Here are links to some of the stuff I use Triple Squares ~ amzn.to/3H6AAcQ Mini Torxs ~ amzn.to/3prPHI7 Allens ~ amzn.to/3HdbwkI Streamlight Sylus Pro ~ amzn.to/3mywxhM Hose Clamp Pliers ~ amzn.to/3H6Alys Screwdriver ~ amzn.to/3suLVzz
Thank you. My soon to be ex wife has all my old tools (honestly they were the cheapest I could buy except for my foldable wire stripper/cutters). I have been slowly buying new quality tools as I need them. I plan to get hands on for minor stuff with my 2018 Audi Q5 that are not too technical. I do want to say thank you too you and Paul from DAP. I have learned a lot from your videos.
Best advice I ever received when I was starting out was "Buy cheap tools at first. When one breaks, replace it with a high quality tool. That shows that you use it enough to spend money on a replacement."
I started out with cheap tools. No longer wrench professionally and now I have almost every tool anyone would need as a "cheap" tool. I own all of my tools/boxes. All of my tools have lifetime warrantees. I've broken very few tools. So glad I didn't get sucked into the tool trucks
Pro Tip: Ask the harbor freight manager if they have any scratch / dent carts. I got one exactly like the one shown in this video for $165. It was a customer return due to a pretty big scratch (on the back, where it won’t show
I did that when I bought mine but I bought a Husky Brand from Home Depot, got a $400 46" tool cart for $139 and then stopped by Walmart and got a can of gloss black paint for $3 and took it to the dealership and popped the dent out and sanded it and repainted you couldn't even tell it was damaged. Also look at big box stores black friday/ day after Christmas sale, my gf bought me a 26" rolling tool box at Wal-mart for $50, I just didn't put the wheels on it and threw it on top of the 46" tool box, then I used the wheels to make a Motorcycle engine stand at work.
That's how I got a fantastic deal on my stainless craftsman griplatch upper box. It was a display model that's been on the floor for almost a year. 600 dollar toolbox I picked up for 275 before tax. I've had it since 2012 and it's held up nicely.
@@I_like_turtles_67 Yep, you gotta look for deals everywhere and you gotta talk to the tool vendors too, a couple months ago when our novice tech was given his grandpa's tool set, it's a Snap-on set from the early-mid 70's and he was a car mechanic and the 1/2" impact wrench is too big for us in the motorcycle world so he traded it in on a new 3/8'" impact wrench and our snap-on guy when through his tool box with him to see what he had and what was broken and needed to be swapped out.
Same. I bought a roller cabinet and top box from them and got it for half off because there was a dent on the underside of the roller; doesn’t affect function whatsoever
@@unashamedly1776 That's the only way to do it when you first start out. You get a better quality box for the same or less money than the U.S. General box, There's nothing wrong with the U.S. General box but lets not pretend it's the bottom of the barrel when come to quality of boxes.
The only other thing I would suggest for a fresh off the street tech would be a tire inflator with a gauge. As a new tech 1/3 of the initial jobs will be tire related. Mostly tire repairs and rotations. A good inflation tool is often overlooked but essential.
I fully agree, my first days was getting a tire inflator, I actually tried buying the best one I could as I would be using it every day. For me I bought Wilton (don’t know what model I have right now, but mine comes with the sight glass and pressure release button).
I started to work at a shop for the first time about 4 months ago, things that I would buy that were very nice would be an impact gun, tire gauge, and tire plug kit. After that gear wrench can supply you with most everything you need and work just fine.
I’m a sophomore in high school going into my junior year and I really couldn’t decide what I wanted to do, I have had tons of experience working on trucks and this video just boosted me to become a mechanic even more.
In todays would, we are fortunate to also have TH-cam, where you can continue to learn from many great mechanics/technicians. It’s a career that can make a difference in your financial future, as long as you are a good with diagnosing and troubleshooting.
Many colleges just do certication courses for ASE. They give you incredible deals on snap on tools at the end of the year if it's like my school. Tons of fun, highly recommend.
Being a mechanic, much like being an electrician or plumber, can be very rewarding. Unlike work like mine (IT), you can almost always see a definite end to your work, and see something go from "It doesn't work" to "it works!"
I don't think most people realize just how much a life can be changed by someone who knows what they are doing, spending a somewhat small amount of money compared to how much they will spend, on tools / paints / computer parts, whatever it is they are helping with. Getting them started in the craft. Love this. Im looking around trying to get my head around what tools i should get as I can only buy like 1-2 things a month that are around $30 a piece "or one thats $60ish" and videos like this are amazing. Ty for your effort.
You are so right! Good luck to you, I hope you get a lot of such help. More importantly I hope that you are one day able to be that sage looking out for those coming up after them! 🙉🙈🙊
As for the torque wrenches, Project Farm did some pretty extensive testing on those and they ended up towards the top so to get started they are perfect.
@@LacDole another great testing channel, much like project farm. If you watch the videos it gives you an idea of what you should get based on personal use
@@jmc6940 imma frostback from the North. 🇨🇦 it’s very very different here. Thanks for heads up nevertheless. We don’t have enough ppl in the industry up here. It’s a great time to wrench. 💰
@@jmc6940 Yea man like I worked at a MB dealer and had to buy all my tools. I wish they would have done something like this for us. The only "tool" I got, and I was grateful to get was a pocket screwdriver from an amazing tech that works there.
@@jmc6940 haha I was going to reply with this, you beat me to it! Yes some dealers might care but honesty if you live in a state where they’re legally required to pay you double minimum wage to provide your own tools (CA min is 15 as of Jan 1st so minimum base pay is $30/hour with your own tools). So instead of 30/hour they spend 1k on tools and easily make it back by paying these guys 16/hour…20/hour…22/hour..for a few years😬. And from what I’ve seen those guys still have to buy some of their own tools anyways once they’re past lube work.
When I went to school for diesel tech a little over 10 years ago, I bought an 800-something piece husky set for $600, a 32 inch craftsman toolbox off craigslist for $100, and an IR 2135 for $200. Fill in some odds and ends and I spent about $1k on my shit, versus everyone else in my class who spent multiple thousands on tool truck stuff, at least a quarter of who either flunked out or quit within the first year. A few of my classmates would give me shit about my store brand tools, but I got just as much work done as they did, and had the luxury of being able to walk away from it all with only $1k in the hole vs $10k. Once I settled in and new I liked what I did, I splurged on better ratchets and wrenches, and a fancy tool box, because those husky wrenches suck and the box was too small.
@@HumbleMechanic That's my advice on just about anything tool wise, even for wood working etc. Buy the cheaper but still decent quality stuff first, once you've broken it or worn it out, you know for sure that you really do need the expensive stuff next time.
At least you knew the Husky wrenches sucked and the box was too small. I see too many experienced techs clinging to the budget and complaining when their tools fail and they replace them with the same garbage. I tell new techs don't go so cheap you look like you don't belong, but don't be an asshole and buy Snap On before you've earned it. The mid range store brand stuff is pretty good nowadays and generally worth keeping around. GW, Milwaukee, Tekton etc are all respectable enough to get you through your first few years.
Smart idea… I got my tools going to the flea market on Saturday mornings looking for those broken craftsman wrenches to trade in for new ones… You buy the cheapest stuff at first so you see what tools you use the most before investing more $$$. I’ve never seen a mobile mechanic charge a higher rate because they had better tools just mobile mechanics who were never called back because they had to “borrow tools“ from the person who hired them.
Awesome video. I was a maintenance officer at an air logistics center for my first active duty assignment where we did periodic inspections, teardowns, and repairs of planes. One of the coolest things with the job was talking to the union mechanics about their tools and watching how they used them. I learned a ton. The center provided each guy a complete set of Snap On with a roll-away that they moved from plane to plane and, because of tool accountability rules (for obvious reasons), they couldn’t customize anything. I always marveled at seeing a new guy get his tools for the first time. It was like Christmas for those young mechanics.
