My son just turned 13 and shows some interest in working on car. I'm just wondering if any other Dads started a tool collections for there son before they moved out on there own? What are your thoughts is this a good idea? I'm a mechanic by trade and i'm not trying to get him to follow in my footstep. Just think every man should have a good set of tools!
Should I start buying tools for my son?
- Thread starter Csmnlm
- Start date
canuckian
Well-known member
my sons are 2 and 4 years old and I've already started building sets for each of them. Fingers crossed they show interest in things tools are used for but it won't be forced. if they do show interest they'll have a nice set of tools to help them out beyond living at home.
I wouldn't buy him a set maybe some screw drivers to get him started etc. But I know that things I have had to work for mean more then things just handed to me. So maybe encourage him to mow lawns or something and pay for a least some of the tools if you want to help him buy quality tools.
DonPowers
Well-known member
My daughter wanted tools for her 16th birthday. Got her a tool box and a decent selection of basic tools. Easiest birthday shopping trip ever.
Zeke
Well-known member
My dad was not all that handy. I started working on bicycles when I was about 10. When I was 14, I was racing karts. He got me a tool box that I still have. And I got some tools, which I still have. From that point on, I bought my own tools. I had more tools at 16 than he ever had.
NoiseRacing
Well-known member
start with a small box and some common tools that he can use see if the interest grows, that's what my dad did with me when i was like 5 or 6.
priceman1414
Well-known member
I don't remember when, but my dad did start buying me tools when I was young. It was mostly socket sets though, 3/8 and 1/2 drive. All Craftsman usa sockets. Glad he did that!
Bessy
Well-known member
I am but a young buck, but I believe I got my first tool box around the ages of 12 or 13. My parents set me up with a 17" International (i think) carry box with tray, and stocked it with some bare bones (assorted screw drivers, set of slip joint pliers, etc.) I don't recall exactly what all was included, but they certainly put me on course to addiction. After that a good family friend was replacing a large selection of his tools and I got a bag of assorted wrenches and stuff from him as well. soon enough I had that little box over flowing.
Just be careful what you start, because I certainly have put many dollars into my setup since it's beginnings, but haven't we all?
Just be careful what you start, because I certainly have put many dollars into my setup since it's beginnings, but haven't we all?
Bagherra
Well-known member
Let him realize the value of good tools. Show him the difference between **** and quality.
I remember my first set was that $5 socket set from a gas station. Had no idea how ****** they were until I learned what a quality tool was....
I remember my first set was that $5 socket set from a gas station. Had no idea how ****** they were until I learned what a quality tool was....
My kids are lucky to still have grandparents and a few great grandparents. There always asking what to get him for birthdays and Christmas. Most of the time he just asks for video games and cash. The way I see it these things are okay but in a few years down the road there value is gone. If I suggest they maybe buy him a tool here and there he will have something that will have value for many years to come. If not his entire lifetime.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Same here, RP wrenches, rats, and socket sets. USA Craftsman!
Bought my own box with Christmas/Bday Money, USA Cman that lives in the basement now.
cm_osu
Well-known member
When I was 15 my dad bought me a set of AC Delco tools from Walmart for Christmas. Came with a roller box, Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, shallow and deep sockets and combo wrenches. All for around $150. One of the best gifts I ever received. I haven't broke or lost any of it yet (13 years). If he is showing interest, I think you should get them for him.
Lone Star Blaze
Well-known member
We started buying my son who just turned 12 last month good tools 2 Christmas ago. He is interested in old vehicles and air craft so i'm sure they will be put to use to decades to come. he uses them from time to time helping with my vehicles and around the house.
Yes I would get going
Yes I would get going
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Sure, it's a good idea. I started getting tools for Christmas and birthday gifts at about that age - a small toolbox, a set of combination wrenches, screwdrivers, a basic socket set, and so on.
stubs
Member
My parents / grandparents / auntie & uncle bought me all my first tools and I'm forever grateful to them for it. They weren't snap on, but they are all decent quality stuff and still going strong 15+ years on. I've always treated every tool I've owned with respect, regardless of quality / value. Id also rather keep all my older stuff as I replace it with newer or more expensive ones.. you never know when you're going to need it again I say.
I say go for it, even if they don't use them a lot, they should last a lifetime if treated right.
