Tool shopping, suggestions?

[champ989]

UPDATED

Hi! I wanted to go on a bit of a spending spree and start off my tool collection. I defiantly (I don't wanna correct the spelling ) don't know the most about tools. I just need them to fix and maintain my car and my families. Tired of borrowing tools from my friends and step dad.

I have a $300 budget, give or take a few bucks. I already have a few sockets, wrenches, pliers, etc. Changing that to 500ish, I didn't realize how under par my tool set was

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200596347_200596347
^Impact wrench - Don't have money for an air compressor and such, my only fear with this guy is I don't know if its to long to fit in tight places. Cordless ones are shorter but with less power for that price. It does claim to have a heck of a lot of power though! And no batteries that can die on me. Does anyone feel 425ft lbs isn't enough for a car? I'm sure its higher for 'break away' force, the 425 is just the constant.
$130

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00079LQL6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
^9mm-24mm, 26mm, 27mm, 30mm both deep and standard 6 point, impact, 1/2inch sockets.
$131

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NICEVW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
57 Piece 3/8-Inch Drive 6 Point Socket Set - non impact.
$100

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NIAIE2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
51 Piece 1/4-Inch Drive 6 Point Socket Set - non impact
$70 (Already bought, just letting you all know what I decided on.)

http://www.harborfreight.com/Piece-12-in-Drive-Impact-Extension-Set-67972.html
^Pack of 4 - 1/2in. wobble extensions. Does anyone feel I need fixed extensions, or would these do fine?
$38

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TD8PF0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
^Torque Wrench - 1/2-Inch Drive 10-150-Feet Pounds
$45

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-extendable-ratchet-98831.html
^I do have a ratchet, but this extendable part makes seem needed.
$16

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-drive-25-in-breaker-bar-67933.html
^25 inch breaker bar
$12

That's $543 dollars so far with shipping included, I do expect fathers day sales to beat that number down by around 15%-25% High hopes!

Critiques are more then welcome! I may defend some of my choices But you guys have already changed quiet a bit of my list. As well as added a few hundred dollars to my budget

I am contemplating on finding the funds for a cordless ratchet, I just don't know if 40ft lbs can do anything for a car... That might just be an item I buy off used off eBay though... Let me know if you feel this is a worth while tool! Judging by the hate on the impact wrench, I doubt it It's most likely going to be a buy I do randomly off eBay.

Also, I care more about complete sets of sockets then it being made in America. I'm not getting the cheapest sockets out there. If you read about what others who own them say you might believe they're a decent brand too.

Have fun with it! Let me know what you'd buy for the $500. Thanks!

 

[d.mcfarland]

You need good hand tools before you venture into convenience territory by getting impact and cordless ratchets.

Search around the site. You will find a lot of information that will help you vastly.

 

[48fordnut]

Do a search on here and look at some of the H/F selections. I have been a semi pro mech for 60 yrs. You don't need to go into debt for hobby ,or even making a living. I try not to borrow tools.
One thing that strikes me is why would you want a 250 lf torque wrench ,unless you work on trucks, heavy equipment?
I am a acft mech and my torque wrenches are recerted every 3 mos. I have several cheap ones ,and if you get them caliabrated they are just as accurate.
Spend your money the way you want , just don't try to impress any one other than your self. Just the way I roll.

 

[scarney1988]

What cars will you be maintaining? What types of maintenance do you consider in your wheel house?

You may be able to save money by purchasing only metric or SAE tools.

May also consider exchanging the impact with a breaker bar. It will be able to get into more spaces and situations than a corded impact. Just a thought, the 450 ft-lbs is intriguing though. Not knocking the impact, but it could free up some of your money to go towards ever important 3/8" & 1/4" sets.

Saving on the impact could open up a decent screwdriver set as well.

Good luck. Fight the good fight.

 

[champ989]

I have all the hand tools I've needed so far and those are things I can run to sears if I find I don't have something.

$300 wont put me in debt, I just don't want to spend a grand on tools. I guessed that was a safe number to start with. I figured bigger was always better, if it went up to 250 then awesome! A harmonic balencer was probably the tightest I needed to torque something and that was only 130lbs or so. You're probably right about it being overkill.

