Tool List Critique/Recommendation?

[shoggoth80]

Hey guys.
One of the other threads regarding auto technician stuff got me wondering...
I am starting an entry level tech position soon (waiting on background check, still). I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for what might be needed, on top of what I already own? I understand that I will be doing a lot of the basic basics. I know I will want to get some kind of service cart not long after getting a paycheck or two under my belt (inexpensive box that can still be locked up well enough... searching for solutions at the moment).

Anyway... here is what I am rocking so far. None of it is particularly fancy or whizz bang... but they get the job done.

3/8" Drive:
Multiple ratchets (Companion, Pittsburgh, Thorsen, Craftsman, and Kobalt). Thinking Kobalt (US made, feels pretty sturdy) for work, cheapies for school. An assortment of extensions, U joint, the standard 5/8" and 13/16ths spark plug sockets, a smaller breaker bar, 9mm-19mm shallow chromies (Taiwanese), 9,10,12,15,17,19,, deep wells (also Taiwanese). 10-14, and 16, 17, and 19mm Shallow and Deep well impact sockets (Harbor Freight, these don't seem too bad). SAE 3/8-13/16 shallows, and 3/8, 7/16, 11/16, and 3/4 deep well.

1/4" Drive:
2x ratchets (Stanley and Kobalt.... Kobalt for work, Stanley for school).
6" extension, u-joint, 6-13mm deep well, 4-14mm shallow, 1/4-1/2 deep well, and 5/32-9/16 shallow.

Torx:
T10, 15,20,25,27,30,40,45,50. Sockets: E6,7,8,10,12,14,16. Assorted bits for screwdriver as well. These are all Pittsburgh brand (HF).

1/2" Drive:
2x ratchets (Companion, and Kobalt... you know the break down by now).
5" extension, u-joint, 14" Breaker, 12pt metrics in 10-28mm, SAE in 3/8-15/16.

Craftsman Impact Wrench, with 3/8 and 3/4 adapter. Armstrong impact sockets in 19, 20, 21,27,30, 32mm.

Combo wrenches: KD/Armstrong 6pt.in 7-21mm, 24 and 25mm.
Pittsburgh ratcheting open ends 10mm-19mm
Pittsburgh combos 12pt in 8-19mm. Got a no name 7mm, and 15mm in that mix.
Got Companion branded 3/8, 7/16, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, not sure what Armstrong standards I am getting. They're being tossed in as a bonus. Got Cman 1/4" though 11/16" as well.
KD brand flare nut wrench 10mm and 12mm.

Other:
10" and 6" adjustable wrenches, 7" vise grip. Channel locks, needle noses, side cutters, standard pliers, a couple I don't have a name for (flat nosed). Snap rings, tire pressure gauge, spark tester (from O'Reilly), inspection mirror, shop magnet, flashlight, cheap multimeter, compression tester (old, got it from my dad), timing light, pin punch set, allen wrenches, feeler gauge, test light, stripper/crimper, test leads. Most of those pliers and wrenches are Harbor Freight too, though I have a couple channel lock branded bits as well. I had to get a lot of stuff on the cheap.
Got a random assortment of Craftsman bolt extractors. Haven't had them on me at school when I needed them. They WILL be coming to the shop with me.

Wants:
Armstrong phillips screwdriver set (price is good if in stock when I get more money), flat head screwdriver set. I have a screw driver with interchangeable bits at the moment. Pry bars, brake tools (piston compressors, spring retainers), oil filter pliers, Cordless impact wrench would be nice, but I have an air driven one so that might just be gravy. I think a door panel/pad set would be good, and probably some picks for hoses and what not. I have a home made piece from a spark plug boot for installing plugs without cross threading (used to use vacuum hose, but the boot trick is pretty nice actually). I would also like metrics in 6pt when it comes to sockets. Got a stubby 3/8'' drive ratchet on my wish list... blah blah the list could go on for some time.

I have this circumstance... being a student as well. I have more or less accepted that I cannot port all my tools back and forth between work and class. Thankfully my college has a tool checkout program, and the professors are pretty nice about letting you borrow stuff as well. Thinking the better stuff for work, and the cheaper bits for school. I know I need a good box... if I can get a sturdy rollie box... maybe that could save some of that effort...but my profs recommend a cart... at the least for work. I think that is sound advice.

What does the hive mind recommend?
I know I am gonna have to **** it up for a few weeks before I can afford to add or upgrade much.
Oh yeah... used the search function, but didn't come up with much. Used "entry level technician" as the search string.

 

[96snma]

There is a lot of info on what you need when you first start out.
Start searching through threads that think apply to you

http://garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=11227753

 

[Saiga1974]

I'm trying to relate to you as I have been in the trade for half a year... you have more tools than I do!!! LOL... and I most of mine are still brand new... LOL... although lately, I been borrowing long extensions (up to 24") way too often... I am also needing a set of swivel impact socket set

 

[jeeper93436]

thats alot of reading for me. i saw alot of sets u have missing 8mm and thats a very common size u need. when u buy tool from a truck make sure u trade a 9mm for a 8mm. im a auto tech and my go tools are a long flex 3/8 rachet and 3/8 impact swivels. i used the **** out of the SO swivels when they wear out i get new ones. if u are doing basics u wont be needing that much. depends wat basic means to you. if u are doing brakes get a brake caliper spreader, fuel line disconnect tool for fuel filters, scrapers and wire brush for gaskets, mirrors to check brakes, air pressure gauge, flashligh dont cheap out and get a streamlight with rechargeable batt, spark plug gap tool, picks, magnet oh a 22 or 7/8 deep impact for lug nuts, 1/2 torque wrench for wheels

 

[shoggoth80]

Looks like the search keyword in the link was just "tech?"
I'll have to try a few other strings too and see what I can dig up.

 

[redline380]

probably need a 36mm 1/2 socket as well for axle nuts. i would also recommend a set of 3/8 drive allen sockets. taking them out with a allen key *****. and if its in there hard, youll strip out 5 or 6mm allens no probelm. you can put a 3/8 drive allen on an impact and it will help a ton.

as for you torx sockets, i would upgrade those eventually. i dont use them often, but i always seems to twist them. i hear the snap on heavy duty's are the ones to get, but that would obviously be in time for you. and get a pick set.

my recommendation would be when the tool trucks stop by, close your eyes till you get to the back were the used stuff is. i snagged a 3/8's and 1/2 drive mac impacts off the truck for $35 together. im pretty sure they were trade ins. not awesome impacts by any means, but they will usually cut some good deals to get the used stuff off the truck and its usually quality brands

 

[shoggoth80]

The 8mm stuff is covered in 1/4" and with wrenches. I don't run across much 8mm in my experiences so far. I see a lot of 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, and 21mm.
Kicking myself for not getting 36mm impacts/sockets with my last Cripe order. On my wishlist, so I won't make the mistake twice. Lol.

Saiga (a nice weapon), most of the impact stuff is new, the higher end wrenches are new to me (some are still en route, bought from a friend...clean used). Most of the other tools are from accumulating stuff over the years just doing stuff myself, and Christmas presents back in the day. Part of that is why pretty much nothing is really what would be considered "pro level gear." Lol. If the cheap tools last long enough for me to get better ones... they've done their part. The Pittsburgh impact sockets (3/8" drive) seem to be pretty good. Probably better than their price point.

 

[sselander]

Looks like you are on the right path. One of my relatives is a mechanic at a Jeep dealership now. He started of with a few Snap-On tools bought with his student discount and the rest from HF including his toolbox. After he understood what tools he needed to do his job, he upgraded a few essential ones to Snap-On.