Starter Set for beginner tech?

1ZlowZ · Feb 2, 2013

I keep getting job interviews for beginner diesel techs but most of them require that I have my own tools.
I've decided I'm going to jump on it and use the SEP to get snap on at 40% off.

I've built a list of what I think is necessary for a beginner.
Anybody want to add/remove something from the list, thanks!

What are some good tools to be had for Heavy Duty Diesels.

I've got so far
Combo Wrenches 10-22mm, 3/8-1"

Sockets, 3/8
10-19 Shallow
8-19 Deep
3/8- 1 1/8 Shallow
1/4- 7/8 Deep

Sockets, 1/2"
12-24 Deep chrome and impact
10-19 Shallow

3/8- 1 1/8 Deep
1/2- 1 1/4 Deep Impact
3/8 - 1 1/8 Shallow

MISC STUFF
8 PC Screw driver set
6-12mm nut drivers
Awl/pick set
prybar set 8", 12", 18", 24"
Butane soldering iron
Air Impact 1/2" MG725
Tq Wrench 40-250'lbs

volvo92906 · Feb 2, 2013

5/8 12pt socket for starter bolts...

5/8 double square socket for drain plug bolts (on axles and transmissions).

Sledge is usually good... Or any kinds of hammers. Youll need em.

Pliers and Vise Grips. Good for brake work.

That should about be it for beginner work. Dont let it overwhelm you... I am also a diesel guy. I started with a basic 200 odd piece Craftsman set and a truck shop. Now im a tech at Caterpillar.

genevabuck · Feb 2, 2013

Various hammers
Vice Grips and Channel locks
Punches and Chisels
Picks and Hooks
Radiator hose pick
Needle nose pliers and diagonal cutters
Extensions, universals, adapters
Hex keys and sockets
Torx keys and sockets
scrapers
1/4 and 3/8 flex ratchets
flex ratcheting wrenches
wire strippers

KEH · Feb 2, 2013

Not a diesel mechanic but a friend is. He says he needs a 5/16 square socket in 1/4 inch drive with I think 6 inch extension to adjust brakes on the rear brakes of a road tractor. Naturally a 1/4 drive ratchet, or an adaptor for 3/8 to 1/4 drive ratchets or breaker bar.

I'm not sure if you have impact sockets and extensions to remove lug nuts, but surely a shop would supply 1 inch drive air tools for that.

KEH

sparky7 · Feb 2, 2013

Well you will need most every hand tool ever made at some point or another, so its not like you can go wrong with whatever you buy! I recommend buying used tools as much as possible, as for sets probably not a bad idea to start off with craftsman junk and work your way up replacing it with snap on as you go. Buy used snap on metric and standard wrench sets they are too much money new. While you do have the discount, you should focus on tools that are stupid expensive new and that you wouldnt want to buy used, like the impacts etc. This will maximize your savings in the future.

mech-tech · Feb 2, 2013

Bright led flashlight, test light good for 12 and 24 volts, every size and type of oil filter wrench you can think of, pair of 16" channel lock pliers, long skinny funnel, big brass punch, long drift punch for seals, small long drift punch for wheel hub lock nuts, cheap set of stubby wrenches up to 1" None of this stuff is pricey, but I use them all the time

mech-tech · Feb 2, 2013

Oh, and the cheap set of large wrenches at harbor freight for up to 2", you will need these for engine drain plugs and hydraulic lines.

NoNN37 · Feb 2, 2013

Im no expert, but dont you need big-*** wrenches and sockets for heavy duty diesel stuff? and big impact guns

volvo92906 · Feb 2, 2013

NoNN37 said:
Im no expert, but dont you need big-*** wrenches and sockets for heavy duty diesel stuff? and big impact guns

Not necessarily.... With semis I never needed anything bigger than an inch and a half, except for hub nut sockets. Those were usually only for the hose fittings on the brake chambers.

At CAT, my tools go up to 2.5" for hydraulic lines... And rarely do I need anything bigger.

But yeah... You need a 1" gun for semis for removing the wheels. 3/4 torque wrench for installing them. In heavy equipment, a 3/4 gun does most of big work, but sometimes that 1" is nice to have for torque turning.

SKAutomotive · Feb 2, 2013

1ZlowZ · Feb 3, 2013

Great! Getting some good advice here.

I added the 5/8 8 and 12 pt to the list.
I forgot the lug nuts for semis are around 500'lbs I decided to add a larger tq wrench also 200-600'lbs

What are some things that a shop might supply that I wouldn't have to worry about too much.

I understand as a beginner I'm not expected to start doing overhauls but simple brake work, pm, lube, clutch work and hopefully some electrical.

mech-tech · Feb 3, 2013

It kinda varies from shop to shop. The first shop I worked in they had all the tools, I brought nothing. Where I work now they are cheap, so all they provide is a 1" impact, a jack, a shop to work in and something broken to work on. I've learned the second I look at a tool and think "I'll never need that", the next day I will need it, so plan on eventually buying on of everything ever made. I go to work to make money to buy tools to go to work and make money with, its an evil cycle.