My car the most, its an 01 eclipse. Breaks is the most common thing I do with the wheel house. A sway bar (I think?) I had to do two years ago was pretty hard without an impact gun, it just kept spinning in place The bolt wouldn't come off. I also help out my sisters with their cars, one has a Saturn and another a Malibu. Recently did the Saturns breaks & rotors. It's just about always a car I play with, never trucks or suvs. I'm no pro with cars, but I can save everyone a little money from the mechanics. Plus that impact wrench would make getting my tires off super easy!

Here comes a stupid question What would be the point of a 1/4 or 3/8th set? Just for the smaller socket? Cause the 1/2 goes down to 10, I've yet to use anything that small. But I do steer clear of engine work, just not that good yet. I'm guessing that's where the smaller bolts could be found..

 

[d.mcfarland]

I have all the hand tools I've needed so far and those are things I can run to sears if I find I don't have something.

$300 wont put me in debt, I just don't want to spend a grand on tools. I guessed that was a safe number to start with. I figured bigger was always better, if it went up to 250 then awesome! A harmonic balencer was probably the tightest I needed to torque something and that was only 130lbs or so. You're probably right about it being overkill.

My car the most, its an 01 eclipse. Breaks is the most common thing I do with the wheel house. A sway bar (I think?) I had to do two years ago was pretty hard without an impact gun, it just kept spinning in place The bolt wouldn't come off. I also help out my sisters with their cars, one has a Saturn and another a Malibu. Recently did the Saturns breaks & rotors. It's just about always a car I play with, never trucks or suvs. I'm no pro with cars, but I can save everyone a little money from the mechanics. Plus that impact wrench would make getting my tires off super easy!

Here comes a stupid question What would be the point of a 1/4 or 3/8th set? Just for the smaller socket? Cause the 1/2 goes down to 10, I've yet to use anything that small. But I do steer clear of engine work, just not that good yet. I'm guessing that's where the smaller bolts could be found..

You don't know what the point of 1/4 or 3/8 drive sizes are for?? Man ... please spend some serious time on here reading.

BRAKES.

If you are dropping $300 on tools, you can easily get stuff worthwhile, please just read and spend it wisely. No tool collections were built in a weekend.

 

[champ989]

It woulda been nice if you made it easy and told me ... Best thought I have on that is they're smaller so they can fit into tighter places? Just a guess. All I have been using on my car were a set of 16 1/2 sockets both metric and sae. I do have to borrow a socket here and there from my step dad. Have yet to need a 1/4 or 3/8 That may be a buy for next years father day sale, I'll be cheap and not get the impact version though.

Purely for car tools, what do you think I should get instead? I am eyeing up a breaker bar instead of the ratchet. Maybe I can get both if the sales are good enough. The biggest hit on the list is that impact gun, I just see it making my life that much easier. Also if its half decent it should last me many years.

.. Oh! and fear not, I am browsing through the forums. I just wanted more personal opinions on the things I wanted. I'm horrible at spending money always the fear of regret.

 

[sal024]

since it seems like most of the things you want come from hf, try a composite ratchet, read a while back that alot of ppl on GJ like 'em and the 1/2" breaker bars and for their price you cant go wrong.

also i have an 02 eclipse and when i replaced the bumper i used 1/4 sockets, hose clamps when i dont feel like fiddle with a flat head just use a socket, grill assemblys on front ends have the smaller bolts, and the list goes on

cant say i ever seen a 10mm socket with 1/2 drive, but i can imagine putting that on my 1/2" drive 25" breaker bar and be like, time to get 'er done, lol

 

[d.mcfarland]

Try to make a list of the stuff you already have. Then people can chime in and say what they think you should be getting. For example, your Eclipse has no SAE fasteners, so no need for them if you are only worried about working on your car.

 

[92integra]

eclipse has no sae fastners till you break something then have to run and grab an nut or bolt from the hardware store and its sae !

