Going to buy some more tools..

[RanciD]

I've been mooching off my dad's tools and I'm getting sick of it so I've finally decided to.. buy my own. He has something against keeping his organized so they're just all over the place and half of every job is finding the darn tools to do it with, plus I don't live with him so it would be a lot more convenient. But anyway, I'm not sure what to buy first. I have socket set but it's 1/2 american, half metric. I figure an all metric would probably be good thing to start, and a torque wrench cause it's got all sorts of uses on a car. I want to get a compressor and some air tools, but I really don't know much about them. I've just been using hand tools all my life. If anyone can answer some questions about them like which ones are good, how big a compressor I'll need and stuff that would be great. I did a quick search but I'll try again in a minute. Another thing I think would be pretty useful is a spring compressor since I do a lot of suspension work. What else would I need and what brands make good tools that I could order online for relatively cheap or buy at Sears/somewhere similar? I don't know anything about tools besides how to use them. I just really need the common use tools cause if I don't use it much then I'll just use my dad's.

Cliff Notes:
Going to buy torque wrench, metric sockets, spring compressor
Considering air tools
Need info on good brands and other commonly used tools

[240 2NR]

Torque wrenches own!

As for hand tools I'm partial to craftsman. Better tools are out there, but for the price, selection, warranty and ease of getting replacements they have no equal for a personal garage, IMO.

As for air tools, they require a pretty big commitment. While small compressors are great for say a finish nailer, they don't have nearly the capacity for automotive applications. Even my friend's 55 gallon compressor was noisy and running often when in use (very annoying). It's not neighborhood friendly. They'll run a ton of tools and once you get into them they're great to have, but it's a big outlay up front for good equipment. I'd say cover your bases with hand tools before you get into air tools. They make the job quicker, but really do the same job. I ended up getting an electric impact wrench for $60. It's about the only air tool I used often and it's much quiter than an air compressor. A bit heavy and clumsy, but for the price I couldn't pass it up.

Then there's always things like jack stands and dolley jacks.....


Mmmmmm....that's at the top of my wishlist right now.

[MorganS13]

Craftsman

[bbp]

For a backyard mechanic, Craftsman is the way to go, unless you simply like to spend money, then Snap-on is it. Some tools are better to spend the money, like and type of dial gauge, torque wrench, micrometer etc I would just get from Snap on or Mac.

I would not delve into air unless you have a relatively stocked box already. I have a compressor and don't use air THAT much. It's nice, but not a necssity.

Get a good American quality jack, I have gone thru 2 cheap-o chinese jacks in 2 years(same goes with those cheap-o aluminum ones). LARGE jackstands. A good flourecent worklight. Metric sockets in 1/4,3/8 and 1/2 drive, swivel and extensions. Torque wrench, longer Breaker bar, one of those Craftmen set of assorted pliers, a BFH, a shot filled hammer, prybar, assortment set of screwdrivers, A nice polished set of metric combo wrenches, and a nice cordless drill with bits. while your at it pick up some punches and drifts so you dont ruin the screwdriver using them as a punch. Top it off with a nice ball bearing box. Get a larger box than you need right now, you will grow into it.

I like buying tools cause its something you will have forever if you take care of them. Also take pictures of everything to give to your insurance agent incase it ever gets stolen!

[crioten]

i work at sears, and i buy tons of craftsman tools...anyway you can use regular sockets on an impact wrench, but they break a lot, so if ya do make sure they are like craftsman and guranteed forever...

we also sell tons of mechanics sets, go to one of our stores and pick up a catalogue and look through everything you can possibly want...

...dam i should get paid for this crap

-glen

[240 2NR]

Originally posted by bbp
Get a larger box than you need right now, you will grow into it.

Hehe, I outgrew mine in a year. Granted it was only a three drawer toolbox with a shelf under the lid for like $40 since it would be easy to fit in my car, but still. I have tools pouring out of it and it literally bulges at the sides.

Unfortuneatly my garage is kind of shady here so I would be hesitant to get a full size rolling cabinet. Therefore it needs to be small enough to carry up and down a flight of stairs.

The flourescent worklight is a great call. I love mine, though when I was installing my short shifter this winter the warmth of an incandescent would have actually been welcomed.