Were to start when your starting out

[Novakid]

I am just getting into the professional side of the automotive mechanics world I have like I am sure every one else here always loved cars and working on them. But now that i am entering the world were you got to make a living with your tools I have a few questions. Like a lot of my hand and air tools are Craftsman and they are great for the weekend tune up and garage shop projects but how will they hold up when I start using them on a daily basis. Also as far as a service cart/rolling chest what is the best way to go I want as much bang for my buck as possible but I also want it to last. Any in put at all would be helpful.

 

[Red Green]

I use a lot of Craftsman tools also wrenches and sockets mainly. I bought Snap-On ratchets and Torx bits mostly from the pawn shop. I would recomend a Snap-on Phillips screwdriver I reach for the #2 Snap-On screwdriver first.

Upgrade as you can. Don't go out and buy high $ stuff because you think that you need it or because the guy next to you has something fancy.

 

[Boiler]

Since you're just starting out, use what you have until it makes sense financially to change. Basically when you're tools don't do the job, or you need additional items to do jobs more efficiently. Buying used is a great way to stock your box well in a reasonable manner.

 

[Goobzilla]

Don't start out as a slave to the Tool Truck. Like others have said buy what you can afford upgrade when/if you need too.

 

[Cage]

I worked as a tech for 3 dealers over a 13 year time period with my Craftsman hand and air tools and couldn`t complain. If I broke something I stopped at Sears, plus my paychecks weren`t going to the Snap On guy. Just take care of your tools and they`ll last.

 

[bobadame]

You can start with what you have. Replace them if you need to as you need to. Working with tools for a living is one thing, collecting them is quite another.

 

[Iroc-Z]

I agree with the above comments. Replace as you go. No need to go crazy. What kind of tool box do you have? If its Craftsman I would think about getting a new/used one. Those boxes just don't seem to hold up when you open and close the drawers 20 times a day. Plus a nice tool box will last you a life time if you take care of it.

 

[zmotorsports]

When I started wrenching professionally most of my tools were Craftsman as well and as much as I am embarrassed to admit, some were even Harbor Freight. I was like most others and money was extremely tight when I was just starting out in my career and looking to get married. Almost immediately I realized there were tools that I would need down the road and there were tools I needed NOW. Since I have been working I have always tried to buy the best quality tools/equiment that I could without debt and when it was feasable. Most of the other technicians that I worked with when starting were pretty good about loaning some tools as long as they could see I was making an effort to build my own collection. I would also keep a 'want list' in my toolbox and write down whenever I had to borrow a tool. If I had to borrow that tool twice it was one I needed to own and it got bumped to the top of the list.

As my collection of tools grew and I started to gain more of the ones that I needed but didn't have when I started I would slowly start to upgrade the ones that needed upgrading.

Like already mentioned above don't become a slave to the tool trucks/companies. Most of my tools now are either Snap-On, Matco, Mac, Cornwell, OTC, Proto etc. but it doesn't come easy and/or quickly. Don't go in debt and you will overall be much happier. Also, frequent the local pawn shops. I have quite a lot of tools that were purchased from my local pawn shops that were name brand tools and like new condition. Good luck in your new career, Mike.

 

[warmpancakes]

You can grab some great deals here and garage sales some leg work will save you alot of $$$$$

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I was told the same general idea when I started - buy what you can afford and what you find works for you. Don't run up a huge tool truck bill just so you have the latest and greatest of everything. But DON'T buy cheap **** tools - that can and will hurt you when something breaks.
That being said, I too started out with nothing more than a handfull of the basic Craftsman stuff in a 2 drawer carry around box. I took a chance and bought some stuff which I needed but thought I would not use often, so I ordered from Harbor Freight -- some extra large wreches and some pipe wrenches. I actually managed to break 3 of those items in one day without the use of a cheater bar or anything more than my own hand power / weight.....buy quality, not matter what name brand it is.

 

[Novakid]

I understand the fact that buying name brand no matter what brand it is is better then going the harbor freight way but as far as tool boxes are concerned Craftsman even with it being a "name brand" is not very good for everyday use what tool box do you recommend right now I just have two carry tool boxes both craftsman and a tall Rubbermaid cabinet that I store tools in so i am looking for a good service cart or roller cabinet to get started

 

[CarCrafter]

I still have plenty of craftsman tools in my box and I am not ashamed to admit that I even have some HF stuff in there as well. There is nothing for me to add as far as staying out of debt, these guys have already hit the nail on the head there. No need to get into the toolbox endowment competition with the other guys. Just remember tools don't make the tech !!! Snappy, MAC, Matco make some awful nice stuff and I love my collection, but I've seen dumb *** kids with $300 snappy wrenches screw up plenty of drain plugs just the same. The nice tools aren't going to help make you smarter if you lack the skills to begin with.

Depending upon how long you've been in the biz and how long you plan on staying at a place, it may even make more sense to spend your money on a couple of tool carts as opposed to a big box. If I had to do it all over, that is what I would do. Then again, they didn't have nice lockable carts like they do now. Having to pay for a flat bed tow each time really adds up over the years. Besides that, the mobility of having everything near you, if you work in a large shop is awesome.

 

[crewchief888]

you will found out what tools you need to upgrade in a short time. i know mechanics that have work for 25+ years with CM hand tools, and upgraded to other brands where needed.
IMHO SO makes some of the best allen and torx drivers,
many tools ie: screwdrivers are a personal preference because of handle shapes and sizes.
for someone starting out, a mid grade CM tool box will serve your purpose for a while, until you run out of room, as stated most CM boxes (except the CM pro series) wont hold up to heavy, daily use.
if you are looking for service carts, some have had great luck with HF units, and they are resonably priced.
look around at garage sales, estate sales, pawn shops, flea markets, and thrift stores.
you may want to check out the tools section of this forum also

good luck, and may the force be with you

 

[Lotek]

Talk to the local tool trucks, they take boxes in on trade from "tool truck slaves" that are in good shape and usually want to get rid of them fast, you don't need something huge, upgrade the stuff you use every day as it wears, buy anything you have to borrow twice. Someone mentioned making a list, good idea, helps prevent the "ooh, bright shiny thing" impulse purchase.