I agree if starting out get all your basics in metric first then get sae later as you see fit. Socket sets with ratchets/extensions/universals/adapters are a great way to get lots of stuff fairly cheap, also many good sets have metric & same sockets. Its a good time in history to be buying tools. Be smart, read and ask questions to make your money go furthest.
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Starting a tool collection
- Thread starter learningdrew
- Start date
orangeblood
Well-known member
my $0.02
1. buy tools when your projects demand them, resist the urge to "accumulate" for no good reason
2. when you need a tool that you expect will be needed often buy the best quality you can - there are many high quality used tools available in secondary markets at reasonable prices if you are patient
3. if you are getting into cars late but have positive memories of your dad working on a vintage vett when you were a grasshopper there is good chance you'll be your dad sometime soon...buy stuff with that in mind
4. GJ is full of good banter about brands, quality and cost. it is good discussion and most of it very useful. one cornball wisdom shared amongst a few of the fine boys in this forum is "buy once, cry once." This might be something to keep in the back of your mind as you evaluate buying tools. It helps me make decisions about tools.
1. buy tools when your projects demand them, resist the urge to "accumulate" for no good reason
2. when you need a tool that you expect will be needed often buy the best quality you can - there are many high quality used tools available in secondary markets at reasonable prices if you are patient
3. if you are getting into cars late but have positive memories of your dad working on a vintage vett when you were a grasshopper there is good chance you'll be your dad sometime soon...buy stuff with that in mind
4. GJ is full of good banter about brands, quality and cost. it is good discussion and most of it very useful. one cornball wisdom shared amongst a few of the fine boys in this forum is "buy once, cry once." This might be something to keep in the back of your mind as you evaluate buying tools. It helps me make decisions about tools.
jonesg
Well-known member
Watch lots of youtube vids.
AffableCurmudgeon
Well-known member
Like many have said, buy what you need as you need it.
Do not give into the peer pressure of buying truck tools. You are looking for a hobby, you are not a pro. You will not be using these tools to make a living. Unlikely that you will be putting together a hotrod anytime soon. Be sensible. There are a lot of people here who collect truck tools like ladies collect bags and heels (they will likely get their ******* in a bunch as they read it, lol). A lot of people here use these tools to make a living as a mechanic but a lot of others just like to polish those expensive tools and admire them. Don’t be like the latter.
Realistically, you will be changing parts and doing maintenance on your vehicle. Buy a decent DIY grade automotive kit from Sears or Harbor Freight. For what you will be doing, it will be fine.
Again, don’t give into peer pressure on this site. Asking for tool preference here is like asking drug addicts on their preference for narcotics.
This is a great site, you get a lot of good advice but you also get a lot of peer pressure. Don’t give into it.
Do not give into the peer pressure of buying truck tools. You are looking for a hobby, you are not a pro. You will not be using these tools to make a living. Unlikely that you will be putting together a hotrod anytime soon. Be sensible. There are a lot of people here who collect truck tools like ladies collect bags and heels (they will likely get their ******* in a bunch as they read it, lol). A lot of people here use these tools to make a living as a mechanic but a lot of others just like to polish those expensive tools and admire them. Don’t be like the latter.
Realistically, you will be changing parts and doing maintenance on your vehicle. Buy a decent DIY grade automotive kit from Sears or Harbor Freight. For what you will be doing, it will be fine.
Again, don’t give into peer pressure on this site. Asking for tool preference here is like asking drug addicts on their preference for narcotics.
This is a great site, you get a lot of good advice but you also get a lot of peer pressure. Don’t give into it.
sberry
Banned
We didn't have HF when I started, it was Sears or Snap. The good thing about cheap is that it doesn't cost a lot for stuff to sit that you don't use, you can always buy a better piece as needed. Buy enough stuff you don't have to work hand to mouth, buy a couple big sets to get your feet under yourself and on the way. Last screwdrivers I bought were HF, using them cant tell the difference between them and others.
This would be true if the cheap wasn't so good today,,, and so cheap. If a guy was paying 50$ vs 100 and there was a huge difference at that level then there is some risk but some of it is as low as 5$ vs 100 and its not exact but pretty good especially to get started,,, makes it disposable, don't have to insure it."buy once, cry once."
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Dave455
Well-known member
I was there once...!
