Tool suggestions for home spannering

[matthias73]

I've never actually had to buy any tools before because they've always just been in the shed or readily available at work. That's not been the case for a while and I want to populate my garage with decent (lifelong) tools for working on my own car. I won't be pulling engines to bits but I will be doing brakes/pads/oil/filters and potentially try my hand at a thermostat or two.

I have Halfords voucher currently waiting patiently to be used, so I'll be getting stuff from them for the most part.

So far in my head I've come up with:

Decent socket set.
Decent screwdriver set.
Pliers
Hammer
clamps
torque wrench
hammer.
bigger hammer
oil catch can (and etc for oil changes)
axle stands/wheel stands
decent light
beer fridge
wall hooks for spare wheels
oil
filters


Think I'm missing anything?

[matthias73]

You see, that's all stuff I take for granted. But I don't actually have it.

When I got my first place it slowly dawned on me that things like salt and pepper had to be purchased and weren't magically part of a house

[matthias73]

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.

If it was cash I'd agree but I have a halfords voucher to the tune of a few hundred pounds.

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.

[matthias73]

Thanks for the replies.

To put a time scale on it I'm doing a fluid change this weekend and maybe the brakes too, if they arrive.

Reference the youtube videos, that's how I do everything