starter tool set

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
I got asked by a neighbors wife what tool set she should buy for here son, as" hes starting to get into cars"
now I know she is not rolling in money so I suggested these as a few ideas.
if he really starts getting serious he will obviously buy his own tools and develop a good idea as to what quality is necessary but if you are just starting out and had those tools listed you would be able to handle most of the simple repair work, I remember when I started out I had several SEARs starter tool kits and a few tools acquired at yard sales and a floor jack and a few jack stands and I thought I had things under control....
now Ive got 30 times that many tools , acquired over the last 40 plus years, 4 decades of experience and find I can do 90% or more of the jobs I want, but theres ALWAYS an endless list to MORE AND BETTER TOOLS you wish you had access too!.
most of us started out by buying a basic tool assortment from some place like sears.
but be aware they up the tool count by including a good deal of nearly useless tools on sets that cost over about $200.
and if your budget is limited as most of us must deal with, there are a few basic hand tools like hammers and wrenches, ratchets ,theres also tools you can get at yard sales, at auto part store sales and from places like HARBOR FREIGHT that will function, they don,t tend to be near the quality of snap-on but they don,t cost nearly as much and for the home mechanic they will generally get the job done, but Id stay away from any HF power tools as most are very low quality
but surprisingly many of the ratchets and wrenches are quite serviceable.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-311-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-flexible-ratchet-96369.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/11-pi...long-handle-combination-wrench-set-47067.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/11-pi...long-handle-combination-wrench-set-44718.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/64-pc-14-in-38-in-12-in-drive-sae-metric-socket-set-69261.html


http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bare-minimum-tools.11026/#post-48766

most of us find we accumulate tools on the basis of what we need at the time when we run into a job we can,t do with the tools we own.

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/starter-tool-set.6032/#post-18696

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/what-hand-tools-to-buy.4069/#post-10827

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/labeling-your-tool-chest-drawers.3283/


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-200...c-Mechanic-s-Tool-Set-with-Hard-Case/50194995

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...te-but-it-will-get-you-started.834/#post-1258

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-300-Piece-Standard-SAE-and-Metric-Mechanic-s-Tool-Set/4640237


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-Pack-Groove-Joint-Plier-Set/50029438

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/tool-boxes-and-chests.10357/page-3#post-64730

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bare-minimum-tools.11026/#post-51843

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/under-car-safety.26/
63183a.jpg

would suggest purchase of a semi-decent quality floor jack
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-daytona-professional-steel-floor-jack-super-duty-63183.html

and 4 12 ton rated jack stands
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-steel-jack-stands-61599.html
20861.jpg

and a cheap mechanics creeper
https://www.harborfreight.com/40-in-300-lb-capacity-low-profile-creeper-69262.html
a couple work lamps
6223.jpg

https://www.harborfreight.com/long-line-fluorescent-work-light-46890.html
24701.jpg


and suggest you try to only work on level concrete floors



moneycrapper.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-jack ... 38847.html

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... ockType=G1

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... ckType=G20

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-piece-m ... 47067.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-piece-s ... 44718.html

would suggest purchase of a semi-decent quality floor jack
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-daytona-professional-steel-floor-jack-super-duty-63183.html

and 4 12 ton rated jack stands
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-steel-jack-stands-61599.html

and a cheap mechanics creeper
https://www.harborfreight.com/40-in-300-lb-capacity-low-profile-creeper-69262.html
a couple work lamps
https://www.harborfreight.com/long-line-fluorescent-work-light-46890.html

and suggest you try to only work on level concrete floors
related info

keep in mind there's a long list of more expensive tools,
like mills, lathes, various types of welders, car lifts, drill presses, belt sanders, engine stands , engine cranes, hydraulic presses, air compressors, band saws crosscut saws. (test gauges, meters, code readers, timing lights micrometers, infrared temp gauges, bore gauges)

that most of us wish we owned or spent a great deal of time effort and money acquiring over decades

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-value-vs-price-and-options.12312/#post-60702

https://garage.grumpysperformance.c...20-ton-hydraulic-press-of-course-you-do.2735/

mill and lathe info you might need

theres info, with videos included, in the link and more videos below theres a ton of valid info that you would need in these links that will allow you to gain a basic understanding of whats required to use a milling machine or lathe...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

compressor info

most shops have or would like to have an air compressor to run air wrenches, fill tires, run die grinders ETC. the problem, is most reasonably priced air compressors can,t maintain the flow volume at reasonable pressure levels and your constantly waiting for the tank to re-pressurize, so you...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

Welding Tips and Welders
yodam.jpg


you tend to get what you pay for in the level of quality in precision tools,
keep in mind you don't always require the best quality tool to do a very nice build,
but you seldom get great results with low quality tools either,
its generally best to get upper mid range tools
but there are bargains, make a detailed list of your goals,
and the parts and tools you need and ask questions,
don't guess or assume anything.
and you certainly don't need the very best tool quality to build an acceptable and durable engine,
if you look over this web site you'll see its set up to answer questions and help guide you,
in engine assembly and avoiding problems.
I'd recommend you get a sturdy engine stand and a darn good quality auto lift and floor jacks etc.

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/starter-tool-set.6032/
 
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