 

[champ989]

The thing is I leave near a harborfreight, so returns will be easy on broken sockets and such. Only reason I'm getting the torque wrench somewhere else is because I don't like the 3 1/2 stars they have on theirs. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting that breaker bar, the 25" one. 12 bucks, I think I can spare it. lol

Ahh maybe I've just been lucky. All I've had to work with were big old crowded bolts. I think I can hold out until next year for the smaller sockets, someone did show me a cheapish set with them, I just don't wanna tack on another 100 bucks to the bill.

lmao @ that image.

Both my sisters have American cars, I wouldn't be much of a brother if I couldn't help them So I do want those SAE's

Off the top of my head I have:
Lots of screwdrivers
Several types of pliers
2 dozen wrenches + adjustables
20+- Allen keys (Both metric and SAE)
Some doohickey for compressing the break caliper
16+- socket set
A mini mallet & hammer
A few clamps
Dog bone (anyone know what that is? lol)

There's probably a few others I can't think of, just think common tools though. If it's generic I probably have it.

 

[BK13]

I defiantly don't know the most about tools. !

Well, my first suggestion is to not be so defiant about not knowing tools. This is definitely the right place to learn (and quite possibly the absolute worst, if you have any sort of an obsessive/compulsive personality).

 

[champ989]

Well, my first suggestion is to not be so defiant about not knowing tools. This is definitely the right place to learn (and quite possibly the absolute worst, if you have any sort of an obsessive/compulsive personality).

Ahh just speaking the truth. I think my comment about 1/4 inch sockets proves that I think I'll be good learning here, I've been lurking on the "Show your new tool" thread for a while now, its giving me ideas on things to buy for next year.

 

[BK13]

Well, my comment came out a bunch more dickish than I intended. ****, I'm becoming a spelling Nazi! Arrgh!

 

[BK13]

I'm horrible at spending money always the fear of regret.

It's a rare man that regrets buying quality tools...

 

[DodgeMech]

Actually, the best reason to use 3/8 drive things(for a prop, anyway) is the ratchet and socket just are lighter haha...

Anyway, if you're looking for a1/2 air impact, I recommend the ir231...awesome, affordable, and will last into your grandkids' lifetime if you oil it every so often

 

[92integra]

one of the best tools for you will be a factory service manual for your vehicle... a haynes or chilton would do alright.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hi! I wanted to go on a bit of a spending spree and start off my tool collection. I defiantly don't know the most about tools. I just need them to fix and maintain my car. Tired of borrowing them from my friends and step dad.

I have a $300 budget, give or take a few bucks. I already have a few sockets, wrenches, pliers, etc.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200596347_200596347
^Impact wrench - Don't have money for an air compressor and such, my only fear with this guy is I don't know if its to long to fit in tight places. Cordless ones are shorter but with less power for that price. It does claim to have a heck of a lot of power though! And no batteries that can die on me.
$130

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-drive-metric-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67904.html
^Deep Sockets, Metric 13 piece
$25

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-drive-sae-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-69280.html
^Deep Sockets, SAE 13 piece
$25

http://www.harborfreight.com/piece-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67902-7909.html
^Regular, Metric 13 piece
$25

http://www.harborfreight.com/piece-12-in-drive-sae-impact-socket-set-67918-7916.html
^Regular, SAE 13 piece
$25

http://www.harborfreight.com/Piece-12-in-Drive-Impact-Extension-Set-67972.html
^Pack of 1/2in. extensions
$10

http://www.harborfreight.com/piece-universal-impact-joint-set-67920.html
^Universal Joint - Don't know how we'll it will work, but I figured its worth the gamble..
$8

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200621085_200621085
^Torque Wrench - Should I get a better one? Maybe with 250ft lbs? Or could this just be a good starter, and I'll upgrade to a bigger one in the future..
$35

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-extendable-ratchet-98831.html
^I do have a ratchet, but this extendable part makes seem needed.
$16

Plus $20 or so for shipping

Critiques are more then welcome! I may defend some of my choices I mean, that socket set is just to cheap even without the deep 11mm & 12mm. I know some people have complaints about harborfreight, but those items do have good reviews. Also I'm going to be waiting for a good fathers day sale, so I do expect the prices to drop quiet a bit. Keep that in mind!

I am contemplating on finding the funds for a cordless ratchet, I just don't know if 40ft lbs can do anything for a car... That might just be an item I buy off used off eBay though...