Oh, and learn how to sharpen a drill bit on a bench grinder, cuz every shop has drill bits, but they are never ever ever sharp.

Puckett_k · Feb 3, 2013

What will you be working on? Semis or equipment? Grey pneumatic impact sockets would be your best bet, they are very cheap but of good quality. In my opinion use your snap on discount on some good ratchets, a multimeter (I was never a fan of test lights), if you buy an impact gun skip the 3/8 for now and get the 1/2". Hammers and prybars... You'll use the hell out of them, a cheap craftsman chisel and punch set. That will get you in the door and the. Your experienced co-workers can suggest some more equipment specific tooling.

greasegorilla · Feb 3, 2013

Someone posted this link here and I bookmarked it as a decent list of basic tools. Scroll down for the actual tool list.

http://www3.rtd-denver.com/elbert/j...t&Division=Bus Operations&FromViewJobDesc=yes

young_buck · Feb 3, 2013

greasegorilla said:
Someone posted this link here and I bookmarked it as a decent list of basic tools. Scroll down for the actual tool list.

http://www3.rtd-denver.com/elbert/j...t&Division=Bus Operations&FromViewJobDesc=yes

Thank you! :thumbup:

I myself am going into the trade and was looking for a fairly complete list like this

ddo · Feb 3, 2013

Spend a little time thinking about what can be bought cheap before you go onto the truck. Starting out I wouldn't go all out on things like 2 lb. sledges. Every hammer I've hand worked. Didn't need a logo to do its job.

On small stuff, nice stuff is not as bad. I would never purchase name brand 2" combination wrenches. Chinese all the way with things like that for me. If you can round a 2" bolt or spread a 2" wrench I'd be impressed. That phenomenon from what I've seen is in the under 1" realm.

mopar01 · Feb 3, 2013

They make 12,13, and 1/2 drive line sockets on 3 in extensions that swivel. Gp makes them as well as everybody else. Power probe wouldn't hurt. A good set of prybars.

Rezeppa · Feb 3, 2013

This is a difficult thread because as we all started out we had a few items and grew but what you will need varies from day to day. I found that impact universals for those hard to reach bolts are extremely important. As stated earlier 12point sockets for Cat head bolts and Cummings starters (some Navistar). As far as quarter inch drive goes I have had a 44pc general service set that has done damn near everything I ever needed it to do. Good luck and just as you know already this is an investment on yourself so get general stuff as a lot of these guys say they don't loan tools and so on that's ******** and the older guys should help you to get through the day until you start borrowing the same thing to many times then it becomes an issue. As things come up you buy them and like stated earlier it is a vicious cycle.

volvo92906 · Feb 3, 2013

Assuming youre working on semi's, get a test light also. Meters are much more valuable in todays day in age because of electronics, but trailers ALWAYS have lights out. A test light is the easiest, simplest way to fix. All you need to do is find a a power and determine if its the bulb or wiring. I even got one of those groundless test lights. Works well, especially on aluminum trailers where its hard to get a good ground.

Great advice from everybody too.

Rezeppa said it well.... The old timers should let you borrow tools. Most will. But if you need to borrow a tool more than twice, get your own.

dirtmister16 · Feb 3, 2013

a word on testlights. don't get led unless you get a standard as well. for some things a led type won't work. so a standard incadesnt one will be more useful in the long run.

genevabuck · Feb 3, 2013

You will probably need a decent set of snap ring pliers and line wrenches, as well.

Elbert C. · Feb 4, 2013

I'm new to this board but many years ago I was a line mechanic in a GM shop. When you first start out it would be good to buy tools in sets rather than just one size here and there. For many thing craftsman tools from sears are good, the professional series is decent. Generally speaking...mechanics/techs.. are responsible for all the common hand tools. Snap-on, Mac are good tools, I've spent a lot of $$ on them in the past but for the young guy starting out you will get more for your money by going with craftsman. Later on you can see what you like and don't like and shop around. I left the mechanic world many years ago, but I still buy snap-on and mac here and there because on some stuff they are the only guys who make the item or make it in a quality part.

I would look to buy some stuff used if you can find it on craigslist or other sources, there are some good deals out there where you can find some good value in tools , tool storage etc.

I have a lot of snap-on stuff, some mac, and a lot of craftsman and some SK and some black-hawk (I think thats the brand).

Good money for a tech is spent in some good quality air tools, a good set of impact sockets, extensions. Check out the sears web site, they have sales all the time.

Woodward_Dreams · Feb 4, 2013

Here's my advice. I did a 1 year training program for automotive and used my student discount on a bunch of tools. But i regret not buying way more at the time. If you can afford it and are really planning on being a diesel tech for a long time, then get as many tools as possible.

With that said, when you start your new job, there are going to be tools that you dont have and need. If you're in a decent shop, someone will let you borrow something a couple times. Obviously you'll need to buy it at that point, but then you'll know what you really need.

Good luck!

joedodge · Mar 28, 2013

Good stout pry bars up to 36" or 48" you'll use the biggest and the tiniest alot a strait tip wouldn't hurt either I made mine out of a tire iron

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