Mechanics Tools

[AshMan]

Hello,

After two and a half months unemployment, I was finally sucessful in securing a 4 year light vehicle mechanic apprenticeship!

I however am wanting to research what tools I will need to successfully complete the apprenticeship.

I have :-

Socket sets
Tourqe wrench
Multimeter
Ring open end spanner sets
Feeler guages
Pliers, sidecutters etc.
Hammer and cold chisel
Punches
shifters
screwdrivers

I think that is about the list of the basic handtools I will need, bar workshop tools such as a jack, pneumatic tools etc...

I would appreciate it if anyone could add some suggestions.

Cheers!

[nick81xd]

not matter what tools you get make sure you have a set of gear set spanners best tools i ever brought

[nugget378]

Only advice I can give,is to buy the best quality tools you can afford.
Although I'm not a mechanic,I do have a trade and quality tools will make your work life easier,and be cheaper in the long run.
Good luck with your trade.

[Falchoon]

Agree about the quality up to a point. Snap On has a reputation of being one of the best around but they come with a highly inflated price tag. Other brands such as Sidcrome, Kincrome and Repco own brand are all very good quality and come with lifetime guarantee and are a fraction of the price of Snap On. Get sockets and ring spanners with the more edges the better to grip onto your nuts and bolts. Ones with only 4 or so sides will round the nut. You will probably need some deep sockets both in Metric and A/F. Mostly you will need 1/2" drive, I also have a 1/4" Kincrome set with ratchet, breaker bar, screwdriver attachment, regular sockets and deep sockets (sockets only go to 14mm or 1/2") and it is worth it's weight in gold I reckon for those small fiddly jobs. Cost about $130.

We wary some combination spanner sets jump sizes, the missing ones are always the ones you need! Goes for sockets as well.

A good quality screwdriver set, preferably with the rubber handles are also good. Maybe later when you get some more money a ratchet screwdriver as well. Don't skimp on quality with these. An impact driver will probably be needed as well. A cordless electric screwdriver is a relatively inexpensive luxury that is handy too, stay away from the Bosch pistol looking ones - I used to work in a hardware shop and most of the ones we sold came back faulty.

Some good new tools can be found on eBay, stick to brand names though and don't waste your money on cheap import tools. Don't waste your time looking at Cash Converters, my experience is most of the tools are in poor condition and they want nearly new price - if not more - for them. Goes with most stuff at CC.

Some ratchet ring spanners will be handy too as you get more financial, but not really essential now.

Keep all your receipts for any warranty claims (Snap On break too) and you may be able to claim some tools on your Tax - check with an accountant on this.

The handy thing with Snap On is they usually come around to your work once a week or with a truck load of tools and you can set up an accout and pay them off at $10 a week or whatever deal you strike up with the salesman. You can also get other gimicky "gifts" when buying certain tools, such as a diecast model car but you are really paying for it anyway with their high prices.

[xdwagonnn]

Originally Posted by Falchoon

Get sockets and ring spanners with the more edges the better to grip onto your nuts and bolts. Ones with only 4 or so sides will round the nut.

um wtf? if your sockets are of good quality, a double hex socket will always round a bolt/nut head before a single hex socket will, fool
You will need a socket set of each ideally, 1/2' 3/8' and 1/4'.
you will soon find out what you need and begin your tool colection, dont waste money on snap on stuff, i only buy stuff of them because its a weekly account.

[Joes_meat]

My mechanic mate brought his whole Repco set around when I needed some help with my car. I must say they were a joy to use, very high quality.

However the ratchet will leave a mark if you drop it on your head. (long story.)

[ReVd_uP]

As a mechanic ill tell you this, start with a simple usual things, like the list you have, and slowly build it up, ive poured thousands into my tools, but you always need/want more, as far as brand goes, it doesnt all need to be top notch stuff (mine isnt, although i do recommend spending decent money on pneumatic stuff)... but to be honest, depending on where youve got your appenticeship, for alot of your first year, all you might need is a decent broom and dust pan

[OLDFORDNUT]

Originally Posted by ReVd_uP

As a mechanic ill tell you this, start with a simple usual things, like the list you have, and slowly build it up, ive poured thousands into my tools, but you always need/want more, as far as brand goes, it doesnt all need to be top notch stuff (mine isnt, although i do recommend spending decent money on pneumatic stuff)... but to be honest, depending on where youve got your appenticeship, for alot of your first year, all you might need is a decent broom and dust pan

LOL yeah you might be doing a lot of sweeping first year,
i have lots of tools but have a set of the ones from supercheap that are polished in the black steel cases very nice and have never broken any,id go as far as saying they are as good as any repco stuff, and are 1/4 the price of Snapon and half the cost of Repco gear. just remember if steel is polished its a sign of good quality,,you cant polish poor metal as its too porouse in its casting,

[Fairlane]

Good to hear youve got an apprenticeship.

