Good tools to have around?

mYseRgOesvrOOm · 10-13-2003, 05:35 PM

So I'm 18. I need to start builing my credit. And I need some tools. So what better to do then get a Sears card? Hehe. I know the interest is an ass, but I never have build up on my mom's cards. Always paid off ASAP. Now I just need my own. In my name. So yeah...what are some good tools to have around? My dad has a bunch, but leaves them locked up. And, he won't let me use them anyway...so yeah.

Here's what Im thinking:

Snake Light
Lights On Stands (photo shoots and *** we skateboard at night

)
Basic Wrech/Hand Tool Kit
Jack Stands
Jack...
Tire Pressure Gauge
Test Light...

Anything else. My mind is blank right now on what to get. If you have a link or picture of that to get, that would help me out alot. Nothing too crazy like an engine hoist. Which I wont need til January anyway

.

Also, good brands, sets and types of tools. *** I know there's like a gazillion different jacks I could buy, but which one should be the best. Thanks...

beataholic · 10-13-2003, 06:07 PM

Anything craftsman. Stock up. They are excellent tools.

NISMOrob · 10-13-2003, 06:16 PM

Well in my opinion I would not waste money/credit on stuff like the jack, jack stands, lights on craftsman. Get yourself a a good Craftsman mechanics set, they have 151 piece set for $99 on sale and a two 246 or so piece set for like 199. then order the home owners(affordable) twelve drawer chest and roller combo.

I bought the 51 piece kit and had almost everything I would need for parting out my car, except a 17mm combo wrench and 17mm deep wall socket. Get a solid tool kit and storage, and save the rest of your credit for specialty tools you may need, which sears is good for, breaker bar set, ratcheting wrench set- which will have the 17mm.

Buy all the jack, jack stands and lights from Kragen or something. They would not be covered under Craftsman's lifetime warrenty anyway.

Oh get a crepper also, and a long metal pipe from home depot, best tool Ive ever bought cost me $0.89.

I thik kragen had a whole kit that came with lights, creeper, jack and stands for like $40.

mYseRgOesvrOOm · 10-13-2003, 06:38 PM

wow. thanx. thats the kind of info i was wanting...woohoo.

Slartibartfast · 10-13-2003, 07:37 PM

You'll want a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench, 24 mm, 27, mm, 32 mm sockets and wrenches. I like T-handle hex drivers. Six-point and twelve point sockets have their place in my tool box. Socket drivers are nice, too. Break-over bar over 12" long. Tape measure for doing toe settings. Channel locks. Hammer (don't ask, you'll know when the time comes). A multimeter is nice if you can rationalize it. Tweezers, wire cutters, telescoping magnetic retrieval tool, putty scaper, etc., etc.

Don't worry too much about how much you get now, just get a nicely comprehensive set that includes SAE as well as metric. You'll get fewer types of tools but you'll appreciate the flexibilty.

Mirage · 10-13-2003, 07:42 PM

a good torque wrench too..

2' and 4' sections of 3/4" pipe should run like $5 at home depot. Comes in real handy when stuff just wont budge. That and when you get pissed off and want to take a swing at something but not break your ratchets.

Creagach · 10-13-2003, 07:59 PM

uhh yeah a good torque wrench, perhaps mirage posted the same time as slartibartfast?

nx2000racer · 10-13-2003, 08:14 PM

impact tools, all sorts of em

mYseRgOesvrOOm · 10-13-2003, 08:30 PM

woohoo. thanx...keep em comin.

im not worried about gettin every single tool just a lot of the basic stuff so i can do basic stuff on my car. as i take more classes those nifty snap-on people will come with all the cool special tools. and my teachers will help out with the special ones anyway. i am just lookin for a nice basic reliable setup.

im printing this all out, so keep em coming. *** narrow them down to one good list and go shopping! woohoo!

AZ_TURBOSE · 10-13-2003, 08:55 PM

a good set of torque wrenches,

AntonioG · 10-13-2003, 09:42 PM

Get a credit card from a bank so that way you are not forced to use it at one place. And you'll get a better interest rate most likely.

Don't forget about a GOOD set of screwdrivers. Most of those mechanic's kits come with the dumb bits. Also, a good set of pliers and cutters is very useful under the hood to remove some of those fasteners.

