Tool Set for a new auto tech

[smschriefer]

Hey Guys, I have done multiple searches and I keep coming up with results that don't match what I am searching for. I know I have read threads like this before - many times to be truthful.

My stepson is in school for automotive technology and I am trying to determine what tools he needs to focus on purchasing. I don't want him buying stuff that won't be needed as a new tech. I've asked him about dealerships he would like to work for and they are all Japanese, or European brands. This leads me to metric tools and that is fine as SAE is going away on new cars quickly. I don't want to focus on brand specific tools at this time, just a general set to start buying while still in school and eligible for discounts. He can get specialty tools as he needs them and knows the brand he will work. He has some of these items already, granted they are Craftsman, but I figure he can replace due to attrition on some things.

So my thought is all metric -
Ratchets 1/2, 3/8, 1/4
Breaker bars in all three sizes
Short/deep sockets in all three sizes
Universals in all three sizes
Extensions in all three sizes
Torque wrench - probably two one in ftlbs and on in inlbs
Combination wrenches
Stubby combo wrenches
Pliers - needlenose, dykes, lineman, vice grip, etc
Screwdrivers
Torx drivers
Picks
Gasket scrapers
Punches
Multimeter
Hammer(s) - deadblow, ball peen

For a box I've been thinking the US General one from HF is a good deal.

I will help him get some of the items, but I am not buying everything. I am a firm believer that he won't respect tools that are given to him and he needs to realize how expensive they are to replace. I don't want brand references, they will be truck brands as I realize he needs to focus on working and not going to Sears to exchange sockets (not really within the guarantee anyway).

So thoughts of anything that I missed would be appreciated!

 

[Guns R Tools]

Test light. Pocket screw driver. Tire valve core tool. Brake tools. Prybars.

 

[diesel research]

there are no:

power tools
air tools
prybars
oil filter tools
flare nut wrenches
test tools

on that list.

hes going to be doing a lot of tires and oil, and his collection will need to reflect this.

 

[BigDAC]

Sounds like you have a good understanding for a great start. Everything that had been suggested already is important especially the pry bars, break tools, oil filter wrench, and tire tools. I would add; line wrenches, and if you are feeling very generous, a set of Gear Wrench swivel neck ratcheting wrenches. I say Gear Wrench specifically because the necks stay tight and that makes all the difference in the world. As for the torque wrenches, do your homework and don't waist money on cheap ones. If you have the money to buy another set later then you have the money to buy the right set now.

 

[Wangstang]

For what it's worth...a good friend of mine has over 15 years as a BMW mechanic and he swears by craftsman hand tools and their pro grade cabinets.

Yes, he's been working in a BMW dealership shop full time and is now one of the lead mechanics in the shop and uses craftsman hand tools and craftsman pro grade cabinets.

The only time he buys a tool off of a tool truck is if he needs it right then and even then he trys to avoid doing it. He catches **** from all of the other techs in the shop as they all have snap on this or mac that but they also have weekly truck tool payments.

His argument is that he can stop by any sears, which he has to pass two of on his way home each day, and get a replacement tool if something is work out or broken. Compare that to the tool truck guys and they have to wait a week or more.

Now he does have the long list of specialty tools that you can only purchase through BMW, but those are tools you can't get through Snap On and Mac in most cases as well.

On air tools he swears by Ingersol Rand and says while they are expensive, they seem to outlast everything else he and his coworkers have tried.

Believe it or not...He also uses craftsman hand tool sockets on his impact tools. If one breaks he just stops a store on his way home and gets a replacement. That said he hasn't had to many break but he does dedicate a full socekt set set to just impact tool use.

I will be very interested to see what my friend's experince/opinion is on Craftsman tools in a few years, as they are moving production overseas.

Wes

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Get him a service cart over a toolbox. Almost all of my tools are well organized in a $99 HF cart. Starting out it's all he'll need.

Impact sockets and impact wrenches in 3/8" & 1/2" drive are a must.

 

[smschriefer]

Thanks guys, all of your input is appreciated. He definitely will be doing tires and oil changes. Right now he gets 20hrs a week at an independent shop where he works under a master tech as an apprentice and uses the tech's tools. He has been excited when he gets to do other tasks. Usually he gets at least one job each day to assist. Not bad considering he only gets two 10 hour shifts a week.