Snapon are beautiful tools, but alas i cant afford them so i stick with my Sidchrome stuff. I dont really need snapon anyway (as a backyard mechanic), my sidchrome stuff is great and will probably outlive me.

[Windsor220]

Your probably better off getting a whole kit from somewhere. They usually come with most of the basics. I have mostly repco stuff and its good qaulity.

I would personally steer clear of Snap on unless your getting air tools. The cost is ridiculous and I've noticed it isnt as reliable as it seems.

[AUXRVIII]

From my experience regardless what you spend on tools they will do the job you want if they are used the way they were designed to be used. Air tools make life easier, I only use Blue Point air tools, they're value and performance can't be beaten. Ratcheting ring spanners are a good investment. Cordless drill used as a screwdriver saves time and you from RSI. A 600mm long 1/2 inch drive extension bar is a must along with a ball type 1/2 drive universal adapter. If you don't already have them 72 teeth ratchets are the way to go. Get a builders jemmy/pry bar atleast 600mm long.
With these added to what you already have you should do fine. Remember to remove & keep nuts, bolts , clips, wires etc as they come in hand everyday.

[Laminge]

Originally Posted by xdwagonnn

um wtf? if your sockets are of good quality, a double hex socket will always round a bolt/nut head before a single hex socket will, fool
You will need a socket set of each ideally, 1/2' 3/8' and 1/4'.
you will soon find out what you need and begin your tool colection, dont waste money on snap on stuff, i only buy stuff of them because its a weekly account.

I can see you going to learn the hard way, so lets make it public.

If you want to start calling someone a fool for the post you have quoted, your stay here will be short lived.

[apolloxbgt]

Originally Posted by nicholas

i have lots of tools but have a set of the ones from supercheap that are polished in the black steel cases very nice and have never broken any,id go as far as saying they are as good as any repco stuff,

Thats because superworks gold,and repco are exactly the same tools,ableit with a different brand name stamped into them.

My opinion,for what it's worth as a former panelbeater come office whore is,
keep what you have to begin with,you will find you will replace most of it anyway.And when you can afford it,buy snap on.People complane about how much it cost's,but you get a 3 generation warrenty,that's 90 years!!

Repco,sidchrome,kingchrome,the list go's on,all claim to have lifetime warrenty,but the truth of the matter is,they will replace (or repair)any product 3 times,after that your on your own (anyone have a dogey 1/4 inch drive kingchrome ratchet :togo: ).

If your plan on staying in the trade for a long time,or even if you think you will be working on your own cars for a long time,snap on is worth every doller of the "inflated" price tag.

My 2c,plus GST.

[Me_3]

If you have just signed up for the apprenticeship, be aware of the 'Tools for your trade' Program...

http://www.toolsforyourtrade.com.au/Default.asp?page=1

What is the Initiative intended to achieve?

The Tools For Your Trade Initiative will help to alleviate the financial burden on eligible Australian Apprentices, in the first year of their Australian Apprenticeship, by providing tool kits worth up to $800 including GST.

The Tools For Your Trade Initiative is an additional incentive targeted to Australian Apprentices. Tools received under the Tools for Your Trade Initiative are not to affect or displace any tool allowance received as part of an award, or any private arrangement between the employer and the Australian Apprentice for the provision of tools.

I'm in a similar boat, having just signed up for a Mature age apprenticeship in light aircraft maintence.. (same sort of thing, more regs & rules, and everything is in AF :P)

The repco stuff is well priced, as is some of the other brands they sell. Just STAY AWAY from 'AllTrade'..

I've just purchased a full "Powerbuilt' kit from repco, along with a few other bits & peices from around the place and can do most jobs... ( I'm waiting for the $800 voucher from TFYT to purchase a lot of the specialist gear.. )

Also give these guys a look.. : http://www.transquip.com.au/

I've ordered one lot from them already (Kingcrome Rachet Screwdriver & Fuller AF Spanner Set) and their service was good, and the prices were much better than anything I could buy locally...

The Repco 'long' series spanners are also good when working on cars.. even better on tight bolts.. :-)

Hope you enjoy the new job... I know I am.. ;-)

[blownba]

Good work on getting your apprenticeship mate. Like everyone else has been saying don't worry too much about brands at this stage just get the right tools for the job your doing. I'm a Big fan of 3/8 drive stuff for general work, changin plugs ect. Wobble drive extensions are a life saver. Like everyone I love my snap on stuff but some of the best tools i've had over the years have also been the cheapest stuff i've bought. The only other thing I can say to you is BOOKS!!!!!!!. Read as much as you can, no matter haw basic or irrelevant you may think it is one day it might come in handy. Check out secondhand bookshops ect.