Have fun with it! Let me know what you'd buy for the $300. Thanks!

If you buy anything from harbor freight (that you plan on using a bunch) make sure it's pittsburgh pro. Some of the incidental stuff that's regular pittsburgh is okay though but you gotta look at it first.

That particular impact is better than the harbor freight electric but also more than double the price. It might be better to start out with that one if you really want impact stuff but all of these are pretty awkward to use because of the weight. I think it might be better to just start out with hand tools because impact isn't the way to go for some things. Exhaust? Sure. Lugs? I guess. Axle nuts? Definitely. Removing the oil drain plug? No, don't do that bro.

If you're not a fan of heat guns and penetrating oil then you'll probably run into situations where you need an impact wrench but...heat gun + penetrating oil is basically a 25 dollar long term solution (depends on what you buy but say the wagner entry level one and a can of pb or liquid wrench) and if there's threadlocker on there (even blue and green) you really want to break out the heat gun even with impact so you don't round the bolt heads or worse.

 

[champ989]

lmao oh, it was a spelling error. D'oh! x_x All the tools I've found had to have good reviews, its the only way I'd trust them. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to buy name brand things! I'm sure they're made with far better quality. But a lifetime warranty on all the hand tools, I don't think I have much to lose.

I do /want/ Air powered tools, it's just not in the budget. The quality air compressor I'd need for that (I'd want one to last a long time) would just be to pricey. That's something I'd go all out on in the next decade.

So far for servicing my car, I use the online manuals people uploaded as well as eHow.com/youtube and it hasn't failed me yet

The only things that aren't pittsburgh pro were the pack of extensions as well as the cheap socket sets. But they both do have that lifetime warranty! My saying is if a tool is good it will be backed with a lifetime warranty. Hope I don't regret that one

A few people say the $50 ones on harborfreights cant even take off lugnuts x_x that's just not worth it. I want this big gun to take them off with ease, as well as any rusted bolts. Still, I'm not sure if being 13 inches long is to long to get the caliper bolts off or something. And I'm not sure if those 40ft lb ratchets are strong enough, I doubt it. And it was a funny to picture getting my electric impact wrench drenched in oil.

I actually never thought of using a heat gun for those tough bolts... That just turned into a need now. I still do want that impact gun, he was the whole reason I wanted to splurge on tools to be honest.

I have no idea whats a good temp for a heat gun.. Are either of these good:
http://www.harborfreight.com/430-80...with-led-temperature-settings-69343-9184.html
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200328563_200328563
I am being kinda cheap with them, but they hit my 4 star review mark.

Oh and maybe someone can answer me this, why is it so hard to find a socket set thats just 10mm-19mm then a 20mm-29mm & same with SAE... Why do they have to skip a few sockets in between them? The sets I found were the closest I could find to a straight line, they still are missing some sizes in the middle though. Frustrating lol

Side note I am a little sad no one seems to want me to get an impact wrench. I swear its not to much tool for me!! I guess without it I could get more sockets and a big wrench kit.. But still, it'd make working on cars just that much easier.

 

[Zeroek]

A tool that would be way more worthwhile than that corded impact would be a Milwaukee 3/8 cordless ratchet. It's not an impact but gets in way more places. That's just my opinion because I mostly use 3/8". Then I'd say a breaker bar with those harbor freight sockets. The swivels are fine and work good for home.

 

[HaroRider]

Personally I would try for something a bit better than HF sockets. Even if you can find some older craftsman stuff

Other than that, the only advise I can give you is to buy as you need things. Thats what I do. Plan ahead, if you know your next job you need "X" then buy "X" ahead of time.

That way you can buy quality tools, and not have to be slammed all at once.

Quality tools do make a difference even for a DIY.
Sometimes saves a bigger headache then you realise.

As mentioned before, no tool collection is built over night, and nor is one ever complete.

 

[champ989]

Do you think that ratchet can get off the caliper bolts? I tend to do peoples breaks the most and it's where the ratchet would come in handy.

The craftsmen that was closest to the price of those HF's was this:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-evolv-40pc-ultimate-impact-socket-set-1-2inch/p-00916943000P?prdNo=4
It doesn't have as many sockets tho.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-52-p...0915820000P?prdNo=12&blockNo=12&blockType=G12
and that one is twice as much.