When my son decided to go to school to learn to be an Automotive Technician, I told him I'd contribute $1K to his first toolbox after he graduates. This looks like a superb way to spend that money. I know he already has some of these tools -- part of the tuition for the school covers some basic tools that the students get to keep when they graduate. But still -- this is a great example of what to buy for a beginner, and we can add to it from there. I love it!! Definitely bookmarking this video for future reference (he's got another 6 months or so left before graduation). Thanks!
You hit the nail on the head. I do this same thing when I hired a new tech who is fresh in the field. I remember being green and no tools in the express lube. Had to rack up a bill quick. I said nope I won’t let a new tech go thru that. I buy most of the stuff from HF unless it’s a euro specific tool and after a year of being with us then I give it to him. Worse case scenario is I keep the tools for the next guy or for me. You know we never say no to more tools hahaha
Tekton sockets, ratchets and wrenches are pretty good for the price. I really like the no skip 1/2" set. 10mm-38mm with no skips for under $100. I used them daily for 3 months in a dealership and still use them at home. It's not a long test, but the warranty is easy, send a pic of the broken tool and they mail a new one.
Ive been using tekton tools and sockets as a professional toyota master tech for 6 years now and have zero complaints about them for the price they are amazing and their customer service is just as good
Been using tekton tools for a year and a half as a tech at a recon center/fleet maintenance center and they hold up great. Not a huge fan of their ratchets so I splurged on a couple snatch-off flex heads. Great combo
I would add the $40 side table for the HF cart, it is super useful. They also sell bumpers and a glove box holder that are magnetic. I think some lights would be useful as well.
I know this video was posted 2 years ago but after my first 2 years of college I have since moved to a tech school for automotive and have fallen in love with it, I grew up changing oil and servicing stuff with my dad to save money, nowI'm rebuilding atvs, boat motors, trailers and simple repairs on cars such as brakes, wheel bearings anything thats not major engine work besides things like water pumps, but I figured out where I want to go now and this helped me build a toolbox I can use at both school and an apprenticeship.
Good advice is good advice and it stands the test of time. The greatest take-away from this is to gear the tools towards the use. While a no-skip set of sockets is great, if Audis don't have very many 11mm and have a lot of triple-square, then buy accordingly when you're just getting started. If you find you need to keep borrowing that 11mm, then go buy one.
This is an excellent kit for a young tech . The ICON split beam is actually quite a nice torque wrench that I got for myself a while ago and has held up well.
I got a couple from my brother, he works on plumbing, and when moving from NY to Texas, left me a couple: side cutters, needle nose, and two what Germans call water pump pliers. I use them everyday.
@@mountainbearoutdoors Quiet nice to hear that as a German who also loves their tools. I didn't know they are popular in professional use in the US aswell. And about the price they are also an absolute bang for the buck. Not that they are cheap but they last 5 times as long on 3 times the cost. And during the time you use them you will have so much more fun using them instead of destroying parts because of bad pliers. And because you are sympathetic here is the tip for their best pliers ever: The pliers wrenches. It sounds stupid first and you might wonder what to use them for but let me explain. They look similar to water pump pliers but they are completely different. The jaws have a flat surface so they are less aggressive but the mechanism makes the jaws closing parallel to each other which makes them insane to use in thousands of cases. If you do any work out of the workshop they are probably the most valuable because two of those replace an entire set of wrenches and it doesn't matter if metric or inch. The other smart thing about them is that you need to use them the right way around. If you do so, the jaws are getting pushed together harder the harder you press down on the lever because the mechanism is self closing if you apply force to the correct handle. So whenever you loosen something you don't want to damage you use those because they don't slide off. An I am not even mobile working and still using them every single day, sometimes I am not even using wrenches because it is just so handy. You can use the for nuts, screw, any kind of clips and so on. I got the medium size first and now I do have four sizes in the workshop and two sizes in the car because if my car ever breaks down, the chances that there is anything on the car I can't loosen or tighten with those is pretty small. Those pliers really opened my eyes, I always thought there are no new tool concepts anymore out there, I thought we have everything we need but those are awesome. And there is one more brand I can recommend you, it is called Wera, they also do top notch quality tools but even more important they have tools you never knew they exist but as soon as you use them you wonder why noboday was smart enough to have these ideas. They frequently blow my mind over and over again and I dont have that on other brands. And usually I am not a tool fanboy, I have Bosch, Milwaukee and Makita batteries and my handtools are all from different brands but all the new stuff I bought the last two years were Knipex and Wera because they make tools that solve problems you didn't know you had. They make you worl so much faster and makes working fun, it is unbelievable. I got some open wrenches from Wera which do have a ratchet function and still provide the best fit I ever had on open wrenches. An you can cover everthing from 8 to 24 with only 5 wrenches so I dont care if they are 35 each, I don't need normal open wrenches anymore, did you know you can have an open ratchet wrench? I didn't... Sorry guys for that text I just get excited about tools too much my girlfriend always says 😅
I've actually just started as a vehicle tech, I used to be an Aircraft technician in the RAF and all tools were supplied. Had to buy everything for my new job. Buying tools is quite addictive 😄
Now that i'll agree with, anytime I'm anywhere near a tool store/big box store I'm going to stop and look, drives my Gf crazy but everytime I she says something I remind her that "Me and my tools" is what's making the payments on her fancy ass new Jeep, Shuts her up pretty quick.
Sales Supervisor from a Harbor freight! was refreshing to see all the tools from our stores along with your thoughts on some of the brands/prices may not be snap on but between prices and lifetime warranties on handtools its nice to say were a beginning mechanics best friend :]
I would recommend getting "magnetic tool holders/strips" or whatever they are called. You could get all the wrenches organized on the inside of the lid saving space.
Love the idea of building this set for the new guy. 1. encourage the people to start 2. saves them money and headache 3. they already have the minimum and is somewhat reliable so theres no excuses or bothering people around of common tools
I bought a M12 3/8 impact. People have shown it taking off nuts torqued to 300ft lbs. It's perfect for my car's lug nuts which are 76 ft lbs. Tightened them to spec without even trying.
Amen on your last bit Charles. I've been in automotive for almost 3 years now, I came from a different technical field. Started at VW and moved to a BMW dealer (sorry). There is SO MUCH opportunity for those that aspire to it. I have been able to rise pretty quickly and have never had the opportunity to earn this much in the past 20 years working. I say go and strive to be the best you can. You will be rewarded.
as a starter tech at a shop that works on everything, the only thing i would add is long handle 3/8ths and 1/2 inch drive ratchets, my long handles have been life savers and make so many things so much easier, icon has some great ones for really decent prices
I think your closing statements are bang on. People haven't wanted the "dirty" jobs, they wanted the office and IT work. The World needs skilled tech's and I've always felt that it feels more rewarding completing hands on work, be it spannering or carpentry. They don't teach "Shop" here in the UK, but I wish they did and in hindsight had it been an option for me, I would have taken it. Choose wisely young men - tools and life choices.
When I first started the best advice I was ever given was to go buy a harbor freight box and fill it up with good quality tools (snapon, knipex, etc) Then once its full it you can buy a snapon box, which I just did in November after 5 years! Also the last part of your video is so true...I'm in the race car industry and we are in desperate need of mechanics, fabricators, and helpers...there's a ton of work. At my shop we are booked for the next 4+ years and its only growing day by day!
Getting into racing mechanics is really what I want to do. Right now I'm approaching year number 1 as a tech, and I'm at Goodyear. Been getting tired of cranking out covers with my regular ratchets so I splurged today and bought the long neck Snap On 1/4 cordless ratchet.
