What tools for Beginners?

True Story
Buddies and I are walking autoX track
I see something chrome, socket shaped on a corner.
15ft away, tried to make a bet with the 4 buddies that the socket was a a 10mm
Not one wanted that action
And it was a 10mm

here is my must have tool:

 

Winner... someone send this guy a free calender or something.....

I'm convinced my son has a secret stash of these in his room somewhere. But no.... I think I have 2 missing in my engine bay as I type this

 

every time I am at harbor freight I buy a 10mm something box/open wrench, socket, hex etc.

saw a video comparing Pittsburgh, Icon, to Craftsman and Snap-on. No, Pittsburgh wrenches didn't win but they still do 130% over asme tests which is some ridiculous torque spec. Who is going to use 100 ft-lbs or more with an open end a hand wrench? That is breaker bar time for me to come off and torque wrench to go on. I generally break all bolts or unseat them with a 1/2" drive socket or breaker bar first then switch to 3/8" ratchet driver.

 

I love the electric 3/8" drivers...one of those and a few 10's and you are good. I have been beating on one of these for about a year and it's been great:

KIMO Cordless Electric Ratchet Wrench Set, 40 Ft-lbs, 400 RPM, 12V Cordless Ratchet Wrench 3/8" w/ 60-Min Charger, 7 Sockets, 1/4" adapter, 2-Pack 2000mAh Lithium-Ion Batteries, Variable Speed Trigger

$75 KIMO Cordless Electric Ratchet Wrench Set, 40 Ft-lbs, 400 RPM, 12V Cordless Ratchet Wrench 3/8" w/ 60-Min Charger, 7 Sockets, 1/4" adapter, 2-Pack 2000mAh Lithium-Ion Batteries, Variable Speed Trigger

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X37XMX3

 

That is something I might just get, there are even cheaper ones on Amazon. $43 for two batteries and the tool. I'm just DIY so only need it for skid plate for fluids change maybe a belt change. That is less than a set of wrenches, who cares if it breaks down after a year or so, get a new one.

 

This thread reminded me of this ratchet, love this thing, really nice quality and so handy. They make nice tools at a reasonable cost.

Olsa Tools 90-Tooth Swivel Head Ratchet, Chrome Vanadium Steel, 1-Piece

$32 Olsa Tools 90-Tooth Swivel Head Ratchet, Chrome Vanadium Steel, 1-Piece

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0861FXDHW

 

Tools are one thing... knowing when to stop or not start is just as important. Even a relativley simple job like changing motor oil can go to crap, the drain plug can strip, the oil filter can be on so tight that you have to drive a screwdriver through it to get it to loosen.

Information is the most important tool... I had a buddy whos windshield wiper motor was non op on his 05 Ram truck. He replaced it and it still didnt work. He called me and I asked him if he put a scan tool on it and his reply was, its only a windshield wiper motor. I said go put your scan tool on it. He called back and said damn... there is a code for it. He replaced a good part for no reason.

 

I just used a 24mm socket on my new specialty engine oil drain plug

 

I've had my tacoma for about 15 years, all I had was a breaker bar, 1/2 socket set, adjustable crescent, 1 jackstand, plyer, and screwdriver. Most of the time it was just doing breaks, oil, and the regular fluid. But I did cheat and borrow an extension to reach a bolt to replace a cracked radiator.

But if you want to make life easier, get a Jack stand, floor jack, breaker bar, 3/8 ratchet and socket set, 1/2 torque wrenches, socket adapter, pry bar, set of combination wrenches, needle nose pliers, screw driver, and if you decide to Treat yourself, get a cordless impact wrench with a set of impact sockets. Impact wrench made my breaker bar obsolete.

 

A nice cordless impact with some of the swiveling impact sockets is a great investment. And some of the better electric impacts are able to be delicate enough for general use.

 

A good floor jack/6-ton stands and oil filter wrench.

 

I actually have this...well pittsburgh harbor freight equivalent. I use it on my skid plate bolts with a deep socket its a 1/2 drive so like a mini breaker if I need it.

Gorilla ramps are nice and recently bought that cheap $34 harbor freight member deal Pittsburgh creeper, its a bit weird getting used to it, wrenching with it and getting out of it with my fat belly lol its almost a work out. But it is nice to roll easy to the point of target and get that skid plate off, oil plug etc.

My 2003 XtrCab has 129k miles 21 years old, I'm gonna make it my last vehicle I ever own. Doing Door dash for extra cash to maintain it and add new things for the expenses write off. I did more in DIY repair than I did mileage so actually broke even, doing the same this year. New Tires and rims... Letting uncle sam pay for my repairs is great. I had 5mm on my pads but changed the rotors and switched to ceramic. Still need new LCA bushings and maybe ball joints haven't tested them yet. I don't want to replace the LCA just for bushings but I've seen the youtube vids and its a serious operation. Could take me weeks to do on my own. I only use it for Dashing so nearly 100% expense write off way better than taking the mileage deduction. Next year I'll be done dashing and use my truck for anything. Hell it is just now breaking in. Best Taco year ever.

Maybe I'll buy a Scamp and go see some friends, camp, fish, either way its gonna get all purdy first. Lite Pod mod er mhhhm front light repair.

 

My little Dewalt 891B impact wrench was one of the best tool buys I ever made. Enough power for everything except a couple spots where bushings absorb the impact and I need a breaker bar and jack.

 

Yeah, those are great. I am old school and it took me a while to go electric but I have ramped it up in the past couple years. I quite like the 1/2" impact I have, it bangs. Oh...the DeWalt gyro electric screwdriver is a great addition. Plenty of torque and it has very fine control, you just rotate it for the direction, and more rotation makes it speed up. It was a lifesaver when I removed my dash for the heater core. A bit spendy but it's really slick.

https://a.co/d/cuZrGTF

 

Get JIS..

 

First thing I thought of/came to mind is: Genuine ViceGrips: I have two different sizes and types of the normal ones (large and medium) and one of the smaller needle-nose ones. I have used them on all sorts of jobs and they show it. One is very old, heavy duty and has a trigger-type release. They get the most use.

A good torque-wrench. I have the turn-the-dial on the handle "Click" type. (3/8ths)

A good multi-meter.

Cotter pin/hitch-pin clip removal tool

Straight/Curved needle-nosed pliers in various sizes.

Finally: I also have a 6-ton 50 year-old vintage Sears floor-jack my Dad gave me when I got my license. It's heavy, awesome and you can tell by the look of it that it has had a lot of use over the years. It doesn't lose pressure/leak down after it is raised or leak any oil. .