Tools for beginning mechanic
- Thread starter icaiden
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Does the school program you are entering offer a list of items you will need? or does the school provide the tools like mine did?
regardless, you are going to want
combo wrenches standard/metric
3/8" and 1/4" socket sets deep and shallow
3/8" and 1/4" ratchets
extensions
spark plug sockets
oil filter wrench's
assortment of pliers
prybars
screwdrivers
punches/chisels
hex keys
torx sockets and or drivers
I am leaving out a lot, but that should get you started until we can get some more information.
regardless, you are going to want
combo wrenches standard/metric
3/8" and 1/4" socket sets deep and shallow
3/8" and 1/4" ratchets
extensions
spark plug sockets
oil filter wrench's
assortment of pliers
prybars
screwdrivers
punches/chisels
hex keys
torx sockets and or drivers
I am leaving out a lot, but that should get you started until we can get some more information.
They will do you good while you are in school. Focus on the knowledge first then toward the end of your schooling (not the last minute though) start getting your tool collection built up. Reason I say toward the end is that way you dont spend alot of money on tools if you change your mind. Then also save your money and dont blow it on pointless things. If you save your money up all through the time you are in school, and then order the tools through snap-on, you will get a student discount. So it pays to save your money!!!!
mrholeshot
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Get the Snap-On at 50% while you can. I would stick with Snap-On's hard line tools. I would find a used box. Even at 1/2 price it's still 2X more than it's worth.
craftsman is just fine when your starting out. especially with school because who knows if it will be what you actually end up doing. brands like Craftsman, and Gearwrench are a great start for someone just starting out. And I would do exactly what was said above save your money throughout school, and buy what you need at the end. by the end of the program you will know exactly what you need.
I wouldn't say you'll know exactly what you will need at the end of the program. While I learned a fair amount at school a lot of the regular stuff you encounter isn't something you learn at school. Ie like various oil change tools. Or if your working on one specific make of vehicle tools that are common to them.
Seanbev24
Well-known member
My only regret about my time in school is not buying more Snap-On tools with the student discount. Once you know for sure this is the career you want, buy all you can with that discount beyond the school's required tool list. In the last year since being done with school I've ended up buying them anyway, but mostly at retail price.
red97k1500
Well-known member
Same here i went through a local community college, and i had access to the snap on student exellence program. I wish i had bought more snap on stuff when i had the discount.
crewchief888
Well-known member
a lot of (older) mechanics started out with CM tools, and still use them everyday.
as you progress, you'll find out what CM tools "make the grade" and what ones dont.
upgrade the tools you'll be using everyday, day in and day out.
buy what you can, as cheap as you can.
high prices dont always mean high quality, same as low prices dont always mean low quality.
chose your tools wisely, you, and your wallet will be much happier.
ive seen too many young mechanics drop a buttload of money on truck brand tools and boxes, thinking all this shiney stuff will make me a better mechanic.
within a year or 2 , they out of a job, and still owe that buttload of money to a tool truck.
welcome to the dark side of the force
as you progress, you'll find out what CM tools "make the grade" and what ones dont.
upgrade the tools you'll be using everyday, day in and day out.
buy what you can, as cheap as you can.
high prices dont always mean high quality, same as low prices dont always mean low quality.
chose your tools wisely, you, and your wallet will be much happier.
ive seen too many young mechanics drop a buttload of money on truck brand tools and boxes, thinking all this shiney stuff will make me a better mechanic.
within a year or 2 , they out of a job, and still owe that buttload of money to a tool truck.
welcome to the dark side of the force
Big Bad Jon
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I would keep your craftsman sockets for now. If you see that you are using and breaking a few specific sizes, then I would buy the Snap On equivalent. Then I would (with the student discount) but your set of wrenches up to 1 1/4 and 25mm. Buy all of the SO and Matco high tooth count ratchets you can get a hold of, and go from there. Get a good air ratchet and impact while you can save and get as many extensions as you can fit in your box. You can get the brake tools with the student discount also. At this point you will have all of the basics down and be able to start deciding what area you want to concentrate on. Its easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of tools you think you need BUT you will be amazed how much work can be accomplished with a good set of very basic tools. It just might take you a bit longer than the flat rate.
When I was in school, I was still living with my mom and dad and was working every chance I got. It helped me tremendously in having the money to buy tools, but not in getting ladies. That came later when I had a job and an income stream that was in my profession. 10 years later I would not have changed a thing.
When I was in school, I was still living with my mom and dad and was working every chance I got. It helped me tremendously in having the money to buy tools, but not in getting ladies. That came later when I had a job and an income stream that was in my profession. 10 years later I would not have changed a thing.
wornoutoldman
Well-known member
Snap on Screwdrivers and SO dead blow hammer fer sure!
caper
Well-known member
a lot of (older) mechanics started out with CM tools, and still use them everyday.
as you progress, you'll find out what CM tools "make the grade" and what ones dont.
upgrade the tools you'll be using everyday, day in and day out.
buy what you can, as cheap as you can.
high prices dont always mean high quality, same as low prices dont always mean low quality.
chose your tools wisely, you, and your wallet will be much happier.
ive seen too many young mechanics drop a buttload of money on truck brand tools and boxes, thinking all this shiney stuff will make me a better mechanic.
within a year or 2 , they out of a job, and still owe that buttload of money to a tool truck.