[Van D]

The most handiest tools i've used in the garage would probably be dads minimax socket set.. Those things have lasted since he was an apprentice (around early 70's) and are still goin strong. The ratchet doesn't even have the slightest of movement in it!

[tufLTD]

After 25+ years of mechanicing, here's what I reckon.
Buy the best tools you can afford. They might seem expensive to start with but will pay for themselves in the long run. Snap-on & Stahlwille are probably the 2 best brands available in Oz. Sidchrome, Repco, KC, etc are OK, just remember you will be using these tools every day, every year for the next 10,20 or 30 years.
For air tools, go with Blue-point (a Snap-on brand), Shinano or Ingersoll-Rand.
You will never have enough tools. My kit is worth in excess of $15,000 & I still buy new tools most weeks.
A few extras you will need:
1. A good set of pipe spanners (flare-nut spanners) for brake, clutch & fuel lines.
2. A good timing light with advance dial.
3. A set of Vice-grips (genuine 'Vice-grip' brand).
4. Extension & breaker bars for 3/8" & 1/2" sockets.
5. Good ratchets are indispensable. You will use these more than any other tool. Have a look at the Snap-on swivel-head ratchets, they are absolutely brilliant.
6. Don't forget safety gear. Safety goggles/ glasses, ear muffs, heat-proof gloves & arm guards (once you've burnt yourself a few times on hot exhausts, transmissions, etc you'll soon buy these!).
Good luck with the apprenticeship. It's not going to be easy but hang in there. 4 years isn't that long in the big scheme of things.

[CBR600RR]

Originally Posted by tufLTD

[...]
6. Don't forget safety gear. Safety goggles/ glasses, ear muffs, heat-proof gloves & arm guards (once you've burnt yourself a few times on hot exhausts, transmissions, etc you'll soon buy these!).
[...]

Not to mention some decent boots so you can kick the crap out of it AFTER you've burnt yourself. :jab:

[xr8man83]

mate i got a fare bit of jbs and sidcrome stuff cant fault either they are great tools but if you want some snap on stuff for a fraction of the price go to your hastings deering dealership or whoever deals cat gear down there and pick up some cat spanners or wotever your looking for they are the same tool made in the same factory just engraved different. and a bit cheeper

[Mechan1k]

Some good information in here ... I am still building on my tools .... and when i need something ... i get myself the entire kit of that type of tool ... because I know I will need it in the future.

definitely go for better quality products ... and definitely keep receipts (as I have broken some decent quality tools before ... replacement is much easier with a receipt).

Listen to the mechanics out there (no I am not one ... wouldn't mind being one ... but i get my hands dirty as much as I can though).

[tufLTD]

Originally Posted by xr8man83

mate i got a fare bit of jbs and sidcrome stuff cant fault either they are great tools but if you want some snap on stuff for a fraction of the price go to your hastings deering dealership or whoever deals cat gear down there and pick up some cat spanners or wotever your looking for they are the same tool made in the same factory just engraved different. and a bit cheeper

Many a person/company has been sued by Snap-on for making the same ridiculous claims. Over the last 25 years, I've heard just about every tool salesman say the same about their cheap tools. It's a load of crap! Do you really think that Snap-on would make a tool in their own factory, then re-brand it for the opposition to be sold at a cheaper price? :

[Ringo]

Ex-mechanic come office whore hereas well. Still got my tool kit but sold off some of my specialist gear when I left the dealer I was working at.

I spent the $$ on Snap On for a my 'core' tools and then added no name stuff around the edges. The non name stuff was cheap but I only ever needed to use it once a fortnight, once a month etc so it didn't need to last forever.

I broke some Snap on stuff but only when I was being stupid & lazy...mainly wobble joints. Beware of wobble joints by the way...it will cause cross threads so easy if don't start the thead before using it.

Quality counts - no-one here has talked about injury due to tool breakages. It happened twice to an apprentice in my own workshop who bought el cheapo made in china tools. The second breakage caused him to smack himself in the face with a breaker bar and he cracked his cheek bone + a black eye.

Snap on used to have an apprentice start kit which was very keenly priced.

If I had my time over again I would go Kingchrome. Good brand, good reputation, can buy stuff at Bunnings any day of the week and cheaper than Strap on.

Don't forget a 1/4 drive set - loved mine - great for smallish jobs and turning adjusters like window regulators etc..much better feel and fantastic control over the amount of torque you apply to the bolt/nut/adjuster.

Don't forget a good quality test light with a spare globe inside - Its amazing how much basic electrical faults you can diagnose with this thing - I have a 'Blue Point' one after twice busting cheaper ones....lesson learnt for me there

Also a cheap multimeter with a few basic functions - So handy it wasn't funny and used to fit in my pocket.

