hey guys, im a student in high school and this is my first tool set that imma buy. at my school we get 51% discount off of snap-on (:D) and i was just wondering what would be a good setup, cause i have to "build" my own kit since im not guna be buying a 4k professional kit. Im pretty much going to be working on my eg in my garage, so any help would b good.
I dont need a tool box, we have an old one.

 

When I was still turning wrenches, I would buy SnapOn (or MAC, sometimes Matco) tools when I knew I would be using them the most often. It is not always necessary to spend a lot of money on tools though. 51% is a HUGE amount to take off the price. I would start with:

1. Long fine-tooth ratchet 3/8
2. Metric 3/8 socket set in chrome (8mm - 19mm)
3. Wobble extension set 5 or 6 piece 3/8
4. Set of long metric wrenches
5. Deep metric 3/8 socket set black finish(10mm - 19mm)
6. Spark plug socket, 3/8 universal
7. SnapOn sells a long handle, curved pick, 18" I think, It's one of my favorite tools

That should be a good start. Just with those parts, your looking at a little more than $600 before a discount. But you'll only have to buy them once.

 

so this would be good for intake jobs, manifolds, exhaust, all that ****.
im debating wether or not to take out the engine and get the bay painted when i get the car painted, but i have school for the engine and all that. most of the small things will be done at home
i talked to my uncle (mechanic for 30 yrs) and he sayd for me to get
8-19 or 21 mm sockets
ratchet wrench
long/short wrenches
extensions - 6in and 10in
upsizers and downsizers
spark plug sockets
breaker bar

i saw the picks, wat are they for. it says radiator clamps but what would i need that for?

i was looking at this kit, but i would take a few things out like hammers and gauge junk until later
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....e=&dir=catalog

 

cause im willing to pay good $ for good stuff, i dont want off the shelf crap that will break
ive used craftsman b4, its sturdy for use sometimes but it wont withstand what ill be wishing it to. Alot of my friends have tuner hondas and we'll be working on them in my garage every so often, craftsman wouldnt be something i would trust too much, only their "Chrome" series. But i might as well get snap-on if i get a generous discount

 

I've broken SnapOn tools before. Even the very best tools can break. Craftsman tools are not bad, just not professional quality IMO.

Once you spend a lot of money on tool you will not want many other people using them.

 

true that, but im not really the greedy type. ill make them pay or they got lifetime warranty right?
and anyways, i wanna be an engineer so i might as well get good tools thatll last when i switch over to that.
i know craftsman is good, but idk, personal preference id say. but dont get me wrong, i will have some of their tools in my box. not all snap op over priced **** lol

i talked to my teacher as well, he sayd a full socket/wrench set (metric) from 6 to 26 i think, breaker bars, small and large ratchets/wrenches, quick-bar or w.e theyr called, and a torque wrench (he sayd i wont really be needing it tho but it will definitely be worth it, i will be doing my own suspension and ****) i wont be getting snap-on hammers and ****, wooden or brass or aluminum will do. the torque wrench WILL be from craftsman or another company, i also will maybe look into a impact gun, something decent for now (maybe a new compressor lol, i have an old *** 1980's 1 and its rusting and leaking)

now all these tools will not be bought at once, but i feel this would be a good introductory kit, right? oh and the screw drivers and all that, the 1s with the nut around the "shaft" for more pressure

 

Buy as many tools with that snap on deal as you can afford, you could sell those tools for more than that.

 

I can't live with out my universal sockets. I have them in impact & chrome in 1/4,3/8, & 1/2 drives. I tend to use only snap on tools. Not that they are better, but I am very pickey & will not use anything else. I have tried craftsman, mac, matco, cornwell, sk, etc.

 

I don't think he is ready to spend the money on the chrome Snap-on universal sockets

 

Get the Snap-On "metric" kit your looking at it is a very good starting point.
I have used most brands of tools over the years, most of what I now have is Snap-On, my only old tools are Snap-On, [30+ years old].

