What is a good tool set to get for working on your car. What are some essential tools that you need? I'm looking to get a tool set, probably in the price range of 150 to 200 dollars. For like, intermediate engine work, suspension, steering, brakes, etc.

For example, I was changing my rear brakes, and I was wondering why I couldn't freaking compress the cylinder. Then my neighbor came by and told me that I needed the special ratchet attachment thing. Special and work specific tools like that.

 

lol, exactly what I told my parents for christmas, buy me a nice tool box and $200 worth of tools. You can buy like 192 piece sets for cheap, but my advice is going with a decent name brand, nothing walmart, heh.
I'm hoping they got craftsman, they have a lifetime warranty. Snap-on makes amazing tools as well, but they are expensive as can be.
hope that helps a bit.

Dr.

 

Yea..get a good set of ratchets, wrenches, sockets and etc.

Id go with craftsman, great tools and a good warrenty. But If you can afford snap on or Mac tools, those are just awesum.

 

Go Craftsman, my set survived 4 engine swaps, 2 tranny jobs and a whole ****load of other stuffs. $200 should get you a whole lot of tools from Craftsman, hit up your local Sears for the X-mas specials .

 

Plus Bob Vila was there spokesperson, you cant turn down anything hes behind


actually I can't stand Bob Vila, I'm just being stupid ignore this post entirely

 

dude.. you dont need a 'special ratchet' thing to compress the piston.. i jes changed mine 3 days ago.. i just used those adjustable pliers and turned it.. took a while but i got it done..

and yeah.. $200 bucks worth of sockets and wrenches would do wonders!

damn.. i shoulda asked this question a few weeks ago.. this thread will help me on purchasing a new tool kit since the house i moved out of has all the great items there..

 

about the brake cylinder thingy... i'm surprised nobody mentioned a "C" clamp...

unless i'm thinking of something else...

 

Yeah, that's the front brake cylinders. C clamp works with those. but he rear cylinders needed to be turned. kinda strange. Took 5 minutes with the attachment.

 

see that? that right there is the **** i'm talkin about! that's why i hit up these boards. i'm always learning something!

 

lol sil. Go sil! My grandpa has all the tools I need..and I dont know half of theyre names. I gatta buy sum more sockets though =/ Here I come sears!

 

no ****, dude. i need to start compiling my "master mechanic wannabe" toolset. first, i need the toolbox, then a basic set of Craftsman (or similar quality tools), then maybe some power tools, then... hold up a minute... ***k that, my broke *** needs some money first.

 

lol first work, then buy.

I got a lil tip for you guys. Go looking around for broken craftsman tools, like at yard sales and such. Take em back to sears and they will trade it in for a new one with no hassle at all.

 

lol, he's right, like I said, lifetime warranty, i'm told you don't even need a receipt!

Dr.

 

You dont, just get the tool and your all set haha.

 

right now sears has a good deal on the craftsman 250 piece tool set for $199.

me, i just bought a cheap stanley toolset from wal-mart that included a 4' tall box and 250 piece toolset all for $99 bucks. i dont care if stanley isnt as good as craftsman but i think i got a deal of a lifetime. so far i've broken the 1/2 to 3/8 adapter, but a friend of mine that's a mechanic says he breaks those all the time and he uses matco, mac, and snap on tools. All tools eventually break, its just the warranty that makes a good tool.