Just started today at bb (Yes, am officially a best buy grunt now) and I need to buy some tools. I'd rather not pay the ridiculous price that snap on charges, but I've checked harbor freight and sears and haven't found what I'm looking for. Any leads would be much appreciated, as I'm unsure what companies are reputable for "inexpensive alternatives".

What I'm looking for -

1. Panel poppers - both the thin plastic ones and one or two of the metal "U" type ones.
2. Swivel head bit extension - I can't think of a better name to call it, but basically it's a screwdriver bit extension that has a 60 degree-ish head that rotates freely so you can get at screws in really tight places
3. Window crank popper. Damn snap-on being expensive.

Thanks

 

I have the MAC Tools window crank popper. I think I paid 12 bucks for it. As for the rest of the tools you are looking for check out http://www.hpdistributinginc.com.

 

best thing to do is hit your local sears. I have there pro series. They come with a lifetime warranty. Dull screwdriver, take it back. I never had a problem. Also make sure you get a power probe. You will deffently need that. Also a good dvm. Do not cheap out on one. If you need any tools let me know. My tool man hooks me up

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94_DC4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have the MAC Tools window crank popper. I think I paid 12 bucks for it. As for the rest of the tools you are looking for check out http://www.hpdistributinginc.com.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That website doesn't work, or at least they don't do online ordering

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wrx-killer-Sti-eater &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">best thing to do is hit your local sears. I have there pro series. They come with a lifetime warranty. Dull screwdriver, take it back. I never had a problem. Also make sure you get a power probe. You will deffently need that. Also a good dvm. Do not cheap out on one. If you need any tools let me know. My tool man hooks me up</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have tons of sears tools for car "wrenching" per se, just not for electronic stuff really. Who does your tool guy rep? Snap-on?

 

I have a snap-on. matco I pick back and forth

 

I got my panel popper at Advance Auto parts. $6-7

Skew Drivers are available at Home Depot, made by Milwaukee I think? I paid $20 for mine. http://www.homedepot.com/webap...earch &lt;-- That one comes with the handle I think, and probably some bits, but I remember them having just the skew piece by itself for ~$20.

Window crank tool at Sears, or also Advance... $6-7.

Also, while you're at Sears, pick up a cotter key extractor... It's like a big 90* hook pick, and I loved that thing for doing decks (bending the tabs on mounting cages)... http://plazacaminoreal.nearbyn....html I think they're like $8.

 

Check your local "tool shops" although I have almost exclusively Snap On tools I do pick up some things at the local Tool Place and Princes Auto, [very little to do with car parts] one of my panel poopers is a $2.99 one from Princes Auto. 94

 

Once you start at BB you'll have the tool truck coming by every once and a while so that will be your source of emergency tools. Just keep in mind that it's more expensive off the truck than online or at a store.

Most of my tools are Sears, Matco, or Harbor Frieght. You get a feel for which tools can be cheap, which have to be expensive/good quality, and which need a lifetime warranty. You can spend a fortune on tools so try to stick to the cheapies as much as possible.

Get yourself some unibits from Harbor Frieght. Get a magnet reaching tool. Get yourself the reaching tool where you squeeze one end and the fingers extend at the other end. Get a cordless drill. Sears has good DMMs for $15-20. Get one that beeps when it shows continuity. Don't get an auto-ranging, they're a pain.

From Snap On I got this little guy. Super light and versatile. I use it on every install now. It wont take drill bits but it accepts the unibits I got from HF. Torquey as a ****.

Drop me a line if you ever get stuck on something or get yourself into some trouble (damage claim motherfucka!).

 

Ah. Yeah we have a snap-on truck come by every once in a while apparently.

Unfortunately, there aren't any advance auto's on the west coast, and I couldn't find any panel poppers on their website

Thanks for the home depot tip, I'll head over there and to sears before work today and have a bit closer look. I could swear that sears doesn't have those window crank tools, but I guess I'm wrong

Yeah I actually went to harbor freight yesterday and spent about 60 or 70 bucks, and got some unibits and a bunch of other small crap. I make the mistake of getting a dmm that doesn't beep for continuity, pretty lame really.

Yeah one of the other installers at work recommended getting one of those. I have a couple generic screw drivers, but for tight spaces it would be nice to have something like that. Guy said it was the best $120 he's spent on a tool, and he's been doing those for quite a while. It's on the list, but probably down the road a ways since I'm just starting

Thanks dude, I appreciate it

I'll keep you guys updated with what I find at the depot and sears

 

I also swore by the nylon panel tools that I got from the Sirius rep. They're hard but flexible plastic, but soft enough not to damage dash panels... http://toolmonger.com/2007/02/...-set/

 

I have that handy little driver also, and yes, you can get drill bits for it.

http://www.wihatools.com/700se...s.htm 94

 

Well, sears had neither the window crank tool, the panel popper nor a skew driver. Home Depot had nothing useful

Found a good site for panel poppers though - http://www.bojoinc.com

 

http://www.scosche.com/scosche...ID=40

http://www.amazon.com/DOOR-PAN...WBA46

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/T...Tools

http://www.fundeals4u.com/Prod...T6000


That stuff is everywhere. 94

 

http://www.menintools.com/images/drill3.JPG &lt;-- makita. its pretty cheap on ebay.
yeah powerprobe is a must.
how is bestbuys? i first started installing at frys electronics and it was pretty wack.

 

So far not so bad. Haven't touched a car yet though so it's getting pretty damn boring. Just kinda hang out on my shifts

 

there aint cars coming in or they not letting you touch cars? same at frys most of my days i sit there for almost 8 hours with no cars at all. that was cool and all but 6.75 + comission and if we have no install means no comission. when i got my new job at a independent store i worked way harder which was better because time went by fast, but goodluck with the new job

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turboekcivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.menintools.com/images/drill3.JPG &lt;-- makita. its pretty cheap on ebay.
yeah powerprobe is a must.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Omg I love mine, I just order the new one with the digitil meter on it. http://www.powerprobe.com. make sure you get the two or three. Becarefull with the tool man. He will sell the same parts that sears and other stores have but for a lil more. Don't forget a portable butane solder iron. They work great. Do not go in debt with your tool man. I am like a kid in the candy store with mine,

 

i have the II it works great. ^ true about the kid in the candy store