I say go for it, even if they don't use them a lot, they should last a lifetime if treated right.
WJD
Well-known member
Yes. Tools will hold there value better than electronic gizmos...
My first tool set i remember getting was a 1/4" drive set. Cheap it was but it opened the door to what tools could do.
Being 5 years old, I was a hit as I started dismantling the walk threw gate at the playground at school showing off my tool set. I got shut down before I could start on the monkey bars.......
My first tool set i remember getting was a 1/4" drive set. Cheap it was but it opened the door to what tools could do.
Being 5 years old, I was a hit as I started dismantling the walk threw gate at the playground at school showing off my tool set. I got shut down before I could start on the monkey bars.......
My main socket set was bought for me by a father figure of mine when I was in middle school. Actually a lot of my tools I still use today I got around those years, some given to me and some I bought.
I say its a great way to get him interested.
I say its a great way to get him interested.
devoncoolman
Well-known member
My father built me a tool set when i was like 10. Glad he did still have most of it. Mostly craftsman and some china cheap stuff but worked for me. Go ahead build him a small toolset. I will for my son when he gets old enough.
jeepinerdeep
Well-known member
Yes. Do what makes you happy.
I helped a 27 year old co-worker pick out a box set. His dad was not living, so they never had the chance, and he sure would have appreciated it if he was.
I helped a 27 year old co-worker pick out a box set. His dad was not living, so they never had the chance, and he sure would have appreciated it if he was.
I meant that pro grade tools get way more expensive over time. Snap on set I got 8 years ago is actually worth more now.
Craftsmen set I bought 10 years ago is actually cheaper new.
Homeowner/hobbyist grade tools get cheaper.
Premium tools increase in value or hold value
whitetrash1
Well-known member
My 2 year old already has a dozen or so wrenches. He mainly just chews on them, but hey he wanted tools lol
fireeqpsrv
Well-known member
With others YES!!!!! I remember my dad buying me one of those kiddie wooden tool boxes. I thought that was awesome. from that point one when I save a little $$ i bought really cheap tools (I do mean cheap) My dad then gave me an old no name little 2 draw box. And again I was on cloud nine! then one day he was out of town walked into some western auto type place and bought me a little 8 drawer rollaway! 12 year old with his own tool chest. couple years later he got a deal at a local napa and bought 3 "dented' rollaway sets. and one came home to me! I still have it to this day.
Getting him started with a box and some tools it encouragement and will always be remembered!
Getting him started with a box and some tools it encouragement and will always be remembered!
Sir where where you when I was growing up? Myself I would go to Harbor Freight and purchase him a 200 piece mechanics set.This one has the plastic case that holds the tools in place.Or someone mentioned plan B. Head to Sears.Does he like to watch NASCAR?
creativecars
Well-known member
I started my kids, daughter and son, when they were about 7 or 8. A mix of new, used and hand me down. My son now 15 has a 4 drawer HF cart (Christmas) with everything form vintage Craftsman to free HF screwdrivers. He enjoys yard sales and visiting pawn shops and we discuss tool quality. Daughter 11, has a hand tool box with a mix of hobby tools. She is getting there but not into working on things like the older brother.
justanengineer
Well-known member
No, let him use yours. He'll respect them more and in 20 years theyll mean more to him as Dad's tools that he grew up using. Spend that money expanding your collection and/or put it toward hobbies with him. When he leaves home and gets his own garage he'll pick up what he wants, not what you think he does.
My first set was a cheapo Alltrade in a hard case. Came with sockets and combo wrenches. I think there was also a bit screwdriver. I was really getting into BMX at the time and pieced my own bike together from the frame up. I was 13 as well.
I'm really glad my dad bought me that set.
I'm really glad my dad bought me that set.
Ridwaan Gallow
Well-known member
I have two sons and one daughter so far.. my eldest son seems to be someone who likes to use his hands. At five years old he is fadcinated with cars and can even tell his mom what some of them are. I would like him to go into the nechanical enginee4ing field and i dont think i would stop him from fixing anything if ever he tries. My youngest son is only 11 months but he already has a nack for grabbing tools out of my box and just looking at them.
I think i would allow them to use my tools but i would leave a box for them to use so that in the event that they loose anything, it wint be from my main box..
I think i would allow them to use my tools but i would leave a box for them to use so that in the event that they loose anything, it wint be from my main box..