Now, not to start a brand war, but his school has a brand specific path he can follow for Honda PAC , Toyota TTen , and Chrysler CAP - or he can do a SAE course. I know he likes Japanese brands, so I think either Toyota, or Honda would be a good fit. Is one better than the other, or should he stay SAE to get the general certs that can apply to any dealer?

 

[celticbhoy]

When you buy flare nut wrenches, get snap on. I don't usually play favorites with tool companies, but they make the best flare nut wrenches, and you don't cheap out on those tools. Also for your air impact gun, look into the IR 231C model. The thing is a beast and has been around for ages.

 

[Fedwrench]

As far as career path, I would recommend going to either Honda or Toyota if he gets sponsored by a dealership. This will get him a job after school and there are way too many Hondas and Toyotas on our roads.

As for tools, entry level tech= tires, lube and smaller jobs. Think about a good 1/2 drive impact wrench, lug nut impact sockets, a good tire inflator with gauge, torque sticks, oil filter pliers, etc.

If his school offers a technician tool program and he can afford it, take advantage of it.

 

[diesel research]

I did both a general ASE and an import manufacturer, nissan.

they were essentially the same things, but the ASE is obviously broader and more generic. It did well to prepare for a much faster pace manufacturer specific program though. A lot more advanced diagnostics and realistic "bugged" problems.

for me, i really dont/didnt care which program, as they were all glorified/intensive versions of the basic program. Sure i learned how to use nissan scan tool, but they're all basically the same. the generic program already had me using gm, chrysler, snapon, and otc scanners. i didnt learn as much about certain other specific proprietary vehicle systems in the basic courses, but did learn other things like rebuilding alternators, setting differentials, rebuilding automatics, adjusting steering gear, etc. nissan did not teach these things since they tend to replace the entire component for most systems. did rebuild their engines and manual transmissions. believe it or not, the inside of their powertrains looks just about like everybody elses, and use nearly identical techniques and procedures.

the same goes for those other mfg programs.

Specific differences between the two courses as far as diagnostics go:
in generic, you are told car has problem and to find it. might be given a worksheet with basic questions like "draw a picture of the waveform you measured" "list fuel pressure" etc. if you needed help they would help. usually not timed either. then you typically found something unplugged, wrote down what you found and you were done. except at the very end of course you may be limited to 10 minute diagnostics.

the nissan course, the guy would not speak to you as far as questions. would not even acknowledge. another would give you hint to read the manual. yet another, would say "wtf are you asking me? im just the customer. if i knew, i would do it myself". the "repairs" were not just unplugged fuses and connectors, and just telling them was not satisfactorily. "uh well that's nice, now are ya gonna just stand there or fix the damn thing?" examples included CUT wiring harnesses, smashed sparkplugs/sensors, old bad modules/sensors, and dead shorts that would repeatedly blow fuses. Also thrown into the mix were a few factory lemon buybacks that could not previously be diagnosed correctly. A brand new truck that had an internal ac line blockage, a blend door that randomly activated, and an engine that would mysteriously hunt for idle only after idling for 10 minutes.

 

[amlv20]

Torque wrench 3/8 20-100ftlbs and 1/2 50-250ftlbs.

 

[FLRover]

Sent you a PM my dealer is looking for hourly helpers.

 

[jjb]

Forget the lineman pliers - I've never seen anybody use them in an automotive shop

By universal sockets, get the ones with swivel joints for 3/8 & 1/2 drive. The impact style. He will use them way more than the chrome ones except for 1/4 drive. I use the chrome universal joint ones more for 1/4 drive because they are slightly thinner and allow a tighter angle.

I highly recommend this set

Snap On 207IPSFM - they are semi deep swivel sockets - I use these every day


I also agree with getting the air tools.

 

[crewchief888]

When you buy flare nut wrenches, get snap on. I don't usually play favorites with tool companies, but they make the best flare nut wrenches, and you don't cheap out on those tools. Also for your air impact gun, look into the IR 231C model. The thing is a beast and has been around for ages.

^^^ agreed

also look to SO for torx bits.

any tool of decent quality will be a great starter set. he'll see soon what "works" & what dont work, if he's using a couple tools in particular on a daily basis, and either wearing them out, or breaking them, then upgrade to a truck brand tool.
as has been discussed on GJ in many threads, just starting out, and getting into serious debt is usually not a good combination.
i've always bought tools on an "as needed" basis, 30 years (in heavy equipment dealers) later, theres not much that i really "need".


good luck to ya both

 

[scarney1988]

T-TEN was the program I did. Just remember that Toyota Dealers are franchises and that the TTEN coordinators have no authority over them. Many dealers will use TTEN students as express lubers (which is no in the true spirit of the program) while others will actually pair you up with an A tech. My only advice is for him/her to do the degree program (associates in applied science most likely) with the certificate.

