The Tool thread
We All need em and well they are really important so lets talk tools. I'll start with a list of some basic getting started kind of stuff and well go from there.
For a beginner, doing basic work, I will cheat and suggest an entire tool kit or kits. Some decent retailers will sell a 200-300 piece tool set for a very decent price.
Typically these sets include a full set of standard and metric sockets (in both deep and shallow), from 4mm (or very small) all the way to 24 mm. In standard, 1/4 inch all the way to 1 1/4 is good. Also, 1/4, 3/8 1nd 1/2 inch drives are required, with corresponding short, medium and long extensions and swivel joints for each drive size. Allen and Torx sockets for the larger sizes are handy.
Add a set of quality slot, phillips (3 sizes for each) and Torx screwdrivers and a set of both metric and standard Allen wrenches. Additionally, both big and small examples of vice grips, slip-joint pliers, linesman's pliers, waterpump (Channel-Lock) pliers, side cutters, ball-peen hammers, wire brushes, pry bars, cold chisels, pin punches, flat punches, mill files, and adjustable (Crescent) wrenches.
A full set of standard and metric combination wrenches is good to have;
Other items include marker pens, tie wraps (various sizes) electrical tape, masking tape, wire stripper/crimper, C-clamps, sharp knife, worklight, floor jack and jackstands, strap and cup-style oil filter wrenches, grease gun, test light, multimeter, feeler gauge, tire pressure gauge, timing light, jumper cable, siphon hose, assorted funnels, drain pan
Imho all these tools are essential, even if you do not think you need them right away. Assembling a kit like this is not particularly expensive, either. There are many decent quality, affordable tools out there, far more than there was 20-25 years ago.
Cheap (often China or India sourced) tools have flooded the market. Some are okay, especially for light-duty work. Some simply are fakes.
I would stick to tools sold by major chain retailers, especially ones with a lifetime replacement warranty. I have found that Sears sells affordable yet excellent tools.
I have bought some very good tools with odd, unknown brand names, at auto swap meets. I have also bought absolute crap from similar sources, so just be careful.
For a beginner, doing basic work, I will cheat and suggest an entire tool kit or kits. Some decent retailers will sell a 200-300 piece tool set for a very decent price.
Typically these sets include a full set of standard and metric sockets (in both deep and shallow), from 4mm (or very small) all the way to 24 mm. In standard, 1/4 inch all the way to 1 1/4 is good. Also, 1/4, 3/8 1nd 1/2 inch drives are required, with corresponding short, medium and long extensions and swivel joints for each drive size. Allen and Torx sockets for the larger sizes are handy.
Add a set of quality slot, phillips (3 sizes for each) and Torx screwdrivers and a set of both metric and standard Allen wrenches. Additionally, both big and small examples of vice grips, slip-joint pliers, linesman's pliers, waterpump (Channel-Lock) pliers, side cutters, ball-peen hammers, wire brushes, pry bars, cold chisels, pin punches, flat punches, mill files, and adjustable (Crescent) wrenches.
A full set of standard and metric combination wrenches is good to have;
Other items include marker pens, tie wraps (various sizes) electrical tape, masking tape, wire stripper/crimper, C-clamps, sharp knife, worklight, floor jack and jackstands, strap and cup-style oil filter wrenches, grease gun, test light, multimeter, feeler gauge, tire pressure gauge, timing light, jumper cable, siphon hose, assorted funnels, drain pan
Imho all these tools are essential, even if you do not think you need them right away. Assembling a kit like this is not particularly expensive, either. There are many decent quality, affordable tools out there, far more than there was 20-25 years ago.
Cheap (often China or India sourced) tools have flooded the market. Some are okay, especially for light-duty work. Some simply are fakes.
I would stick to tools sold by major chain retailers, especially ones with a lifetime replacement warranty. I have found that Sears sells affordable yet excellent tools.
I have bought some very good tools with odd, unknown brand names, at auto swap meets. I have also bought absolute crap from similar sources, so just be careful.