I would never, ever buy a name brand box. All the features can be hand on more inexpensive boxes, and at the end of the day, it's a box that holds tools. All the price of a Snap-on box is in the decal, not the box itself.
Regardless if the dealer buys you this or you buy this, it is a perfect start to your career, only thing I would ad is to purchase a Multimeter with good leads. I found in my first year I did tires, and the next following 9 years my Multimeter has made me more money than anything else
@@stocks4bt I would say digital, also I've went through multiple harbor freight ones and they always break at the leads, I splurged and bought one at Walmart for 10 bucks and it's lasted me a few years, mind you I haven't used it a whole lot since I haven't done a lot of wiring lately but it's outlasted every harbor fright one I've had (probably 4 or 5) combined
dude! I just started out at a Volvo dealership this month.. same roll cart and honestly a really similar tool set. your other videos helped me out a lot, wish I had this one beforehand but.. at least I wasn't too far off haha! cheers
I'm 16 years old! I work at a truck accessories installation shop, and got my first tool box a few months ago. I got a Husky workbench 24" deep 61" wide, with the storage drawer on the left- started with Harbor Freight Hercules power tools! Still using some (drill, electric ratchet, impact driver, sawzall), but upgraded to a Milwaukee 3/8" and 1/2" impact wrench. Bought some impact sockets off Amazon, 12 piece kit for 60 bucks. I broke the 3/4" and 15/16" sockets, as they were my most used ones. Replaced em two or three times for cheap off of Amazon. Finally got a Snap-on socket for $65! Worth its weight in gold because of the lifetime warranty. I'm going to be replacing sockets with Snap-on ones moving forward. I have a Quinn set of impact sockets from harbor freight, still using it now! I have a Craftsman set of normal sockets and wrenches, still using it! I was blessed by one of my coworkers with two sets of Husky wrenches, and I built a small electrical kit from Harbor Freight and Home Depot I'm in no way experienced lol, but starting cheap and upgrading as you need to with more expensive stuff cannot be stressed enough! Do not buy expensive snap on as a beginner! P.S. Snap-on power tools are garbage 😂
as a swedish heavy-mechanic i find it absolutely insane that you guys have to buy your own tools for work, here the company supply the tools that are needed. If you need/want something specific you just talk to whoever is in charge of buying tools or you get it yourself, but all the necessary tools and machinery are bought by the company.... as they should be. anyhow, very entertaining and informative video for sure. keep up the good work!!
Guess you guys go on the honor system. It would be easy to abuse, misuse, steal tools if that sort of system was implemented here. We have 30xs the population of Sweden and with that comes a mixed bag of all sorts of people. The US also isn’t the only place that makes their employees buy their own tools. That being said, I don’t know how your system works, but if you were to leave that company of employment for another it seems that you wouldn’t be able to take tools with you, which would really bother me to rely on a tool guy.
@@travisvanalst4698 my workplace buys the tools that i need, if i need something i dont have, i go buy it and they just pay. If i decide to leave/quit i dont take any of the tools with me... Instead i demand the same thing from my new employer 😅 i hve quite the collection in my private garage tho 🙂
i work at a independent shop and we get literally everything. i have to admit, this box is nicer then mine and i still get the jobs done lolol i got a old school matco 440 series for 160$
I am going to college and am apparently getting an internship and I was told I need to put together a tool cart. I went to harbor freight today and bought tools on the list I was given and this exact roll cart just in Grey. I am excited to be a tech and I'm excited for my toolbox.
I bought it for 200 and battery and charger were separate for 100. Switched to m18 fuel compact 3/8 with the 1/2 big boy impact for 650 with 2 batteries and case + 130 dollar battery and you can return the battery for-130 in store. battery 3rd one was an online offer Home Depot
I had the 4 drawer version of this cart when I first started wrenching. It tipped over twice and both times all drawers and slides were in great shape. The tipping over part isn't a selling point but the slide and drawer quality is lol
I would not recommend anyone buy HF impact sockets, I had some explode in my face. HF removed my negative review from their website, when i showed the pics of it and the damage it did to my project.
@@Enonymouse_ I've been using the same Pittsburgh impact sockets for years. Mine have done me fine, even with me battering them and using my beefy Milwaukee M18 high torque at max power on them. I'd probably spring for better ones if these break, but I'll keep using them until they do.
Harbor freight tools exploding is part of the fun! I've done a couple ball joint separators my self. My deep impact Pittsburg 1/2 drive 6 points have years on them. I
I started out with an old craftsman wrench set i got at auction for 10 bucks and the 65 piece craftsman mechanics tool set my dad bought me when i was 8. over time i worked my way up to a roll cart, us made tools and power tools, and everything i need for my job. most of it came from amazon or ebay. been at my job for 2 years now and im still working out of the roll cart, maybe 5 and a half grand into my tools all in all.
Definitely are in high demand! I’m currently an apprentice, but I was at a Hyundai dealer as a lube tech when I got offered a job at a Volvo dealer for the apprentice position all paid schooling, better benefits, and a pay increase of $5 hourly rate, but also moved to flat rate instead of being hourly. Since I made the changed I learned ALOT more, and working on a more challenging manufacturer has made my career even more exciting!
I say tekton tools would be great, cheap, life time, and you just have to take a picture to get it replaced for warranty. I use there sockets at work for diesel mechanic. There torque wrench are crazy cheap, and they work well, compared it to co workers snap on, match wrenches.
Tekton is honestly super kick ass. Probably my favorite tool brand outside of Proto/Mac. Snap-On is great for the weirdly specific tools they have but holy hell they are more expensive than cheap BMWs.
I run pretty much only tekton tools and my only complaint is the 3/8 breaker bars are pretty fragile but at the end of the day most 3/8 breaker bars are fairly weak. Other then that I love them and highly recommend for the price
Great video, Charles. I landed a job as the fleet supervisor for a municipality a few years ago. I didn’t anticipate needing a toolbox for the job, but a few injuries to mechanics and a staffing adjustment left me too much work for too few guys. I had been working in admin jobs for a few years prior to that, and had sold my big Snap On taco wagon and built a storage system into my home garage for my stuff. Being a guy who likes to tinker, I didn’t want to break down my home shop, so I did something similar to what you put together. Between Harbor Freight, Amazon, Menards, and Ace Hardware, I was able to put together a functional kit for working on cars, trucks, and heavy equipment on a little over $2500. I did bring some specialty tools from home, but it is definitely possible to cover the basics for a minimal investment. Oh, and to the new techs, consider municipal work. The top end at dealers is better, but municipal shops offer better hours, a consistent paycheck (no draw checks), much better benefits, typically some kind of pension, and OT over 40 hours per week or 8 per day. Just sayin’
You know how much the city pays where I live? 12-13 dollars an hour! Fuuuuuuuck that! Even less for the guys doing the city maintenance, groundskeeping. The parish pays about the same for working on all the heavy equipment. Double Hell no!
2 years ago one of my sons began working at a friends performance shop, he started off with harbor freight. Hd husky. Lowes kobalt/craftsman tools. He had begun building a miata, he completed the build with a junkyard honda k20, he then moved onto a c10 pickup, he worked very hard to save, and eventually swapped a Hellcat 6.2L into it and went on hot rod power tour this past year without hiccups, and with a permit as my other son who went with him is 28 haha. Anyways, he has both those cars taken apart haha, they will be going in for paint finally. So he bought his first new truck, by flipping motorcycle builds, and banking on other talents. He got a ford f350 crew cab utl chassis, and has already done interior conversion for dash, big info system, changed out steering column and installed factory push start with dash, raptor steering wheel. Suspension and etc this coming summer for his overland rig. He built a tinyhouse on an ibeam looking hd trailer and welded the house framing and etc when he built his home last year. All welders and tools from harbor freight, hd, lowes, and in 2 yrs when he is an adult he wants to live in his tinyhouse full time, but have a shop building and lift in the future. His bike build and flips were made with hf tools and welders, tube benders and so on. So when turboed k swapped miata blast around a track or blows doors off hellcats, zl1s, etc its funny hahaha. Hes always so proud hes built what he has with such cheap tools and misc equipment haha
Great choices...I worked out of that same cart for a long time. Ended up giving it (and several tools) to a new kid in the business when I upgraded to a US General 44 top and bottom. The US General boxes are great for the price, I still have the 44" set, though I did spoil myself this year with a SnapOn KCP1422. There are times I miss the little 5 drawer cart though, I outgrew it rather quickly but still might buy another one just to keep commonly used tools in to save steps walking back and forth across the shop.
