The DSM toolbox

[LaN-]

i did a small search on it but couldnt find much, i should of spent alittle more time looking but i gotta go to work

My dad has NO tools what so ever and its alittle hard working on the car. So i'm looking into getting my own.

I wanna know what the most common tools accessories or anything you use on a normal basis are (we dont need 1000 posts on Zip ties, Duck tape, or WD40) so i dont waste money on stuff i really dont need, yes i understand everything will help but i think you get idea.

Also i think this would be good for newb's cuz the work you do is only as good as the tools you have

Please be detailed, where you got them, pricing, ect......


I will elaborate more later if needed but i think this should give you the overall view

 

[crashed97tsi]

Craftsman bolt extractor set. By far the best 50 dollars I have ever spent on a tool. THese things work on anything from a rounded out nut to those damn allen bolts that shear off when the idiot before you torques them down to 300 ft lbs. Here's the link - http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...&pid=00952160000&subcat=Bolt-Out,+Taps+&+Dies

I got the bigger set but those are what they are

 

[karbon]

I read the thread a couple times to come up with ideas that people haven't come up with:
None of your guys mentioned vice grips? What's the world coming to? I use a tiny pair of vice grips the most, but my needle-nosed pair and huge heavy duty pair come in real handy too. Depends on the situation.
You NEED a digital multimeter and learn how to read/use it.
Electrical tape.
Tin snips for cutting everything. A "nibbler" pair of sheet metal cutters may also come in handy.
Circlip pliers, possibly
Rubber mallet
Utility knife and perhaps an xacto knife
Gasket maker
High-temp RTV sealant
That's all that comes to mind. These combined with the other stuff that people mentioned take care of 99% of the jobs I've done. Fun fact: inch*lb. torque wrenches are nice but not necessary. It's getting into finger-tight territory, and 1ft*lb= 12in*lb. I use a cheap deflection-type torque wrench for anything from 5 - 50 ft*lb and my Snap-On click-type for anything from 40 - 250 ft*lb. Torque wrenches become more innacurate the closer you go to both extreme torque ranges it's rated for. It's certainly great to have a few covering various ranges if you've got the cash.

 

[40mikemike]

I've found one of the most valuable tools you could ever have is a spare of everything conceivable. Sometimes I hit junkyards for the sole purpose of scavenging extra screws, bolts, fastners and little plastic trim pieces. I have a tackle box with just that - screws, tape, a set of dental picks for those hard-to-reach places and the like. Double sided 3M molding tape is the shiznit, and I have a really compact set of double-headed gear wrenches 8 - 18mm. Those are invaluable.

A full size spare helps too. I always say if it's worth using, carry a backup. I'm normally talking about guns, since I'm on a SWAT team, but this applies to cars too, I guess. If it won't bog you down too much, throw it in the trunk. You won't be sorry you carried MORE than you need. Besides, I drive and AWD spyder anyway, so I'm not concerned about a few extra pounds...

mikemike

 

[overboostedawd]

if i was you i would just buy the set they sell at sears for 90-150$ i htink its call the mechanics starter tool set i would have bought it but i already have everyhting in the set from craftsman and no matter what if you break it they replace it i broke 6 1/2inch ratch in one day and it was funny walking back in there to get a new on every time

i would not say they are the best tools ever i break more of there tools then some of my friends el cheepo sets but the lifetime garrenty is great + my girl friend works there so i get a discount

 

[kspharris]

I carry around a engine hoist and a spare motor and tranny in my 1g hatch!

 

[olmytsi]

Zip ties

 

[pwayzjellyroll]

Kind of stupid but sometimes a small pocket sized flashlight is a great thing to have, especially when stuff falls in a dark area and you can't find it.

 

[Rex2342]

Here's my list of whats in the car at all times:

3/8 ratchet set 8mm-19mm (double up on sizes 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, and 17mm)
1/4 ratchet set 5.5mm-14mm
3/8 breaker bar
Spark plug socket
O2 socket
3" and 6" 3/8 extentions
Various screw drivers
Wire cutters
Channel locks/pliers of various sizes
Needle nose pliers
2 17mm combination wrench's
GLOVES!
TOWELS!
FLASHLIGHT!
Zip ties
Pb blaster
AAA card
Cell phone


This is the rest:
1/2 ratchet set 10mm-24mm
1/2 extensions
Timing light
Torque wrenchs
Various combination wrenchs (ratcheting ones would be better)
2 Shop manuals (so you'll have a spare when you drain your oil pan onto one of them)
Different lengths of wire with allagitor clips for grounding out different things in the engine bay
A good quality soldering station

I think thats should get you started.

 

[sadsm]

I've found one of the most valuable tools you could ever have is a spare of everything conceivable. Sometimes I hit junkyards for the sole purpose of scavenging extra screws, bolts, fastners and little plastic trim pieces. I have a tackle box with just that - screws, tape, a set of dental picks for those hard-to-reach places and the like. Double sided 3M molding tape is the shiznit, and I have a really compact set of double-headed gear wrenches 8 - 18mm. Those are invaluable.

As he said. If you can get your hands on extra bolts, and screws off of our cars. I went into one place because I needed to screws that magically disappeared when I got mad , and the guy told me that I was lucky that he had it. Actually his words were, "They must have sent me these on accident, because I never order these. It must be your lucky day." And that was the third place that I went to.

 

[carl5463729]

I have used a spring compressor from auto zone about 5 times in the last year. it was from oem company and i think it was only like 30 something dollars. good if you want to upgrade suspension and stuff. I'm going to college for auto so hopefully i will get all of the tools i could ever need. good luck with your set