Crim · 10-13-2003, 10:30 PM

AIR COMPRESSOR! Wow! Besides your basic wratchet set... this has been the most useful tool I've purchased to date. The air compressor is fairly expensive, but most of the tools are cheap after that. The cut off wheel has been useful numerous times (Cutting hoods and other random pieces of metal), aswell as the good old impact wrench (Hub nuts, suspension bolts etc..)

hey808 · 10-14-2003, 02:11 AM

A BOLT EXTRACTOR! Nissan loves to use those cheapo gold bolts that like to corrode and snap at the sight of any of the tools listed above. I can't count the amount of broken bolts off of the various Nissans I've worked on. LOL.

mYseRgOesvrOOm · 10-14-2003, 02:20 AM

hmm. i kinda thought that be helpful...i'll just take it to my mechanic. he didnt break one bolt on mine or his sons car. both high mileage never been touched cars. he must have the magic stick! haha...

R0b_ · 10-14-2003, 02:58 AM

Get a real credit card, don't go for the sears one. And when you get it, use just that one. Don't start signing up for the Sears, Pep Boys, AUtoZone, Nissan, whatever new ones they throw at you.

My wife got Macy's, Rich's, Bloomingdales etc. etc.. Now, even with perfect payments, history etc.. her credit score is lower than it should be, because she had too many accounts open. When we got married, I had her close all those crappy ones, but the damage was already done, for the next 5 years!

On the tools: I have a cheap Stanley set from Wal-Mart I got 9 years ago. Metric 10mm-19mm plus spark, paid like $10 on clearance, but you can get a similar kit cheap. It has done just about anything I needed on the car. You will need a few speciality tools eventually, but just get a decent basic set. Start with Metric, that is what you'll need the most.

Get a damn good jack, the giant one if you have room to store it. I'm crawling under the blue one doing all kinds of junk, and getting that puppy UP in the air makes it much easier with the jumbo jack than those 2 little 2 1/2 ton jobs I have.

Jack stands are a MUST, unless you want to risk being squished like a bug.

Finally, I agree with Crim. An air compressor is a must, along with an impact wrench at a minimum. That is the ONLY thing I was able to use to pull the power steering pulley. Sure makes rotating the tires alot quicker and easier too! Christmas is coming, Wal-mart always has those air compressor sets with tools for under $200.

mYseRgOesvrOOm · 10-14-2003, 03:26 AM

seems like i need a real credit card. hehe...its just easier to say "sure, i'll get a credit card and take 10% off my purchase today." haha...

damn. im gettin alot more than useful tools. gettin mad tips as well! thanks you guys...i got a big list. gonna take some time...but its coming...thanks.

UNDRCOVR · 10-14-2003, 05:26 AM

Why hasnt anyone said Dremel tool? Very handy thing to have. And more basic things: wire cutters/dykes, wire strippers if you cant improvise with the wire cutters, soldering iron, telescoping magnet, and a BFH for those tough times....Have fun dropping 500$ Josh

Crim · 10-14-2003, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hey808

A BOLT EXTRACTOR! Nissan loves to use those cheapo gold bolts that like to corrode and snap at the sight of any of the tools listed above. I can't count the amount of broken bolts off of the various Nissans I've worked on. LOL.

Man are you serious about nissan using cheap bolts? Those BASTARDS! No wonder I *always* snap bolts... and all my honda friends always laugh at me! I seriously have a bucket full of various busted bolts from my 300zx. The worst was this one bolt that I clean shaved 1/2 of the head of the bolt off. There was only a sliver of the head left on the bolt arrrr..

Yahnozha · 10-14-2003, 12:10 PM

Get a good set of Craftsman tools, wrenches, sockets, etc...etc...their kits are priced reasonably. In addition these are some of my most used accessories.

1/2" Drive click type torque wrench
Socket wrench extensions (usually sold in 3 packs)
Universal Joints for your sockets
Flare nut wrenches for fluid lines

Also, pick up a paper craftsman catalogue, they have some killer sets in there that you wont find in a store, like a COMPLETE wrench set (8mm-36mm and 1/4"-1-1/4") for $200 or so.

Good luck and it always pays to spend more for good tools.

hey808 · 10-14-2003, 12:56 PM

Anyone in the Midwest where the cars rust the most have the broken bolt syndrome.