What are all the tools a garage should have?
Posted on June 19th, 2010 by admin
Im going to buy a load of snap on tools (I know they are overpriced, but snap on is what I want), so far I have absolutely nothing. And by nothing I mean one of those $10 tool sets you get at walmart, 3 or 4 old rusty ratchets, and a screwdriver. So I’m going to fit out my whole garage with every tool I could need.
Problem is that there are a lot of tools, and I obviously dont have the money or storage space to buy them all. So I want to start out with everything I need (storage, garage upkeep, etc included) to last me for a long time. What should I buy? What are the automotive tools every garage should have?
If it changes anything I only own one car (84 Corvette) and I’m mostly going to be maintaining, updating, and modifying that car, but I plan to buy more car(s) as the money comes in. And I just dont want to be stuck in the middle of a project having to wait for tools to be shipped to my house.
90% of my stuff is snap-on. Depends on what you do and how much you will be spending. Considering you could spend a few thousand on the bottom box alone figure out what you need. Best way is to buy as you go. Will you have the truck coming to you every week? Get the basics and just keep adding from there. Snap-on credit is high but after you initial purchase, start a truck account, interest free. Your Snap-on rep will run you an account right from his truck for 500 or 1000 or whatever he is comfortable with. I keep a revolving balance of around 400-500 dollars with my tool man.
June 19th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
I’ve sadly realized that I’ll NEVER own ALL the tools I need-they wear out, get lost/damaged, or I just never had ‘that’ one before. I am forever buying tools. Then I love them , and treasure them, for they are the way I get things done.
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June 19th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
90% of my stuff is snap-on. Depends on what you do and how much you will be spending. Considering you could spend a few thousand on the bottom box alone figure out what you need. Best way is to buy as you go. Will you have the truck coming to you every week? Get the basics and just keep adding from there. Snap-on credit is high but after you initial purchase, start a truck account, interest free. Your Snap-on rep will run you an account right from his truck for 500 or 1000 or whatever he is comfortable with. I keep a revolving balance of around 400-500 dollars with my tool man.
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June 19th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
I’ve never met a mechanic, professional or shade-tree, that got ALL the tools to use before they started wrenching. It’s usually a gradual process and somewhat depends on what you would need. Craftsman has sets that have 500 pieces or more and a person may not have a need to use half of them. It’s more like a trophy case. Basically you will need 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive sockets, ratchets, and extensions. 1/4" drive comes in handy too, so do nut drivers. #’s 1 and 2 phillips screwdrivers are a must in regular, long, and stubby length. I have a #0 and #3’s too. I must have over 15 or 20 slotted drivers from jewelers to goon size. Combination wrenches are a must. You’ll need S.A.E. and metric in sockets and wrenches. Plus allen, hex, and Torx. Pliers; slip joint, channel lock, needle nose, side cutting, vise grip are the basics there. After these there are tons of specialty tools in every category. A good many tools are designed to save time and may not be worth the expense for a do-it-yourself-er. I would start with the basics and start skinning your knuckles and develop some skill and experience. The tools do not make a mechanic. Good luck.
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Old Wrench and Tech