I'm still on my original Harbor Freight deep 1/2" impact sockets and 3/8" chromes that I bought from them in 2010. They are going on almost 12 years daily shop use. The only one that didn't make it was the 21mm. That one broke and I replaced it with another Harbor Freight. I also have a 3/8" ratchet from them I bought the same day that is also still going strong and daily used. Yes I do also have snap on, matco, Mac, and Cornwell tools that I've acquired but you don't have to spend a fortune for decent tools. Especially in the beginning when you're not making the big bucks yet.
@@alpham777 I'm 15 years in and not making 6 figures in automotive and with inflation and kids I can barely pay the bills. So I'm with you on that one. I got my box payment and that's it. They don't wanna pay for experience than I'm not gonna spend money on the truck.
Thank you for this video. I’m about to get out of the military and only have been using an army issued toolbox for work, and this has been a huge insight into a decent set to start me out in the civilian side.
Check out v.a. voc rehab some vets don't finish a school voc give them first chans buy thare tools n if thay don't thay take back n sale them off If thay finish school thay get to keep them You get stuff less 50% this way N thank you sir for YOUR SERVICES
Your last point is right on the money. We live in a day and age where the industry is very short on “Good Technicians”. I’ve been able to negotiate better pay & benefits due to my extensive experience in the automotive and medium/heavy duty truck fields. The icing on the cake, is my flexibility/reliability and quality of work performed. Thank you for the great content as always.
That is great advice, I started with a small Kobalt box and cheap tools and gradually I moved to a bigger Husky box and small roll cart that I have now chugged full of Snap-On, Mac, Blue Point, Gearwrench ETC. Also another word of advice, your tools make your money, not your box. Go with a nice husky or even us general or craftsman box or something of that nature for 1000 or 2000 dollars and then spend 10,000 and fill with quality tools instead of spending 10,000 on the box and 1,000 on cheaper tools. That was the best advice I ever got, now I have 4 Nice Quality boxes that are more on the professional side, still not Snap-On quality, however all full with about 30,000 worth of Quailty tools!
A few tools that I personally find invaluable, I used to use em all the time in the shop I worked at, is the channellock 718 duckbill pliers, channellock 558 hose clamp pliers (although I haven't used the ones you showed in the video, they very well may be better, I'm not sure), and of course the channellock 460, they're useful for so many things, and of all the different oil filter wrenches I've used, none of them even competed with the channellock 460, yeah I know it's not an oil filter wrench, but imo it's way better plus it's useful for other things as well, but I personally have used them the most on oil and fuel filters on cars, trucks, and lawn mowers, basically if I couldn't get it off with my gorilla hands that's the first thing I grabbed and the only thing I ever needed to grab, even on those oil filters that were installed by Thor As for some other tools that I'd definitely add, combination wrenches number 1, snap on is absolutely the best but you really can't go wrong with craftsman, I'd also add an extendable Stanley 3/8 drive ratchet, ive been amazed by the strength of Stanley tools and in terms of ratchets, I'd go with Stanley over snap on, torque wrenches on the other hand I absolutely prefer snap on click type, another thing is a steel scraper, a set of Allen keys (long preferably) with the ball end, the performance tool ratcheting screwdriver set from oreilly is awesome, my favorite screwdrivers are Klein, I think they're electrician screwdrivers, but another great place for sockets and screwdrivers is garage sales, those ones are nice for modifying and beating on. For someone who will mess with wiring, Klein auto strippers and channellock crimpers, you can also never have too many extensions, a quality punch set is also great as is a ball peen, mini sledge, and copper hammer, the harbor freight push tab trim tool is also pretty awesome, one thing I would definitely add is a 1/4 and 3/8 wobble and a roll of scotch electrical tape, I would also add a pair of channellock 420 and 430 pliers, I would upgrade from the channellock dykes to wiha compound dykes, a cheap but decent multimeter and maybe a test light, I also much prefer the blue point magnetic socket trays to anything else, a quality pair of snap ring pliers (both 90° and straight, also having 45° is even better), a center punch, a chisel, a claw hammer (such as the estwing with the straight claw), a pair of nippers, and a Stanley tape measure. Of course there's many other things I forgot to mention and the things I did mention would put you way over budget, however they are great to have, but I will say I am impressed with the setup you out together for that price, I wouldnt have went with a harbor freight breaker bar as those break easy, I really like my crescent one, oh yeah and a crescent wrench or 2 would be great, but for that price I can't say there's much I could have done to improve it for me personally that doesn't involve getting tools secondhand I would have went with the Milwaukee m18 over the m12, personal preference, and I'd also upgrade from the earthquake to an Ingersoll Rand, but those tools will definitely be a huge help for someone who's just starting out. I want to get a nice harbor freight cart box like that for myself as my current toolbox setup is pretty terrible, 2 stacked craftsman boxes, its disorganized and too high up. But great video, good choices overall, and glad you're helping out a new guy, hopefully he becomes a master mechanic and builds a reputation for quality work One more thing, I have actually heard really good things about the icon torque wrenches, they're no snap on but they work and I've heard they're pretty accurate. Have a great day!
When I started out fresh out of highschool for Toyota with a three drawer Craftsman box I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the techs hooking me up with tools they needed an excuse to replace. Even the Snap-On guy told me about two big pawn brokers that moved a lot of tools and that they would negotiate which is exactly what I did. Just thought I'd share my experience and hopefully that helps someone build their tool collection without breaking the bank. Edit: I forgot to add asking for scratch and dent boxes or blemishes like the Horror Freight cart that was on clearance for a bent and scratched lid I got for $75 with a years club membership or the $50 Craftsman top box Lowes had that two pipe clamps fixed good enough for my garage. Just ask and make an offer.
The US General boxes really are better quality than their price point. I'm not saying don't try to find a good sale, but if you have to pay retail, it's hard, if not impossible to beat that value
when i first started all the guys where getting into battery tools and gave me a lot of air powered stuff i now have 6 impact guns 3 air rachets 10 die grinders 4 air drills 2 air hammers and a ton of other random stuff
I can't even explain in words how bad I need this video. My tools are scattered all over my house and I'm getting into cars more and want to work on my own car but I have almost no tools and I desperately needed a video like this thanks Charles!!!
A good upgrade is getting a Milwaukee m12 3/8 stubby worth 100 percent the cash, I work on semi trucks and this thing is a godsend highly recommend adding this to your cart
thank you so much for pushing this agenda for quanity over quality. at 18 i got pressured into getting on teh tool trucks for my new job got into debt its been over 2 years n still paying for them. i never had all the tools i needed. fucked my finances up.
That yellow one is great as well to just roll around when you in the shop with tools specifically for the job your doing . Big tool box just stays in one spot
I’m a huge fan of Tekton sockets and wrenches myself, they’ve got a couple of bundle deals. Also Capri tools offers some nice starter outfits but the Depot really did us a solid this year with that GW kit. I bought the $99 socket set and the $199 cube. Another one to look at is SATA, it’s GW’s 72 tooth cousin from Europe. Nice stuff and cheap! I’m also a huge fan of Sunex and Grey Pneumatic, the metric duo socket set in 3/8 isn’t that bad but might be a little pricey for that budget.
