Official Tool Guide Pyramid

[pharmd]

For some of us young guys trying to put together a toolbox, etc can you vetrans put together a guide for us younger guys...Just like the food guide pyramid, where the stuff you "must" have and use 6-8 times a day are on the bottom list, then the next items are stuff you use like 4-6 times a day, then the text tier is stuff you use 2-4 times a day, and the final level is seldom used tools (or luxury items...stuff you never use, but when you do have them they are nice and occationally come in handy etc).

I'd certainly appreciate this as I try to accumulate some tools. It could help us young guys not waste a bunch of money on tools we don't need, and would let you vetrans compare how you guys use and accumulate tools.

I'm hoping this thread could turn into a sticky, that all newbs could read when they start putting together a garage of their own...

Thanks in advance.

[cableguy0]

I would say the basic must haves are a complete socket set both 3/8's and 1/2 inch drive. A couple different ratchets. A good breaker bar. A qaulity set of screw drivers. A set of different length extensions are also neccessary. A couple good hammers. Automotive hammers not claw hammers. A good set of ball peens or dead blows is the way to go. You will pay more in the first place but they will last a long time.A quality set of wrenches is also a must have. It depends a lot on what your going to be working on as to whats a neccessity. For our old trucks the stuff I listed will pretty much get you by for any job. Also a decent electrical meter can be used for all sorts of different things. I like the 20 dollar meter sears sells. For a basic meter it works well and for the guy only wrenching on his own stuff it will work fine and hold up well. Vise grips,channel locks and pliars are also very useful.

From here I guess we would move to a qaulity torque wrench. A set of chisels and punches. A heavy c clamp also comes in handy for many things mainly compressing caliper pistons.If you have drum brakes. A drum brake service set is also very helpful and should include a brake spoon as well as the few tools to remove and install the springs.

[noonzor]

very good list, i couldnt agree more! i'm only gonna add a cpl things; a good solid level bench to work on(home built mine cost me bout $70 with sheetmetal top), good quality electric grinder(got mine on sale canadian tire for $60), and a bench vise mounted on the good sturdy workbench. add those to the list above and there wont be much you cant tackle in your own garage!

[a.c.ward]

I have been a professional mechanic both in the US Army, and in civilian life for the past 30 years. The list here is what I have used to recommend to my children, soldiers, and others who are wanting to get in the auto repair business/hobby:

Tier 1 Tools:

a. EYE AND EAR PROTECTORS!!
b. Quality name brand socket sets, ¼, 3/8, ½ inch drive, 6 point and 12 point with extensions, universal joint, ratchets, breaker bars
c. Quality screwdrivers flat and Phillips
d. 16 oz, 32 oz ball peen hammers
e. 5 or 10 pound mini sledge hammer
f. Pliers: wire cutting, slip joint, plumbers, needle nose, wire strippers, vise grips (spend the money, get real ones)
g. 12”, 24” and 36” pry bars (don’t have to be expensive ones)
h. 3/8 to 1” box end wrenches, either 6 or 12 point
i. Storage device of your choice

Tier 2 Tools:

a. Drop lights (fluorescent are the best- don’t create heat)
b. Extension cords
c. Good floor jack with at least 4 jack stands and wheel chocks
d. 4” electric grinder with grinding and cutting wheels
e. ¼ to 1 5/16” inch box end wrenches, 6 or 12 point
f. 6” C clamp
g. Storage device capable of holding and organizing all of the above


Tier 3 Tools:

a. Quality name brand ½” drive torque wrench with case
b. Medium air compressor with tire filling stuff, air blowing stuff
c. 2” high speed air sander with pads
d. ½” impact with impact sockets, deep wheel 6 point
e. 50 foot air hose
f. Creeper
g. Cordless drill with quality selection of bits, extra battery
h. Pickle fork and pitman arm puller
i. Belt tension gauge (makes quick work of setting up v belts, side note, makes them last longer with the proper tension set)
j. High speed air cutter with cutting wheels
k. Good multimeter

Tier 4 Tools:

a. 120 volt flux core MIG welder
b. Good quality welding helmet, gloves and leather sleeves
c. Body hammers, dollies, spoons
d. DA Sander

Tier 5 Tools:

a. 240 volt MIG welder with bottle
b. Plasma cutter
c. GOOD big air compressor
d. Air filtration system
e. HVLP paint gun
f. More air tools…..

Tier 6 Tools:

a. Post lift
b. Sheetmetal brake
c. Sheetmetal shear
d. Bearing press
e. Drill press
f. If your going to dream, dream big!

Enjoy your build, and keep us informed

AC Ward

currently in Afghanistan

[cdowns]

i use my 1/4"drive sockets far more than the 3/8 and 1/2 sets

at leat 2 of each size in wrenches

cant have too many clamps all shapes and sizes

a good set of chisels and center punches and drift punches

magnets are fun to have mirrors too
things to cut with are nice all sizes and shapes// heavy pocket knife,exacto knives,utility knives even a butter knife is in my toolbox

things that you use to measure with// rulers straight edges compass calipers

[blime81]

Not a must have but a small oxy/act torch is very handy. Even the little mapp gas ones are nice when the BFH isn't enough. Propane works too but the mapp gas is hotter.

Sawzall is another tool I use regularly.

GOOD crimpers and strippers make electrical work easier. So does a heat gun and soldering iron (butt connectors are for quick fixes only).

None of these are particularly expensive tools and give you some versatility.

a.c. ward listed a drill press as a tier 5 tool but I wouldn't wanna be with out one. They really aren't too expensive if you buy an old used one and the old ones are pretty much impossible to destroy.

Also if you got some extra coin ratchet wrenches are great! You still might need a regular box end every so often for clearance but I will never go back.

