starter tools

[dieseltech1]

hey guys, just out of curiosity, what do you guys recommend as a "starter" tool set? I'm enrolled in a diesel mechanics class at a tech school and i signed up for the "student excellence program" with snap on and I get 50% off through them. I have an idea on what to get first but I just want another opinion

 

[mypov]

There have been a lot of posts about this...
Will you be wrenching for work? Or are you taking this as a past time hobby backyard fun thing? If you are going to be wrenching as a career you will be buying a lot of tools, but this does not have to be over night.

I would buy your basic socket set metric/SAE shallow deep 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 couple of ratchets for each size and a wrench set for both SAE and Metric...However, if you get this all in Snapon and right away, you'll be taking out a second mortgage.

I had a GREAT set I bought from Canadian Tire (mastercraft) fairly similar to Craftsman - this set did all I needed for my backyard work before I started my apprenticeship (I still use some of the sockets from that set). It was 250 and had 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 inch sockets in both deep and shallow as well as a ratchet for each. This was all I needed.

Pace yourself, and there is nothing wrong with other brands, don't feel you need it all right away and ALL snapon.
just my O2.

I signed up for an apprenticeship and have been spending about 4-500 a month on tools, sometimes less...but have now amassed a nice collection and havn't really suffered doing so. If I were to have purchased everything I have all at once (even with the snap on discount) I would've had a high monthly payment with HIGH interest. This way, I've not gone into debt and I own my tools...If I don't have money to spend...

Hope your class goes well and you find your starter set.

 

[michaelwoodcock]

I use harborfreight for my road tool box & my motocross tools. I used to use them professionally but I broke a tooth or two off a ratchet here or there and decided to upgrade. I've broken craftsman ratchets too. I personally bought harbor freight tools on sale and I'm upgrading as they break. They've lasted a suprisingly long time for professional use. Upgrading every ratchet to armstrong, might try snap on next, but don't think I'll be breaking the armstrongs

Have craftsman sockets, some harbor freight, some mac tools and only broken one 1/4 drive harbor freight socket while wrenching professionally and at home.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I'd look at a set from craftsman, kobolt or husky. If you stick with mechanic work as your long term profession then look into the tool truck brands and decide on your own if they are really worth the money

I don't make a bunch of money wrenching (Labor of love kinda thing) and have found those brands have served my well. I don't have too many tool truck brands

 

[andrewsnmorgan]

Craftsman pro, or kobalt(NO PLIERS!).

 

[Gregster]

take advantage of the Snap On discount while in school!

 

[jrherald420]

take advantage of the Snap On discount while in school!

This is the truth. I spent close to 5000.00 in 2 years and got over 11,000.00 worth of tools. Our rep would let us order when other schools in his area were having tools shows (each school only got 1 tool show a year) since we were offered an extra 10% off the student prices.

 

[wreckerman5357]

I would start of with Craftsman sockets, SK wrenches, Channelock pliers, Snap-On screwdrivers, and Snap-On ratchets. That covers your basics. It all really depends on what you can and want to afford. I could not afford to buy a bunch of Snap-On stuff when I was in school. I used the Craftsman sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers I had got while I was a teenager. I replaced the ratchets and screwdrivers with Snap-On my second year of school. I still use the Cman sockets and wrenches because they work and I'm not going to be making any more money if I replace them with Snap-On. I am in a situation where I could replace those sockets and wrenches with Snap-On but would rather save the money for retirement or use it on the weekends to do fun stuff with my wife. I buy a bit of stuff off the Snap-On truck but those purchases are limited to buying specialty tools, air tools, and things I don't already have. I am not spending money to replace tools that I already have that work.

You are the only one who can decide how much that you can / want to spend. If you have the money to spend $5,000 - $10,000 on truck brand tools to get started while you are in school, have at it, its damn good stuff. Just know that you do not have to spend every cent you earn on tools to get started.

 

[Humble Mechanic]

The discount is great, but don't bury yourself in tool debit. I would buy some SO box wrenches, and ratchets.

I would pick up Craftsman sockets. As a newer tech, you will most likely lose/ leave behind tools.

DONT sell your soul for a fancy set of tools. You need the right tools for your job, but be smart. Mechanics ride the roller coaster of flat rate, having a bad week is much easier when you don't have to make a $150 tool payment EVERY week... I have seen too many guys get themselves into trouble.

 

[jrherald420]

Pay cash for tools and dont worry about debt. I used what was left over from student loans to buy mine.

 

[back2class]

Snap-on items worth getting:

Torx sockets (gold ones)
hex sockets (gold ones)
Line wrenches
Screwdrivers
That's about it. everything else IMHO snap-on is not worth the price on....even at 1/2 off. Stay out of debt!

 

[Gregster]

This is the truth. I spent close to 5000.00 in 2 years and got over 11,000.00 worth of tools. Our rep would let us order when other schools in his area were having tools shows (each school only got 1 tool show a year) since we were offered an extra 10% off the student prices.

Back when I was in school(10 years ago) would could have ordered anything out of the SO catalog but we were only allowed to make a certain amount of purchases for hand tools etc and one tool box purchase. I bought screw drivers, sockets and 3/8-1/2 torque wrenches at 50% off, tool boxes were 60% off . It was once unlimited tools every week but that was stopped the year I started because everyone was buying/reselling. However now I hear it's you can only buy pre-packaged sets and those sets are made in such a way where you have to buy at least 2.

