Basic Tools Needed For Upkeep

[rfalker1]

Hey guys I am not overly mechanically inclined but I was wondering what are some basic tools that every man/woman should have for their garage to do basic work on there car?? I am hoping basic work will lead to bigger projects

I personally want an Air Compressor,a bunch of socket, impact wrench, grease gun and a couple of screw driver and a light. +jacks, and jack stands!!
But what else should be on your list

[Vicinity]

Vice Grips.

Lots of Vice grips. I was amazed how many times I needed a handful of them. Good 18v cordless drill is priceless. These may be a little more than "basic" but they're good to have rather then need.

[BulldawgMusclecars]

A good first aid kit!

[ModernMuseum]

The list you mentioned in the OP is a good start. I would recommend a few crescent wrenches, wire cutters, pliers, Mechanix gloves (though I have never owned a pair) and a quick reference book for popular swearing phrases.

[moreHP]

A good selection of hammers, duct tape, bailing wire, zip ties, a 4 foot long pry bar, and beer.

[Protournova]

Here would be a "min." good start, not to say you need to use Craftsman just an example:
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00935188000P?vName=Hand+Tools&cName=Tools+Sets&sName=Mechanics+Tool+Sets&prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=L6

I would also stay away air tools until you learn hand tools.. IMHO

"crazy glue" great for cuts!!!

[rfalker1]

Here would be a "min." good start, not to say you need to use Craftsman just an example:
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00935188000P?vName=Hand+Tools&cName=Tools+Sets&sName=Mechanics+Tool+Sets&prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=L6

I would also stay away air tools until you learn hand tools.. IMHO

"crazy glue" great for cuts!!!


Ohh thanks for the link!! and I used to using all types of tools!! I think I will have to order the set...

and thanks for all the info guys... I shall start sooner or later on my tool list.
P.s I have the beer too!! but not the first aid kit

[SLO_Z28]

Fire extinguisher. Its the last thing you think about until you need one!

[CreepinDeth]

I'm not a mechanic either, so I know what you're going through.....

#1. Best tools I ever bought.....right here, Gear Wrench 16 piece ratcheting wrench set. (http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-9416-Metric-Master-Ratcheting/dp/B0002NYD1W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1329785044&sr=8-4)
I can't stress how useful these are. You won't find them this cheap in any store.

#2. Great quality socket set 1/4, 3/8 and if you can get the 1/2 too.
You don't need to buy Strap On (Snap ON) tool sets or MAC tools and finance tool sets til you're 50. :rolleyes:
You can get the Lowes Kobalt sets during Thanksgiving > Christmas sales VERY Cheap.
That's when Lowes really hammers out the sales. Example Here (http://dealnews.com/Kobalt-63-Piece-Mechanics-Tool-Set-for-25-6-s-h-93-Piece-Set-for-50/467751.html)

Besides Lowes , there's Menards tools which are also Made in the USA.
EL Home Cheapo's Husky line are all Chinese and they charge you the same $$$.

#3. Hydraulic Jack - IMO Costco has the best low cost quality option with the 3.5 ton Arcan XL35R jack for $99.
FYI , not ALL Costco's carry it, so call and ask if it's in stock first. This is the best one I've found.
http://www.adamsautoadvice.com/2011/12/best-floor-jack-ever-arcan-xl35r-from-costco/

#4. Jack Stands- Shop for the lowest price but best quality.

#5. 60 Gallon Air compressor - I got my 60 Gallon 135Psi Kobalt from Lowes on year end clearance for $325.

#6. 18V+ Power Drill - I'm personally a fan of DeWalt's quality or Milwaukee. Walk into any Grainger industrial supply, that's all you see.
That should tell you something. I was also a Home Depot contractor for years, 80% of the crews use DeWalt.

[rfalker1]

I'm not a mechanic either, so I know what you're going through.....

#1. Best tools I ever bought.....right here, Gear Wrench 16 piece ratcheting wrench set. (http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-9416-Metric-Master-Ratcheting/dp/B0002NYD1W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1329785044&sr=8-4)
I can't stress how useful these are. You won't find them this cheap in any store.

