what to put in the TOOL BOX?

[masteryota1]

I am in no way a car person, but with this being my first purchase of a USED vehicle. (1995 toyota camry) I have had to do a few small things i have listed on the board. (thanks for all the help and responses) Ok seeing i dont do many repairs i never really had need for many tools lol.
I have a few ratchet sets. that i have lost pieces too, or the ratchet itslef lol. so im looking to build a set i can keep close to the car. for those common DIY jobs for example.


Changing out the battery
removing Headlight assemblies
anything in the door panel.
Oil change.

So im trying to see what types and sizes of tools would give me a good assortment, to have on hand.

sae vs metric (dont know)

3/8 drive vs 1/2 or 1/4 does this matter for these type of things?


OK I KNOW ITS COMMON INFO. but i was always told if you dont know ASK

[Curry]

Well the box I keep in my trunk contains:

small WD40
Needle nose pliers
Regular pliers
wire strippers
electrical tape
duct tape
Ratchet with 10, 12 and 14 mm sockets
Extra bolts
screw drivers
hex keys
flashlight
Extra fuses

and thats about it.

[Venom_5]

i keep a tq wrench and a 90-piece craftsman mechanics set [plus 2 1/2" drive sockets for the tq wrench] in the back on the floor at all times ... no joke

as well as some gloves so i dont cut and burn my hands ...

that pretty much takes care of me on-the-go, otherwise i can get home in time to use the rest of my tools

the bigger the drive on the ratchet/wrench, the stronger it will be - but small ones are nice to get into small spots

i have a 1/4" and 3/8" ratchet, but my tq wrench is 1/2"

[Stillrunning]

I would start with a set of 3/8" drive 12 point metric sockets. I have from 9mm to 19mm and that covers a lot of stuff. I would match it with the same sizes in box end 12 point wrenches. If you need more torque on larger bolts/nuts then 1/2" drive 6 point SAE or metric. The larger metric will accept SAE and with 6pt you will not round over flats as easily, good on larger bolts needing more torque. But larger metric in 1/2" drive will work well. Most North American cars now use metric. I started acquiring tools a long time ago before metric, so that is the main reason I have some SAE as well. I have always used Craftsman hand tools because they come with a lifetime warranty, lots of choice, and easy access from all Sears Stores. You can buy singles to accumulate a matching set without having to break the bank all at once. I want Snap-on but they're too expensive and hard to get. Don't buy cheap sockets etc., Craftsman is good quality at decent prices. I also have a few 1/4" drive sockets for special stuff I have needed them for. If you don't have a Sears store near you NAPA carries good tools but with little higher prices. I have some NAPA's that I needed that Sears did not carry. You will also need a short and long extension as well as a universal joint for 3/8" and 1/2" drive when you get that.

Don't forget to come up with projects that need new tools - it's always neat to go tool shopping.

[eyeball96]

Can't help ya! I don't carry a tool box...I have AAA ...Really tho, u have a Gen 3.5 Camry. U shouldn't need many tools to haul around. The car probably won't break down and leave ya stranded!

[Venom_5]

which reminds me...

i dont have my jack or jack stands in my car, cuz if it really needs help then i have AAA too

i should take out the spare tire

[masteryota1]

hmm might get the AAA too , but i know a while back when i had a pontiac , and i was sitting on side of expressway for hours waitng for roadside assistance lol (through cingular).

i know the little jack that is included, isnt very efficient, so i might pick up some sort of can jack (not sure of the real name lol) i know its extra weight in the trunk, but its a hole lot faster than twisting and hacking one of those emergency jacks lol


Man in previous cars i have had the worst of luck i guess, lol i have had flat tires. dead batteries that wont jump start, alternators, and misc other stuff happen when i was out and about, and too far from home to consider towing directly home. it was cheaper to buy a cheap car battery and the tools i had to get out of store and put it in, than it was to pay the extra (roadside assistance only gives mile 10 miles or maybe 15 mile free) to tow car home, or to mechanic on my side of town lol.