Needless to say I should have got a line of credit from my bank at the time to and bought more.. Even with interest I would have saved a ton of cash compared to buying off the truck.... I'm not saying to get swamped in debt but I did the math a few months ago and I would have saved 7-8k. Not including a tool box purchase. Then again I already had a job lined up

Here is my actual advice though. Work on getting a job out of school and IMO you should have the basic tools. Nothing drives me more crazy then a new guy starting at the shop and he doesn't even own a screw driver set. I know everyone's situation is different but even tools from HF won't break the bank if you buy a little something every week. So have the basics. It also looks really good for you if you come ready to work...

I don't know what shop you'll be working at but for the most part if you show an interest in what you do the "old" guys will help you out with lending tools/advice. Whatever you do borrow, write it down and try to buy it. It get's annoying when let's say I need something and the other guy has it. I like to help everyone that shows an interest but that's me... I've worked with greenhorns that show zero interest so I don't waste my time with them. They usually don't make it a few months and drift around shop to shop.

 

[Ken81590]

If you are going to use the student discount with Snap-on, which you should, get a lot of what you need. If you think about it, the more you spend the more you get for free. Just make sure you have a job so you can pay the truck guy every week, It's usually $20-$50 a week so it's nothing major.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Don't get sucked into the my box is bigger than your box ******* contest. When starting out get the best hand tools you can purchase.

And as you build up your tools and they earn you a living then upgrade your box.

 

[bhalv]

get the best tools you can afford, be willing to work out of an older box. remember that a box doesn't make you a single bit of money, your tools do.

 

[RECox286]

Check out CL "for sale" ads for starters. Amazing what you can find out there.

I have a mix of truck, Cman, HF, and LAPS brands in my tool box. One thing

to remember: "Use the right sized tool for the job". Forgetting that, you will end

up with a broken tool, no matter the make.

Good Hunting
Uncle Bob

 

[dieseltech1]

thanks for all the replies guys! I do plan to use the discount to get the basic tools that I need (wrenches, sockets, ratchets) I buy them on line and they are usually at my house the next day. I'm not getting caught up in the snap on credit stuff or any type of credit to be honest. hopefully I'll be starting at a local truck shop soon that does require me to have my own tools. i have about 2 boxes of junk china sockets and wrenches that I use to do my work at home and a nice 186 craftsman set. I just figured since I can get 50% I might as well use it.

 

[Big Johnson]

Craftsman has sets that never repeat themselves. Thats your best bet. You can get all sets and tool box for the price of a snap on toolbox. I didnt start buying snap on until I was sure(5 years) I was going be able to make all my investment back ten fold. Knipex pliers, snap on ratchets,Harbor freight pro impact sockets, matco air tools. Craftsman is not the best, but definately worth the price; I cant say that for everything I bought off a tool truck.

 

[RedFordTruck]

Craftsman has sets that never repeat themselves. Thats your best bet. You can get all sets and tool box for the price of a snap on toolbox. I didnt start buying snap on until I was sure(5 years) I was going be able to make all my investment back ten fold. Knipex pliers, snap on ratchets,Harbor freight pro impact sockets, matco air tools. Craftsman is not the best, but definately worth the price; I cant say that for everything I bought off a tool truck.

I not anywhere near a professional, but if I were in your shoes, I would get...

Craftsman sockets. Best bang for the buck.

Most people dont like Craftsman ratchets, but Ive been for the most part satisfied with mine. If youre using them to make a living, then I would recommend getting some nicer ones, but keeping the good ol craftsman.

Wright or Craftsman Wrenches. I own mostly craftsman RP wrenches, but the few Wright Ive picked up at the flea market are great. I would recommend the Wright over the C'man.

Channellock pliers (HD/lowes usually has good prices on them) and you can get used ones at the flea markets cheap too.

Craftsman Professional Screwdrivers. Better quality than regular craftsman, they have a solid build, and you can warranty them under the craftsman warranty. Slightly more expensive than standard craftsman, but in my opinion theyre worth the extra $$.

As far as other random tools go, Ive got

Bondhus hex keys (Made in USA, Got em because the C'man were chinese)
Craftsman pry bars (Can be bought cheap during craftsman club saver days)
Estwing hammers. (Cant really go wrong, but I have noticed more types made in Taiwan recently)

Other than that, I tend to stick to American made tools. Mostly for better quality, but also out of a sense of patriotism. Im sick of all the damn chink tools.

 

[TwoInch]

....I just figured since I can get 50% I might as well use it.

wise decision. if you can afford to use the discount, without going to to debt, its a wise investment. if in a few years, you decide its not for you, you will get most, or all of your money back.

i also went through diesel tech schooling, and i did not take advantage of the 50% or better discounts. we had mac and snap on to choose from, i chose neither. looking back, i really wish i had.

most of my stuff is craftsman nowadays, and they serve me perfectly fine. but i am a tool junkie. we used everything snap on while in school, so i got a taste of the good stuff.

 

[dieseltech1]

the only time I'll order tools is when I know I have enough for the tools + shipping and enough for to pay my gym member ship for 2 months. I talked to a few mechanics I know and they had said to start buying snap on ratchets first, and then get nice snap on sockets. thanks for everyone's input on this I appreciate it very much!! has anyone tried snap on's "comfort grip" ratchets ?