Tool suggestions for home spannering
Discussion
redandwhite said:
Get yourself a halfords professional socket set , decent floor Jack and axle stands etc. Then buy the tools as and when you need them , rather than buying everything under the sun.
Halfords socket set has a lifetime guarantee on it all (not case) but wait until it's on offer to buy.
Agreed with the above, I got one of the big halford sets when I saw it on offer and it's been great, not managed to break (shouldn't say this!) any of it, they usually drop below half price when on offer so worth waiting for. Halfords socket set has a lifetime guarantee on it all (not case) but wait until it's on offer to buy.
I'd always recommend a 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch socket set, with both shallow and deep sockets in each. Don't buy anything with imperial sockets in, as anything not metric is very rare,or specialised.
A multimeter is handy in addition to all the stuff others have mentioned.
And I suspect most of us bough kit as we needed it over a long period of time. I did.
A multimeter is handy in addition to all the stuff others have mentioned.
And I suspect most of us bough kit as we needed it over a long period of time. I did.
If not already mentioned:
Basic Multimeter
Cheapo Ebay Code Reader (worth it for basic engine fault codes)
Spark plug socket (if working on DERV vehicle -disregard)
Variety of stout blocks of wood
(For assisting when jacking up; using as makeshift ramps to raise the front or rear of car, etc.)
A box of spare nuts/bolts/washers of various sizes.
Workshop manual for your vehicle (either old school paper copy or electronic PDF) - saves guesswork on some of the more complicated jobs.
Basic Multimeter
Cheapo Ebay Code Reader (worth it for basic engine fault codes)
Spark plug socket (if working on DERV vehicle -disregard)
Variety of stout blocks of wood
(For assisting when jacking up; using as makeshift ramps to raise the front or rear of car, etc.)
A box of spare nuts/bolts/washers of various sizes.
Workshop manual for your vehicle (either old school paper copy or electronic PDF) - saves guesswork on some of the more complicated jobs.
GreenV8S said:
matthias73 said:
I want to populate my garage with decent (lifelong) tools for working on my own car.
I think you're approaching this the wrong way. Good tools are expensive and buying a lot of tools speculatively will soak up a lot of money for no benefit. Rather than try to populate the garage from scratch, you would far better off buying what you need when you need it, making sure you buy good quality. Most importantly IMO is looking after the tools you have - which means cleaning them after use and sorting out decent storage so you can lay hands on the right tool easily and your tools aren't being knocked about.As a soldier I think I'm quite competent when it comes to looking after my tools
Also the reason why I started this thread was so I could take advice on what to get for the jobs mentioned, so I don't end up buying a flux capacitor socket and not using it.
As others have said, you can't account for every eventuality, so don't sweat getting every single tool right now. On the other hand, my experience has been that you never regret buying a decent tool. (And you sometimes do regret buying cheap ones when they let you down...)
I started with the biggest Halfords socket set and it's proved extremely useful, but I've still had to buy extra spanners, specific sockets etc. when I needed them. There are also specialist tools like caliper rewind tools you might need, but I certainly wouldn't splash out until you've actually got a job that requires them.
I started with the biggest Halfords socket set and it's proved extremely useful, but I've still had to buy extra spanners, specific sockets etc. when I needed them. There are also specialist tools like caliper rewind tools you might need, but I certainly wouldn't splash out until you've actually got a job that requires them.
redandwhite said:
Get yourself a halfords professional socket set , decent floor Jack and axle stands etc. Then buy the tools as and when you need them , rather than buying everything under the sun.
Halfords socket set has a lifetime guarantee on it all (not case) but wait until it's on offer to buy.
This.Halfords socket set has a lifetime guarantee on it all (not case) but wait until it's on offer to buy.
Just buy stuff as you need it, and check tool reviews on youtube for how to use/where to buy.
I also ask for tools for my birthday and crimbo.
If you have a job to do, always google/youtube it first, someone, somewhere will have written a guide.
Take your time, be patient, take photos if needed, and know your limitations.
Tools is what i use the most (aside from sockets), small hammer, medium hammer, large hammer, club hammer, ball joint seperator (not splitter, a seperator, it saves the boots if you want to reuse the part), breaker bar (24" min, 36 better), 24"lever bar, 36" lever bar, LED work lamp, LED pen light, LED pocket torch, extending magnetic pickup, dentists mirror (swivel head), electric screwdriver/set of bits, halfords screw driver set.
That lot plus the usuall axle stands and a DECENT trolly jack and a halfords prof 150 socket set, they've done for the last 15 years, the jack is a bradbury, 20 years older than me (IE 67 years old) and just had it's 2nd rebuild 18 months ago (first rebuild was in the 80's), the stands are 1.5T H/D normal stands X2 the others are 30 odd year old lorry stands, perfect for projects to sit on and will go 3 feet and still be stable, i have ramps as a backup but TBH they get used maybe once a year.
Oh and get a yoga mat, they are easy on the knees and cheaper than most mats i found in a tool shop!
That lot plus the usuall axle stands and a DECENT trolly jack and a halfords prof 150 socket set, they've done for the last 15 years, the jack is a bradbury, 20 years older than me (IE 67 years old) and just had it's 2nd rebuild 18 months ago (first rebuild was in the 80's), the stands are 1.5T H/D normal stands X2 the others are 30 odd year old lorry stands, perfect for projects to sit on and will go 3 feet and still be stable, i have ramps as a backup but TBH they get used maybe once a year.
Oh and get a yoga mat, they are easy on the knees and cheaper than most mats i found in a tool shop!
AdamIndy said:
When you buy an inspection light I would advise getting an LED rechargeable one. Nothing worse than dragging a cable around and finding it's not long enough to get where you want to go.
