What tools does everyone use

[mikeinaus]

Hey guys. i started my automotive apprenticeship a couple weeks ago and ive been slowly buying tools for the past year and a half. more so then usual in the past few weeks trying to build up my collection. im just curious what brands everyone is using and recommends. im cheap so for hand tools ive mostly been buying mastercraft maximums whenever they are on sale at canadian tire. for the retail price of the master craft you could buy something better but there hard to beat when there on sale plus they have a lifetime warranty. i plan on using these for the next few years and slowly replacing them with higher end tools as i progress threw my career.

so far my tool collection consists of:
30 piece SAE/Metric mastercraft maxium combination wrenches
8 pack long and 8 pack stubby metric mastercraft maximum ratchet wrenches
6", 8", 10" mastercraft maximum adjustable wrenches
177 stanley black chrome socket set
mastercraft maximum titanium coated tap and die set
mastercraft maximum stainless steel 26" top and bottom cabinet
westward chisel/punch set
neiko SS 6" digital caliper
princess auto SAE/Metroc socket holders 1/2",3/8",1/4"
4.5" mastercraft grinder
+ a tool box of odds and ends ive had for a while.

i think i have most of the tools i should need for now, if anyone has anything they can recommend i should get please let me know. im still trying to decide on what screw drivers (westward maybe?) and pliers sets i want to get. maybe a torque wrench but i dont know if thats something i would want to cheap out on. anyone know how much a half decent torque wrench should cost?

[Ryan]

1" micrometer for brake work and checking a lot of other stuff.

Feeler gauge

Compression gauge

Get a beam torque wrench, they're cheaper, and more accurate. Just a bit harder to use.

BFH's. ball peen, mini sledge, and rubber/brass

A pocket mirror.

Magnet on a stick

Bent nose pliers. Feel free to mix and match pliers, you'll find you'll have a favourite few...

cheap (free replacement?) pry bars.

A carpenter once told me that you can buy 10 clamps and fire a helper, this is mechanics and a single set of good vice grips, IMO.

Trying to think of my other favourites.... that might be it.

Oh, a good quality wire stripper/crimper. This will totally change your outlook on electrical work.

[mikeinaus]

i already have crimpers/stripper and a compression gauge. any brands of micrometer i should look for? would you suggest digital or analog? is it worth buying cheap ones?

[mitmaks]

It would be hard for me to list all the tools I have. I've been buying throughout years and still would like to "expand" my collection. I try to buy tools that pay for themselves in first time use or ones that I know I'll need for sure. Not buying tools just to say "I've got it"
I have various hand tools (Craftsman) bunch of tools from Harbor Freight, quality auto body tools including Stinger stud welder. MIG welder, compressor. Most air tools are from Harbor freight exception of spray guns which I have SATA's, Accuspray (no longer made) and Finex. I must say that Harbor freight sells some decent quality tools that can be used in home shop. You just have to read reviews and try not to buy anything that has less than 3.5-4 stars.
I'd love to pick up plasma cutter someday soon, comes in handy cutting off rusted sheetmetal, etc.
I just picked up brand new Craftsman snow blower-I'm ready for snow

[Ryan]

The tap and die set was a good purchase, I probably have the exact same one. Lame blue plastic trays? Mine paid for itself already, salvaged end links, brake hardware, and much more... They are just cheap and wear out (my M10x1.5 is toast already)


Are you talking about the big ticket items like welders/compressors too? Or will your shop provide those? Press? tire balancing machine? alignment rack? Hoist?


As far as micrometers go, anything you can buy now is good enough quality for most engine work. For rotor thickness you could even use a plastic one.

I'd get the best ones you can afford. Maybe buy a set (1",2",4")
Inside micrometers too, for bore checking among other things.
I forget what they use for valve guide I/D...

A caliper is a good thing to have around too. $10-50. I'd even buy this before the micrometer(s)

A runout gauge is a cool tool to have too



I don't know about where you live, but where I live, a mechanic "apprentice" means you get to watch the master tech do everything (since he wants to get paid).

So... maybe a good oil filter wrench? Its sad, I know, its one of the main reasons mechanic is my 3rd career option...

The other thing is, mechanics are becoming obsolete and electricians are taking over. You can't do much nowadays internally. The OBD will determine if there's a problem with the motor that requires machine work (well, almost), the dealership will probably find it cheaper to just find a crate/used motor to plop in instead of getting you to pull the crank, machine, and re install it.

So unless in the future you plan on getting into an old restoration shop/engine building shop, I maybe would only start buying the fancy tools as you need them...

So perhaps hold off on a decent micrometer set, just get an el-cheapo one to throw on brake rotors.

[mikeinaus]

I probably jumped the gun when I said apprenticeship. I'm actually in a 10 month pre apprentice program. At the end ill be a lvl 2 apprentice. Our shop has a tool room with most of the tools I would need. I still require a basic set and the less I need to borrow the better.

I'm interested to know what brands are good for what and what to stay away from. The cheaper the tools, while maintaining quality the better

[jeffs93toy]

I normally stick with stanley, craftsmen, and my favorite snap on

[Daninski]

You mentioned screw drivers. Mastercraft are total crap and break constantly and I don't care that they're life time warrantied. If they break half way through a job that sucks so. Buy a set that have hardened inserted ends. Brass drifts big and small are handy. Also 3/4 drive power bar plus a few common big sockets are life savers for things like axle nuts. Be aware that Princess auto tools are only good when you don't want to break your good ones. I bought those adapters and first time I used one (3/4 to 1/2) at the wreckers it sheared off and left me unable to remove an axle nut so be warned about their tools. My 5 cents.

[mikeinaus]

i agree with you on the mastercraft screwdrivers. the westward ones i was looking at are very nice. they have a comfortable resin style handle and have hardened tips. they want $50 for the set with my student discount. i just havnt decided if i want to spend that much on screwdrivers or not. ill more then likely end up grabbing them as i havnt seen any others that im interested in. i have however read some good things about craftsman screwdrivers. there cheap but they look of similar quality to the mastercraft ones...

[MrMazda92]

Socket extensions and universal joints(knuckles) are both absolute lifesavers. I need to get some for 1/2" drive though, my collection is imcomplete...

I'll swear by Snap-On for screwdrivers, I've yet to find a nicer brand for them. For sockets, I've seen equal quality between Harbor Freight and Craftsman(Craftsman were easier to grind into, when I was modifying my valve spring compressor for quick removal I ended up using one of each).

I've got 2 Torque wrenches, a ~$60-80 Craftsman Clicker, and an older and slightly inaccurate SK (Need to have it calibrated, this thing's old, but absolutely amazing quality).

I'd say get a little torque wrench, for those low torque applications, since honestly it can never hurt to be accurate.

Tap and Die sets are very helpful, as Ryan pointed out, I still need to replace mine...