=P am I wrong to think the lifetime warranty solves all?
Side question, how stupid would it be to get the cheaper silver sockets with an impact gun? I can get a lot more of those, I just don't want to crack them all.

I usually do buy what I need, but this time I'm just buying everything I tend to borrow from other people.

 

[Adam.C]

My advice is for you to consider starting with fewer tools of higher quality. For example: You are currently planning to spend $100 on 4 sets of the worst sockets on the market. That same $100 could easily buy a set of lightly used Snap On shallow metric sockets that are the best on the market. You will use these more than any others on your list. Another option would be a US made set like Williams.

You don’t need a whole set of extensions, but you do need good ones. Cheap extensions twist and break. I would get a short one and a long one maybe a 3” and 6”. If you have extra cash get an 11” but these really must be of high quality (US made). You might find a deal on ebay for used Snap On. Consider wobbles as well. More so with wobbles due to their reduced cross section, high quality is key. A single Snap On may cost as much as a set from HF, but will provide better and longer service. And you may find you only use one anyway.

I recommend you skip combination wrenches for now. You can almost always get away with sockets. I would get a pair of KNIPEX plier wrenches or vise grips before I bought a set of combos. And when you think you need wrenches, I would look long and hard at the long high performance models or the ratcheting versions like EZ Red or Bluepoint. These are very nice for engine accessory work.

There’s a whole bunch of other stuff you need. I wouldn’t worry about any of it too much. You’ll need screw drivers – I think I would recommend getting one with replaceable tips. The problem with cheap screwdrivers is that they are more prone to strip screws. There’s often no easy way to remove a stripped screw. Ditto for cap head screws (torx, allen/hex, triple squares etc). I recommend Snap On for all of these for this reason. Buy them as needed and remember that there are essentially no discounts for buying sets of Snap On. But also know that Snap On is pretty good at supplying sets of only the most oft needed sizes.

Once you have a good set of sockets and other tools, make sure you are using safe, high quality jacks, stands etc. I would stop here and make do with what you have. Learn to get parts unstuck using penetrating oils or heat. Just remember that broken fasteners caused by cheap tools can easily cost you more than the best truck tools would have.

Point I’m trying to make is, (unlike cars or houses for example) the difference in price between the worst tools and the best is often less than the cost of the alternative (having your vehicle towed, paying a shop to do work you could have done etc). You don’t need to buy the best of everything, but you may well need better than HF for some things.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I agree. Your budget is plenty enough to get a good start.

All that's on your list is an impact gun and a full (cheap) socket set.

BRAKES.

Search around this site for a while (not the show your new tool arrival thread). Learn what people use. For example, the top drawer of everyone's toolbox is going to be what you need.

 

[champ989]

I can't really afford a full set of Snap On. Even on eBay a 1 set is as much as 4 sets of the cheap stuff. The minimum I'd want as 10-19 metric and 7/16-1 SAE, no deep really needed. That would cost about $200 on eBay. Maybe in the future I can afford the nicer tools, but the cheap Asian stuff has worked well so far. I think I only broke 1 socket in the passed 6 years. Don't get me wrong, I 100% agree with you that the American brands are better quality its just out of my budget this year.

You did make a good point on the extensions.. Since they're so long they're probably weaker, I still don't think its in the budget to go American for those either though. I could spend twice the money on a different brand. I'll check out those wobbles too. Out of curiosity, what do you consider a mid-grade brand? Is craftsmen still considered decent? DeWalt?

I think I have enough types of pliers to get me by for a while, unless I see a good deal on a set I won't be buying those anytime soon. Wrenches will probably be a next year thing. I'll be looking for really thin wrenches, the ones I have now are to fat for some places. I might end up spending money on the quality metal for that too, just so they don't break.

I do have a ton of different screw drivers including the replaceable tip ones. Although only one of them I'd have to say was good quality, its my personal favorite too. Its only because it can switch from Phillips and Flathead just by flipping the shaft.

