Sunday, November 12, 2017

Building Your Toolbox



    Some technical schools have tool representatives that offer good discounts. When I attended UTI, there was a Snap-on representative on campus that offered students 50% off.  At this discounted rate it would be best to spend your money either on a small toolbox similar to the  KRA5311 series or roll cart similar to the KRSC46, KRSC33, or KRSC43. While Snap-on maybe the crème de la crème of tools, they are also expensive as *bleep*. Craftsman may be the best choice for the beginner technician they are considerably affordable, reliable and if it breaks, you can exchange it at any Sears or Ace Hardware. In my opinion, the most underrated tool brand out there is GearWrench, and they are the primary manufacturer of Matco ratchets and wrenches. Although I have a few Harbor Freight tools, they are mostly used to create my own specialty tool. For example I modified a screwdriver to do nothing except remove airbags and a torx bit to remove intake flap motors. If you're needing a tool that will require a high amount of torque and leverage such as a breaker bar or pry bar I'd stay away from Harbor Freight items.
Snap-on KRA5311 Series
https://store.snapon.com/KRA5311-Series-Roll-Cabs-C682674.aspx

Snap-on Roll Carts
Snap-on KRSC46

Snap-on KRSC43

Snap-on KRSC33



    When selecting a toolbox you might want to start off with a roll cart, a workbench or a tool chest from Harbor Freight, Sears, Home Depot, Lowes or Costco.  As you progress in your career, there will be plenty of opportunities to upgrade. The tool trucks will always have deals on toolboxes with decent finance options. Don't get too carried away; nobody cares about your damn toolbox. You might think it brings along some prestige, but it won't impress anyone except maybe a few customers. I started off with a Craftsman stainless steel tool chest that I keep at the house.  If I had to start over again, I would have bought a workbench (with a steel top) instead, and it would have allowed me to have a work platform. I also have a Snap-on roll cart that I purchased while at UTI that I still have today and this enables me to have all my everyday tools close at hand. I use my main Snap-on toolbox for my specialty tools and snacks... lots of snacks.

    Since 1996 automotive manufacturers have gone metric with their bolts and fasteners making SAE tools almost obsolete. That big ass tool set you see in all the ads and tool catalogs usually come with both metric and SAE sockets and wrenches. Very rarely these days will you need to break out the SAE tools. The only time I use them is for repairing various pieces of shop equipment. It's also difficult to find a good deal on a tool set without those SAE tools in them. Get a basic set of chrome sockets. Here is a good beginner set with ratchets and wrenches included.
Image result for Craftsman 311 Piece Mechanics Tool Set

Specialty sockets are always needed as well. Be careful when using ball hex sockets, there is a chance if the bolt it too tight it's likely to round out the head of the bolt. Always use a solid straight hex bit when possible.
Image result for GearWrench 80742 Master SAE/Metric Hex and Torx Bit Socket Set

    These GearWrench ratchets are a must-have addition to your toolbox, not everything you work on will be at a perfect 90-degree angle with sufficient room to maneuver.
Image result for GearWrench 81216F

     Screwdrivers are a basic necessity, no need to complicate this item. You may find yourself needing an extended reach screwdriver, but until you know how often you'll be using them, I would hold off on them.
Image result for Craftsman 9-31794 Slotted Phillips Screwdriver Set, 17 Piece

     Basic pliers and specialty pliers. 
GearWrench 82116 7 Piece Mixed Pliers Set
The basics

Image result for OTC 4502 Hose Clamp Pliers Set - 2 Piece
Hose Clamp Pliers
Image result for Astro Pneumatic Tool 9409A
Flexible Hose Clamp Pliers
Cutting Pliers - Pistha Stainless Steel Diagonal Cutting Pliers Car Trim Panel Clip Remover Rivets Fastener Cutter Puller
I just bought these push pin pliers because engineers love to complicate everything.
GearWrench 41840D 2 Piece Push Pin Pliers Set
I use these at least once a day.
Image result for TEKTON 5866

    If you intend on working at an independent shop then I would recommend an oil filter socket set as well. If you're going to work at a dealership, I'd wait to find which sockets you'll need. You'll always need oil filter pliers.

    Pry bars and hammers, especially needed if you work in environments where rust is prevalent. For the love of your eyes wear eye protection. There was a tech working next to me that was prying on something and debris got into his eyes. After a visit to the eyewash station, I told him there were safety glasses in the tool room. He grab the glasses and laid them on his toolbox and continued about his task, once again getting debris in his eyes.  Don't be that guy.

Craftsman 3 Piece Curved Pry Bar Set With Strike Cap Handle

GearWrench 82300 2 Piece Indexable Pry Bar Set - 8-Inch and 16-Inch
Image result for GearWrench 82303D
Get a high quality and bright flashlight. A rechargeable Streamlight Stinger is the industry standard.

Streamlight 75813 Stinger DS C4 LED Flashlight with AC/DC Steady Charger, Black
Using a headlamp light is useful, most shops have poor lighting. 
Ledlenser - MH10 Headlamp
    
The workhorse of all the tools you will acquire will be your 1/2" impact gun. Before you go and purchase a bunch of other air tools, purchase a quality 1/2" impact first. You'll find out most technicians are switching over to electric ratchets and impacts. I can not express to you enough how important it is to have a good impact. I personally use an Ingersoll Rand 2235QTiMAX and have had it since the beginning. Don't forget to keep it lubricated. 

Ingersoll Rand 2235QTiMAX 1/2" Quiet Titanium Air Impact Wrench
    Image result for Lucas Oil Products 10216

    Don't ever use chrome sockets with and impact! You may see some techs do so on a daily basis and what they are doing is playing with a hand grenade. I've had them split on me and I had one explode, taking a small chunk of finger and leaving a good gouge in my safety glasses. I also had to get another technician bandaged up while a ride was getting prepared to send him to the hospital. I didn't think it was that bad, but he ended up passing out on the way there.
 Grey Pneumatic (1430MRD) 1/2" Drive 30-Piece Standard/Deep Metric Socket Set
    Most entry level techs will be tasked with performing brake repairs, mostly replacing brake pads and shoes.

Image result for Lisle 24300
Single piston brake pad spreader
Image result for Lisle 25750
Dual pistion brake pad spreader. Very common amongst high performance vehicles
It's common that vehicles with rear brake pads will require a special tool to wind back the pistons. I use a pneumatic model since I could never find a durable standard type.
 Ztech 22pcs Heavy Duty Disc Brake Caliper Tool Set and Wind Back Kit for Brake Pad Replacement
This pneumatic model is what I personally use and have used it for years.
Image result for SIR Tools PNEUMATIC BRAKE SVC TOOL
    Miscellaneous items you'll need.
Image result for STEELMAN 97844
Brake Pad Thickness Gauge
Image result for Astro 3018
A digital tire gauge is essential for vehicle with tire pressure monitors.


Milton S-448 Tire Tread Depth Gauge
For measuring tire thread depth

You can usually find pocket screw drivers from the tool truck or school. Collect as many as you can because they get lost fast.  Probably the most used tool aside from your 1/2" impact.


    I think this completes the list of must have beginner tools. As you progress in your career you'll start to accumulate more specialized tools to match your skill set. If you have all these tools already, great! If not, start building.



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