I've been starting too look for a technician job, I just need to get my state certs. I'm working for Lowe's and have been using my discount to stock up a decent starter tool set. I should've been keeping a running tab, but I'm almost afraid to know how much I've spent so far. I'm trying to push the brand, but Kobolt tools are really good, cheaper than Craftsman, but still has the lifetime replacement guarantee. Also we seem to run BOGO sales on power tools all the time (at least for the past few months) where you can buy a kit (Tool with battery and charger) and get a Bare Tool for free (no battery or charger). I've saved a ton of money using these deals and have a really good head start tool set.
Excellent video young man! We implemented this a while back after I watched a couple of B-C tech's have to file bankruptcy with SOOO much debt to Snap/Mat/Etc. Many of these young folks think they always have to have the best of the best..Sure we all want that but it has to make sense in the moment. I started with a basic Craftsman kit that you purchased from Sears. I was active military back then and I needed a way to provide more income to provide for my family in the early 80's. If I recall the interest rate back then was 24% but I digress. The message at the 15:00 minute make is spot on. I'm seeing the local VW dealer paying relocation plus a $15,000 sign on for Master Techs. Mark Sawyer Fixed Operation Director Don Franklin Family of Dealerships
Some of that push for top brand tools falls on the older guys. I don't know how much it's changed but when I started out, you almost had to buy the tool truck stuff if you wanted anyone to take you seriously. But in those days there weren't a lot of good quality tools out there that didn't come off a truck.
I really loved this video. I'm going on 6 years as a GM tech and strated out with that exact tool cart and used it untill I couldn't fit anything in it. Reply enjoyed this video and hope more new techs see this.
Charles, I am sharing this on Facebook because I have nearly finished the second year of my mature age apprenticeship at a Hyundai/Kia/Isuzu Ute dealership in Australia and I keep telling the young guys not to get stuck in the debt trap of buying fancy tools. So many of them have a massive debt already with the Snap-on tools sales rep. I use predominantly Kincrome and SP Tools (Australian owned companies). This video is so good! This should be compulsory viewing for all first year apprentice light automotive technicians. Thank you Charles!
My niece bought her first house last month and me and my brother in law were wondering what to get her that wasn’t already being given by her grandma, mom, and friends etc. I watch toolbox tours all the time and decided that a nice tool box with tools would be a good investment. My niece isn’t a DiYer but if she calls one of us (I’m in construction, my BiL is a farmer) it will be nice to know there’s a fine set of tools on hand to bang out a quick job if the need arises and we don’t have access to our tools.
I started with hand me downs from my dad and ended up filling the box out with the tools I had to borrow the most from other techs. This is a great set up and by far better than being thrown to the tool truck wolves on day one. Great set up!!!
I was recently looking to build a tool kit to start working on my car, and put together a list of tools that are more hobbyist oriented. I didn't try to go for quantity and instead tried to reduce the number of tools that are duplicated which allowed me to balance some quality tools with some cheaper ones and the total came up to around 350£/500$. If anyone is interested here is the list - 3/8 Hilka socket set with deep sockets, extensions, torx and hex bits - 1/2 450 mm breaker bar (with a 3/8 adapter and salvaged gi pipe so that once the bolt is loosened the 3/8 ratchet can be used to remove the bolt) - 1/2 Tekton torque wrench 15 - 210 nm - Milwaukee ratcheting combination spanners - Ring spanner set deep offset (any cheap one as it will mostly be used to hold a bolt or when a particular size is not available) - Knipex pliers wrench 180mm (alternative to carrying multiple open ended spanners and can be used for the missing sizes) - Oil filter wrench - Milwaukee locking pliers - Needle nose pliers 200mm (any cheap one) - bahco cable cutters 160mm - Knipex cobra 180mm - Klein 14 in 1 screwdriver - Philips and flathead long screwdrivers - mini sledge hammer - prybar and picks I am hoping these should cover the basics for servicing and some suspension work. I plan on buying specialized tools when required and own jack stands and a small bottle jack so I have not added them to the list.
Super helpful for a non-mechanic weekend wrencher who just wants to do basic maintenance. I love seeing how pros organize and prioritize things so I can recreate as I slowly build a set at home.
Did you have to go to school again or were you hired on as a paid apprentice? I'm looking to change careers as well, but I'm married with kids and am not in the position to go back to school. I really need a company who will pay me and teach me.
Great video, I'm 2 years into being a lube technician at a dealership and looking to move up to line tech. Would be great to see what you recommend as either upgrade to current tools or those not mentioned yet. I have started a list of things just by observing and asking, but the more input the better in my opinion!
The Walmart hyper tough magnetic trays seem to have a better magnet that the harbor freight ones. At least in my experience the Walmart one was way better in keeping the bolts contained.
Charles, you are an absolute legend! keep with the content i cant thank you enough. your videos helped me rebuild my 13 gti and properly time it i got 3500 miles on the rebuild so far and shes going strong!
I fought the idea of buying a HF tool box over a go-to Craftsman for awhile, compared it against everything, even boxes outside it's price range within reason. Finally pulled the trigger and it's been flawless. I don't buy HF tools but their boxes are a winner.
I think you need to be very selective on what you buy there. I have tools 20+ years old that still rock perfectly great. Other stuff got tossed in the trash the same day
In regards to the Torque Wrenches I have the techangle snap on and the Icon. The Techangle only does engine work and the icon is used for general tasks. I have seperate one for suspension as well. maybe a bit overboard, but the icon works very well
@@HumbleMechanic I’m not even a tech by trade just a serious VW/Audi DIYer with currently an 8P A3 Quattro in my garage / shop undergoing a dsg to manual swap 😂
@@HumbleMechanic Project Farm here on TH-cam did a review of torque wrenches this week and I kid you not the amount of people that are now considering the Icon one is tenfold from what it was before the video came out. It's a pretty solid buy.
Guys at my shop talk smack if you dont buy everything off the tool trucks or pay $10k for a tool box. They believe that the quality of work is all in the quality of the tool. I believe a good tech can work with any brand of tool. Don't get me wrong, and strap-on box is legit but spending $5k to $10k on storage is not my thing.
"Professional" grade tools may enable a mechanic to work more efficiently, but some of the best mechanics I've ever known worked out of a small Craftman box full of Craftman tools. That was before Harbor Freight came to be...
Most shops I've worked at will provide the basics for every employee. The specialty tools you rarely use are with the senior employees, and you can just borrow those for the few times you need them
This video is going to be so helpful for so many young technicians. I tell all of our new guys to stay away from the tool trucks unless its absolutely necessary. If you borrow a tool 3 times it's time to get your own and purchase low quality until you find that it is failing you and then purchase the better version.
I would highly suggest a set of wrench organizers/holders. I used to organize my wrenches in that exact same box like you did, but they slide all over the place if you close the drawer too hard. Some other good starter tools would be some standard oil filter caps (for hard to reach filters), a small package of razors (they're only like 99c from walmart), and a pair of alligator pliers. I use my alligator pliers almost daily, they work great for hose clamps, and much more. Hope this helps!
This is excellent for a starting tech and hits the general items, leaving room for a few trends to get later on. Day 1 if I had this I’d be thrilled! That gear wrench mechanic set was tempting to me when I saw it at Home Depot and I have absolutely no need for it. One of the best mechanic sets I’ve seen since the USA craftsman ones.
Kudos to your new guy for hitting all those cha-chings, but I was really looking forward to that struggle counter. 😆 I’ve had mostly hand me down tools and an old hand me down toolbox that has seen better days. This is great for even a DIY garage mechanic like us to consider if we have most of what we need to get our jobs done. I see some things I need after I get a new box/cart.
