Ask the other mechanics what is essential. Most will be willing to share if they see he is green and starting his set and making an effort.

Always return them immediately and cleaned up when done. And return directly to the person you borrowed from, don't just set it on their box.

If you have to borrow something 2 or 3 times it's time to buy it.

Snap On is overpriced, but they make a lot of good stuff, and there is convenience in them showing up to you.

Don't spend too much on a box, get the tools first.

Craigslist and eBay can yield some great deals. Garage sales too.

I like Snap On combination and box wrenches, but have plenty of Craftsman wrenches too.

I do not care for modern Craftsman ratchets. Snap On, some of the Williams line, SK and Armstrong make ratchets I like.

As for sockets, I have Craftsman, Mac and Snap On.

I like Snap On screwdrivers.

Send me an email, I've got a few things I was looking to get rid of anyway that would be good for a starter set.

I agree with craigslist but you have to make sure your getting a bargain. Garage sales too. Even estate sales.

Check facebook marketplace too. I've snagged some NIB tools from there for less than half price.

You are on the right track. Years ago, when I owned and ran mechanic's shops, I advised the new guys to buy Craftsman. I would add Kobalt and K&N to the list as well if you can get a good selection. I would consider these low-cost entry level professional tools. As you indicated, his problem at the moment is his budget. Matco, Snap-on, etc. are much better tools but unless he is OK with having only a handful of tools to start with it is not prudent. That is for later.

As for a box, how will he be working. If the shop he is working in will have him working at a stationary location then most boxes will work. Try Home Depot, Lowe's, Harbor Frieght for some good deals. However, I had a shop where of necessity, the mechanics were wheeling and moving their boxes from vehicle to vehicle around the shop. This destroys a tool box quickly since the floors are rarely level and the boxes are constantly being twisted. Remember, your box will quickly get to 700 lbs and tool boxes with 1,200 lbs of tools is not uncommon. So if your box will be constantly moved as you perform your job, you need to consider a better box.

Last point. The last time I saw some numbers on tools (Snap-on does periodic surveys) the average mechanic had over $25,000 of personal tools on the jobsite. This is good to know if he is planning to make a long term career of this honorable profession.

quote:

Originally posted by honestlou:
I'll probably need a flame suit, but I think that Snap On and Matco, etc., are extremely overpriced, and not much better if any better than some other lower cost options. I don't mean Chinese crap, but you can get wrenches from companies like Wright Tool for much less money.

From what I've seen, the tool trucks get to charge ridiculous prices because they show up at work, and will finance almost anybody, so the guys pay $50/week forever. Forever. And the warranty is great, as long as you have a truck servicing you.

Snap On is like the Rent-a Center, where you can pay $50/month for a TV that you can buy for $300.

Visit https://www.garagejournal.com/ and read up on tool manufacturers. And they have lots of discussions on deals to be had.

My recommendation would be to find an older Craftsman set at a garage sale, if you can. Then look for screwdrivers and other stuff online. I love my Felo screwdrivers, and they're just not that expensive. Buy some German pliers, and you've got a good start.

You can probably find a Wright Tool wrench set, and still be withing $600.

By a cheap toolbox if he doesn't have the money, and then start looking at Craigslist and Facebook marketplace, where you can find a nice Snap On box for $1000 if you have a little patience. $1500 with no trouble. Talking about $3-5000 boxes.

While some of your points are dead on (the financing of the tools) about the big professional lines of tools, the difference in quality for a professional that is constantly putting his/her tools to heavy usage is rather drastic. I know, I was a mechanic and shop owner for over 25 years. Snap-on, Matco and all the national brand tool truck brands are clearly worth the price for the person in the trade. However, while I love my Snap-on tools and toolboxes now I am a hobbyist and I can tell you that I would not pay the premium for these tools in my current situation. My professional branded tools are a result of my previous profession.

quote:

Last point. The last time I saw some numbers on tools (Snap-on does periodic surveys) the average mechanic had over $25,000 of personal tools on the jobsite. This is good to know if he is planning to make a long term career of this honorable profession.