A tool you won't use much but will be invaluable when you do is a tap and die set.
If you will be stripping/rebuilding engines then a few tools you will need are
Piston ring pliers
Piston ring compressor
Feeler gauges
Angle measuring tool for head bolts.
Also get some male and female torx bits. They are used on a lot of cars.
Allen keys.
Stanley knife
Wire brush
Pry bars
Punches/chisels.
If you have room, a decent work bench.
Before you know it your garage will be rammed with tools and no room to work in there!
Agree on the rechargeable inspection lamp but buy 2 cheap ones that use the same charger so you can have one charging and one in use plus a spare charger when you manage to lose or break one A tool you won't use much but will be invaluable when you do is a tap and die set.
If you will be stripping/rebuilding engines then a few tools you will need are
Piston ring pliers
Piston ring compressor
Feeler gauges
Angle measuring tool for head bolts.
Also get some male and female torx bits. They are used on a lot of cars.
Allen keys.
Stanley knife
Wire brush
Pry bars
Punches/chisels.
If you have room, a decent work bench.
Before you know it your garage will be rammed with tools and no room to work in there!
Spanners, definitely in that list. I'd avoid anything more esoteric or specialist (ball joint splitters etc) until you actually need them. Screwdrivers, spanners, hammers, socket set, pliers, a pair of side cutters, a couple of files, a hacksaw. Wouldn't bother with a torque wrench unless/until you need one.
I would however recommend a large pair of slip-joint pliers (water pump pliers) as they are incredibly useful for all manner of things where nothing else will quite manage. And a great big screwdriver for hammering into/levering up things.
I would however recommend a large pair of slip-joint pliers (water pump pliers) as they are incredibly useful for all manner of things where nothing else will quite manage. And a great big screwdriver for hammering into/levering up things.
The hammering screwdriver should be a "strike-through" - the shaft goes right to the top of the handle, so it's more like a cold chisel with handle on it.
Ordinary handles can shatter, explosively, if hit.
I'd add a 'Mole' wrench/locking pliers/vise grips.
And as you have a voucher, so must spend it all at once, go for a small spanner & socket set (the large ones are bulked out with very rarely used items like 3mm sockets or spanners), a portable, folding workbench (a Workmate, if Halfords will sell you one) and a fixed one if you have space for it. IMHO a wooden one is better, more substantial, esp. if bolted to the wall, with a vice on it, an engineer's, not a cabinet maker's vice.
Get a roller cabinet with a top box, and work out how to secure those to the wall, as they are prime targets for theives. EG Large eye bolt in wall and bike padlock.
And a padlock on your garage/workshop! Yes, Halfords sell all those!
John
Ordinary handles can shatter, explosively, if hit.
I'd add a 'Mole' wrench/locking pliers/vise grips.
And as you have a voucher, so must spend it all at once, go for a small spanner & socket set (the large ones are bulked out with very rarely used items like 3mm sockets or spanners), a portable, folding workbench (a Workmate, if Halfords will sell you one) and a fixed one if you have space for it. IMHO a wooden one is better, more substantial, esp. if bolted to the wall, with a vice on it, an engineer's, not a cabinet maker's vice.
Get a roller cabinet with a top box, and work out how to secure those to the wall, as they are prime targets for theives. EG Large eye bolt in wall and bike padlock.
And a padlock on your garage/workshop! Yes, Halfords sell all those!
John
A decent 'tray type' toolbox.
No point in having all the tools you need when you can never find the one you want. I reckon I halved the time I spent working on cars after taking a weekend to organise where I kept my tools, and always put them back where you got them before you shut the garage door at the end of the day. You'll be amazed at how much easier it makes every job.
No point in having all the tools you need when you can never find the one you want. I reckon I halved the time I spent working on cars after taking a weekend to organise where I kept my tools, and always put them back where you got them before you shut the garage door at the end of the day. You'll be amazed at how much easier it makes every job.
brrapp said:
A decent 'tray type' toolbox.
No point in having all the tools you need when you can never find the one you want. I reckon I halved the time I spent working on cars after taking a weekend to organise where I kept my tools, and always put them back where you got them before you shut the garage door at the end of the day. You'll be amazed at how much easier it makes every job.
I'm pretty useless @ finding stuff in tool boxes so some peg board in the garage holds my most used stuff, complimented buy a couple of draws under the bench for multimeter and electrical gubbins. Tool boxes for little used, specialist, AF stuff. No point in having all the tools you need when you can never find the one you want. I reckon I halved the time I spent working on cars after taking a weekend to organise where I kept my tools, and always put them back where you got them before you shut the garage door at the end of the day. You'll be amazed at how much easier it makes every job.
Places like Wilko do hobby boxes and trays, ideal for odds n sods.
Riley Blue said:
OP could buy everything he needs for the cost of that.
I consider that to be a pretty reasonable price tool set. If you start getting into Snapon, Matco and Cornwall, you'll pay that much for a single ratchet. You can probably buy cheaper but cheap tools tend to be a bad investment. The first set of Snapon tools that I bought were flare nut wrenches after rounding off a couple of bolt heads using cheaply made flare wrenches.Edited by alabbasi on Thursday 23 February 18:43
gottans said:
Suggest you start with 3/8" sockets, 1/2" stuff is a lot heavier and is overkill for most work but would use 1/2" for wheels so a mix is better with bigger stuff 1/2".
Other than that buy quality over quantity.
I'd go with this, I started with a 3/8 set and use it for for most stuff. Later I added some 1/2 stuff, a socket rail, ratchet, breaker bar and a couple of wobble extensions, useful for brakes, suspension and wheels. Other than that buy quality over quantity.
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