Tools

[miteymax86]

Now that I've kinda(almost, sorta) graduated from the basic school of DIY automotive maintenance(change oil, brake pads, give it a good wash&wax, change a spark plug) what's the progression as far as investment in tools? I have the basic metric&SAE socket set, a couple drain pans, jackstands, what do I need to screw up my car even more when I'm actually trying to fix it? Timing light? Die grinder? Welding equipment? Air tools? Lift? What does everyone have that they think is their "must have" tool?

[ninjak84]

Well.... my Dad used to be a mechanic for a Porsche dealorship in Europe.He has over $50,000 in insurance for his tools.His most "valuable" tool, is his hydraulic lift in our garage. It rasies the car 4 feet high with the press of the button, and is made of stainless steel. It lets us do anything and everything that needs to be done to my car, from putting my exhaust on, to swapping an engine, to changing the oil.Congrats on being a mechanic though! Even though I'm in Medicine, I think being a mechanic is far more difficult. Just think, the human body changes every 1 million years, while an engine is revamped every year! And don't get me started on the complexity of cars (though I'm sure most of you know )

*EDIT*Here's some must-have tools I thought of:-Battery voltage checker-Oil filter wrench-4x4 feet stainless steel pan (for removing the block and letting fluids leak onto)-Gasket scraper

That's it for now... too tired!

[DAEDALUS]

What kind of budget are you working within? Obviously if you need to do a given job, you will need the tool for that job. Beyond maintenance, it's hard to say what will need attention first. Timing light is very useful. In addition to timing, it will tell you if you're not getting current to one or more plugs (e.g., broken belt). A die grinder or welder probably (hopefully!) won't be needed very often. Air tools are NICE. If you have the room and your garage is secure, then by all means get them. A lift is fantastic (I really want one) but to me it falls lower on the cost/priority matrix than many other things. Gearwrenches are very high on the cost/priority matrix, along with a couple good clicker torque wrenches and a breaker bar. A good plier/cutter set is a must. Consider getting a strong pick set and an auto stethoscope too.The absolute single most used tool in my toolbox is a high-quality magnetic pick-up tool. Regardless of what you get, I recommend this source for great prices:http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net

[Mayhem_J30]

You gotta hydraulic lift Ninja! SWEET! That would come in so handy. I hate putting my car on the jack stands as it never seems like it's good for it.You should get a...darn Daedalus you beat me to it...I was gonna say a torque wrench. I just bought my first one recently now that I've became a spec following DIY'er.Here's one that hasn't been listed: Good Lighting. Buy some of those flood light things on stands or line the garage with florescents. makes things much easier. Those cord retractable shop lights are cool too.

[AZhitman]

I mounted a 4' flourescent "trough" light fixture (has four 4' tubes, like in many kitchens) upside-down on an old creeper and wired it with an old extension cord. When I'm working UNDER the car I just roll it under there and the whole underside is flooded with bright light. Great way to catch potential leaks BEFORE they become drips on the driveway!

[Yahnozha]

Its been said before - - A good torque wrench, two if you can afford it. - Socket wrench extentions are always handy. - A Dremel tool will come in handy more times than you think.- Speed wrenches, you know the things that look like old wooden drills.- A halogen work light. These things ROCK!! but they do get hot.- A roll around stool, great when working on brakes.- A really good Floor Jack.

AZhitman: Thats a GREAT idea on the lighting for under the car!

[miteymax86]

I think you misunderstood Ninja, DIY is the commonly accepted acronym for "Do it yourself" Don't you guys have Sears commercials with Bob Vila up in the cold, white North?Yeah, I was thinking torque wrench, so, now the question is, do I go get the Snap-On, Mac, or Craftsman catalog and start spending uncontrollably?

[maxnix]

Without a doubt, the Snap-on Torque wrenches are far superior, as is their guarantee.

Also, they are worth something on the used market if you ever liquidate or upgrade.

[ninjak84]

I think you misunderstood Ninja, DIY is the commonly accepted acronym for "Do it yourself" Don't you guys have Sears commercials with Bob Vila up in the cold, white North?

Haha.... actually I completely misunderstood.... I thought you meant an actual mechanics school, my bad!And nope, we don't have any Bob Vila up North. He doesn't even exist in Canada!If it weren't for his cameo appearances on "Home Improvement", we wouldn't even know who he is!

[theTony]

His most "valuable" tool, is his hydraulic lift in our garage. It rasies the car 4 feet high with the press of the button, and is made of stainless steel. It lets us do anything and everything that needs to be done to my car, from putting my exhaust on, to swapping an engine, to changing the oil.

Easy access to a lift. Ninja, you are the envy of many on NICO.

[Stoneage_Turbo]

actually this has been a pet project of mine for awhile , i got irritated at the old tools i had and threw most away and got a new set of tools , im close to $500 in tools and can now take care of just about any roadisde emegerency possible

as far as DIY tools there isnt anything beatter than a multi meter , when im working on something 90% of the time i use it to check resistance of circuits voltage and various other little things you would be amazed how useful this tool is

a leatherman is also nice to have in the glove box

othwer weird things i got were a craftsman "Bolt Out" (pn 9-52161) its 24.99 and grips rounded off nuts and bolts for remvoal useing seraded edges inside the adapter , i use a $55 snapon cresent wrench to grip the adapter (had to get something from a snapon truck)

also have the craftsman "screwout " but its a year old and i no longer havce its part number , it will power out rounded phillips and hex screwsuseing a cordless drill

the cordless drill is a Black and decker 85th anniverasry issue , one badass cordells drill , go check it out , its around 85 bucks

if you would like i have all the part numbers and prices of the various tools in my box as i kept all rescripts to make a inventory that i havent gotten around to doing ..shoot me a meail id be ahppy to type it up for ya

[Blazin Hondas]

I think by far the best tool I ever got was my car manual...Tells you how to do anything you want on the car, as far as assembly.And cheep..12 bucks