As far as tools, in addition to all other suggestions...

Wheel weight hammer and plier combo
valve core tool
1/2" impact (IR231 is a good one)
Brake caliper depressor
Lisle spill free coolant funnel
Flashlight/droplight
Torque Sticks
Angle grinder with backer for roloc wheels (HF can provide a nice starter)

There is a lot to get when your starting out, but his student discount should be available for the duration of his student status so that is something to consider.

goodluck

 

[Frosthy]

Don't just buy one valve core tool. Get like twenty of the small ones and have him hide them in his box. All he has to do is set it down once and it sprouts legs and walks away. Same goes with sharpies and pens (I like Zebra pens, but $$$).

Starting out, you can do 90% of the work with just a set of short/deep 3/8" Metric sockets and a good flex head wrench. He'll need oil filter sockets/tools too.

Don't buy him a bunch of nice tools to start out. Let him start out with Harbor Freight and buy his owns tools, that way he knows what he has and he will take care of it.

 

[joedodge]

Pick a different career lol. It's a rough industry to make money in and kills your body. But in all seriousness he should pick the line he wants to work for does he want to do diesels, luxury cars, standard cars? Standard tools a decent plier set screw drivers, metric wrenches, and sockets in 1/4 and 3/8 drive. A good 1/2 impact by IR and torque sticks filter wrenches and a good flash light hats important. Most important though good comfortable work boots. I'm a young guy been at this 7 years I'm all round cars and diesels pm me if you need anything.

 

[joedodge]

Also spend your tool money wisely....ill catch hell for this but Chinese company's like sunnex and grey pneumatic who offer lifetime warranties are great and well respected not everything has to be though the truck use tooltopia.com

 

[JJThrasher]

I'd start him out with the red HF tool cart. Load it up wuth the HF 6 point impact sockets and buy him a nice Ingersoll Rand 1/2" impact. Grab the 1/2" HF torque wrench and a couple ratchets.

For a tech still in school this will do 90% of what he needs minus specialty tools.

As he starts using tools he will learn what he likes and what he doesn't. Of course this is assuming his school provides tools for his use there.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[tjmonsen5]

hose grip pliers, good large and small picks, cooling system pressure tester, i dont think you need all sizes of breaker bars. long flex head ratchets these days are strong. magnetic pickup tool, claw, axle nut sockets, pullers.

 

[crewchief888]

Pick a different career lol.
It's a rough industry to make money in and kills your body.
But in all seriousness
A good 1/2 impact by IR a good flash light hats important.
Most important though good comfortable work boots.
I'm a young guy been at this 7 years

i'm 55 years old and been working on const eq for almost 30 years, and worked as a machinist/tool & die for 7 years before than

the "industry" hasnt hurt me physically,
it's all the dumb sh*t ive done over the years.

yea, i have sore knees, a bad ankle, hearing loss, a shoulder that tells me when it's gonna rain, and have broken & dislocated my fingers more times than i can count

but
10 years of baseball
4 years of HS football
2 years of semi-pro football ( when i was 35 years old)
4 years of softball
hockey off and on all my life, from the time i learned how to skate until 5 years ago
racing motox and flat track
totalling my harley
and more slips & falls than i can remember
have all contributed to the downfall of my body than anything else.

 

[joedodge]

I gotcha I love what I do and wouldn't change it at all I love going to work every day. Just see alot of young guys who love working on there cars and at school but hate it in the real world.if you use your body right it'll treat you right.

 

[AmericanPreferred]

If he can get SO for 1/2 price while he is in school it would be a good investment to get the whole kit. I don't wrench professionally, but I do shop tools quite often. Snap On tools get more bids and bring more money upon resale of any brand I know of. The Snap On man say's having a box full of SO shows employer how serious you are, weather its true I don't know but it can't hurt. It could also be used to reward good grades, which I believe does impress future employers.