My advice : -
You don’t need a lot to get started - a few screwdrivers, pliers and a few spanners. Make a start, find out what sort of jobs and projects you like doing, and only buy a tool when you find you have a need for one.
Most times, don’t bother about buying ‘sets’. It’s nice to have, say, all your slotted screwdrivers matching (easy to select the size and style you need), ditto your socket wrenches, but apart from that it doesn’t matter.
Definitely don’t bother trying to buy everything from one maker. I doubt any one maker offers every type of tool, and you get much better value buying from specialists!
For most types of tool you will find that there are one, or more, domestic makers who offer top end tools at reasonable prices. I’d aim for these makers if I could. You’ll probably be surprised how reasonably priced their tools are, but you won’t find you need to upgrade either!
Here are some names, if it helps -
Channellock (Pliers) Wilde (Screwdrivers, Pliers and Punches) Bondhus and Elkind (Hex Keys) Vaughan (Hammers) Wright, SK (Wrenches and socket wrenches) and so on. There are loads more, but once you get the idea, you’ll soo find them.
Avoid, at all costs, cheap tools with expensive marketing. These represent the worst possible value for the purchaser!
My advice : -
You don’t need a lot to get started - a few screwdrivers, pliers and a few spanners. Make a start, find out what sort of jobs and projects you like doing, and only buy a tool when you find you have a need for one.
Most times, don’t bother about buying ‘sets’. It’s nice to have, say, all your slotted screwdrivers matching (easy to select the size and style you need), ditto your socket wrenches, but apart from that it doesn’t matter.
Definitely don’t bother trying to buy everything from one maker. I doubt any one maker offers every type of tool, and you get much better value buying from specialists!
For most types of tool you will find that there are one, or more, domestic makers who offer top end tools at reasonable prices. I’d aim for these makers if I could. You’ll probably be surprised how reasonably priced their tools are, but you won’t find you need to upgrade either!
Here are some names, if it helps -
Channellock (Pliers) Wilde (Screwdrivers, Pliers and Punches) Bondhus and Elkind (Hex Keys) Vaughan (Hammers) Wright, SK (Wrenches and socket wrenches) and so on. There are loads more, but once you get the idea, you’ll soo find them.
Avoid, at all costs, cheap tools with expensive marketing. These represent the worst possible value for the purchaser!
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Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
Not sure there is really a right or wrong answer to this question since there are so many variables. I have a 19 year old at work that is going through the same thing. He already has a 4 drawer cart from HF. He has some chrome HF socket sets and is going to add more from either HF, CM, Tekton, Carlyle, GW, Kolbalt, Husky, etc. I suggested he look at ratchets from GW, Williams, & Carlyle. Combination wrenches GW, Carlyle, & Tekton. I recommended Knipex dykes and a pair or two of Cobras. Other pliers from Channel Lock, Klein, CM, GW, Carlyle, & Tekton. Screwdriver set from CM, GW, Tekton, Kolbalt and have a couple of bit drivers as well. Get a few ball peen hammers and a dead blow from some of the above brands. Same goes for a chisel and punch set with Wilde added to the brands list.
Once the basics are covered then add more specialized and drive tools for the sockets.
It really depends on how much you are willing to spend on each particular tool. The next step up would be the Industrial brands like Proto, Wright, & Williams along with SK. Sadly, Armstrong would have been in this group but, are gone for at least the time being. Up from there is the truck brands like Mac, Matco, Snap On, and Cornwell. You may find that you prefer a mix depending on price, perceived quality and the feel of the tool in your own hands.
Once the basics are covered then add more specialized and drive tools for the sockets.
It really depends on how much you are willing to spend on each particular tool. The next step up would be the Industrial brands like Proto, Wright, & Williams along with SK. Sadly, Armstrong would have been in this group but, are gone for at least the time being. Up from there is the truck brands like Mac, Matco, Snap On, and Cornwell. You may find that you prefer a mix depending on price, perceived quality and the feel of the tool in your own hands.
bczygan
Well-known member
hey everyone, just joined the forum. a passion for internal combustion runs in the fam. my dad's formative years were spent restoring a '55 corvette (first year of V8), but i never learned my way around a shop. right now i own a 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ and 2008 Triumph Thruxton. getting tired of relying on other people to service them. my nephew is also starting out in the trade, so we're learning together.
what advice do you have buying tools from scratch? if you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Is this to be one set of tools, kept at your place, for you both to use?
Bill