welcome to the dark side of the force
These are smart men.You should listen to them.Save some money and in your last year of school take advantage of the student discount from Snap on or Mac or Matco and replace what you think needs it.Many of the Craftsman tools will last your entire career.Mine have.I've replaced a lot of mine with Snap on and other brands as finances allowed,not by necessity but by choice.Don't sink yourself in debt right off the bat for shiney gear that will attract the lightfingered classmates.Nothing worse than being in a shop with guys you don't know and being worried about your gear.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
a lot of (older) mechanics started out with CM tools, and still use them everyday.
as you progress, you'll find out what CM tools "make the grade" and what ones dont.
upgrade the tools you'll be using everyday, day in and day out.
buy what you can, as cheap as you can.
high prices dont always mean high quality, same as low prices dont always mean low quality.
chose your tools wisely, you, and your wallet will be much happier.
ive seen too many young mechanics drop a buttload of money on truck brand tools and boxes, thinking all this shiney stuff will make me a better mechanic.
within a year or 2 , they out of a job, and still owe that buttload of money to a tool truck.
welcome to the dark side of the force
it is true!!!! i had started out as mechanic when i was young, my dad bought me 251 pieces of craftsman tools kit... it help me a lot but i had upgraded a lot of tools where i keep break or cracks a lot...
Big Bad Jon
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I still have a lot of my ginormous 8 billion Craftsman socket set from my vocational school and early career. They are in my home toolbox, which surprise is one of my early career toolboxes. I do some work at home (however it is amazing what I forget how to do on the drive home
) to make some hunting money. Just remember, the tools that you replace are not junk. They have a place at home. Don't ever let someone tell you different.diesel research
Well-known member
matco usually offers a better deal over a wider selection of products. Sometime you just have to buy snap on, and many of those must-have specialty items are not covered under the discount, or only at a lesser percentage.
http://www.matcotools.com/TechEd/
http://www.matcotools.com/TechEd/
Deafautotech
Well-known member
I still have a lot of my ginormous 8 billion Craftsman socket set from my vocational school and early career. They are in my home toolbox, which surprise is one of my early career toolboxes. I do some work at home (however it is amazing what I forget how to do on the drive home
wow..
when i had to upgrade the tool, i always bring old one to home as might want or need it for home.. when i have my house and big garage, it will be good for me so i have it ready... i hate to bring tools forward and back between home and work...
Big Bad Jon
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I won't bring tools home unless it is for my own vehicles. I can't stand it either.
Andy, didn't you go to Ivy Tech in Indianapolis? I went to Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
i has common tools at home but sometime i just want bring some big tools or extra long wrenches or blah blah blah that i has at work to make my side jobs easier way...
Yes you are right as i attended and graduated from Ivy Tech in Indianapolis as may 2007...
OldsRocket
Well-known member
1/2" chrome not necessary? Can I just use 1/2" impact sockets instead of the chrome?
To be honest, I do not own a single 1/2" chrome socket. I get by on my impact sockets just fine. I am sure a day will come that I need them for clearance reasons, but I will likely just buy the sizes I need for clearance reasons as I need them. My rule is pretty much if I have to borrow it, I buy it next time the truck comes.
johnsdeere850j
Well-known member
A majority of the sockets and extensions I use everyday on heavy equipment and trucks are craftsman. I rarely have a problem with them. I have also had good luck with pitsburg impact sockets from the chinese tool store, I often use the 1/2 drive ones with a 3/4 impact gun and they hold up to the abuse just fine. I have ton of craftsman brand impact sockets, they are fantastic. Ingersoll rand makes some nice impact sockets also. For ratchets and other things I prefer Snap-on I get at estate sales for less than retail.
street131
Well-known member
you should check out your local flea market, ive gotten a good majority of my sockets from the flea market. Cornwells for 50 cents and a dollar, craftsman for 25 cents or 50 cents, i mean the amount of sockets and tools you can get on the cheap is crazy. im not sure about anywhere else, but the flea markets in michigan are packed with tools.
i know a couple guys who do the opposite, use chrome only, even on their impacts. Honestly unless you work on heavy equipment i dont see an impact wrench destroying a decent quality 1/2" chrome socket after years and years and years of abuse. They're pretty heavy. At the same time i dont entirely see the point either since you can get a 1/2" impact socket set for very little cash but then again i care about my stuff. The guys i speak of just do whatever to get the job done.
Appleyard
Well-known member
x2 or 3 or however many we're on now...
When I started my job, I watched Sears closely for any deals and then a 283 piece set with top chest came on sale for $300 I think. It's been a great foundation and I'm just adding tools as I go. Do the jobs as they come up and if you run into a point where you have to borrow someone else's tools, make a note of what you needed and plan on buying it. Most (nice) technicians will let you borrow something 2-3 times...provided you put it back.
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shampoop
Well-known member
School I went to had a list of stuff you need. At some point during the first year you realize that's all you NEED for school, but not what you need/want for the real world and you'll figure out most of what you need from experience.
not-required
Well-known member
We have a list of tools that the school recommends. I started with the craftsman 260 piece tool set and just added what I needed from there. Our teacher always told us that if we needed to borrow a tool once thats fine, but if we need to buy a tool twice we should buy one.
knocker
Well-known member
I have to say I took full advantage of the school discount w/ SO and I dont regret it. Now when i go on the truck or talk to the other tech's at my shop I feel like I stole my tools for the price I payed. But on the other hand I have trouble buying other tools now that I know what I could have payed, just wish I got more when I had the chance.
I don't agree with using chrome sockets on an impact wrench. I used a chrome socket once or twice and could tell it. I turned down a complete set of SAE and metric SO sockets at the flea market because they had been used a lot on impact wrenches. They were still useable but beat up with chipped chrome. Price wasn't all that great so that made the decision easier, but there was no way I was going to get them.
KEH
KEH