$25K is a bit light. I have about that much just in tool storage.
My last inventory was almost $125K and that's just what I have at work.
Over 30 years and I still have tool bills on all of the trucks.

Craftsman or DeWalt for a complete 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 socket set.
Everything in one nice complete package to keep things organized and together.
Stores will have some great deals on complete sets for black Friday.

Set of Gearwrenches (metric and SAE)
These will normally be on sale for black Friday for 50 bucks (20 pcs sets) at Menards and other stores.

Klein screwdrivers and nut drivers.

Set of Knipex 7 1/4 & 10" cobra pliers.
Expensive but will save a lot of grief.

DeWalt impact to not only save ones wrist, but to break loose stubborn screws and bolts.
Make sure to get a set of Milwaukee impact 1/4 hex to 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 square drive adapters. This way he can use his sockets effectively.

Home Depot has a couple nice torque wrenches (3/8 & 1/2).

Estwing hammer.

SK has some nice socket sets, but they are very pricey.
Craftsman will do him just fine.

Couple Cresant wrenches. Knipex has this covered too, but pricy.
If used much, the Knipex will save a person a lot of time. Again the 7 and 10" adjustable pliers.

Watch this video. He covers the current Craftsman tools and how they are made today and goes into what he thinks are good tools. His language is crude, but he seems to know his stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW4KWSfcGRU

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Craftsman or DeWalt for a complete 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 socket set.
Everything in one nice complete package to keep things organized and together.
Stores will have some great deals on complete sets for black Friday.

Set of Gearwrenches (metric and SAE)
These will normally be on sale for black Friday for 50 bucks (20 pcs sets) at Menards and other stores.

Klein screwdrivers and nut drivers.

Set of Knipex 7 1/4 & 10" cobra pliers.
Expensive but will save a lot of grief.

DeWalt impact to not only save ones wrist, but to break loose stubborn screws and bolts.
Make sure to get a set of Milwaukee impact 1/4 hex to 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 square drive adapters. This way he can use his sockets effectively.

Home Depot has a couple nice torque wrenches (3/8 & 1/2).

Estwing hammer.

SK has some nice socket sets, but they are very pricey.
Craftsman will do him just fine.

Couple Cresant wrenches. Knipex has this covered too, but pricy.
If used much, the Knipex will save a person a lot of time. Again the 7 and 10" adjustable pliers.

Costco has a 173 piece Dewalt set that has open end wrenches 1/4"drive, 3/8" drive and 1/2" drive for $79.99 right now. It's a pretty damn comprehensive set for $80

https://www.costco.com/dewalt-...oduct.100507719.html

I started out buying only the best names and most expensive tools as well. Over a lifetime, I feel like I've discovered which tools benefit from increased production costs.

Thank you all for the suggestions, I am searching craigslist, ebay, and various sales at lowes and other stores.

I'm actually quite excited for my son! He's green but I think this will be a good experience for him.

Pawn Shops are a good place to find tools. There's usually a bin of assorted wrenches, sockets etc. More for filling in missing sizes than complete sets.

quote:

Originally posted by T-Boy:

quote:

Originally posted by honestlou:
I'll probably need a flame suit, but I think that Snap On and Matco, etc., are extremely overpriced, and not much better if any better than some other lower cost options. I don't mean Chinese crap, but you can get wrenches from companies like Wright Tool for much less money.

From what I've seen, the tool trucks get to charge ridiculous prices because they show up at work, and will finance almost anybody, so the guys pay $50/week forever. Forever. And the warranty is great, as long as you have a truck servicing you.

Snap On is like the Rent-a Center, where you can pay $50/month for a TV that you can buy for $300.

Visit https://www.garagejournal.com/ and read up on tool manufacturers. And they have lots of discussions on deals to be had.