I do need a new jack, I hate the one I bought a few years ago. I just got tired of that scissor jack and bought the first one I saw at advanced auto. It's not a purchase for now, but I'm looking at the light aluminum ones, 2 or 3 Ton (three tons in case I get a truck in the future.) I do have good thick jack stands too.

My biggest disagreement with you guys and HF is that it has a lifetime warranty As long as the stuff doesn't break instantly (which judging by the reviews I feel is unlikely) it should be a good budget tool set. Plan B for socket set was a Klutch set from notherntools but they didn't have a real lifetime warranty and cost $60 more. Plan C was craftsmen, the set(s) I was looking at ranged from $180-200. To get basically the same thing from HF would cost me $116.

I have a month to browse around before Fathers day Maybe I'll see a cool tool on here I don't know how I lived without.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Again, you don't need SAE for any of the cars you work on. An exclipse, malibu, and saturn all have metric fasteners.

In your situation you can't think that more is better. Better is better. Get what you need, which is metric shallow and deep. USA Craftsman on eBay would be like $50.

 

[champ989]

I thought American cars used SAE? Whoops I guess everyone's going metric.

Used craftsman on eBay for some reason is the same price as sears lol. I guess I could forgo the SAE set for now, and get a better brand. I did like the Sunex socket sets, they're very complete.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00079LQL6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

A bit more then craftsmen costs, and a bit harder to return at this point... But rumor has it sears is going byebye, so it may be just as hard or impossible to trade in craftsmen in the near future too.

I've been googling them for a little bit, and so far I haven't heard any complaints other then they're not American.

 

[HaroRider]

Same price. But USA made.

 

[champ989]

Ahh I'm not picky if my tools come from Asia or USA. From what I've read about Sunex they seem to be a good Asian brand. Still, I might just get craftsmen instead...

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-24-pc-easy-to-read-impact-socket/p-00915389000P?prdNo=8
Price per socket is pretty much the same, I just wish that had as many as the Sunex set has.

 

[Adam.C]

Breaking sockets is not the problem. We dont judge sockets on whether they break or not. We rate them on how they fit. Good sockets fit tighter and have larger contact patches. Those contact patches must be hard and not yield or deflect. They must be as close to the corners as possible to generate the most torque possible. Our goal is to remove fasteners without ruining them. Warrantees mean very little. The tool must work first and foremost.

The problem with Asian tools is they may look like Snap On, but they are made with Lord knows what steel, processed Lord knows how, chromed all pretty and shipped. The customers break some, round off fasteners, and stupidly feel like they got a good deal when they return **** and get new ****.

Not saying you need to buy Snap On. But 25 years of US manufacturing tells me adversarial QA, material certs, process controls, and a little bit of pride and workmanship together produce superior items.

Don't be fooled into think Warrantees make up for shoddy items.

 

[ez-duzit]

Instead of going on a wild spending spree to as quickly as possible turn your cash into the cheapest **** on the market, do your own due diligence and then buy quality tools you actually need, even if they are used.

 

[champ989]

I see your point on that... I guess I was naive to think all sockets would be the same size, that probably has to do with quality control and the cheaper ones won't be as strict with quality. Sunex for the most part has great reviews by everyone that has them, even on this site. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99964&page=3 They don't cost nearly as much as Snap On. Snap On is most likely better, they do have the manufacturing experience as you said but they just cost to much for me.

Ooo harsh... This isn't a wild spending spree, I've been thinking about this for a while. Fathers day is coming up, the sales are coming, so I wanted to get the opinion of other people who know more about tools. I'm so far happy I did that, cause now I don't need to waste money on SAE set yet as well as getting a better brand then HF. Also I am buying tools I actually need... And I have checked on eBay, but they're not cheap enough/complete sets. If I'm going to buy used and dirty I want them to be a lot less then retail.

 

[bcradio]

Side note I am a little sad no one seems to want me to get an impact wrench. I swear its not to much tool for me!! I guess without it I could get more sockets and a big wrench kit.. But still, it'd make working on cars just that much easier.

