Please give me your tool advice

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BBuzecky

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Feb 7, 2010
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Currently I do basic work on my car (engine oil, ATF, Coolant), and it always feels good to do your own work and know it's done right. The only tools I own are a set of Metric and Standard Craftsman combination wrenches for my drain plugs.

I would like to be able to do all the work of my car as it comes due, not just fluids. Like spark plugs, serpertine belt, brakes, etc.

With just my simple combo wrenches, I'm a long way tool wise from getting those jobs done. I would like any advice you can give me on where I should be looking to buy tools, and what companies you guys trust to use on your own vehicles.

Some tools I will need for sure are an impact wrench, torque wrench (for the lugs), a ratchet with spark plug sockets, among many other things I'm sure. Heck, I don't even know difference between a 1/2 and 3/8 drive, in terms of which one is right for me and my car (2004 Mazda 2.0L).

Any insight you guys can shed on your own tools, or what direction you feel I should go would be greatly appreciated.
 
For home use and convenience there is nothing wrong with Craftsman sockets and ratchets. They are lifetime so when you break it they will exchange at Sears. The larger the drive size the more torque those tools can handle. For example; most wheel and suspension stuff will need higher torque and you will utilize 1/2 drive for that stuff.

For many underhood you will be good with 3/8th drive stocks and extension etc. For tighter spaces like under hood or under dash then a 1/4 inch stuff will work well. For example spark plugs, belts, valve covers will usually fall under 3/8ths drive. Something like air boxes or fuse box things usually can be done with 3/8ths or 1/4.

Impact sockets are just that, for use on air tools. Chrome sockets are hand tool driven. Look for 6 point sockets whenever possible (hexagonal shape) vs 12 point. As 12 point yields a higher possibility to round nuts or bolts that are rusty.

For an impact wrench I really like IR (Ingersoll-Rand) guns. Many brands are made by IR and relabeled. So this would be great to save some money and still have a good product. Looking around on the internet can help you determine what it is.
 
Do they make a good impact wrench via electric or cordless, or should I not even bother and go with air?
 
Oh, you'll be using a torque wrench for more than just the lugnuts.At times you'll need both 3/8 and 1/2 sets so get both,plus deep sets too.U-joints and wobble joints are desired.If you need to, buy a little at a time,I believe thats how a majority of shade tree mechanics have built it up.Pliers,full set,long needle nose all the way to big slip joint pliers
ball peens,rubber mallet(s)
obstruction wrenches( the name says it all)
extension sets
ratchet adapter sets
compression gauge set
tap and die set
drill box (homemade based on your needs)
c-clamps(standard 3 set works)
there's more to add but one of the most important is a workbench,on casters if you can.The ability to roll your work station to your car is great,mines got a built in cooler ,let your imagination take off man
banana2.gif
 
Watch for Estate auctions if you are just starting your collections, these are the best and you can get alot of quality tools ussually pretty cheap, whole collections. Make sure they are Death actions and not moving. I have got everything from air compressors to loads of lumber when I lived in PA.
 
I think my advice would be, without naming every tool, buy nicer stuff for you most used items like your ratchets, 3/8 sockets, air gun, ect. Then for all the stuff you dont use that often buy the cheaper but good stuff like northern tools brand or something. If i had to pick the top five things not to skimp on it would be ratchets, 3/8 sockets, impact gun, plyers, wrenches then maybe get a decent floor jack. You dont need to go crazy and start buying snap on, SK, ect. Just buy decent stuff and youll be alright. Ill list some stuff i have been happy with and not so happy with. Lately i have had very good luck with most of the Stanley products from WM and husky stuff from Home Depot. I have always likes channellock brand for cutters and plyers.

Craftsman
Sockets good
ratchets okay
power tools hit or miss
screw drivers okay
plyers not so good( have not had very good luck with them)

Northern tool
Sockets good
Impact sockets good
ratchets okay, not as good as craftsman
adjustable wrenches good

Channellock
All good so far

This would be a good list to have to do most everything
3/8 socket set with an extension or two and ratchet
1/2 socket set with an extension or two and ratchet
Some buy the impact sockets and use them (Harbor Freight, has decent ones for 20 dollars)
Plyer set including slip joint, needle nose, diagonal cutters
screwdriver set
two piece arcjoint plyers (channellocks)
two or three piece adjustable wrench set (crescent wrench)
spark plug socket
Hammers
I believe this list will get you most of what you will need to do. Im guessing of you dont know the difference between the 3/8 and 1/2 inch, some of the more complex tools you wont be needing right away.

As far as an impact, they are awesome but you may not need one, i lived without one for a lot of years. Pipes and breaker bars were my friend back than.

Get a decent jack and jackstand set.

