Tools..cause every one loves them

[jsl222]

Sorry for the lame title. So, I need to delight myself by purchasing a new set of tools to work on the 3rd gen. What do you guys recommend? Trying to stay sub-$100ish. I also need a set of jacks and a lift. Knowing what yall use and your reviews on it would be helpful. Thank You

[touringcamry]

Jack and jack stands are needed to get under the car. For metric wrenches and sockets, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, and 21mm are the most common sizes though if you don't have the 17mm or 21mm it won't be too detrimental. You should also get an oil filter wrench - I prefer the cap type but get whichever one you like. You'll need a set of screwdrivers, #1, #2, and #3 Philips and a couple flat heads. A few pairs of pliers will come in handy also at some point in time. You might also want to get a shop light of some sort.

You may also want to get a drain pan for draining fluids, a few funnels, some shop rags, and an tire pressure gauge.

If all you really plan to do is change fluids, the above tools should suffice for most, if not all your jobs. I can't think of anything else you might need off the top of my head.

[marc780]

A craftsman set of sockets and box open end wrenches. 1/2, 3/8. 1/4" socket sets, you should have them all ideally. If you just want to acquire tools a bit at a time then go for the 3/8" socket sets first. Then the rest later.

I have acquired many brands of tools over the years but i like craftsmen the best because of these good reasons: price, availability, durability. Great warranty. most of them are pretty well made. When it is for a tool i know i am going to use over and over and keep for years, i will get a very good one if not the best...

Snap on? - the hand tools are pretty good, but way too expensive, and totally over rated! Not only that i have had alot of tools STOLEN over the years and unless your tools are in a very safe place they might disappear especially if the bandito sees Snap on. Whats more, anything they make that is more complicated than a socket set is overpriced junk!! I know, in our shop we have a bunch of snap on battery chargers, tire changers etc., its crap that breaks alot and not acceptable - especially for the fortune they charge!

For tools i know i am going to use only a few times, i often get harbor freight tools. I wouldnt want to have a whole garage full of tools from them, espcially for stuff you use constantly like wrenches and screwdrivers. (the good tools just feel and work better) Harbor freight is all made in China b- or c-grade stuff - but good enough for occasional use.
For instance my slide puller tool, which i bought 5 years ago but havent even used yet, and my ball joint puller set are some things i got from them - stuff i just wanted to have but not willing and no need to buy the best.

If you continue working on your own cars you will accumulate tools as you go, and its hard to say exactly what you will need until you need it! Here's an old and boring cliche but still happens to be true so i will repeat it: "Never buy a tool until you need it, then buy the best you can afford."
But socket sets, box open end wrenches, and a decent screwdriver set are the basics to start with.

Here are some really nice tools to have when you get around to it and i could almost guaranty you will use them:
-Pry bar set.
-Gear-ratchet wrenches (the box open end wrenches that ratchet on the box end). May i suggest if you buy these get the nice "gear wrench" kind and not waste your money on the cheap and crappy stamped steel ones, they are well worth the extra money.

Best Worst

-Electric impact wrench. For most shade tree mechanics that dont have a lot of money or space to work in, they are perfect for the following good reasons, because a) they are fairly cheap now. 2) dont need no stinkin' compressor 3) you can use regular sockets or deep sockets instead of the expensive black purpose-made impact sockets; because the electric wont shatter em the way a more power impact wrench would, so not dangerous.
(Rotate your own tires just once and you'll be a believer.)

[geoff5093]

In addition to what was said above, a torque wrench would also come in really handy. However those will fill up your $100 price range fairly quickly.

[DressUpYourPet]

Around here in So calif, the corner mechanica swears by his trusty hammer and vice grips, he ssays is the only tools he needs. Something about buying a socket set eats into the profits he said.

[ghettosled]

6" c-clamp comes in handy when doing brakes. also needle nose pliers seem to be used quite frequently.

[Sniperdude]

Originally Posted by DressUpYourPet

Something about buying a socket set eats into the profits he said.

I don't think you should ever go there.

[prnc_chrmng]

Originally Posted by geoff5093

In addition to what was said above, a torque wrench would also come in really handy. However those will fill up your $100 price range fairly quickly.

yeah, coms in real handy if you plan on doing some more serious stuff that youll want to be torqued to specs. or just your lug nuts. and a haynes manual. need one of those.

also a set of extentions for you sockets.

[wiccanferret]

Harbor Freight is your friend. Craftsman is good, but expensive. Harbor Freight is almost as good and is usually cheaper than the Walmart special. Most of their stuff also has lifetime warranties.

[rebel8ball]

check home depot, for around 100 bucks they have a 160 piece 'mechanics' tool set, nto top dollar or anything but it should get you started, and if you wish they sell them in black.

[jsl222]

any one have experience with cheaper jacks/stands and lifts such as the ones sold in Wal-Mart? They seem pretty cheap and I probably won't need a $200 lift from HB for my aged 3rd gen.

[rebel8ball]

i got a floor jack fromt here, works fine. bought jack stand big set of wrenches, creeper, etc from the truck sales that come to the local VFW halls around here...
online http://www.cumminstools.com/
find the truck sale link to see when they will be near you, great deals on mid level tools, wouldnt buy anything mechanical or electrical, bought a grinder once and it went out right away...but for basic stuff its awesome, i think i bought the stands, wrenches, and creeper for about 45 bucks...lol

[fj40supraman]

I know quite a bit about tools and I don't think you can go wrong with a set of craftsman. They put them on sale about every other week and if you watch you can find further discounts (craftsman club, 10%off coupons, etc.). If you do break them take them back and no questions asked get a replacement. If you don't have enough money, wait till something breaks and then when you get an estimate to fix it you will easily have enough to get a decent tool set.
In college I put a new front end on my Avalon and learned an important lesson. Don't just go tearing into something. Take your time (spray bolts and nuts with penetrating oil) and make sure you mark what bolts come from where- a egg carton works great. I put all my bolts in a ziploc and had quite a time when it was time to put stuff back together. Patience is the key. Broken and striped bolts/nuts take a long time to fix and a lot of times can be avoided.
I guess that has nothing to do with tools, but just as important.

[marc780]

I put all my bolts in a ziploc and had quite a time when it was time to put stuff back together.

You are right, plan ahead before you start work! Its been my bitter experience that if you are doing any work on a car of any complexity, like a timing belt change or valve job or even a water pump - you will save yourself a lot of aggravation if you spend a few bucks on a box of zip lock baggies, a pad of post it notes and a felt pen. So when i did my timingbelt for example,
Changing V6 Timing Belt Pics and the $270 Coil Connector

the t-belt cover bolts went into their own baggie with a hand written label. Then the water pump bolts got their own bag, and so on. Then all the bags go into a box or something. When i did my engine swap too, on my old Nissan 200SX about 4 years ago, this is what i did and it went pretty smoothly.

You find yourself feeling dead sure and absolutely certain that you WILL remember which bolt goes where and couldnt possibly forget, but come back to finish a complex job the next day and see what happens. Mark and label everything and even take pictures, you cant have too much info doing car work that involves unbolting lots of parts.