 

[hefty lefty]

If he can get SO for 1/2 price while he is in school it would be a good investment to get the whole kit. I don't wrench professionally, but I do shop tools quite often. Snap On tools get more bids and bring more money upon resale of any brand I know of. The Snap On man say's having a box full of SO shows employer how serious you are, weather its true I don't know but it can't hurt. It could also be used to reward good grades, which I believe does impress future employers.

I think employers are more impressed with a tool box that shows a little use but not abuse.


The SO student deal is a good program, you can buy them for less than you can flip them on eBay for that way. SO tools are good.

Mac and Matco have some specific items I like better than the SO equivalent. But not that many.

I'm a Chevy motor, Ford rear end sort of person. If money were no issue I'd buy SO ratchets and Stahlwille sockets and wrenches in metric, but then getting replacements would be tough. SO has a tool truck. In the business that does matter.

What I would NOT buy from SO: Their impact guns, IR are better and cheaper. Measuring tools like calipers, mics, etc. I'd get Starrett.

Their electronics are good but overpriced, oh Gawd are they overpriced. Get Fluke multimeters, a dealership will have the factory scan tools I think. A basic code reader is nice to have on your own.

If you are gifting the odd little things that make life easier that the trucks don't have are nice. They are where you find them.

 

[diesel research]

OP, dont know if you know this or not, but they all still have printed catalogs.

Get them, find out what they have to offer, search for reviews, comparison shop prices, etc.

lot of stuff separated by specific job functions like brakes, tires, diagnostic, etc.

 

[Lead-Core]

PN# 9200AGSO is the set we got threw school when i went threw it. payed a semesterly tool rental fee for 3 out of 4 semesters but at the end this set. same set used in the program that the school has minus the BIG box that anybody can use for not included tools. you can check it out on snapons SEP site. covers pretty much all the basics a starting tech would need exept impact and impact sockets and torque wrenchs. list price on normal website is $5200.


i recomend a good rechargeable LED light for under hood or car work to see whats going on.

 

[Nissan_Tech]

Snap On CT4410A. I'm an express tech at nissan, so oil changes and tires and batteries. That was probably one on my most used tools so far. I rarely use my ratchets. Sor me, my 14mm wrench and a good set of filter PLIERS. You can get a filter socket, they kinda work, just IMO, I think the pliers are better.

 

[CWP1616L]

Snap On CT4410A. I'm an express tech at nissan, so oil changes and tires and batteries. That was probably one on my most used tools so far. I rarely use my ratchets. Sor me, my 14mm wrench and a good set of filter PLIERS. You can get a filter socket, they kinda work, just IMO, I think the pliers are better.

What size wrenches are required for Nissan drain plugs?

 

[TDWendt]

14mm, Toyota is also 14mm

 

[diesel research]

14mm, Toyota is also 14mm

almost the whole engine comes apart with a hand full of sizes in 3/8 drive.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

really nobody thinks a pick set or clip removal tools/ pliers and battery tools ????

that was the very first thing i woulnd up buying when i started out like first day

op a test light and fluke meter should be in the top drawer

 

[Lead-Core]

test light, pick set, and battery tool set are in the set i mentioned! and a 90 degree die grinder is super handy!

 

[genevabuck]

Go on the Snap on and MAC websites. They have great examples of beginning set-build-ups.

 

[diesel research]

not sure how it is these days, but matco and a few others used to have holiday blowout sales on student discount stuff. Saw stuff as much as 80% off, but only around december.

 

[JJThrasher]

Matco does an awesome holiday sale. Please don't buy the snapon kits though. Theres a lot of useless stuff in there.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MattPersman]

If your kid is serious about it I would consider going for the snap on 50% off While he is still in school. Something like 10 grand worth of tools would be a good start. It would cost around 5 and it would all be serviceable by the truck. Might sound like a lot of money to an outsider but really if you are serious in this business it's not much money at all. Either gift it to him or have him make weekly payments to you to see how it is when you buy from the tool truck.

 

[diesel research]

have him make weekly payments to you to see how it is when you buy from the tool truck.

pretty sweet idea. the repo will hurt his feelings but not his credit.

 

[joedodge]

Ya that's actually a great idea

 

[celticbhoy]

Why would you stay away from air tools phunny?

 

[rambo19]

Tell him/make sure he does not fall for the tool van man.
Before you know it he will be up to his eyes in debt to the tool man.

My dad, a retired mechanic, never ever got in debt for a tool. He bought tools as and when he needed them.

To many young lads get caught in the 'gucci' tool trap, IMO.