How to pick which tools you buy first

[Ryan kirk]

I am just starting out and i have very few tools but with every DIY i take on it seems like my tool list grows and grows how do i pick which tools i buy first and which i can buy later?

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[Lorrin Barth]

My dad had a few tools. He died when I was nine and then those became mine. My first real purchase was a Craftsman 1/2 inch ratchet set. Then I gradually filled in the 1/4 and 3/8ths sets. At the same time I was buying wrenches. Along came metric and I did a lot of this a second time. Finally, I got a compressor, air tools and a quality floor jack Having waited so long I’d say a quality jack and stands should be amongst your first purchases.

For wrenches I’d recommend a set of offset box ends and a set of short open end wrenches. I dislike combination wrenches although I have a few.

I originally had a small roll around tool chest. I took the wheels off of that and sat it on a larger Craftsman tool chest. Buy a chest with lots of shallow drawers.

When a hospital went out of business I bought a custom work bench with shelving underneath. This was actually from their laundry. On that I mounted a vise. You gotta have a vice. An old tired looking vice is just as good as a new one. Now I have a hoist and an engine stand. If I get any more stuff I’ll need another building.

Wish list: I want a gantry. I love the precision you get when hoisting with a chain fall.

Sears has some great tool sales at Christmas – well, they did last year. They had complete tools sets for the price of a single tool. I know this because I had just bought the single tool.

[Dave]

I buy tools as needed

[Rob megee]

I know how tight money is when you are starting out. If you are just doing DIY home car repair, just buy what’s you need for that job. If you are starting as a mechanic you could get one of the mechanic sets from Sears but make sure the set doesn’t contain a lot of junk. At first you need sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers. My first purchase of a diagnostic tool would be a volt meter. If you are working you can buy a basic set from a tool truck. Most will let you pay as you go. Snap-on are nice, but the less expensive brands will take off the same bolt. (Some will argue that’s not true)

[Rudy Wilmoth]

🙂 When you are starting out building your tool collection, the tools that are the best for the money are those that cover a large range of repairs. The very basic tools are a hammer and two screwdrivers, a Philips and a straight edge type, a pair of adjustable pliers and a small and large adjustable wrench. Most repairs can be done with just those basic tools, and you add other tools as your budget allows. Purchase a good metal toolbox that can hold just those tools or if you plan on expanding your tool purchases beyond the basics, then a bigger box will be worth the money. You will never have enough tools or the room to keep them, so pick your tools carefully and enjoy them when you use them. Tools are an extension of your mechanical ability, so do not buy tools that are beyond your ability to use them.

[Tom Davis]

I’d start with a 1/4″ and 3/8″ drive SAE and metric socket set. Some short and long extensions. A good set of combination wrenches SAE and metric. Needle nose pliers, side cutting pliers, vise grips, slip joint pliers, a pair of groove joint pliers (Channellock). A 24 oz. ball pein hammer. Good utility knife. Good set screwdrivers, including Torx. I’ll think of more later.

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