#2. Great quality socket set 1/4, 3/8 and if you can get the 1/2 too.
You don't need to buy Strap On (Snap ON) tool sets or MAC tools and finance tool sets til you're 50. :rolleyes:
You can get the Lowes Kobalt sets during Thanksgiving > Christmas sales VERY Cheap.
That's when Lowes really hammers out the sales. Example Here (http://dealnews.com/Kobalt-63-Piece-Mechanics-Tool-Set-for-25-6-s-h-93-Piece-Set-for-50/467751.html)

Besides Lowes , there's Menards tools which are also Made in the USA.
EL Home Cheapo's Husky line are all Chinese and they charge you the same $$$.

#3. Hydraulic Jack - IMO Costco has the best low cost quality option with the 3.5 ton Arcan XL35R jack for $99.
FYI , not ALL Costco's carry it, so call and ask if it's in stock first. This is the best one I've found.
http://www.adamsautoadvice.com/2011/12/best-floor-jack-ever-arcan-xl35r-from-costco/

#4. Jack Stands- Shop for the lowest price but best quality.

#5. 60 Gallon Air compressor - I got my 60 Gallon 135Psi Kobalt from Lowes on year end clearance for $325.

#6. 18V+ Power Drill - I'm personally a fan of DeWalt's quality or Milwaukee. Walk into any Grainger industrial supply, that's all you see.
That should tell you something. I was also a Home Depot contractor for years, 80% of the crews use DeWalt.

thanks.. i love the list especially with the prices and how to shop for them!!!

[nathanr15]

creeper need a good creeper

[nathanr15]

oh i forgot shop towels and radio and patients

[formula350]

Get good sockets!!! At least craftsman!!! ****y sockets will strip your bolts, buy 6 point sockets. Snap on sockets are awesome but not for those who don't make a living with them. But get some snap on rachets they are wayyy better than anything else.

Dont, buy cheap tools, just dont, get tools that will last that's all I'm saying.

You can get away with buying only metric stuff, metric works for sae but not the other way around. That will save you money. Habit freight jacks and stands are fine.
Wrenches, ratcheting ones are awesome but you should have regular closed ends to.

Makita make these awesome like 12v mini impacts and drills, I love em. Good led flashlight. Various pliers.
Pry bars hallways come in handy. And ball pein hammers. If its got a hook on it throw it away haha

[Mr_Roboto]

What ever you do, when you buy stuff if you're going to jack the car up jack stands are a requirement. Not concrete blocks. Too many people get killed with them. If I yank a tire I like to throw it under the vehicle for good measure, typically it is about the same amount I have jacked it up so it works out well. Chocks are a good choice as well.

It depends on what you're working on and what you want to do. Early GM? SAE sockets and wrenches. Later GM? both metric and SAE. Imports? Metric only is fine.

I have a myriad of specialty tools, and use most of them every so often. They are really great to pick up as you need. Do you have any projects in mind, or are just messing around with "break fix?" If the latter, specialty tools as you go is a good idea.

The only exception I would make is having enough tools to do brakes on any vehicle you own. These tools will pay for themselves REPEATEDLY. Most places seem to charge 275-300 an axle minimally, so a good drum tool if you've got em, a good disk brake tool if you've got them (A big c-clamp works if you don't have fancy rear calipers with a built in E-brake.) A small set of the needle nose vise grips are great for drum brakes as well. There is a drum brake tool I am typically not a fan of, but I've been "learning" it more and every time I use I seem to figure out something new. I can do brakes in an hour or two, and for about 100 bucks in parts. You may need to get some allen screw style sockets to take them off depending on the model, but well worth it. I have probably saved well over $1K doing brakes for both myself and my friends, and it's not that hard to do.

A hand set like the one linked to will let you do a shocking amount of work. Usually the skill of the person behind a set like that would limit it far more than the selection of tools would. I would definitely supplement it with a good 3/8 and a good 1/2 inch breaker bar, and a torque wrench or two. The "brace n' bit" style spinner handles are nice as well if you don't have an impact to spin stuff off with.

If you have a pawn shop or two nearby check em out, be leery of prices. Good deals can be found, but you will have to dig some.

Lastly, a "tool" that some people really discount is a good manual like a Chiltons. They go over a lot of stuff on how to work on a car, and tend to be very well rounded. They have info a lot of us guys who have been working on cars take for granted too!