My recommendation would be to find an older Craftsman set at a garage sale, if you can. Then look for screwdrivers and other stuff online. I love my Felo screwdrivers, and they're just not that expensive. Buy some German pliers, and you've got a good start.

You can probably find a Wright Tool wrench set, and still be withing $600.

By a cheap toolbox if he doesn't have the money, and then start looking at Craigslist and Facebook marketplace, where you can find a nice Snap On box for $1000 if you have a little patience. $1500 with no trouble. Talking about $3-5000 boxes.

While some of your points are dead on (the financing of the tools) about the big professional lines of tools, the difference in quality for a professional that is constantly putting his/her tools to heavy usage is rather drastic. I know, I was a mechanic and shop owner for over 25 years. Snap-on, Matco and all the national brand tool truck brands are clearly worth the price for the person in the trade. However, while I love my Snap-on tools and toolboxes now I am a hobbyist and I can tell you that I would not pay the premium for these tools in my current situation. My professional branded tools are a result of my previous profession.

I didn't intend to compare the professional truck tools to the Chinese or even Taiwanese tools. But there are professional grade tools, like the Wright wrenches, that are not sold on trucks. I think in general people pay twice as much for the same quality by buying off of a truck. The truck offers easy financing, and door to door service. And I'm not saying that about everything, especially the tool boxes.

Here is a video about knockoffs and rebranding:




Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0PG8wreBME&t=609s


Here is a link to GarageJournal thread that lists truck tool equivalents, as many of the Snap On and Matco tools are actually made by others and rebranded:

https://www.garagejournal.com/...ool+truck+equivalent

Another possibility if you have something like this in your area, we have a local pawn shop that deals only in used tools. There are many good deals if you know what you are looking for. Inventory is always changing so many trips are not out of the question.

With Black Friday rapidly approaching, many different brands and types of tools and sets are on sale.

Small engines and light pickups are going to require different tools with some overlap.

My preferences after 40 years in the business are towards Snap-On,Mac,Proto,and the like.

I suggest that he look for good quality, not necessarily the best until he has been at it for a few years and learned enough to know if he will stay with profession.

Just get a set of Craftsman sockets on Black Friday. Be careful on the "pieces" because a lot will have half the pieces in screwdriver bits and allen wrenches. Craftsman wrenches and screwdrivers if on sale. Don't worry about them being Chinese. He is starting out and they function. This is an ideal time to get them.

Get some Crescent wrenches, Channellock adjustables and needle nose pliers, Harbor Freight hammers, Vise Grip pliers, a Harbor Freight torque wrnech, some picks, a extendable magnet, a screwdriver handle with bits, some HF chisels.

That should be a fair start to get going. He can buy more and better later if it turns into a career but those can serve him around the house if not.

He's young, don't go crazy cheap, but Taiwanese made tools are great for the money. He will learn what he needs to splurge on and what he can consider expendable over time. Specialty tools like ball joint pullers and hub removers are not that expensive and will keep you from hurting yourself trying to go without.

Things to NOT forget: Nice mechanix gloves(the ones that have rubber pads to keep you from busting your knuckles). Plan on a pair annualy. Nice safety glasses too.

This is the time to learn good habits, like keeping a clean, organized workspace, using the right tools for the job, and safety safety safety...

Shit I sound like my Grandpa.

Dealership guy/motorcycle wrench here.

Started in a small engine/lawn repair shop when I was 16. Look around to see what the other techs are using, you'd be surprised at just how small a box and how few tools he can use doing the repetitive most of those shops do.

Big...BIG thing. Get his ass a 12V impact, Milwaukee ideally. That tool will be his literal right hand in a shop like that. We use them for every single task...I'd damn near brush my teeth with it if I had the right bit we use them so much.

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:
Pawn Shops are a good place to find tools. There's usually a bin of assorted wrenches, sockets etc. More for filling in missing sizes than complete sets.

Just make sure you know before hand what the price is of the item. As around here, you can normally buy new CHEAPER.

I started with a set like this years ago and andded to it as needed.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hu...ce-H268MTS/203541462