Ok im currently training to become a automotive technician ill be finishing around march or next year and i have a couple questions for others that have gone through this...

First off i don't really know where i wanna start but im thinking over at Nissan because its like 5 mins from me ...but yea im pretty sure it gonna be a auto dealer...
Anyways right now i have no professional tools...just the backyard basics...
I want to know that kinda stuff should i get when the time comes?? i know it will be expensive but its worth it in the end...

I know all the big names and i think ill go with Matco since they seem to build quality stuff and i get a MAD discount
but what kinda tools should i be getting as a beginner?
Ratchets, Sockets, Screwdrivers Wrenches, Specialty Tools, etc....

You know the stuff to get the basic jobs done then i can build as i see fit...

Any Help or Advice about anything being a Tech Would Be greatly Appreciated

 

impact guns, basic racket+socket sets, basic wrenchs, screw drivers, air gauge, tq wrench etc..

one of those 100+ tool sets from sears will be a nice start

 

sound good but ive herd Craftsman can Hang out in the Professional Workplace...thats why ive been thinking matco...anybody else?

 

the way you can start yourself out is buy craftsman tools first and use those until something breaks and then buy the more expensive tools like Matco or Snap on...those guys just rip ur *** off for the price they charge for tools..i mean their tools are high quality tools but craftsman can do the same job also and plus its way cheaper.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ekb16 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">those guys just rip ur *** off for the price they charge for tools..i mean their tools are high quality tools but craftsman can do the same job also and plus its way cheaper.</TD></TR></TABLE>
There is a lot of validity in this statement. You can get by with Craftsman at first. It can take some abuse and are far less expensive than tools off the tool trucks. That being said, you can't go wrong with the high quality tool companies. They <U>are</U> very costly, but you definitely get a better tool when you step up to the professional stuff. Plus you'll have them coming by every week (if not only looking for money ), and you can warranty out something in the event that something breaks.
You'll definitely need the usual- ratchets; deep, medium, and standard depth sockets (I would recommend just getting impact sockets so you can throw them on your gun when you need to); a good set of box end wrenches (Snap-On's wrenches are awesome ); impact wrenches; air ratchet; a comprehensive set of hex, torx, and e-torx bit sockets; prybars; and some specialty stuff, like a scanner, ball joint press, large axle and spindle nut sockets. There's plenty more, obviously, andI know some of this stuff won't apply to your Nissan stuff, but who knows when your brother-in-law needs the ball joints changed in his beater *** pickup and you can do it on the side. Also, who knows, you might not work at Nissan forever... just my input.

Edit: Forgot the 2 most important- torque wrenches and a BFH!!!

 

I worked as a mechanic at firestone.

Your gonna need a Half Inch Impact, and deffinetly a 3/4 impact, get a set of impact sockets, for each gun, get one of the craftsman socket sets, torque wrench, tie rod seperator, air chisel, ball joint removal tools, LONG extensions, Swivel neck ratchet, Radiator pressure testor, scan tool, pitman arm puller, bearing packer, hose pinch pliers, basic pliers, Suggest gear wrench pliers, a set of 20,21,22,23, wrenchs ( for alignments)
Basic Screw driver set, BIG sledge, good flash light, oil filter tools, variety of pullers ( power steering pump pulley pullers, harmonic balancer set, slide hammer, compression tester...


Honest to god ive used every one of those tools while i was there, and at least 1000 things ive needed and had to borrow from people in the shop.

get all the stuff i mentioned before u start, and anything u need along the lines u can get from the snap on or mac or matco guy that comes,

U can create an account with him so u can make payments on stuff

 

thanks alot everyone GREAT advice

 

well, good luck in advance being a tech. I went the tech school route that i'm assuming you're doing.

IMHO, if you have the type of discount I did on tools, then take advantage of it while you can. I ended up waiting on getting a box until I got out and could've gotten a bigger, nicer box for less with the discount they offered at school. Mine was MATCO as well.
Same thing with tools; much more expensive for quality stuff without that discount so if I could do it over again i'd most likely get a nice 3 or $4000 dollar loan; with the discount you'll get you can get a decent sized box and a good amount of tools as well.

Craftsman isn't bad. I've used some of their stuff, as well as co workers. All toos break in the working world. Craftsman backs theirs like any one else. They just don't come to you in truck every week.

some essentials: 1/2" and 3/8" impact guns, 3/8" swivel impact sockets, ratcheting wrenches, torque wrench, impact screwdriver, micrometer(digits are awesome), 1/4" socket set and 1/4" air ratchets, cut off tool, die grinder, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.............
damn tools; can't ever have enough



Modified by agoldenau at 4:02 PM 10/13/2007

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by agoldenau &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well, good luck in advance being a tech. I went the tech school route that i'm assuming you're doing.

IMHO, if you have the type of discount I did on tools, than take advantage of it while you can. I ended up waiting on getting a box until I got out and could've gotten a bigger, nicer box for less with the discount they offered at school. Mine was MATCO as well.
Same thing with tools; much more expensive for quality stuff without that discount so if I could do it over again i'd most likely get a nice 3 or $4000 dollar loan; with the discount you'll get you can get a decent sized box and a good amount of tools as well.

Craftsman isn't bad. I've used some of their stuff, as well as co workers. All toos break in the working world. Craftsman backs theirs like any one else. They just don't come to you in truck every week.

some essentials: 1/2" and 3/8" impact guns, 3/8" swivel impact sockets, ratcheting wrenches, torque wrench, impact screwdriver, micrometer(digits are awesome), 1/4" socket set and 1/4" air ratchets, cut off tool, die grinder, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.............
damn tools; can't ever have enough
</TD></TR></TABLE>


^^^ I myself cant stress enough all the truth that all these guys have posted up here! I'm a tech as well, and a piece of advice listen to what everyone here has posted follow your instincts and if you decide to go Matco, Mac, or even Snap-on try to get them to lower the price, it might take a little buying, wheelin and dealin , but you can eventually talk em down. also your buying a name Craftsman probaly has the same quality even with a lifetime warranty, but in the end your gonna have to spend money to make money, also just remember this, you have to be smarter than the vehicle your working on!

 

This is excellent advice guys this might even be the best stuff ive gotten out of h-tech in a while...Thanks

 

Honestly, Take a Look on ebay...

You can Get a Full Snap on or matco, or mac box for about 5 grand, that may seem like alot now, but a brand new full box would cost well over 10 grand..


Just remember to always learn, even though your going to school for it, there are alot of tricks and stuff that the Veterans know that they can show you

 

if your in tech school. look into the deals you can get while you are there. i purchased majority of my tools while in tech school including my box all for half price. and that was for mac. all these guys are telling you about buying tools from the weekly tool men which is gravy and all. considering its like kids in a candy shop.{me included}. but i also watch guys buy tools just because or they buy them for no reason or the simpl fact it comes to them on truck every week, and these fools will be paying forever and don't have a damn cent. not telling how to spend your money. but dont be intimidated by the tool man if you dont have the money to buy a tool dont buy it. i purchase all my tools cash. the credit is a rip- percentage is outageous. your better off getting aloan through your bank or something.

take the info lightly- not trying to offend anybody in this thread