What tools should I have for starting at a dealership?

[IHeartTurbo]

I'm going to be graduating UTI in 3 weeks, so I'm going to start working at a dealership pretty soon. What kind of tools should I buy beforehand? I just don't want to forget something important. So far, I'm thinking:

3/8" drive ratchet
3/8" drive sockets
3/8" drive extensions
screwdrivers
vise grips
needle nose pliers
1/2" drive ft/lb torque wrench w/ 3/8" adapter
1/2" drive impact gun
1/2" drive impact sockets
rubber coated hammer

 

[project_tsi]

you have no idea how many tools you will need. 1/2 drive everything. 3/8 drive everything. 1/4 drive everything. In Metric and Standard, 2 sets of each, and variations of long, and short handled wrenches and sockets. not to mention all the specialty tools your going to need, that is unless, your going to work for GM.

 

[IHeartTurbo]

Well this is just for starting out. I don't need everything right off, and I won't have the money anyway.

 

[project_tsi]

yeah i understand. most dealers will require you to have at least a decent selection of your own tools tho. and over time, your tool box will be worth thousands of dollars, it will be locked and no one will be able to borrow any tool, and every tool will be extensively cleaned after every use. beleive me, it will be your most valuable investment besides a home. and lots of times, the tool box is worth more than your vehicles.

 

[LookDadNoBdyKit]

Are you kidding me? Thats it? My friend graduated UTI a few weeks ago and just started working at a volvo dealership in sd.

He has several page long lists of the tools he has ordered and has ordered well over 2000$ in tools alone


1/4" drive impact sockets?

 

[IHeartTurbo]

Thats it?

No! That was just a quick list of stuff I thought of in a couple minutes. It's definitely not everything I need, I know that. That's why I made this thread.

1/4" drive impact sockets?

Yeah, that's supposed to say 1/2".

 

[LookDadNoBdyKit]

I talked to my friend that just started in volvo and this is what he said:

you NEED a cooling system pressure tester...its mandatory
a tap/ die set
pry bars
torx sockets
chizzel set
"just a bunch of stuff he'd hardly be using"

and what this guy said:

you have no idea how many tools you will need. 1/2 drive everything. 3/8 drive everything. 1/4 drive everything. In Metric and Standard, 2 sets of each, and variations of long, and short handled wrenches and sockets. not to mention all the specialty tools your going to need, that is unless, your going to work for GM.

 

[1stGenRocks]

it all depends on where you're going to be working. my boss just bought a 1 inch impact for our shop since were working on getting some heavy truck and fire equipment work.

for most cars/trucks
1/4 and 3/8 drive ratchets, extentions, wobbles, u-joints, metric and standard sockets
1/2 drive sockets, extensions, wobbles, u joints, ratchets
phillips, flat, torx and nut drivers
1/2 drive impact gun and sockets, extensions, wobbles.......
3/8 drive air ratchet can be useful sometimes
chisel and punch set
hammers. soft face and normal. big and bigger
cooling system pressure tester
metric and standard wrenches, regular, short, and racheting
pliers
dykes (the wire cutting kind not the chicks )
vise grips
channelock pliers. big and small
prybars
magnet pickup tools
good droplight or cordless light and batteries i use a small led light too since you can't always get the droplight to shine where you want it.
magnetic parts trays
razor blade scraper
reliable knife to carry with you and use for everything. not a fancy one since it will get beat if you're at all like me
good multimeter or scope
i dont know if the dealership supplies these or not?
battery/charging system tester
oil/coolant drain pans
scan tool
A/C machine

big ass toolbox to store it all. get a good one since it will be used everyday and the cheap ones get beat fast. if you buy snap on or mac you can also trade in the old one when you need a bigger one

and when you start working and the snap on and mac guys come every week think hard about whether you really need it and whether its going to get enough use/abuse that you need the expensive snapon version. im just starting but most of my less used stuff is craftman instead. you just gotta decide based on how much money you have and how much your going to use it. parts trays, scrapers etc i dont see the need to pay 3x for the snap on version.

EDIT>> this is why i like my setup. i started almost a year ago at a local independent place and im allowed to borrow whatever tools i dont have so i just keep track of what i borrow the most and watch for a good price.

 

[FASTFWD]

a tool box is never complete without a good set of open end wrenches.. the best, hands down, are the snap on 'flank drive plus' wrenches.. the open end is very hard to spread, and it bites/grabs onto fasteners like a mofo.. another valuable tool(s) are the ratcheting wrenches.. the mac distributors sell the cheaper 'black hawk' brand ratcheting wrenches, but they work fine and will take a beating.. good luck...