Ilikeike
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I got my 22 yr old Son a loaded costco stainless top chest about 10 yrs ago, he needed to work on his own dirt bikes, bmx bikes,skateboards... he's slowly upgrading and entergrating them into a decent chest.
His last project was putting a 4cyl John Deere into an 80s Mazda pickup. It was ugly,but I was impressed.
yes, get him tools.
His last project was putting a 4cyl John Deere into an 80s Mazda pickup. It was ugly,but I was impressed.
yes, get him tools.
Flivver250
Well-known member
Sure beats a Kenner Easy Bake Oven. Tools last forever. If he ends up liking mechanical tasks, he will love them forever. If he doesn't he will like them for the same length of time as he would an IPhone or any other gizmo that loses it's charm after a couple weeks. Buy him decent quality and teach him to take care of them. I buy all four of my kids tools, but they are adults now.
This or the 130 piece Harbor Freight set. I just bought my mother the HF set, and its chock full of Pittsburgh Pro sockets. I have used it to fix a few things while I was visiting, and she has been using it as well. The ratchets are not the "pro" versions, but neither are the Gearwrench ratchets that come in the tool it.
First set should be a mid level starter set, once they learn to take care of that, then you add on and upgrade.
Post up what you decide on
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
If you buy them store them right...or dooooooooooom. I don't go all out for myself so I wouldn't go all out for someone that might or might not end up using them but there are some universal tools that you eventually have to use at some point if you're not completely helpless. I'd say: 3/8 socket set (metric), decent ratchet, wrench set (metric), one piece hammer, screwdriver set. That's about it besides pliers but pliers are kind of a "I need it for this job" deal; needlenose are the most universal for applications for me at least. If you're being cheap you could potentially do it for under 75 bucks with decent quality import stuff.
Rarified27
Well-known member
I started buying basic stuff for my 14yr old the Christmas before his 12th birthday.
All basic things, mostly Cman and all things he already knew how to use. Since he's still at home, most repairs around here are completed by me and I'll involve him when I can, but he'll be in HS next year and driving soon, so I'm looking forward to really teaching him things about cars and before he goes to college.
The only thing I'm waiting on are power tools- even with lithium batteries holding charges for a long time, he doesn't use them nearly enough and just borrows mine.
The one thing I haven't done yet is hand anything down to him- all of his stuff has been new and relatively inexpensive.
All basic things, mostly Cman and all things he already knew how to use. Since he's still at home, most repairs around here are completed by me and I'll involve him when I can, but he'll be in HS next year and driving soon, so I'm looking forward to really teaching him things about cars and before he goes to college.
The only thing I'm waiting on are power tools- even with lithium batteries holding charges for a long time, he doesn't use them nearly enough and just borrows mine.
The one thing I haven't done yet is hand anything down to him- all of his stuff has been new and relatively inexpensive.
creativecars
Well-known member
Oh yeah, one more thing... Hide all visegrips, adjustable wrenches and do all tools, unless you want everything to have rounded off and screwed up fasteners. A new person with those tools can screw up more than you want to fix.
When my sons started showing interest in wrenching {when they got r/c cars and bicycles}, I got them what they needed. A nice basic set will work fine, I got my oldest son wanted tools for 
one year so I got him these sets for a starter..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kd-Tools-EH...0793413725&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80550.aspx {actually got him this ecact set because that deal wasnt around at the time http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80931.aspx }
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-9416.aspx this set but I think it was $165 at the time I bought it...
And a channel lock 8 pc pliers set, a 3 pc vise grip set, and an extension set..
I spent like $350 and he got , sockets, extensions, ratchets, pliers, bits, etc. He now wants a tool box but I told him to wait until he has his own place, because I am not having a tool box in his bedroom..
one year so I got him these sets for a starter..http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kd-Tools-EH...0793413725&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80550.aspx {actually got him this ecact set because that deal wasnt around at the time http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80931.aspx }
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-9416.aspx this set but I think it was $165 at the time I bought it...
And a channel lock 8 pc pliers set, a 3 pc vise grip set, and an extension set..
I spent like $350 and he got , sockets, extensions, ratchets, pliers, bits, etc. He now wants a tool box but I told him to wait until he has his own place, because I am not having a tool box in his bedroom..