As mentioned any tool can break, what I like about Snap-On is once a week the rep comes by and if I have anything that is broken, no matter how old, it is replaced, if I break or have lost a tool I use every day, I can call the rep and he will pop by that day with a replacement.

Yes, you pay a lot for Snap-On tools, but then again you do get a lot, and good tools will last a lifetime.
At a 51% discount, I would buy as many tools as I could afford, I would even borrow money to take advantage of that discount. 94

 

yeah i was thinking maybe in the summer, ill buy about 4-5 sets when i have free $, and then sell them on ebay for more or something. Maybe i could hook ht up =D

but, whats the difference btwn the chrome snap on and normal? i tht they only had 1...

and so yes to impact gun? cause if so i needa get the right set of sockets for it

 

They have the chrome tools and impact tools, impact tools are not chromed.

You would probably get a lot more use out of a "butterfly" impact... http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
then you would an impact "gun".

This is also a must have... http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog 94

 

This is very true. I have probably used this more often than any other tool. Only bad thing is that the rubber grips don't hold up to oil well.

It took them forever to release the matching flashlight though.

 

A set of ratcheting wrenches will always come in handy too

 

yeah well the ratchet wrenches is a def, that i will for sure buy

but as far as the screw driver and butterfly, cant i get those from craftsman or something later on. Im lazy and all, but im on a budget so i cant be buying a lot of unnecessary things.

 

The electric driver is the best on the market, IMO. You might regret it if you get something else.

 

is it something that i will NEED tho?

 

I love Snap-on tools as much as the next guy but keep in mind they are addictive. Not to mention some Snap-on reps will sell you anything they can. Hop aboard the truck and stick to the list lol

 

Especially when they start disappearing!

 

haha yeah i was being sweet talked yesterday. he was like "an average joe will not need (part, i frgt which) BUT dont get me wrong, your above average...) lol im far below average but its all good =D

here is a list ive compiled that would be good to start with, idk if i should ad or remove.
100 peice general service kit (comes with ratchets and all needed accessories, but idk if it comes with deep sockets. both in 1/4 and 3/8)
6" breaker bar
3/8" drive air compact (butterfly thing)
Standard length 3/8" ratchet, cus the 1 in the kit is pretty small.

ill buy screwdrivers and all that from somewhere else..

also, whats the real difference between 1/4" and 3/8" drives. is there any advantage to either?

 

harbor freight all day

 

Just go to Sears, join the tool club and buy there tools. Unless your a Pro, don't waste your money and time buying expensive tools that are hard to replace when they break. At Sears they will replace any broken Craftsman hand tool, somebody said Kmart will too here the other day.

I have been using Craftsman tools since the early 1970's. We can also get the same Snap-On discount but there just a pain to get and return.

Buy something like the Sears 217 Mechanic's tool set. Then pick up there digitork 3/8 and 1/2" torque wrenches. Then look into the different wrench set's.

 

well like i sayd before, im looking to be an engineer and im going to be taking summer classes at a community college since my highschool doesnt offer any so i wanna get good enough tools that will last enough time. Im not going all out with snap-op, like hammers, screwdrivers, and all that, but i wanna get the tools that i will be using alot to be better quality, so i dont have to be going to sears every year to get a new ratchet or something. As far as the torque wrench, for now i will prolly settle for craftsman, or maybe see if husky has nice 1s because they seem to be a little more sturdy. None the less, im still open to suggestions. I havent placed an order yet.
Oh and the tool set i was looking at, it costs like 185$ or something for 100 pc. snap-on general set, compared to craftsman ;D

 

^WORST ADVICE I HAVE EVER HEARD ON HERE

 

Harbor Freight is fine for some stuff, like air tools. Craftsman has worked fine for most everything for me. Sure I broke a 1/2in drive extension from them...but you can walk in and get a replacement no questions asked.