Magnetising screw drivers is also a very handy thing to do - makes handling screws so much easier. Wind some standard auto electrical wire around the shaft of the screw driver then have one end of the wire on one battery terminal and VERY VERY CAREFULLY touch the other terminal for a second. Presto - 1 slightly magnetised screw driver !

My last pearl of wisdom - Beware of 'borrowing' tools constantly from other guys in the workshop - you can wear out your welcome real fast if your not buying what you obviously need.

Good luck in the trade....Watch how people will think your god when their car doesn't work and you can fix it.

PS - there is no such thing as:

Left handed screwdriver, spanner or ratchet
A long wait
Striped paint
Or sparks for the spark plugs

[merlin]

Anyone know where to buy a T40 Torx socket in a hurry in Sydney?

[Gunns]

Originally Posted by Ringo

PS - there is no such thing as:

Left handed screwdriver, spanner or ratchet
A long wait
Striped paint
Or sparks for the spark plugs

Or
flange grease,
wide open flange,
spark plugs for a Diesel engine
etc.....

Originally Posted by merlin

Anyone know where to buy a T40 Torx socket in a hurry in Sydney?

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TD2038

[merlin]

thanks...get a heap of other bits and pieces as well with that!

[nutwrencher]

twenty years in the trade mainly using repco tools never had a problem i didn't create myself ... cutting bending welding them etc the guys starting in my workshop have been buying powerbuilt but every ratchet has failed so far (approx 10 ) in last year or so .
just rember 2 things ask before you go into antones tool box and if you have to borrow something twice then you need one of your own... this includes women

[AshMan]

Hey guys, haven't had the 'net for a few days...

As far as the wrench swinging is going, its pretty cool.

I think the tradie I'm working with is impressed with my auto knowledge, even though I'm a first year and all...

Quite often I'm being left to my own devices to work and stuff so thats cool.

I haven't needed to borrow many tools as of yet so I think I'm doing okay.

I'm loving gettin dirty and the talking to customers and sales reps and stuff is pretty cool too.

I just hope I lose a bit of weight because the damned nissan micra I worked on today was a ***** to drive...

Anyway thanks heaps guys some really helpful advice here and by all means keep it coming!

Btw, most of the hand tools I bought are the supercheap SuperWorks Gold (SWG), the polished ones, not the ones that look like they are made of aluminium...

They are supposed to have a lifetime warranty so can't reallly go wrong with that...

I am hoping that with the Tools for your trade scheme that I can get them to buy some of the more luxury tools that I don't already have... hopefully some air tools and other things...

Anyway thanks again fellas some great advice here...

Ash..

[F6Tornado]

Originally Posted by tufLTD

Many a person/company has been sued by Snap-on for making the same ridiculous claims. Over the last 25 years, I've heard just about every tool salesman say the same about their cheap tools. It's a load of crap! Do you really think that Snap-on would make a tool in their own factory, then re-brand it for the opposition to be sold at a cheaper price? :

I have been in the trade now since i was 15. I have tools from the snap on vans marked with cat, blue point,snap on and eurotools the only difference is the finish (polished or not) and the cost non polished is cheaper, all come from snap on.

My grandfather told me this from the start.
1. only buy what you can afford each week
2. if you do use credit from a tool supplier make sure it can be paid off by the end of each month
3. if you borrow tools more than once you need to buy it.
4. lastly ask the question even if you think it is stupid as it could save you and the boss time and money if something breaks

the list that you have to start with is great. all I would add is a test light as was suggested earler.

As for tools my first set was chrome vadium from a small tool shop i still use most of them (they have been used in everything from wrecking yards thru to heavy earthmoving) i have added to the sets over the years my last insurance cover was for over $45k of tools as i also found out if you do claim lost tools make sure you can prove what they were my bro had tools stolen from his work truck and had to prove that they were snap on.
also as you're in bris I can give you the name of the guy I now buy tools off just pm me and I will give you his contact details he is a mobile guy and will come to you. Or if you have any questions just pm me happy to help
Drew

[nitroman]

I've been in the trade for 18 years now and I've learned, as most of the other older mechanics here have said, don't buy rubbish,go quality as much as you can all the way. You are a professional now, so kit yourself like one. Tools are tax deductable when you are in the trade so buy good stuff ! You have to live with it every day so get the tools you will really like and won't let you down when you really need them to perform. I have snap-on and stahlwille tools from when I started that have worked really hard but still look and perform like new. Other cheaper brands always give you greif when you need warranty "have you used a pipe/hammer/rattlegun etc on this tool?", and well yeah, all of the above but I HAD to just to get the job done. You don't get that with the premium brands.
Get an account with your snap-on dealer and buy one tool at a time as you need it.