Just a diyer with my three Acura rsx. Recently bought myself the husky 52 inch box for 500, it was 100 more than the 47 inch I was originally going to get. I’m reading these comments like hm, yea my husky/ hart tools are no good… let me take notes. In all honesty they’re good for how often I use them, like everyone says use the tools, once it breaks upgrade. Eventually I’ll buy better tools.
This is one of the best videos I have ever viewed! Why someone else has never done a video like this I don’t know. I have my tool set up the way that I want them. You’re spot on with this. Most all of my to just come from Harbor freight, US general. I still use some of their tools. You’re preaching the right thing stay off of the snap on or the tool truck until you get established and you know that you’re going to be a technician.
I was actually wondering about this recently. As a professional software engineer, all my tools are provided for me by the company I work for, weather I like it or not... so why is it in other industries that its expected that you provide your own tools?
Having been on both sides of this one, it's hard to track tools once you've given them to someone unless you're going be extremely anal about it which causes more trouble than you want. It's expected that you buy your own tools almost everywhere. That said, we tried a system once where we paid something towards tools as a reward for attendance. That wasn't easy but it was a good idea all around.
If they are your tools you can customize for greater efficiency. Provided tool kits can in some industries slow you down as they were approved by lawyers…..
I'd guess its pretty much the same. You just buy the things you need before the job and look for discounted deals so its cheaper and you don't have to buy it all at once.
Xtool V401 is $55 and has most of the Vagcom functions. That is more vw/audi. Many good bluetooth OBD scanners can work with a smart phone and give a lot of data also. Any suggestions on service manual?
That's a good starter setup. I've been turning wrenchs for a few decades now and within the last few years started buying off the tool truck. You can still have the great success off cheaper tools. It's not the tool that makes the mechanic good that comes with experience and time.
Charles, I can clearly see how you started your career teaching the younger techs; clearly you love to teach. Kudos to you. This video is one of your best that I have come across. I can't think of anything to add to your tool box except perhaps those mounting studs (or guides) to help position a wheel on a car (again, probably most applicable to VWs and other European cars). Keep up the good work, Charles.
add push pin remover tool since everything is covered by a plastic panel, magnetic telescoping stick because you will drop many screw/bolts,nuts, temperature gun which is really usueful, and cheap thermal camera (i used a flir one for phones) which helped diag really quick heated seat coils and defrost. these were used 95% of the time along with the normal stuff that you already have in the cart. i would also try to hammer home with new techs that not everything has to be snap on/matco/mac/etc. 80% of my most used tools are Harbor Freight and well reviewed Amazon tools (mostly hand tools/bits/small tools).
Great selection of tools. I started with more or less the same. Pry bars I would borrow from my boss’ tool when we would need them. For sockets I use the clip holders on the metal bar, since they use less space. What I spent good money was on torque wrench and screwdrivers. Since I work on BMWs bought torx in long reach and stubby versions. Great info as usual Charles.
Why not a multi bit screwdriver, I've always been curious as to why people bother with all the extra handles of having a full set of screwdrivers I'm a welder I'm extremely rough with my tools and my multi bedside is done literally everything that I've needed it to perfectly well and if the bits get shouted up I just go buy new bits instead of a whole new screwdriver
@@HumbleMechanic the Milwaukee one I bought has ball indents so it locks into place but it's only got 14 bits so I'ma see if there's a way to extend that range and post a link if I find it
@@jonathangarzon2798 because then you can not use the screwdriver as a small prybar. Multiple times working on trucks you need to line up a screw with the opening, and a pry bar will not fit. But i bet ya a flathead screwdriver will. Also the multi bit screwdriver don’t fit everywhere. Just far more effective to get the regular ones .
@@qwertpoiuy430 I have a screwdriver sized prybar for that and an awl for lining up holes through the inside. The only things I can't use the multi bit for are electronics with deep inset screws. Not alot of that in a truck.
This is a great video! I’m a DIY car guy and thanks to this video it made me realized what tools I have and what I didn’t have. Definitely saved me time and money. Also thanks to this I got the Milwaukee combo kit (impact driver/drill) with a free 50 bit kit and a free 3/8 ratchet . Definitely a game changer for me for $250 out the door
This is a great thing to see! I wish places were doing this when I was 18-20 trying to get in the door. There was even a shop when I was 25 that wanted me to have a minimum of $10k in tools to step into the shop. I worked hard to just live and only buy tools I needed at the times. Lots of experience, but low in tools. Now, 17 years later, I have some tools that have been with me nearly that entire time! But also have 3 boxes and need more to hold everything I have now! My wife hates seeing all the tools.
Not just hose clamp pliers but the _locking_ ones! And a multimeter. And a Dremel cutoff tool. Also reiterate what Bryan said about bolt extractors. Oh and what Karim said about channel locking pliers.
It always makes me feel weird when US people talk about prices and tax as separate things. Over here (EU) when I say something costs let say €20 I mean thats with included with tax.
Politicians love the VAT system because it hides how much tax they take. What is your VAT? 18% 20%?? At least in the US we can see it and complain if they try to raise it.
Hello, My Brother worked a GM Engineer Mech. Shop and what I got out of what he did was a lot of using his experience to make the needed repairs and figure out what was wrong with the designs of whatever was put on this bench. What failed and what caused the failure. Using your mind more that hands to get to the problem solving. Please understand that you do have to use your hands, but its usually the simplest thing, Example, Oil light comes on, Check the Oil Level, Check the wire to sending unit, etc. I fix my own cars, but I buy older cars 1999 - 2010. I hate working in the cold and in the heat (outdoors). Nice Spring or Autumn Day in Texas. Loved this video. I mostly buy used tools, I love the Gear Wrench product, Good Value, Husky and Kobalt. When I buy used items I buy USA and some Japan made tools, so I have a mix-match of style of wrenches screwdrivers, etc. Vintage tools also. I like offset box wrench the most. Not to crazy about 12 pt. wrench, but useful. Thanks for the vid.
Here are links to some of the stuff I use
Triple Squares ~ amzn.to/3H6AAcQ
Mini Torxs ~ amzn.to/3prPHI7
Allens ~ amzn.to/3HdbwkI
Streamlight Sylus Pro ~ amzn.to/3mywxhM
Hose Clamp Pliers ~ amzn.to/3H6Alys
Screwdriver ~ amzn.to/3suLVzz
You don't need the stupid cha-ching sound for every tool.. it gets really annoying
Trying to have some fun with it man.
@@beardsntools shittt
@@HumbleMechanic did you buy yellow us general that box on Amazon also? I really love it i need it also wrench box
Thank you. My soon to be ex wife has all my old tools (honestly they were the cheapest I could buy except for my foldable wire stripper/cutters).
I have been slowly buying new quality tools as I need them. I plan to get hands on for minor stuff with my 2018 Audi Q5 that are not too technical.
I do want to say thank you too you and Paul from DAP. I have learned a lot from your videos.
Best advice I ever received when I was starting out was "Buy cheap tools at first. When one breaks, replace it with a high quality tool. That shows that you use it enough to spend money on a replacement."
Super smart
Perfect sense
I started out with cheap tools. No longer wrench professionally and now I have almost every tool anyone would need as a "cheap" tool. I own all of my tools/boxes. All of my tools have lifetime warrantees. I've broken very few tools. So glad I didn't get sucked into the tool trucks
100% this
I miss my old Sears, craftsman just isnt the same now. However Harbor Freight is becoming a more common trip
Pro Tip: Ask the harbor freight manager if they have any scratch / dent carts. I got one exactly like the one shown in this video for $165. It was a customer return due to a pretty big scratch (on the back, where it won’t show
I did that when I bought mine but I bought a Husky Brand from Home Depot, got a $400 46" tool cart for $139 and then stopped by Walmart and got a can of gloss black paint for $3 and took it to the dealership and popped the dent out and sanded it and repainted you couldn't even tell it was damaged. Also look at big box stores black friday/ day after Christmas sale, my gf bought me a 26" rolling tool box at Wal-mart for $50, I just didn't put the wheels on it and threw it on top of the 46" tool box, then I used the wheels to make a Motorcycle engine stand at work.