[Heat]

Originally Posted by masteryota1

...sae vs metric (dont know)

3/8 drive vs 1/2 or 1/4 does this matter for these type of things?
...

You're asking what tools to have in your garage in general, right? That is, not what to carry around in your trunk?

Pay attention to your local Sears ads - they'll have half off specials on their Craftsman sockets sets periodically. Pick one up when it's 40% or 50% off, expect to pay about $30 or $35 but you'll get a decent size set. What you need for your Toyota are metric sizes but you'll need SAE for other things - but most sets will have both anyway. You'll need a spark plug socket for when you change your plugs (yes, it is very easy) so keep that in mind when looking at the different sets.

As for the size, pick up 3/8" drives and don't forget what size you have - as you buy parts for your socket set later (extensions, universal joints, etc) you'll need to get the right size. When you buy wrenches look for 6 point, not 12 point. 12 point wrenches are easier to use but strip easier.

That'll get you started. You'll need more tools over time of course and when you do buy quality tools (Craftsman).

And make sure you have a 14 mm wrench, that's what you'll need for the oil pan drain plug. Changing the oil is really easy if you haven't done it before.

[masteryota1]

Originally Posted by Heat

You're asking what tools to have in your garage in general, right? That is, not what to carry around in your trunk?

well , probably the trunk. not really planning on having one of those big red rolling tool boxes, in my arsenal. You wont believe how many times with other cars i have been stuck. and all i needed was a few tools to get stuff done. i was in parking lot of a kmart trying to put a battery in a car for like 2 hours lol, because i was buying the wrong tools for the job lol


OH ALSO which sockets are good to also have a "deep version" because i know sometimes they are just too shallow to do the small things i have tried in the past

[bigbird]

jack, jackstands, and a breaker bar

ull want a set of deep and regular.

[Isaac-1]

If your looking for things to keep in an emergency tool box in the car, add flash light, a small assortment of hose clamps, jumper cables, an assortment of small hoses, and hose repair tape.

Ike

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Heat

When you buy wrenches look for 6 point, not 12 point. 12 point wrenches are easier to use but strip easier.

6 point sockets maybe, but 6 point wrenches are too restrictive in tight places and won't allow those small incremental turns. 6 point sockets are thicker for more beef but again they will not fit into as many places as 12 point and for most smaller sizes provide enough bite.

Frankly if masteryota 1 is only interested in a carry around set then AAA would be the best. Years ago I bought a set for carrying called, "Metrinch" which is designed to use on metric or SAE. Works great, even on rounded flats. I carry it only on long trips though and have needed it only once - to change an A/C belt in a NAPA parking lot. Keep your car serviced regularly and you won't need on the road tools.

[masteryota1]

well i would keep it in trunk, buti guess it woould really be my main tools. unless there is something big and bulky that needs to stay at home.

is this a good start? http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

[bmxr4life87]

6mm 8mm 10mm 12mm 14mm 17mm 19mm and 21mm are about all the sizes of fasteners you will find under the hood along with a 5.5mm allen for the engine cover (v6) but most of the time you will only need an 8, 10, 12 and 14. i changed my starter contacts in the kmart parking lot with just an 8, 10, 12 and 14 sockets and wrenches. a good set of pliars and screwdrivers will also go a long ways.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by masteryota1

is this a good start?

It's light on wrenches. Strange Sears would give you metric sockets but SAE wrenches. You should get 12 pt box end wrenches. All those hex keys are pretty much useless. Sets are inexpensive but restrictive in what you're given.

Take a look at this. I've had mine for about 15 years. As I mentioned it is my trip set but it could also be all you need in your garage.

http://www.mitools.com/

You could also buy an empty carry around tool box and create your own set. As has been posted the main metric sizes are 10, 12, 14, 16, 22. 22 might be too large for 3/8 drive so you could leave it out of a 3/8 drive set. Get same size box end wrenches.