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My name is David, I am ASE certified in A4 and A5. I am currently taking night classes at my local Community College. I have a job opening up soon at a Ford dealership, and I was hoping someone could give me some advice, or a list for a good starter set of tools. I will have about $1500 to spend for tools, will that be enough to get me in the door? What should I focus on (for tools) so I can get what I need for the job, and make the most for my money? Thanks
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You will use metric a lot more than SAE, so I would start there. Wrenches, 1/4 drive sockets, 3/8 drive sockets, ratchets, 1/4 drive air ratchet, 3/8 drive impact, 3/8 drive air ratchet. I would buy used, check craigslist and ebay, make your $1500 buy as much as possible. Craftsman/Sears, kobalt/Lowes, and whatever tool brands that come to the shop will be easiest to replace warranty broken tools. Even air tools buy used or if you have enough time before you start get broken air tools and fix them yourself or send them in to be repaired. Air tools aren’t necessary, but they are nice to have.
When I first started there was an old broken IR 1/2 impact on a shelf, I asked the shop owner about it he said I could have it. Fixed it for almost nothing.
Wow thats a great ideal, on getting broken air tools and fixing them. I never through of that. Thank you for the advice.
If he’s working at Ford then he would also want to have a good selection of imperial sized tools as older models still used imperial even though they’re making the switch more and more now.
I would hold onto your cash, And possibly talk to a few techs in the dealer that you are looking into. They will tell you the tools they use the most.
However, as a technician that works on all cars, I would recommend a tool set with a 1/4″ drive, 3/8″ drive and 1/2″ drive ratchets. deep and shallow sockets and some wrenches.
Look for one like this: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/10273439847229850496?hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=craftsman%20set&oq=craftsman+set&gs_l=serp.3..0l3.9625.11202.2.11305.4.3.0.1.1.0.136.234.1j1.2.0…0.0…1c.1.VLcmC15U11w&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bpcl=39314241&ion=1&biw=1152&bih=647&sa=X&ei=u-i6UO7oHsf1ygGBnoD4Cw&ved=0CGwQ8wIwAQ I use these on every car I work on.
As you keep working keep a log of the tools you had to borrow and then buy those tools. I can’t stress enough to check GARAGE SALES and local house auctions
I bought a set like this one for $5!!! I use it every time I’m in the garage.
If you insist on getting an impact gun from harbor freight. I’ve heard good things about them, none bad. and they go on sale for as low as $68! and you can buy a 2 year replacement package for like $20 and they will replace it in those 2 years for any reason.
That is a good place to start, but bargain shop! Maybe spend 1/2 of your savings and save the other half for specialty tools once you have been working in the shop for a month or so.
Good luck!
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