 

[IHeartTurbo]

it all depends on where you're going to be working. my boss just bought a 1 inch impact for our shop since were working on getting some heavy truck and fire equipment work.

for most cars/trucks
1/4 and 3/8 drive ratchets, extentions, wobbles, u-joints, metric and standard sockets
1/2 drive sockets, extensions, wobbles, u joints, ratchets
phillips, flat, torx and nut drivers
1/2 drive impact gun and sockets, extensions, wobbles.......
3/8 drive air ratchet can be useful sometimes
chisel and punch set
hammers. soft face and normal. big and bigger
cooling system pressure tester
metric and standard wrenches, regular, short, and racheting
pliers
dykes (the wire cutting kind not the chicks )
vise grips
channelock pliers. big and small
prybars
magnet pickup tools
good droplight or cordless light and batteries i use a small led light too since you can't always get the droplight to shine where you want it.
magnetic parts trays
razor blade scraper
reliable knife to carry with you and use for everything. not a fancy one since it will get beat if you're at all like me
good multimeter or scope
i dont know if the dealership supplies these or not?
battery/charging system tester
oil/coolant drain pans
scan tool
A/C machine

big ass toolbox to store it all. get a good one since it will be used everyday and the cheap ones get beat fast. if you buy snap on or mac you can also trade in the old one when you need a bigger one

and when you start working and the snap on and mac guys come every week think hard about whether you really need it and whether its going to get enough use/abuse that you need the expensive snapon version. im just starting but most of my less used stuff is craftman instead. you just gotta decide based on how much money you have and how much your going to use it. parts trays, scrapers etc i dont see the need to pay 3x for the snap on version.

EDIT>> this is why i like my setup. i started almost a year ago at a local independent place and im allowed to borrow whatever tools i dont have so i just keep track of what i borrow the most and watch for a good price.

Thanks. I definitely don't have the money for all of that right now, but it definitely helped.


Now, through UTI we are offered different packages of tools on graduation that all equal to about $1100. What would you guys suggest I do? Here's what I narrowed it down to.

Auto Grad Set
Kit, battery service, 4 pcs
Set, socket, shallow, 6-point (11 pcs) (1/4" to 7/8")
Set, socket, metric, shallow, 6-point (12 pcs) (8 to 19mm)
Hammer, ball peen, 16 oz
Carbon scraper, rigid, black, 7/8" blade width, 7 5/8"
Ratchet, sealed head (high strength), standard handle, 7 11/32"
Extension, knurled, friction ball, 3"
Extension, knurled, friction ball, 6"
Mirror, round, 14" extension (mirror: 2 1/4" daimeter)
Box, metal, 2 drawers, removable tote tray, 18 1/2" x 8 1/2" x 9 1/2"
Set, wrench, combination, 12-point (7 pcs) (3/8" to 3/4")
Set, wrench, metric, combination, 12-point (7 pcs) (10-15mm, 17mm)
Set, cutters/pliers, 3 pcs
Pick-up tool, magnetic, telescopic
Wire stripper/cutter, (AWG 10 to 20), 6"
Screwdriver set
Pliers, Vise-Grip, Locking, Curved Jaw w/ wire cutter, 1 5/8" capacity

OR

1/2" drive impact set
Socket set, impact, shallow, 6-point, 11 pcs
Set, socket, metric, impact, shallow, 6-point (15 pcs) (10 to 24mm)
Impact wrench, air, 1/2" drive (50-450 ft/lb)
Universal joint, ball swivel, lock button, 2 1/2"
Extension, impact, snap ring, 3
Miscellaneous hand tools
Ratcheting screwdriver
Set, miniature pick, plastic handle, orange, 4 pcs
Set, file, soft grip, mixed (mill/three square/round), red handles, 4 pcs
Pick-up tool, magnetic, telescopic
Mirror, inspection, telescoping, 2 1/4" mirror
Flashlight, police style, miniature (2 AAA cells)
Scraper, wood handle, heavy chisel, 1 1/2"
Pry bar w/ handle, 18", black
Mini utility knife
Hammer, dead blow, soft grip, 24 oz
1/2" drive torque wrench
Torque wrench, adj. click type, US, fixed-ratchet, 5-250 ft/lb, 1/2" drive
Adaptor, 1/2" internal drive x 3/8" external drive, 1 1/2"

Which one of the two would be the best to buy? Right now, this is what I have for tools:

Metric combination wrenches (7-19mm)
Sockets 3/8" drive deep (10mm, 12-21mm) and (1/4" to 7/8")
Wire cutters/strippers
Vise grip set
Pry bar set
Digital Multimeter
Screwdriver set
3/8" drive ratchet

 

[1stGenRocks]

what kind of warranty do the tools from uti have? are they a normal brand or are they cheap shit?

