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Tool list for the green auto tech

C_Henman

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Jul 29, 2017
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6
Location
Idaho
I was wondering what I should have in my box as a tech at a used car lot. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I have sockets, wrenches, ratchets, pneumatic impacts, extentions, screwdrivers, hammer and pry bars
 
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the intimidator

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Aug 15, 2005
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ontario canada
Depends on the type of work youre going to be doing and if its mainly as is cars or certified?
If its as is expect to do alot of light bulbs batteries tires ect and cosmetic stuff to get the cars out the door as cheap as possible. If you'll be selling certified cars id assume they already have a licenced tech with a good assortment of tools and you'll be working under him in a sence? If thats the case start with the basics and watch and learn and ask questions you'll quickly understand what you need to acquire and he will point you in the right direction tool wise you will need to perform the jobs he will be assigning you
 

Wamsutta

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Amarillo, Texas
Start reading the catalogs and ask yourself if you need any of the items on the page; that'll also help you learn the names of some of the tools.
 

Snakebyt

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Sep 2, 2014
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Lubbock Tx
oil filter sockets, oil filter pliers, a claw, you will be working on a large variety of cars, will need to be able to do oil changes on them all

also multimeter for checking fuses ect, or at least a test light, also battery booster
 
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Codejack

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Jul 21, 2017
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Chattanooga, TN
Pliers, cutters, multimeter, feeler gauges, punches, wire stripper...

Is there anything in this picture that you do not have?

GW_83095_FRNT_MAIN.jpg
 

Tenex

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May 11, 2015
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Look up the list of tools as required by the local community college for their tech programs.
 

shawndp

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Jun 25, 2017
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Toronto, ON
1) A good quality impact driver is invaluable on import car brakes, and at a used car lot, you will do a lot of those. Buy a decent one or even just the bits from someplace like Matco as the cheap ones just go to pieces.

2) A serpentine belt tool is also nice to have, as that's a common repair action.

3) A set of grabber sockets - you know the sort that pull rounded off heads - doesn't have to be fancy.

4) wheel lock remover sockets - you have no idea how many used cars come from auction with those Mcguard locks missing.

Finally, pack your creativity and imagination to work everyday as usually the job requires you to get in and diagnose the fastest and most cost effective method of getting a car customer-ready and getting out. All the best from someone who has been enjoying doing used cars for a decade and counting!
 

Fedwrench

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Dec 9, 2007
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Valley of the sun
I'm not missing anything in the picture but brake tools. Is a hacksaw necessary?

A hacksaw is one tool that doesn't see a lot of use but, when you need to cut something metal, unless you have a cutoff wheel with a die grinder, what would you use?

Look at getting a few tools to do brakes both drum & disc. For drum look at spring hold down removal/installation tools, and maybe an adjusting spoon. For discs in addition to ensuring you have hex & torx bit sockets to loosen the caliper pins, pick up a rear disc brake piston compressing set. Something like this: http://www.tooltopia.com/atd-tools-5165.aspx

You can just get the cube, but they can be hard to use at times. Also get an 8 inch c clamp for compressing front caliper pistons.

Good luck. :beer:
 

kkroger

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Apr 21, 2013
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1,143
10" Channelok Groove Joint Pliers
6" ""
AND the BIG Set of Channels for compressing calipers... C-Clamps are so 70s...
1/4, 3/8, 1/2" drive socket sets standard and metric shallow and deep, shop wisely for this. You WILL Break tools and you WILL need the one you bypassed on a sunday at 5PM... Ratchets Extension bars, Spinner handle, Breaker Bar, Torque Wrench....
Combination wrench sets Standard and Metric pretty much 2 of each. Trust me Shop Wisely here as well.
3-4lb Dead Blow hammer.
Quality Screwstick SET, at BARE MINIMUM 1/4" Standard, and No 2 Phillips 4" and 8"
Snap-On Ratcheting Screwdriver (I like the hard handle but the grip might be OK)
Prybars I like Wilde

Half Inch Drive Air Impact and Standard and metric Impact Sockets...
Good Start and you can Build on it.
 
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Heavy Metal Doctor

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Mason Dixon Line
hmmmm...used car lot...I did a part time gig like that while I was in the military. It was a little mom and pop house with a front yard full of cars kinda place (actually brother and sister, but whatever) selling auction jalopies....I don't think battery tools have been mentioned yet.
 

CNGsaves

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Sep 26, 2012
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KS and OK
You'll need car ramps and jack stands also.

Oil change tools like the filter caps might come in handy, or at least the various filter wrenches.

Good luck.
 

Codejack

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Jul 21, 2017
Messages
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Chattanooga, TN
I'm not missing anything in the picture but brake tools. Is a hacksaw necessary?

And I haven't used a drum brake tool, even the last time I did a drum brake job, which was 20 years ago.

Hacksaw, I use a reciprocating power saw (sawzall), something. Exhaust pipes, radiator hoses, fuel and brake lines, etc.
 

brownbagg

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Mar 20, 2006
Messages
5,208
my favorite auto tool, is a three foot snap on extention with 1/2 drive on one end for impact and 3/8 on other. its great for the top engine transmission bolts on top
 
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C_Henman

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2017
Messages
6
Location
Idaho
I've got what my wife calls a "tool problem" she thinks I own too many. I've aquire a full set of 3/8 snap on sockets, sae and metric. Shallow, semi-deep and deep. I have a die grinder with cutoff wheels and several Knipex tongue and groove pliers. A couple of torque wrenches. A lot of my stuff is Snap on via E-bay. Are torque sticks worth getting? I picked up S-K turbo sockets a couple of months ago.
 

Davefr

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Jan 7, 2010
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Location
OR
A good quality LED headlight hasn't been mentioned yet. I'd also add some line wrenches to your list.
 

gregpack

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Feb 1, 2015
Messages
245
Check out the video "tools to get started as an auto tech" by flat rate master. Lots of great input and he's not a tool brand snob.

 

Yarpo

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Feb 11, 2017
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Minnesota
Check out the video "tools to get started as an auto tech" by flat rate master. Lots of great input and he's not a tool brand snob.


Pretty good video!

I've got all of that and then some as I've been an EVT for a few years, but was offered a job as a Light duty tech at a MB dealership. Now I gotta decide if dealership life is something I want to do....:dunno:
 
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