That's how I got a fantastic deal on my stainless craftsman griplatch upper box. It was a display model that's been on the floor for almost a year. 600 dollar toolbox I picked up for 275 before tax. I've had it since 2012 and it's held up nicely.
@@I_like_turtles_67 Yep, you gotta look for deals everywhere and you gotta talk to the tool vendors too, a couple months ago when our novice tech was given his grandpa's tool set, it's a Snap-on set from the early-mid 70's and he was a car mechanic and the 1/2" impact wrench is too big for us in the motorcycle world so he traded it in on a new 3/8'" impact wrench and our snap-on guy when through his tool box with him to see what he had and what was broken and needed to be swapped out.
Same. I bought a roller cabinet and top box from them and got it for half off because there was a dent on the underside of the roller; doesn’t affect function whatsoever
@@unashamedly1776 That's the only way to do it when you first start out. You get a better quality box for the same or less money than the U.S. General box, There's nothing wrong with the U.S. General box but lets not pretend it's the bottom of the barrel when come to quality of boxes.
The only other thing I would suggest for a fresh off the street tech would be a tire inflator with a gauge. As a new tech 1/3 of the initial jobs will be tire related. Mostly tire repairs and rotations. A good inflation tool is often overlooked but essential.
Very informative video, im in 8 years in the field and im ready to never hear/see a snapon truck again
@@powpow50cal24 I feel ya. I have their wrenches, but at this point there are so many viable substitutions.
I fully agree, my first days was getting a tire inflator, I actually tried buying the best one I could as I would be using it every day. For me I bought Wilton (don’t know what model I have right now, but mine comes with the sight glass and pressure release button).
I started to work at a shop for the first time about 4 months ago, things that I would buy that were very nice would be an impact gun, tire gauge, and tire plug kit. After that gear wrench can supply you with most everything you need and work just fine.
home depot has a $20 non digital husky one. Well worth it for its price and availability.
I’m a sophomore in high school going into my junior year and I really couldn’t decide what I wanted to do, I have had tons of experience working on trucks and this video just boosted me to become a mechanic even more.
In todays would, we are fortunate to also have TH-cam, where you can continue to learn from many great mechanics/technicians. It’s a career that can make a difference in your financial future, as long as you are a good with diagnosing and troubleshooting.
Many colleges just do certication courses for ASE. They give you incredible deals on snap on tools at the end of the year if it's like my school. Tons of fun, highly recommend.
@@BenVanAmburg same here we get 50% off their catalog
Being a mechanic, much like being an electrician or plumber, can be very rewarding. Unlike work like mine (IT), you can almost always see a definite end to your work, and see something go from "It doesn't work" to "it works!"
@@tbelding yeah, I’m thankful to have IT friends. I fix their cars they fix my computer 👍
I don't think most people realize just how much a life can be changed by someone who knows what they are doing, spending a somewhat small amount of money compared to how much they will spend, on tools / paints / computer parts, whatever it is they are helping with. Getting them started in the craft. Love this. Im looking around trying to get my head around what tools i should get as I can only buy like 1-2 things a month that are around $30 a piece "or one thats $60ish" and videos like this are amazing. Ty for your effort.
You are so right! Good luck to you, I hope you get a lot of such help. More importantly I hope that you are one day able to be that sage looking out for those coming up after them!
🙉🙈🙊
As for the torque wrenches, Project Farm did some pretty extensive testing on those and they ended up towards the top so to get started they are perfect.
Yeah Its one of the secret crown jewels of HF, I even bought the super cheap one they make and even it was pretty damn good.
Good videos from project farm
@@LacDole another great testing channel, much like project farm. If you watch the videos it gives you an idea of what you should get based on personal use
Yep. Period.
I was about to comment this. I always watch PF before I buy anything for work, tools, oils, filters etc. It’s like Hickok45 for guns haha.
It’s exciting to see a dealer build a starter kit to get a apprentice going. Good on you guys.
Don't get to excited, Depending on the state your in. They only do it so they don't have to pay double minimum wage.
@@jmc6940 imma frostback from the North. 🇨🇦 it’s very very different here. Thanks for heads up nevertheless. We don’t have enough ppl in the industry up here. It’s a great time to wrench. 💰
@@jmc6940 Yea man like I worked at a MB dealer and had to buy all my tools. I wish they would have done something like this for us. The only "tool" I got, and I was grateful to get was a pocket screwdriver from an amazing tech that works there.
@@jmc6940 haha I was going to reply with this, you beat me to it! Yes some dealers might care but honesty if you live in a state where they’re legally required to pay you double minimum wage to provide your own tools (CA min is 15 as of Jan 1st so minimum base pay is $30/hour with your own tools). So instead of 30/hour they spend 1k on tools and easily make it back by paying these guys 16/hour…20/hour…22/hour..for a few years😬. And from what I’ve seen those guys still have to buy some of their own tools anyways once they’re past lube work.
But I will say this could be good for a really young guy just trying to get started somewhere.
When I went to school for diesel tech a little over 10 years ago, I bought an 800-something piece husky set for $600, a 32 inch craftsman toolbox off craigslist for $100, and an IR 2135 for $200. Fill in some odds and ends and I spent about $1k on my shit, versus everyone else in my class who spent multiple thousands on tool truck stuff, at least a quarter of who either flunked out or quit within the first year. A few of my classmates would give me shit about my store brand tools, but I got just as much work done as they did, and had the luxury of being able to walk away from it all with only $1k in the hole vs $10k.
Once I settled in and new I liked what I did, I splurged on better ratchets and wrenches, and a fancy tool box, because those husky wrenches suck and the box was too small.
That’s similar to what I did. Cheap tools, cheap box and upgraded as needed
@@HumbleMechanic That's my advice on just about anything tool wise, even for wood working etc. Buy the cheaper but still decent quality stuff first, once you've broken it or worn it out, you know for sure that you really do need the expensive stuff next time.
At least you knew the Husky wrenches sucked and the box was too small. I see too many experienced techs clinging to the budget and complaining when their tools fail and they replace them with the same garbage. I tell new techs don't go so cheap you look like you don't belong, but don't be an asshole and buy Snap On before you've earned it. The mid range store brand stuff is pretty good nowadays and generally worth keeping around. GW, Milwaukee, Tekton etc are all respectable enough to get you through your first few years.
@@HumbleMechanic same thing I did. Started with a 500 dollar craftsman and now have an epiq a year and a half later
Smart idea… I got my tools going to the flea market on Saturday mornings looking for those broken craftsman wrenches to trade in for new ones… You buy the cheapest stuff at first so you see what tools you use the most before investing more $$$. I’ve never seen a mobile mechanic charge a higher rate because they had better tools just mobile mechanics who were never called back because they had to “borrow tools“ from the person who hired them.
For sockets and wrenches, the tekton sets are probably the best combo of quality, price, warranty, and quality.
How much does a good set from them cost?
Awesome video. I was a maintenance officer at an air logistics center for my first active duty assignment where we did periodic inspections, teardowns, and repairs of planes. One of the coolest things with the job was talking to the union mechanics about their tools and watching how they used them. I learned a ton. The center provided each guy a complete set of Snap On with a roll-away that they moved from plane to plane and, because of tool accountability rules (for obvious reasons), they couldn’t customize anything. I always marveled at seeing a new guy get his tools for the first time. It was like Christmas for those young mechanics.
When my son decided to go to school to learn to be an Automotive Technician, I told him I'd contribute $1K to his first toolbox after he graduates. This looks like a superb way to spend that money. I know he already has some of these tools -- part of the tuition for the school covers some basic tools that the students get to keep when they graduate. But still -- this is a great example of what to buy for a beginner, and we can add to it from there. I love it!!
