
Chadro
Well-known member
I'm sure Wyotech is the same as my school, They cram Snapon down your throat. Everyone it seems has all snapon at school and I'm the only one who buys Snapon, Mac and Matco.
All the wrenches and ratchets I bought were from snapon. The screw drivers, pry bars, pick sets, carbon scrapers, hammers, hex keys and small things like that came from Matco. All of my sockets and extensions came from Craftsman because I just couldn't justify the prices for the good stuff (I'll eventually phase the craftsman out). I haven't bought anything from Mac yet simply because I have to fax in an order form to do it.
Were my buying choices right? Beats the hell out of me, but I want to try a little of everything and take advantage of my discounts while I can.
Check wyotechs website, they may have a tool list for diesel students. It may serve as a useful guide. If you can't find it there, I'm sure it's on the web somewhere.
All the wrenches and ratchets I bought were from snapon. The screw drivers, pry bars, pick sets, carbon scrapers, hammers, hex keys and small things like that came from Matco. All of my sockets and extensions came from Craftsman because I just couldn't justify the prices for the good stuff (I'll eventually phase the craftsman out). I haven't bought anything from Mac yet simply because I have to fax in an order form to do it.
Were my buying choices right? Beats the hell out of me, but I want to try a little of everything and take advantage of my discounts while I can.
Check wyotechs website, they may have a tool list for diesel students. It may serve as a useful guide. If you can't find it there, I'm sure it's on the web somewhere.
wrencheshurt
Well-known member
I second the Dvom, and get a pomona leads and clips kit or a 3/4" impact gun I use both everyday.
Rnz520
Well-known member
buy him the large craftsman socket set that includes all their sockets with some snap on ratchets and he should be set for almost everything he is oging to do and have a socket for almost every ocation. That I highly reccomend. I still use my craftsman sockets at work and have not broken a single one other than the 14mm 3/8s drive that I had on my impact (2135TiMax). They get the job done. Matco Ratchets are another GREAT option to Snap on, avoid MAC, its not up to par for the price they charge.
Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
I would add a nice set of hammers, I know the stuff they learn on may be clean but not once you get out to the stuff that god knows who has been using.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1045&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=13319&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1043&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
These are the one's I use almost every day on every thing I work on.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1047&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1045&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=13319&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1043&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
These are the one's I use almost every day on every thing I work on.
TruckTech915
Well-known member
Like mentioned a good set of 3/8" and 1/2" sockets, combo wrenches, extension, prybars, hammers, a good impact and sockets. Pliers of all types, hose clamp pliers (though you can use channellocks.) Good set of torx and allen bits. These are just the some of the basics that I use daily.
CAT_serviceman927
Well-known member
I think when it comes to basic sockets, ratchets, and wrenches, you can't go wrong with most USA companies. Just make sure he can cover from 1/4" up to 1 1/4", 7 to 24mm and he should be pretty well covered to start. I think things like hammers, pliers, chisels, and prybars are what get overlooked and yet they get used everyday. Aside from a nice selection of hammers like what Diesel Crawler linked to, I would have to recommend getting a set of rolling head prybars. The snap-on ones are really nice and have all sorts of uses. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1004&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog A few other key items others have mentioned are torque wrenches and a DVOM. Unless you want to go over board, I think that would be a good start. As he gets further into it, he can add angle wrenches, 3/4 sockets and drive tools, and all the other specialty things.
hammergodthor
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2009
- Messages
- 475
I would recommend you buy him a good impact socket set, because impact sockets can be one of the most expensive things to buy, and you can't get by well without them. For the money this Craftsman set is about the best bang for the buck:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915383000P?keyword=craftsman+impact+socket+set
The sockets have thick walls, (mostly on 1/2 dr.) but I have yet to find a spot where I couldn't use them because of said thick walls. Some people might have different experiences??? Also they stop at 1 1/16, and he will definitely need bigger sockets, but the price of the Sears set is about 1/3 the price of comparable Snap-On, WITH an SEP discount. I would fill in the larger sizes with SO or something, you will need about 6 SAE sockets (1 1/8, 1 3/16, 1 1/4, 1 5/16, and deep 1 1/8, 1 1/4).
My 2 cents.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915383000P?keyword=craftsman+impact+socket+set
The sockets have thick walls, (mostly on 1/2 dr.) but I have yet to find a spot where I couldn't use them because of said thick walls. Some people might have different experiences??? Also they stop at 1 1/16, and he will definitely need bigger sockets, but the price of the Sears set is about 1/3 the price of comparable Snap-On, WITH an SEP discount. I would fill in the larger sizes with SO or something, you will need about 6 SAE sockets (1 1/8, 1 3/16, 1 1/4, 1 5/16, and deep 1 1/8, 1 1/4).
