as i step into the realm of the DIY i wanted to know what essential tools i should get to start up my automotive hand tools collection? impact wrenches? wrenches? sockets? hammers? screw drivers? i already have 2 2-ton ramps and some really poor condition all-purpose wrenches, but have decided to get some automotive only tools soooooo......what are some useful tools for a beginner like me at a reasonable price?

 

Go to Sears and by the best craftsman mechanics tool set you can afford (with box) since craftsman has lifetime warranty that they honor.

Get a torque wrench and a floor jack and stands kit (screw ramps).

Get an electric rechargable right angle drill set/saw, maybe a dremel.

If you have the money get a compressor and some CHEAP air tools from like Harbor Freight.

Hammers, mallets, pry bars, basic carpentry/beat up ****.

Get a basic wiring kit and some misc electrical accessories.




The rest I say buy as you need. My tool collection was built mostly this way.

 

Him so right. Craftsman is such a great brand for home use and they replace them for free if you break em. I bought the 175 dollar set at Sears, and a bunch of misc. stuff from Harbor Freight i.e. dolly, swivel, extensions, elbows, tiny air compressor that charges after 15 second of use lol, and air ratchet. An impact wrench is also very good to have. FYI Autozone let's you borrow tools for special jobs. There's a nice aluminum jack at Costco too which will be on my list. Also get some work gloves from you local auto store and a shop coat or suit.

 

Get a couple different sizes of 3-jaw pullers, brass punches, and pry bars for taking things apart. Next, get a nice starter punch and a variety of pin punches. Buy a breaker bar, and then buy a pipe to put on the end of it. Then, get yourself some cheap made-in-taiwan sockets to grind down in case your normal sockets won't fit. I advise against buying impact tools. Whenever you go to do a job, as you buy the parts, buy the special tools.

Craftsman tools are fine as far as sockets and standard wrenches go, but they are not the same tools as my father's set that I grew up with. I hate their ratchets, they make horrible screwdrivers, and they have some of the worst pliers and dikes on the market.

Good tool manufacturers are Lisle, SK, OTC, Matco, General, KD, and Snap-On. Of course, all of these manufacturers have made some bad products, so take a good look at each too before you buy it.

Oh, and by the way. Every major tool company warranties their tools for life.

 

There's no reason to buy Snap On or Matco unless you are looking to be a mechanic as a career or you have a state of the art garage. Craftsman is the best choice cause if you break something all you got to do is bring it to Sears and they'll replace it for you. No need to wait for the tool truck or mail.

 

ramps are pretty useless cuz our cars are so low. get a low profile floor jack...i just bot the costco one...love it! leverage is your friend...breaker bars with long lever arms!

 

ramps are pretty useful if you plan to chang your exhaust. that's what i use to change mine. as for the special tools you can always go to autozone or pepboys and barrow those special tools for a week (loan a tool program) don't need to buy those stuff.

 

This was very helpful...didn't know about the loan a tool program. Thanks!

 

Metric set of racheting wrenches - you'll thank me later