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I wish they would sticky this thread already.
The starter list is towards the bottom under street glide locks post.
Save your knuckles and reputation. By only Truck tools except for huge sockets, pullers and speciality stuff. Get those from Harbor Freight. Avoid Sears, cheaply made expensive tools.
Nobody, can walk in and pay SO or any tool truck brand prices and expect to get the tools they need to do the work right off the bat. Unless they are rich, granted a tool allowance, or know someone.
All i know is I have used my stuff. Rounded some bolts but, so does everyone else (especially starting out) and other minor stuff. Not everything will work yes. Will doing research take time, yes. Will it take more time then the difference in price of SO and my brand which is rebranded as SO no. So in essence i am making 30-50 dollars min each time i decide to do research.
After all a penny saved is a penny earned.
There is a ton of this covered in-depth if you comb the technicians only forum back a few months. The short version (other than obviously combination wrenches and socket sets) is buy cheap Harbor Freight/Craftsman/Etc tool storage and avoid SAE/fractional tools. Also avoid 12pt sockets. You only need them for internal engine fasteners like head bolts/rod bolts/clutch bolts which actually have 12pt heads. Air tools you need are a 1/2″ impact gun, tire pressure gauge/filler, and blow gun. You need a really good 2lb sledge/ballpeen deadblow hammer. Snap-On HBBD type is what you’re after but anything similar is fine to start. Some prybars are essential, a 36″ Mayhew/Mac/Snap-On is a staple and you’ll also need some short ones too (no Harbor Freight prybars). If you’re doing electrical (which is critical to get to a high skill level) you need a Power Probe (any generation) and Multimeter (Fluke 115 or equivalent). Like AB said, buy cheap sockets and combination wrenches when you’re over 20mm. Once you get to that point, you don’t have to worry about rounding anything off with a cheap/loose fit and premium brands become a waste of money.
Plan on budgeting a tool truck payment every week. I started out at $60/wk, but I’m a tool fag. I recommend the new guys just go $20. Once you have established good rapport, you just pay your payment and get whatever tools you need without worrying about the upfront cost. Some guys have a peeve about owing the tool truck money, but a revolving truck account is the best kind of credit you can get. It’s based on man-to-man trust and there’s no interest on it. It also keeps a flaky tool guy coming back every week. Watch out with how far it can go though, they’ll sometimes allow quite an account balance to rack up if they trust you. I was paying $200/wk for several years and have since scaled it back to $160 for the last few years. Like I said though, I’m a tool fag so my example is a little extreme.
[quote=”MDK22″ post=129853]I wish they would sticky this thread already.
The starter list is towards the bottom under street glide locks post.[/quote] That was an excellent write up. I am also surprised that ain’t a sticky yet.
To the OP: I agree with the above. Personally I started out with Craftsman stuff as well as some of my dads old tools. I built from there. Tool truck tools will replace your cheaper stuff as you progress in your career if you choose to stick with it.
Thank you, I do have a big craftsman set, along with some harbor freight, a few snapon and matco from when I worked at a dealership for a month doing auto body repair. Its been 3 years but I want to get back into it and im going to try and get an apprenticeship job as a mechanic, that way I can learn how to do all things with cars, other than just auto body repair
+1 on starting cheap then building from there. I’m three years in and just started buying off the tool trucks recently and only for certain things. Don’t get your self in debt buying tools, after getting in the trade you may find you don ‘t like it. This field isn’t easy and is not for everyone.
[quote=”CadyTechFL” post=130144]+1 on starting cheap then building from there. I’m three years in and just started buying off the tool trucks recently and only for certain things. Don’t get your self in debt buying tools, after getting in the trade you may find you don ‘t like it. This field isn’t easy and is not for everyone.[/quote] I never believed in revolving credit. It is way to easy to get in over your head. Some guys never pay off their SO toolboxes nevermind anything else. Start small and work your way up. That is the best, most tried and true/reliable method there is.
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