My 2 cents.
compact 3/8 ratchets from wright and or sk in straight and flex versions. those will cover most of the need for 1/4 drive. even on big equipment there is hidden and hard to access hardware. also a good set of pry bars. i just picked up 3 piece cman for 20 bucks. hard to go wrong and they look to be as good as any.
peterbilr98
Well-known member
go for a 1/4" set does not have to be snap on i have several sets so-craftsman-bluepoint-sk use them all the time truck cab and electrical same on the heavy equipment i work on my autos my kids motorcycles.
DanCo
Well-known member
a good set of 3/8 & 1/2 drive sockets, Snappy ratchets for the above(it will be last set you'll ever have to buy)prybars are a must the C-Man for $20 bucks is what I use, a good 1/2 impact gun with impact sockets, hammers, and some 1/4 sockets/ratchet for in cab work, screwdrivers, a combination of both standard and metric wrenches. This should be enough till he starts making more $. Then he update/upgrade as he goes along.
The basics have been covered, so I will mention some small stuff that will be needed.
SAFETY GLASSES & HEARING PROTECTION!!!!!!!! a good set of leather gloves.
One thing that has not been mentioned, is a good set of mini picks. I have sets from Matco & Snap on. Handy as hell for o-rings & such. also, a good ratcheting screwdriver w/ an assortment of bits can be invaluable. A lot of people don't like speed wrenches, but they can be real handy if you don't have access to power tools, Craftsman would be fine for this, no need to pay snap on prices. Other things easily overlooked at first, magnet on a stick, mirror on a stick, screw starter, couple long solid(1/2" -3/4" diameter or so) pieces of steel round stock for when you need a punch to beat the living **** out of something. high quality set of files(flat, round, & triangular). Ratcheting wrenches & stubby wrenches are also very handy to have. Cordless LED droplight. good sharp drill bits.
SAFETY GLASSES & HEARING PROTECTION!!!!!!!! a good set of leather gloves.
One thing that has not been mentioned, is a good set of mini picks. I have sets from Matco & Snap on. Handy as hell for o-rings & such. also, a good ratcheting screwdriver w/ an assortment of bits can be invaluable. A lot of people don't like speed wrenches, but they can be real handy if you don't have access to power tools, Craftsman would be fine for this, no need to pay snap on prices. Other things easily overlooked at first, magnet on a stick, mirror on a stick, screw starter, couple long solid(1/2" -3/4" diameter or so) pieces of steel round stock for when you need a punch to beat the living **** out of something. high quality set of files(flat, round, & triangular). Ratcheting wrenches & stubby wrenches are also very handy to have. Cordless LED droplight. good sharp drill bits.
I think I will go with the huge Craftsman socket set like mentioned above and truck brand ratchets in both standard and flex head form. I've got several months until he graduates so I will hit up ebay and garage/estate sales for good deals.
I began my search this morning hitting up a few garage sales. I bought an older 1/2 Snap on long handled ratchet for $10.
It is model 71-15 and after doing some research I think I will keep this one for myself. If I did my research correctly it was made around 1940 and this thing feels indestructible. I took it apart, cleaned and lubed it and now it feels like new. It makes my fine tooth snap on 1/2 ratchet feel wimpy....LOL
Again thanks for all the ideas.
I began my search this morning hitting up a few garage sales. I bought an older 1/2 Snap on long handled ratchet for $10.
It is model 71-15 and after doing some research I think I will keep this one for myself. If I did my research correctly it was made around 1940 and this thing feels indestructible. I took it apart, cleaned and lubed it and now it feels like new. It makes my fine tooth snap on 1/2 ratchet feel wimpy....LOL
Again thanks for all the ideas.
gregrobbins
Member
70% of my route is heavy equipement/trucking. I recommend:
1. Good 3/8 and 1/2 impact socket sets
2. Quality impact guns
3. A good quality drop light
4. Good pliers and wire cutters (I recommend Knipex)
5. A powerful flashlight
6. Good screwdriver set (I really like the Matco Top Torque II sets because of their grips)
7. Eye and ear protection
8. Good pair of boots (I recommend Redback, wear mine 12+ hours a day and on my feet a lot)
1. Good 3/8 and 1/2 impact socket sets
2. Quality impact guns
3. A good quality drop light
4. Good pliers and wire cutters (I recommend Knipex)
5. A powerful flashlight
6. Good screwdriver set (I really like the Matco Top Torque II sets because of their grips)
7. Eye and ear protection
8. Good pair of boots (I recommend Redback, wear mine 12+ hours a day and on my feet a lot)