Because you shouldn't get that one... get these instead:

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-95275.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html
($69 with coupon)

 

[RCStocker]

Just go to Sears and buy one of their 300 piece tool kits when it is on sale for $250 You will need some other hand tools but they can be picked up at yard sales and swap meets for a couple of dollars each.
You don't need any air tools, you don't need cordless anything to work on a car. If you spend to much on tools you might as well take it to the garage and have them make the repairs. You know it is your responsibility to keep the economy going. LOL

Even cheap HF tools will get the job done. Unless you have a bucket of money you can spend on tools buy them used or in large sets for Sears. You can get them for under a dollar each. How cheap can you get?

 

[champ989]

I don't think that air compressors .6 CFM will turn an impact gun.

Okay you win, I don't need the impact gun I just want it. It makes life just that much easier on those hot summer days. It's something I want enough and should last me many years. I don't think $300 or so a year is a lot, I waste that much on energy drinks Also I don't trust the silver sets with an impact gun but they are so much cheaper.

And thanks to everyone's input, I'm only going to get the 2 foot breaker bar and a ratchet wrench from HF. To many people say I'll regret the cheap sockets and extensions. I don't think I can regret a $12 breaker bar

 

[Givl Reggin]

do your own due diligence and then buy quality tools you actually need, even if they are used.

^^ good advice right there.

 

[Adam.C]

Impact guns are really life changing tools for DIYers. Mine certainly was. But like the other advice you are getting, there's little point buying a cheap one that can't produce enough torque. I would choose a cordless model. I have the Bosch IWHT. I think it's the weakest gun I would consider (500 ftlbs).

I don't know much about corded models. I would certainly consider HF as there is no practical way for it to damage your car. i would use any savings to purchase high quality impact sockets.

 

[Gmonkee]

I have and use HF 1/4" sockets. I used them in a professional enviorment for a while. They are more than enough for a weekend warrior IF he knows how not to abuse his tools.

If you must have but one drive size 3/8" is the size I'd suggest, The 1/2" stuff can get too big and thick in many areas of a car or truck. The 1/4" is more apt for dashboard work and engine compartment.

My go-to set is 3/8" drive for general work and if the sizes range out or space becomes an issue the bigger or smaller will come out. Lots of 'rules of thumb' out there as to when to switch up or down a drive size but most are based on when things start breaking for no good reason. Find your own limits before we read horror stories of the fabled lifetime warranty from you too.

Careful educated shopping will get you farther into a useful set than a million dollar splurge shopping at just one place, much less $300. Know what you do, what it requires and try to plan for where you'll be going next.

Everything out there has someone that will swear by it, someone that swears because of it and a bunch that never touched one because they found better. Find your personal best and make good repairs with them.

 

[champ989]

Impact guns are really life changing tools for DIYers. Mine certainly was. But like the other advice you are getting, there's little point buying a cheap one that can't produce enough torque. I would choose a cordless model. I have the Bosch IWHT. I think it's the weakest gun I would consider (500 ftlbs).

I really would have thought 425 ft lbs could get off any bolt. I'm a bit nervous with battery powered wrenches, I don't know how long that battery will be good. They usually die in a year or two and aren't to cheap to replace. Butttt after a while of searching I found one with 620 ft lbs of torque and its cordless. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077L9VVY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I cannot find any reviews on it so far That makes me nervous. It's also almost twice as much. eeee x_x **Update** I don't trust that product. The price is wacky, I found one for 90 bucks with the battery & charger.. It only weighs 5.5 lbs while being over 15 inches long and a foot high? It just seems fishy.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VYTXQ8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
That's the next cheapest one that dishes out a lot of power, it is my budget though. lol


I've only done like two things in the engine compartment, neither of which were tight (I guess I got lucky ^_^.) I should edit that passed post and take back me talking about the 1/4 and 3/8s High hopes the sales are good this year! Maybe I'll tac on a 3/8 or 1/4 set. It's not like its a waste of money, I'll surely use it in my lifetime. Just trying to be cheap

I'm probably going to end up spending $500 on this tool set especially if people agree 425 ft lbs isn't enough, I don't want a useless gun. I'll keep searching for ones above 500ft lbs, but I'm not hopeful to find one under $200.

 

[ez-duzit]

You don't need that. And it won't make you a better mechanic.

Start with good basics, rather than a cartload of Chinese junk.