Collecting DIY Motor Service Tools
Discussion
Hi All
I am a newbie in DIY car maintenance. I just replaced battery for my Fiat Panda.
Thinking of doing more DIY car maintenance from home learning and practicing. What tools are needed for basic DIY maintenance work?
I have had simple cars - Fiat Panda just now. Thinking of getting another one later for project.
I have a good socket set, screw driver set, power drills, hammer, hack saw and some clamps.
Also have a work light from Screwfix.
Trying to start collecting tools for general DIY car service work from home.
List of other tools ideas would be much appreciated. Thank you.
I am a newbie in DIY car maintenance. I just replaced battery for my Fiat Panda.
Thinking of doing more DIY car maintenance from home learning and practicing. What tools are needed for basic DIY maintenance work?
I have had simple cars - Fiat Panda just now. Thinking of getting another one later for project.
I have a good socket set, screw driver set, power drills, hammer, hack saw and some clamps.
Also have a work light from Screwfix.
Trying to start collecting tools for general DIY car service work from home.
List of other tools ideas would be much appreciated. Thank you.
^^^^ Worthwhile list.
Sounds like you have the basics.
Whilst it's tempting to go & buy lots of nice shiny things I'd suggest you wait until you've got whatever vehicle you intend to buy then plan what job you want to do & see what extra tools you NEED to do it & go & buy them.
I've been amassing tools for around 50 years - worked in a motor factors in the 70s & went back into vehicle body repair in 2002 - mainly for working on our own cars/motorbikes but still find I need to buy the odd tool. Last time was a couple of weeks ago & was a 12mm hex key but borrowed one off my neighbour!
Sounds like you have the basics.
Whilst it's tempting to go & buy lots of nice shiny things I'd suggest you wait until you've got whatever vehicle you intend to buy then plan what job you want to do & see what extra tools you NEED to do it & go & buy them.
I've been amassing tools for around 50 years - worked in a motor factors in the 70s & went back into vehicle body repair in 2002 - mainly for working on our own cars/motorbikes but still find I need to buy the odd tool. Last time was a couple of weeks ago & was a 12mm hex key but borrowed one off my neighbour!
Edited by paintman on Wednesday 13th February 11:47
paintman said:
wait until you've got whatever vehicle you intend to buy then plan what job you want to do & see what extra tools you NEED to do it & go & buy them
^^^ ThatDon't go trying to pre-fill your toolbox with a list of other people's favorite tools. Just be prepared to buy what you need when you need it, get in the habit of buying decent quality and include a budget for necessary tools when you're planning for each job.
Wow great info & advice. Thank you.
I have 2x sets of socket set. One was from Costco. Brand is Craftsman. I think it is made in USA.
It is a good set. Very nice silvery shiny and 170 pieces of sockets and bits and spanners.
The other one is a cheappie. I didn't mean to get one. It was a metal tool box clearance deal from Argos, and it was 30 quid. When I got it, it was also filled in with a socket set. Not good as the Craftsman set, and only about one third of sockets. But it works OK, and I use it to work on the 2 stroke engines with it. Now covered in grease and got quite dirty.
For trolley jack, I was thinking about this one from Amazon. Seems good price, but wasn't sure if they will work OK.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-Stands-Tonne-H...
I have 2x sets of socket set. One was from Costco. Brand is Craftsman. I think it is made in USA.
It is a good set. Very nice silvery shiny and 170 pieces of sockets and bits and spanners.
The other one is a cheappie. I didn't mean to get one. It was a metal tool box clearance deal from Argos, and it was 30 quid. When I got it, it was also filled in with a socket set. Not good as the Craftsman set, and only about one third of sockets. But it works OK, and I use it to work on the 2 stroke engines with it. Now covered in grease and got quite dirty.
For trolley jack, I was thinking about this one from Amazon. Seems good price, but wasn't sure if they will work OK.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-Stands-Tonne-H...
Trolley jack wise I have a Bradbury Jackette which is a big one & lives in the garage and a Machine Mart £30ish job which lives in either the Sprinter or the RRC.
Similar to this: www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-ctj2cb-2-tonne-diy-...
The cheapie is perfectly capable of lifting any corner - and a LOT safer than the screw type bottle jack thing that the RRC has as standard for wheel changing.
Put an axle stand under & you're good to go.
Similar to this: www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-ctj2cb-2-tonne-diy-...
The cheapie is perfectly capable of lifting any corner - and a LOT safer than the screw type bottle jack thing that the RRC has as standard for wheel changing.
Put an axle stand under & you're good to go.
a £10 jack is capable of lifitng a car ...the extra money gets you better build quality , wider base so it doesnt topple over , big saddle so it doesnt damage the car and lifts faster and higher
my advice would be dont skimp on tools , especially the frequently used ones , okay dont need snap on but its nice to have nice stuff
have a look in a tyre center or garage see if they use halfords pressed steel specials ...no they dont
my advice would be dont skimp on tools , especially the frequently used ones , okay dont need snap on but its nice to have nice stuff
have a look in a tyre center or garage see if they use halfords pressed steel specials ...no they dont
Really poor review on Halfords 5 piece lifting kit.
https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-wor...
https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-wor...
https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tja25-aluminium-tr... something like that or costco has almost identical for £99 if you know a member
We are Costco member the now, so will have to go and take good look at their tool range on weekend.
Managed to buy the 172 piece Craftsman Socket Set from Costco a few years ago, and it was good price and have been happy with it.
Although it doesn't have any flexible angle spanners in the set.
Managed to buy the 172 piece Craftsman Socket Set from Costco a few years ago, and it was good price and have been happy with it.
Although it doesn't have any flexible angle spanners in the set.
paintman said:
Buy a bag of rags from your local motor factor & get in the habit of wiping the tools off as you put them away.
Helps spot any damage & much nicer the next time you need to use them.
Yes, great advice. Thank you.Helps spot any damage & much nicer the next time you need to use them.
I should be getting into habits of wiping tools clean after use.
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