starting out as a mechanic
Discussion
Defcon5 said:
Are you doing an apprenteship or something? Maybe ask your tutor/boss what a good set would be to start with - they may even let you buy some 2nd hand snap-on gear which may be a good buy
wot he said.My brother did his apprenticeshipat BMW a few years back, and was able to pick up a fairly comprehensive set of tools pretty quickly, mostly second hand from other people at the stealers, and second hand off eBay.
The good stuff is too expensive for an apprentice, but good enough that second hand is OK.
A basic set would comprise of something along the lines of;
3/8th's socket set from 8mm up to 22mm - Deep and shallow sockets are essential
1/2" socket set which goes up to 22-24mm or close - same as above
1/2" Breaker bar
Spanner set from 8mm up to 19mm
Screwdriver set, from mincy little ones to larger PZ3 size
Hammer (Ball pin)
Spark plug sockets (makes life easier but not completely essential so long as you have...)
Pliers - long nose and snub nose
Side cutters
Allen keys from 3mm up to 10mm
Allen keys for a 3/8ths ratchet
Tape measure
Torch (led penlight is good for enclosed spaces, if you can afford it a multi LED rechargeable torch is good)
1/2" torque wrench that goes up to 120lb is essential for torqueing wheel nuts/bolts
Oil filter tool
Torx keys from T10/15 up to T45/50
Sump plug tool kit
Magnet on a telescopic stick - most important tool you'll own, but they are fragile.
The other tools can be bought when you come across the need for them.
What have I forgotten?
3/8th's socket set from 8mm up to 22mm - Deep and shallow sockets are essential
1/2" socket set which goes up to 22-24mm or close - same as above
1/2" Breaker bar
Spanner set from 8mm up to 19mm
Screwdriver set, from mincy little ones to larger PZ3 size
Hammer (Ball pin)
Spark plug sockets (makes life easier but not completely essential so long as you have...)
Pliers - long nose and snub nose
Side cutters
Allen keys from 3mm up to 10mm
Allen keys for a 3/8ths ratchet
Tape measure
Torch (led penlight is good for enclosed spaces, if you can afford it a multi LED rechargeable torch is good)
1/2" torque wrench that goes up to 120lb is essential for torqueing wheel nuts/bolts
Oil filter tool
Torx keys from T10/15 up to T45/50
Sump plug tool kit
Magnet on a telescopic stick - most important tool you'll own, but they are fragile.
The other tools can be bought when you come across the need for them.
What have I forgotten?
Edited by Regional on Wednesday 27th January 09:16
jo3_C said:
long weights?
tin of elbow grease?
Extra long weights to be safe.tin of elbow grease?
Tartan paint.
Seriously, ask your prospective employer for a basic list, then go and get the rest of the stuff from the local strap-on van.
A personal tip; buy all your tools cheap, if you break them, get the replacements from Snap-On. You will find that alot of stuff which is cheap is absolutely fine for what you need it for. Things like 3&4mm 3/8 drive allen keys will break. Buy them from Snap-On and at least you know that they will get repaired every week... Unless you are in the Bedford-MK area in which case the Snap-On man is a chocolate fireguard.
Oh, and get some sort of engraver. Put your initials on your tools otherwise they will grow legs.
Halfords Pro is great for any apprentice, break it and its replaced like for like.
I have only managed to break a 5mm allen socket so far and it was replaced without a reciept.
I personally believe that Snap On is too dear to justify for an apprentice, especially on the wage they get paid to begin with.
Just ask my Fathers apprentice who paid £75+VAT for a Snap On deadblow hammer....
and yes he gets it ripped out of him big time...
Nice hammer though
I have only managed to break a 5mm allen socket so far and it was replaced without a reciept.
I personally believe that Snap On is too dear to justify for an apprentice, especially on the wage they get paid to begin with.
Just ask my Fathers apprentice who paid £75+VAT for a Snap On deadblow hammer....
and yes he gets it ripped out of him big time...
Nice hammer though
Good advice here: http://www.kelsey-forums.co.uk/cgi-bin/cmm/YaBB.pl...
Why is this on General Motorsport, btw?
Why is this on General Motorsport, btw?
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