[LONGHAIR]

The basics have been covered pretty well, but don't forget or neglect the simple "specialty" things that make life so much easier. Fortunately most of them are not expensive. Although they are not "every day" tools, things like brake tools, gasket scrapers, Allen wrenches, harmonic balancer puller/installer, etc. sure do make things much easier.
A spindle nut socket is a must-have for a 4x4 owner.

[cableguy0]

Just to add a ball joint press can be a life saver. It works great for ball joint but also makes doing u joints a 5 minute deal. You can get the basic set from harbor freight for 40 bucks.

[67 k20 firetruck]

Great list. I would only add in the "must haves" list a Tripod Halogen light. I work in my detached, poorly lit garage and 2 of these are a life saver and throw heat on chilly nights. Mine were a "two-fer" from Sears and I think they were @ 30 bucks. Northern or Harbor has them as well as the replacement bulbs.

[Catfisher']

Thanks, this is going to help me!

[68GMCCustom]

I just buy them as I go....30+ yrs and I'm still adding stuff!

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

I just buy them as I go....30+ yrs and I'm still adding stuff!

Sounds like me. Golly gee darle'n, I need this super fancy tool to finish the job. Really. Of course I will use it again. Yep, same as last week, but this one is differnt.

[Redneck72]

First of all let me say "Thank You to A.C. Ward and my fellow brothers and sisters of the military out doing what they do to keep everyone safe at home. Second I have plagerized the snot out of this thread and have taken everyones input and put it into A.C.'s list to make one comprehensive list. I think this would also make a real good sticky for this section but change the name to "List of Tools for any good shop" That way people will know what it is right off the bat. I was actually searching for something like this to know avail when I just happened to click on this thread. Anyway hope a moderator reads this.

Here is the list-

Tier 1 Tools:

a. EYE AND EAR PROTECTORS!!
b. Quality name brand socket sets, ¼, 3/8, ½ inch drive, 6 point and 12 point with extensions, universal joint, ratchets, breaker bars
c. Quality screwdrivers flat and Phillips
d. 16 oz, 32 oz ball peen hammers
e. 5 or 10 pound mini sledge hammer
f. Pliers: wire cutting, slip joint, plumbers, needle nose, wire strippers, vise grips (spend the money, get real ones)
g. 12”, 24” and 36” pry bars (don’t have to be expensive ones)
h. 3/8 to 1” box end wrenches, either 6 or 12 point
i. Storage device of your choice

Tier 2 Tools:

a. Drop lights (fluorescent are the best- don’t create heat) or tripod lights
b. Extension cords
c. Good floor jack with at least 4 jack stands and wheel chocks
d. 4” electric grinder with grinding and cutting wheels
e. ¼ to 1 5/16” inch box end wrenches, 6 or 12 point
f. 6” C clamp and other various sizes. You never have too many
g. Storage device capable of holding and organizing all of the above
h. Drill press
I. Gasket Scrapers (because they can be used for other things also)


Tier 3 Tools:

a. Quality name brand ½” drive torque wrench with case
b. Medium air compressor with tire filling stuff, air blowing stuff
c. 2” high speed air sander with pads
d. ½” impact with impact sockets, deep wheel 6 point
e. 50 foot air hose
f. Creeper
g. Cordless drill with quality selection of bits, extra battery
h. Pickle fork and pitman arm puller
i. Belt tension gauge (makes quick work of setting up v belts, side note, makes them last longer with the proper tension set)
j. High speed air cutter with cutting wheels
k. Good multimeter

Tier 4 Tools:

a. 120 volt flux core MIG welder
b. Good quality welding helmet, gloves and leather sleeves
c. Body hammers, dollies, spoons
d. DA Sander
e. Harmonic Balancer puller/installer
f. Ball Joint Press
g. Spindle Nut Socket
h. Various size spring compressor.. valves, struts, etc.
I. Brake Spoon

Tier 5 Tools:

a. 240 volt MIG welder with bottle
b. Plasma cutter
c. GOOD big air compressor
d. Air filtration system
e. HVLP paint gun
f. More air tools…..

Tier 6 Tools:

a. Post lift
b. Sheetmetal brake
c. Sheetmetal shear
d. Bearing press
e. If your going to dream, dream big!

[68GMCCustom]

Originally Posted by ERASER5

Sounds like me. Golly gee darle'n, I need this super fancy tool to finish the job. Really. Of course I will use it again. Yep, same as last week, but this one is differnt.

Thats how I do it! Got a Table saw, a compound Miter saw, and a Router out of her when we did the floors! Compressor, air tools, power tools, and others along the way!

[RuralRoute C-30]

Great list. Even made me think and I've had some years of collecting tools.

One of the more recent ones I bought a few months ago, originally for the day job but have one in my toolbox now, is a headlamp. It's spoiled me.

Between having had to adjust to wearing glasses these past few years and maybe my just getting older and a little smarter in how I work, this headlamp has helped me more than once to see and work in shadowed spaces.

Just an example here with the link, they don't have to be expensive, just functional. Just make sure they have the hinge to adjust the light's direction.
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/headlamp.html

Mark

[McC_65_91]

WD-40 and Duct Tape hahahaha great list though and you collect them as you go

[Maxxd07]

Just one set of various sizes of crescent wrenches, can be used as hammers also. Thats all you need.








J/K
Gloves, leather or mechanix, saftey glasses, ear plugs, and proper clothing such as long pants with no holes and a properly fitting shirt and no open toed shoes. I bet there has been more than one person here that had something "grab" their shirt or pants and scare the crap out of them. Also droping something hot or even just a wrench on your feet hurts alot less with proper footwear. And welding with proper clothing keeps the burns away. Just speaking from some of my expierences, saftey should come FIRST. The list looks pretty good as far as tools go and you can mix and match from any of the tiers to customize what you will need.