Harbor freight has some decent stuff but most of there hand tools are not meant to last. Steer clear of there plyers especally. Im sure i forgot lots of stuff but like most of us, if you do your own mechanical work, you will make lots of trips to the store to buy tools in the middle of whatever job you are doing and over a few years, you will start to collect most of what you will need. Good luck
 
Im not so sure on the craftsman ratchets, there not the nicest or the smoothest or the finest, but i have yet to break one of them. I think they make different ones. I have one from about twenty years ago with a round type head that is pretty awesome, but the standard tear drop head ones i dont like much, but like i said i never broke one of them. I think they are okay but yea lots of others a better.
 
Snapon tools for work and Craftsman tools for home!! If you get a compressor made sure it has enough CFM to run the tools . At least 10 CFM and no made in China anything.
 
maybe I missed it

but if you get a variety of sockets and such, make sure to stock up on Metric, as that will be what is needed for every bolt on your car. Unless you have any torx or specialty fasteners....

SAE is rarely used these days, Dodges seem to be the last to use it

to put it in perspective


I have two sets of SAE sockets at my work. They are Mac medium length impact 3/8 drive sockets, and a harbor freight 1/2" drive impact swivel socket set(i've only used those once or twice) I also have a set of American sized Allen wrench sockets from snap-on.

I have 10+ Metric socket sets.... plus
I have 3 sets of Snap-on Allen wrench sockets(1/4, 3/8, and 1/2) from like 2 to 17mm
 
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Thank you for the posts all. I didn't realize there was a tool section on this forum. After some browsing around Amazon, this impact wrench looks very highly thought of.

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-9072-20-...3579&sr=1-1

They also offer Ingersoll Rand 1/2 inch socket sets, metric/standard. My question is right off the bat most of my usage will be for my lugnuts. Should I go with the deep sockets versus the standard size? It seems like the deep sockets would be useful for more applications, as if you need even 1 longer socket you are SOL with the standard size.
 
I like Craftsman because the warranty is great.
And they are reasonable in price.
Buying tools a piece at a time is VERY expensive. Socket sets are the only way to go.
And even better is a full mechanic's set on sale!
AT this point, a version of a full set is what I'd go for.

For you main go-to 3/8 drive, you should get a flex hear ratchet and 6 point or preferably flank drive sockets.
Pick up some extensions with ball ends [they allow some angle with the socket]- they are insanely useful!
 
I cannot believe all the priority put on the air tools with required capacity compressor AND impact wrench for a diy'er maintaining one vehicle.

In this situation, I consider an impact wrench a luxury, not a necessity. So it takes a bit more time to rotate the tires or whatever. Big deal.

I would concentrate/prioritize on investing in good "hard tools" first, and do the more glamorous impact wrench last. You really can get by without one 98% of the time. I know, because I have been wrenching on vehicles and ag./grounds equipment for 35 years and I still don't have an impact wrench.

Of course, if money is unlimited, then bust the bank.
 
doitmyself, what would you suggest as a decent tool/brand for taking off my tires? Or should I just buy any breaker bar I can get?
 
I have a Craftsman 15 inch, 1/2 inch drive breaker bar. I also have a two foot long pipe that will fit over the breaker bar for particularly tough nuts. Nearly all car lugnuts are under 100 ft. lbs., not too terribly difficult. Yea, Craftsman is going downhill, but they still have the best, most convenient warranty if you have a store nearby.
#44201...they have an 18 inch model too.
42545516-177x150-0-0.jpg


So many of the other tool brands have been hit or miss. Both HomeDepot (Husky) and Lowes (Kobalt) have cut back their lines drastically. SK is on the verge of going out of business. Gearwrench (Sears and others) seems to be growing in presence.

Of course, the tool truck brands will be excellent. They can sometimes be had at reasonable prices on E-bay or elsewhere...most times used.
 
The harbor freight earthquake line of pneumatics are great. Harbor freight compressors are decent too to start off with. With 20% off coupons you can get a 21 gallon compressor, a 1/2" and 3/8" impact for around $300. As far as hand tools I like williams, proto, wera, knipex, snap on, SK etc. The crafstman 260 piece tool set for $180 is a great starter kit. The craftsman raised panel ratchets do suck, I mean seriously not even HF has the nerve to have plastic selectors and quick release on their mainline ratchets.

Also don't be afraid of harbor freight "made in taiwan" pittsburgh tools. Some are quite excellent for the money. Plus they have an honest to goodness lifetime warranty.
 
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+1

Also, get something to put all of your sockets on so you're not rooting around in the tool box for them all of the time. I have some cheap Sears socket holders that I hang from the peg board and they are a must.
 
Originally Posted By: BBuzecky
doitmyself, what would you suggest as a decent tool/brand for taking off my tires? Or should I just buy any breaker bar I can get?


Any breaker bar will be fine for you, lowes had a nice breaker bar deal going on, 20 bucks for breaker bars. Made in US.

Craftsman would be my top choice for you though, because of the warranty. You break something you go to sears and get a replacement.
 
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