 

[IHeartTurbo]

what kind of warranty do the tools from uti have? are they a normal brand or are they cheap shit?

They're Snap-On.

 

[Rogue9]

Best advice before you buy anymore tools. Go to the dealer your going to be working at and talk to the guys working there. Find out what they use the most. What they think is the basic tools that you must have and such.

 

[Thomas91169]

they shouldve been telling you from the start at UTI that you should start early when acquiring your toolbox, as people have already said, its your closest companion in the automotive technicians arsenal. hell back in HS the UTI/Sequoia recruiters were saying that we should all hit up the snap on/mac tool trucks and create a freindship with the dealers, as it will come in handy later on.

i think for a starting out tech all you really need is basic stuff, as youll prolly just be out on the lube rack doing oil changes and the bi*** work. you have to prove yourself to the dealership before they let you take out engines and rip apart trannies and troubleshoot. just sets of metric and standard(3/8, 1/4 and 1/2" sockets), metric and standard open end. lots of extensions and universals, pliers, crimps and connectors, maybe some torque wrenches. and unless you have the money, just get cheapo sears stuff for now. then later down the line when shit breaks and you have the money, upgrade to top end stuff.

 

[destruckeclipse]

I don't even work for a dealer and have every tool I have ever seen. I see something I don't have I buy it.

 

[shawnsadler]

i agree with thomas... and oh by the way? who all went to UTI on here?.. i went to Nascar Technical Institute... just was wandering... but yea.. you just need the basic things.. but i would also stop at the the dealership and ask what they use most... i found only a few things at the dealership that i didn't have from my uti kit that i went out and bought... definately get a torque stick for an impact gun..... saves soooooo much time when your doin oil changes and tire rotations your first month!!!!

 

[halligoo]

Wow, such useless advice. And so unwanted.

Obviously you have decided to persue your preferred direction with your life. Good for you. I bet you won't have to pay malpractice insurance to change spark plugs....

I suggest sticking with the good stuff with the common everyday tools, i.e. sockets, screwdrivers, etc., but there is nothing wrong with saving money on odd tools that you don't use very often. It takes time to build up a proper tool kit.

Craftsman tools are a lot cheaper than Snap-On, and they still have a lifetime warranty.

I have friends with $10k-$20k tools sets. I can rebuild an engine just as good as they can with the set that I have pieced together from Auctions, tool sales, and Ebay.

Another point: Protect your tools well. It is amazing how they can magically disappear. Sockets and Open end wrenches are worse than socks in the washing machine.

 

[splattj]

This is the set I started with:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/NTELargeImageView?rfno=200313428&storeId=6970
# 164 sockets in SAE and metric sizes, standard size in 1/4in., 3/8in. and 1/2in. drive
# 17 drive tools and attachments
# 51 SuperKrome SAE and metric wrenches and ignition wrenches
# 43 screwdrivers and hex keys
# 6 pliers
# 7 punches and chisels
# 2 hammers
# 32in. blade thickness gauge
# Scraper and pry bar
# Lifetime limited warranty

I really like my SK tools. It is nice, I'm sure, to be able to hit up the sales guy when he comes by for warranty replacements though.

Add flashlight, inspection mirror, magnetic pickup tool, torque wrenches, snap ring pliers, a file set, a bigger and a smaller pry bar, dental style picks, some nice safety glasses, more locking pliers, longer nosed needle nose pliers, and I'm sure I'm missing a bunch more...

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

BS removed, stay on topic.

 

[dsm laser]

I just was in your shoes about 2 months ago...

Get your self a complete set of tools, here's whats in my box....

Get a box first... I'd suggest a bottom box with at least 6 or more drawers. Buy a top box as your tool set expands. I'd also suggest drawer liners and lots of stickers for the outside of your box .

Sockets
-1/2",3/8", & 1/4" sockets deep & shallow metric & imperial (8mm-28mm & 3/8"-1 1/2")
-extentions - ranging in sizes from 4-10" (1/2") and 30-36" (3/8") and 1/4" drive extentions too
-1/2" drive deep/shallow impact set - metric & imp. (make sure its a 6 point socket on the impact set)
-swivels in all drive sizes
-1/2" torque wrench 50-250'/lbs
-3/8" torque wrench 0-150'/lbs
-drive changing sockets 1/2"-3/8" etc.
-3/8" drive swivel set metric and imp.
-1/2" breaker bars 30" & 36"
-3/8" breaker bar 18"
-3/8" speed handle
-3/8" Allen key and Torxs(sp?) key sockets (small to big - 'cause there's big Allen nut/bolts on Jeep Cherokee transfer cases for checking fluid levels)

