Gonna Buy Some Tools, Which Ones to Get??

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Catch Sears with a big sale and buy a good set of Craftsman tools. As mentioned above, a set of metric gear wrenchs can come in awful handy! If you have a compressor then some "quality" air tools are great too!

Later,

I've known heavy duty mechanics who relied on craftsman socket sets. You don't need to shell out for snap-on tools. That said don't buy ultra cheap no name crap.:D
 
Catch Sears with a big sale and buy a good set of Craftsman tools. As mentioned above, a set of metric gear wrenchs can come in awful handy! If you have a compressor then some "quality" air tools are great too!

Later,

I'm going to pick up a used 30Gal vertical compressor here on Craigslist, and get some long air hose to run it wherever I need in the house.

Are the air tools at Harbor Freight total cr&p? or worth giving it a try? I'm not a regular mechanic.. just the occasional weekend garage projects.
 
LOL.

You need a lot of stuff.

Consider a Mechanics Tool Set from Craftsman. It comes with most of what you will initially need and at a steep discount in the set. Quality is still OK.


If you don't have much money, get yourself to Harbor Freight.

At a minimum, you need:
1/2 and 3/8 drive metric socket sets (up to 24mm in the 1/2 drive)
3/8 drive set of deep sockets
Ratchet drivers for above
Breaker bar for above
Universal joints for above
Extensions for above
Wobble extensions for above
Metric Combination wrenches 10mm-19mm (SKip the 11 and the 18)
Metric Gear Wrenches (stubbies too if you have $$)
Small and large adjustable wrenches
20 oz ball peen hammer
Brass drifts
Flare wrench 10mm/12mm
Assorted screw drivers
Good pry bar or 2
Needle nose pliers
Snap ring pliers
Electrical Pliers
DVM
Timing light
Angle Grinder
Battery post cleaner
PBBlaster
Jack stands (6 ton)-2 pairs
 
In order to minimize some sockets, I suggest using 6 pt impact sockets (1/2" drive) for manual or pneumatic impact operation. My socket drawer has too many sockets and I should've combined the sockets years ago. In any case, just say no to 12 pt sockets.

Also, pickup a set of metric wrench that has six points.

Couple of boxes of Band Aids and a large bottle of Advil is a must in the tool box.

Regarding the bench vice, I'd suggest picking up a large 6" or 8" jaw vice that does NOT rotate. The vice that rotates for pipe clamping doesn't seem to last long in my experience. A vice needs to be at least 30 lbs and sits on its own pedestal that's bolted to the floor. You're going to need a "third hand" when you're ready to whale on stubborn parts with the BFH!!! You'll appreciate having a super strong vice and a well mounted pedestal.

Start buying a quality air tool one at a time; perhaps one in a month? These quality (IR, Mac, etc) tools will last a lifetime and make your job a lot easier.

Good luck.
 
12mm 12 point or 14mm 12 point for pulling heads
 
buy one of the large craftsman sets...your money will go a long way with craftsman. Buy a set of HD 6 point sockets in various sizes. I like the snap-on or mac swivel type sockets in 3/8 drive $$.

No need to buy snap-on or mac for the most part except where craftsman does not make the item.

the polished or I think they may call it the professional line from craftsman is good. Hard to beat a snap-on or mac toolbox but they are $$

I would go all out with craftsman and then after you find out what you need in special tools shop around on the net.

6 point sockets are good, air tools are time savers, torque wrench is required,

You need all the common hand tools, 1/4, 3/8 drive metric and sae sockets with ratchets, a good set of screwdrivers, a few extensions for the sockets, wire cutters, wire strippers, open and box end wrenches in SAE and metric, a couple of pry bars, 2 ball pen hammers large small, jack stands, jack, DVM, test light, 3/8 eletric or battery drill, a set of punches, gasket scraper, drop light, ...
 
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