Basic DIY Tools?

[starseven]

Hi all,

Had a problem with a loose battery terminal for the last few days (sorted now) and decided it's about time I got myself some basic kit to fix the simple problems - I had to borrow a spanner just to tighten the bolt.

I don't have any experience with tools, but want to learn. Got a Haynes manual, but tools I am completely new to.

Can anyone help with a list of the basic tools I'd need, and maybe some specialist tools? And the most common sizes of sockets, spanners etc?

Thanks very much.

[BorkFactor]

Following this thread for interest as I am in a similar position - was thinking of starting with a jack, axle stands, and a socket set?

[TurboHatchback]

I can recommend starting by buying the biggest socket set that Halfords currently sell. I spent £100 on mine several years ago and it contains everything you will need for most jobs and has to be the best £100 I ever spent. The tool collection has grown enormously since then but my trusty socket set is used for almost every job.

Halfords professional tool range are actually very good quality, I am a definite fan.

[kambites]

My list for someone starting out would be as follows:

Socket set (at least 3/8ths, 1/4 inch ones are rubbish)
Breaker bar or torque wrench (to fit the above)
Spanners
Screw-drivers
Allen Keys
Torx Keys
Hammer
Trolley Jack
Axle Stands

That should do most jobs, although you might want some specialist things like an oil-filter wrench. You'll also need things like WD40 (or similar).


As others have said, "Halfords Pro" are generally a pretty decent mid-range bet. They have a lifetime warranty on them which Halfords actually seem pretty good about honouring. If it's all just for light home use, you should be able to buy everything for ~£200.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 9th April 15:22

[jamieduff1981]

A good single-hex socket set with a range of 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive shallow and deep reach sockets, extensions and ratchets, plus a set of good quality combination spanners will cover most simple tasks.

Also, buy a can of 3-in-1 penetrating oil or PlusGas, and never try to dismantle anything on brakes or suspension without first giving the nuts and bolts a good soaking with it first.

[Toaster Pilot]

Anyone able to recommend a reasonably priced but good set of 6 point/single hex sockets?

Extension bars of varied sizes and converters for 1/2" to 3/8" etc are the invaluable but cheap things I'd add to any socket set without a second thought - so useful!

Edited by Toaster Pilot on Wednesday 9th April 15:24

[ghibbett]

Large socket set is a good idea. My Father bought me one for my 18th birthday (some 16 years ago), it's still going strong and gets regularly used.

[kambites]

Toaster Pilot said:

Anyone able to recommend a reasonably priced but good set of 6 point/single hex sockets?

Again, Halford Pro are a good bet. I've had mine for abut six years and they're still like new, despite having been left in a damp shed while I rebuilt the garage.

[Toaster Pilot]

kambites said:

Again, Halford Pro are a good bet. I've had mine for abut six years and they're still like new, despite having been left in a damp shed while I rebuilt the garage.

Vast majority of Halfords stuff is 12 point, no?

[kambites]

Toaster Pilot said:

kambites said:

Again, Halford Pro are a good bet. I've had mine for abut six years and they're still like new, despite having been left in a damp shed while I rebuilt the garage.

Vast majority of Halfords stuff is 12 point, no?

Hmm, they certainly used to do 6-sided ones. Haven't looked in a while though.

ETA: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

That's a weird open-ended one, though.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 9th April 15:29

[jamieduff1981]

I'm personally a big fan of the Draper Expert sockets. For most DIY car jobs involving rusty suspension, rather than conrod bolt type clean & oily stuff 12 point sockets are just asking for round bolt heads.

These however almost never let me down:



The Halfords stuff is actually quite good, but unless doing engine work I'd avoid 12 point sockets.

[deltashad]

Axle stands are a must if you're under the car or the wheels are off. I don't trust one so have a back up (the trolley Jack).
Decent socket set (Halfords are ok and sometimes do good deals).

Depending on the car you're working on different tools will be be more beneficial.
Dont buy it all at once.
Get a friend, or a second car to use while your are working on yours, so you have transport to get to the shops if you need something.

My cars tend to be tight and awkward to work on so these are a brilliant buy.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Ratchet spanners are great.

Also I use a strong bar as bolts can be a nightmare sometimes to remove.
A heat gun.
Chisel.
Strut Spring compressers.
Allen keys.
Maybe Pozidrive set depending on the make of car.
WD40
Anti-seize grease of some sort (copper slip). When putting bolts back on you'll not want to fight with them the next time.
Wire brush. (Clean your threads before re-assembling).