misc (I call it my top drawer list)
-gloves, safety glasses, disposable gloves
-pens/pencils, thick black marker, white marker (chalk like),
-magnets, magetic tray, magnetic pick up tool
-mini mag lite and trouble light - florecent tube (incandecant=fire hazard)
-note pad

wrenches/screw drivers
-long handle wrench set imperial & metric (one end box other end open)
-stubby handle wrench set imperial & metric
-screw driver set including all drives - Phillips, Robertson, & Slotted

other
-chisel set - pointed, slotted
-punches
-scrapers (good for removing gaskets - not too sharp)
-xacto knife
-brake spring tools
-allen keys
-plyers(linesman and needle nose)
-vise grips (big,small,and needle nose)
-cutters - side and angled
-channel locks -big & small
-feeler gauges
-digital vernier caliper
-Hack Saw
-calculator
-multimeter

STOP!Hammer time
-dead blow
-3lb ball peen hammer
-1lb ball peen hammer
-soft faced - medium
-pry bars! different sizes really big, medium, and small

Stuff you'll use every day
-OIL FILTER WRENCH! (I never had one until a week after I started, duh!)
I bought the regular style as well as a 3 jaw style that will fit on your 1/2" ratchet for the tough SOB filter that don't want to come off
-grease gun - for ball joints and other grease fittings
-tire pressure gauge
-tire tread depth gauge
-WD40 - for all squeaks & groans coming from various doors and latches
-brake clean - removes grease and gunk without rinsing with water
-engine shampoo - same as above but must rinse with water
-measuring jug for oil - with spout for mess free pouring
-funnel - to ensure mess free pouring
-steel toed boots
-radio - if they'll let you
-calender - keep track of what day it is when filling out inpection sheets
-COMMON SENSE

Air Tools
-1/2" impact gun
-3/8" air rachet
-air chisel
-air dye grinder
-air blow gun
-air fitting for tires

That's all I can think of for now.... I hope it helps.
Don't be afriad to ask questions no matter what. Its easier to ask than it is to explain how you broke something on a customer vehicle.

Always tighten oil drain plug and filter! DOUBLE CHECK!!!!!!
Torque wheel lug nuts! DOUBLE CHECK!!!!

Good luck

 

[AW4G63]

You should everything you need to trouble shoot and disassemble anything from a 1983 skylark to a brandnew Benz.

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Doesn't the school help you out? You did go to school there specifically just for this.

 

[Thomas91169]

if i remember UTI has a program where you could buy the tools you need and just add it to your loan and pay them off later.

 

[Raph]

!!!!!

You have to supply your own TOOLS!!?????????

the dealership where i work buys me my tools,if something breaks or magically disappears,i get a replacement... (10mm sockets,10 wrenches,13mm wrenches,pick up magnets,hammers,torx nuts..all seem to disappear magically... i wonder if some customers steal those while ur looking up at the exhaust or somethiong..i bet they do)

unbelievable!

the dealership sent me 3 years long to tech school, i did a year at anther techschool afterwards(paid my self,expensive,but cool)to be a service tech for automobile saftey and comfort systems and troubleshooting,

now im going to business school afterwork to finish getting my master mechanic qualifications(paying for it myself too..not too expensive..just boring)


You have to supply your own tools? no one i tell this to here will believe it,thats unheard of here.. thats like being a cab driver and you have to bring your own car..

malpractice insurance? my boss pays that... if anything goes wrong,ythe insurance will cover it (not a reason to let a car fall off a lift or to break a motor etc..but its nice to know its there)

is this how every dealership is in the usa?

makes me wanna think twice about moving to FL to work as a service tech-master mech specializing in European cars..

during my first 3 years, i worked 2 weeks,went to school for a fulltime week..always 2 weeks in the dealership,one at school..(during this time u get less pay..logically)

so u guys went to school,then start at the dealer? thats weird,how are you supposed to learn anything? ?? i mean,all the secrets and all..

please enlighten me further,come on guys,share some experiences,this is bugging me

 

[boostaddictgsx]

I love how stuff like this randomly pops up when I'm thinking about it. It was my birthday yesterday, and I think I am going to start my tool collection now. I'm telling my dad to let me know when the Snap-on truck is coming to his work.

One area I wouldn't cheap out on is the torque wrenches, I'd rather spend a few hundred on a high-quality one than to risk it down the road (proper torque is important) and having to re-invest. Good advice on not going with the cheap-o crap for tools you won't use everyday.

BTW, Brian good luck with your future jobs!

 

[Dsmboost4g63]

I love the snap on truck that comes to my work.....a taste of tool heaven