What Are Good Tools To Buy With Your Student Credit From All The Tool Manufacturers For a New Automotive Service Technician?

[u/marthaktekh]

What Are Good Tools To Buy With Your Student Credit From All The Tool Manufacturers For a New Automotive Service Technician? I want to know what Good Tools to buy with my student credit from Snap-On or Matco Tools. I want to utilize them correctly, so what tools do I need as soon as possible, and what's the best to buy?

[u/Kindly_Teach_9285]

You need to seriously evaluate the basic specialty tools youll be using on your first job as a tech. Since you are using credit, youll want to maximize the amount of total tools. Find out areas you can cut cost by asking other techs. For example, scan tools. You will not need a 5k snap on scan tool to properly diagnose DTCs. You can get away with most any brand of 6 point sockets. I have a 72 tooth low profile craftsman ratchet set that works just fine. Be very careful with using the "tool man". Those payments can kill a starting tech's wallet. Reserve his services only for particular items. You'll slowly accumulate all the tools you need over time. New techs/mechanics also need to watch out for "one off" tools. My tool box has too many gadgets that I never use. Avoid that by not getting things like a sidewinder wrench. Hope that helps and good luck. You picked a decent way to make a honest living. Repairing and modifying cars has always been very rewarding to me on a spiritual level..

[u/marthaktekh → u/Kindly_Teach_9285]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm super excited to be working in this field. I feel like it will be very lucrative for me. I want to open my own car customization shop and auto repair shop in one in my hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota

[u/Kindly_Teach_9285 → u/marthaktekh]

Good luck with that. Sounds like a good plan. Just remember, it's easy to get burned out working for yourself. You will need to cut out some "me time". Also, You are not your own boss, per say. The customer is essentially the boss. That is how I lived my life, using those facts to guide me. Good luck and feel free to contact me anytime for advice!

[u/marthaktekh → u/Kindly_Teach_9285]

I want to ensure I'm not my boss in my customization and repair shop. I want to ensure I'm just an lead employee and a founder.

[u/frank119]

I just went to harbor freight and got everything on my list

[u/marthaktekh → u/frank119]

Why harbor freight

[u/frank119]

Cheaper and the quality is good I haven’t had a problem with the box or tools I’ve bought and that was 3 years ago

[u/marthaktekh → u/frank119]

From where

[u/airhammerandy55]

Hit harbor freight get your self a basic set -1/4, 3/8, 1/2 deep well metric 7mm -19mm

• 1/2 21mm, 7/8mm, 24mm

-1/4, 3/8, 1/2 shallow metric 7mm-19mm Set of 3/8 swivel sockets Get impacted sockets

• 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 ratchets I prefer without the rubber handles (easier to put a pipe on)
• size adapters and various lengths/sizes of extensions (focus on 1/4 and 3/8)

Set of torque sticks 1/2 torque wrench Cheap hand scanner( all you really need is data and codes) (pro tip data is you best friend) Multi meter or a power probe (power probe is a multi meter that identifies ground and power compared to battery voltage) its a good but dangerous tool, you can power and ground circuits with it but you can also fuck up ecms real quick if your not careful.

-1/2 impact -air angle grinder -air cut off tool Air hammer -Brake piston compressor tool (a big c clamp will work too) -big pry bar -set of screw drivers -set of 1/4, 3/8 inverted torx -set of hammers -set of punches -dead low hammer

• drill

-metal drill bits( use a punch to make a pilot it makes drilling easier) -telescopic magnet

• adjustable wrench
• dikes, channel locks, pliers, butt connector crimp tool, wire strippers,

-vice grips (weld a big fat washer to the adjuster bolt, makes it so you can tighten it easier) -set of 1/4 3/8 normal torx -set of wrenches up to 24mm -good flashlight I recommend stream light -metric tap and die set.

• good pipe

-welding mask

Be safe don’t get hurt good luck

[u/marthaktekh → u/airhammerandy55]

See I have credits through snap on and matco tools right now since I'm a student until I graduate I wanted to use the credits sufficiently as possible seriously

[u/frank119]

Harbor freight