Practice on small stuff, you pick up more things as time goes on. It isn't cheap.
Cover the floor under your car so you dont have to spend hours scrubbing the oil from your tarmac/mono blocks.

[kambites]

jamieduff1981 said:

I'm personally a big fan of the Draper Expert sockets. For most DIY car jobs involving rusty suspension, rather than conrod bolt type clean & oily stuff 12 point sockets are just asking for round bolt heads.

Hmm, I have both types, but usually use the 12-points (my 6-points are actually impact sockets) and I've never rounded off a bolt in my life, despite a large proportion of the work I've done being on rusty 60s classics.

[jamieduff1981]

kambites said:

jamieduff1981 said:

I'm personally a big fan of the Draper Expert sockets. For most DIY car jobs involving rusty suspension, rather than conrod bolt type clean & oily stuff 12 point sockets are just asking for round bolt heads.

Hmm, I have both types, but usually use the 12-points and I've never rounded off a bolt in my life, despite a large proportion of the work I've done being on rusty 60s classics.

You must be better than me! To be fair when you get a nice deep head they're absolutely fine. It's more 90s> cars where designers really started trying to optimise fasteners in to clever holes and/or shallow heads for clearances etc where they start to give me grief. I'll always reach for a 6point first personally, but whatever works for everyone is fine by me

[mhj]

The Bahco socket sets are nice for the price. Also keep an eye out in Lidl/Aldi, I've got a couple of small 1/4 & 3/8 socket sets from there that have held up well.

[kambites]

jamieduff1981 said:

kambites said:

jamieduff1981 said:

I'm personally a big fan of the Draper Expert sockets. For most DIY car jobs involving rusty suspension, rather than conrod bolt type clean & oily stuff 12 point sockets are just asking for round bolt heads.

Hmm, I have both types, but usually use the 12-points and I've never rounded off a bolt in my life, despite a large proportion of the work I've done being on rusty 60s classics.

You must be better than me! To be fair when you get a nice deep head they're absolutely fine. It's more 90s> cars where designers really started trying to optimise fasteners in to clever holes and/or shallow heads for clearances etc where they start to give me grief. I'll always reach for a 6point first personally, but whatever works for everyone is fine by me

You may be right. I've not done a huge amount of work on cars which are new enough to have the low-profile nuts but old enough to be rusty.

[steveo3002]

assuming you wont be having anything old

8-19mm spanner set
8-13mm 1/4 socket set
10-19 3/8 set pref 6 sided sockets
13-22 ish 1/2 6 sided sockets
quality 1/2 breaker bar
asortment of extensions for the above sockets , inc wobble ones
irwin bolt grippers
vice grips
torx and allen bit set
pry bar

[Troubleatmill]

Before buying any tools.
Do you actually know what you are going to do with them?

All the gear and no idea - is a dangerous place to be.

Go do some basic car maintenance classes at nightschool - then decide if you really want to fork out your hard earned on tools.

[jamieduff1981]

kambites said:

jamieduff1981 said:

kambites said:

jamieduff1981 said:

I'm personally a big fan of the Draper Expert sockets. For most DIY car jobs involving rusty suspension, rather than conrod bolt type clean & oily stuff 12 point sockets are just asking for round bolt heads.

Hmm, I have both types, but usually use the 12-points and I've never rounded off a bolt in my life, despite a large proportion of the work I've done being on rusty 60s classics.

You must be better than me! To be fair when you get a nice deep head they're absolutely fine. It's more 90s> cars where designers really started trying to optimise fasteners in to clever holes and/or shallow heads for clearances etc where they start to give me grief. I'll always reach for a 6point first personally, but whatever works for everyone is fine by me

You may be right. I've not done a huge amount of work on cars which are new enough to have the low-profile nuts but old enough to be rusty.

The obvious answer is to buy more tools! (I'm moving house in mid-May and somehow need to pack up a decade's worth of personal tool collecting plus inhereted tools, plus hydraulic press, engine cranes, 2 spare engines and a heap of spare alloy wheels for the move. I can't wait, and can only imagine how much fun I'm going to have finding anything when I need it afterwards

[kambites]

jamieduff1981 said:

The obvious answer is to buy more tools! :

Always. Having just rebuilt the garage, I've just finished plumbing in all the fixed air lines, now I'm in the process of choosing a vehicle lift.