Definitely bookmarking this video for future reference (he's got another 6 months or so left before graduation). Thanks!
That’s awesome that your supporting your son on his path to the automotive industry
What school
@@kendallalford464 He’s in the University of Northwest Ohio’s automotive technician program.
I’m doing this soon going for master automotive technician
I stand by the Hercules tools and quin tools from habor freight
You hit the nail on the head. I do this same thing when I hired a new tech who is fresh in the field. I remember being green and no tools in the express lube. Had to rack up a bill quick. I said nope I won’t let a new tech go thru that. I buy most of the stuff from HF unless it’s a euro specific tool and after a year of being with us then I give it to him. Worse case scenario is I keep the tools for the next guy or for me. You know we never say no to more tools hahaha
You can never have to many tools
Tekton sockets, ratchets and wrenches are pretty good for the price. I really like the no skip 1/2" set. 10mm-38mm with no skips for under $100. I used them daily for 3 months in a dealership and still use them at home. It's not a long test, but the warranty is easy, send a pic of the broken tool and they mail a new one.
I love tekton. Solid tools
I second that
Ive been using tekton tools and sockets as a professional toyota master tech for 6 years now and have zero complaints about them for the price they are amazing and their customer service is just as good
I agree. I have the 3/8 set I keep in my jeep. The no hassle customer service in 2nd to none.
Been using tekton tools for a year and a half as a tech at a recon center/fleet maintenance center and they hold up great. Not a huge fan of their ratchets so I splurged on a couple snatch-off flex heads. Great combo
I would add the $40 side table for the HF cart, it is super useful. They also sell bumpers and a glove box holder that are magnetic. I think some lights would be useful as well.
I know this video was posted 2 years ago but after my first 2 years of college I have since moved to a tech school for automotive and have fallen in love with it, I grew up changing oil and servicing stuff with my dad to save money, nowI'm rebuilding atvs, boat motors, trailers and simple repairs on cars such as brakes, wheel bearings anything thats not major engine work besides things like water pumps, but I figured out where I want to go now and this helped me build a toolbox I can use at both school and an apprenticeship.
Good advice is good advice and it stands the test of time. The greatest take-away from this is to gear the tools towards the use. While a no-skip set of sockets is great, if Audis don't have very many 11mm and have a lot of triple-square, then buy accordingly when you're just getting started. If you find you need to keep borrowing that 11mm, then go buy one.
This is an excellent kit for a young tech . The ICON split beam is actually quite a nice torque wrench that I got for myself a while ago and has held up well.
knipex pliers are by FAR my favourite tool. For well under $100, it'll be worth every penny for a beginner
They are outstanding!!!
I got a couple from my brother, he works on plumbing, and when moving from NY to Texas, left me a couple: side cutters, needle nose, and two what Germans call water pump pliers. I use them everyday.
@@HumbleMechanic Agreed. I'd say the 10" cobra pliers would be the most versatile if you could only get 1 and are a must have.
worth their weight in gold, I wont buy anything other than Kniepex now after suffering years of cheap crappy pliers.
@@mountainbearoutdoors Quiet nice to hear that as a German who also loves their tools. I didn't know they are popular in professional use in the US aswell. And about the price they are also an absolute bang for the buck. Not that they are cheap but they last 5 times as long on 3 times the cost. And during the time you use them you will have so much more fun using them instead of destroying parts because of bad pliers.
And because you are sympathetic here is the tip for their best pliers ever: The pliers wrenches.
It sounds stupid first and you might wonder what to use them for but let me explain. They look similar to water pump pliers but they are completely different. The jaws have a flat surface so they are less aggressive but the mechanism makes the jaws closing parallel to each other which makes them insane to use in thousands of cases. If you do any work out of the workshop they are probably the most valuable because two of those replace an entire set of wrenches and it doesn't matter if metric or inch. The other smart thing about them is that you need to use them the right way around. If you do so, the jaws are getting pushed together harder the harder you press down on the lever because the mechanism is self closing if you apply force to the correct handle. So whenever you loosen something you don't want to damage you use those because they don't slide off.
An I am not even mobile working and still using them every single day, sometimes I am not even using wrenches because it is just so handy. You can use the for nuts, screw, any kind of clips and so on.
I got the medium size first and now I do have four sizes in the workshop and two sizes in the car because if my car ever breaks down, the chances that there is anything on the car I can't loosen or tighten with those is pretty small.
Those pliers really opened my eyes, I always thought there are no new tool concepts anymore out there, I thought we have everything we need but those are awesome.
And there is one more brand I can recommend you, it is called Wera, they also do top notch quality tools but even more important they have tools you never knew they exist but as soon as you use them you wonder why noboday was smart enough to have these ideas. They frequently blow my mind over and over again and I dont have that on other brands. And usually I am not a tool fanboy, I have Bosch, Milwaukee and Makita batteries and my handtools are all from different brands but all the new stuff I bought the last two years were Knipex and Wera because they make tools that solve problems you didn't know you had. They make you worl so much faster and makes working fun, it is unbelievable. I got some open wrenches from Wera which do have a ratchet function and still provide the best fit I ever had on open wrenches. An you can cover everthing from 8 to 24 with only 5 wrenches so I dont care if they are 35 each, I don't need normal open wrenches anymore, did you know you can have an open ratchet wrench? I didn't... Sorry guys for that text I just get excited about tools too much my girlfriend always says 😅
I've actually just started as a vehicle tech, I used to be an Aircraft technician in the RAF and all tools were supplied. Had to buy everything for my new job. Buying tools is quite addictive 😄
Now that i'll agree with, anytime I'm anywhere near a tool store/big box store I'm going to stop and look, drives my Gf crazy but everytime I she says something I remind her that "Me and my tools" is what's making the payments on her fancy ass new Jeep, Shuts her up pretty quick.
Dont let the snap on or mac tool truck guys see this lol. They will be popping up in your life everywhere lol
@AaronHendu You'll see them rolling up into your driveway...
"Hey man, we heard you like tools..."
Sales Supervisor from a Harbor freight! was refreshing to see all the tools from our stores along with your thoughts on some of the brands/prices
may not be snap on but between prices and lifetime warranties on handtools its nice to say were a beginning mechanics best friend :]
I would recommend getting "magnetic tool holders/strips" or whatever they are called. You could get all the wrenches organized on the inside of the lid saving space.
Love the idea of building this set for the new guy.
1. encourage the people to start
2. saves them money and headache
3. they already have the minimum and is somewhat reliable so theres no excuses or bothering people around of common tools
I bought a M12 3/8 impact. People have shown it taking off nuts torqued to 300ft lbs. It's perfect for my car's lug nuts which are 76 ft lbs. Tightened them to spec without even trying.
Amen on your last bit Charles. I've been in automotive for almost 3 years now, I came from a different technical field. Started at VW and moved to a BMW dealer (sorry). There is SO MUCH opportunity for those that aspire to it. I have been able to rise pretty quickly and have never had the opportunity to earn this much in the past 20 years working. I say go and strive to be the best you can. You will be rewarded.
as a starter tech at a shop that works on everything, the only thing i would add is long handle 3/8ths and 1/2 inch drive ratchets, my long handles have been life savers and make so many things so much easier, icon has some great ones for really decent prices
I think your closing statements are bang on. People haven't wanted the "dirty" jobs, they wanted the office and IT work. The World needs skilled tech's and I've always felt that it feels more rewarding completing hands on work, be it spannering or carpentry. They don't teach "Shop" here in the UK, but I wish they did and in hindsight had it been an option for me, I would have taken it. Choose wisely young men - tools and life choices.
When I first started the best advice I was ever given was to go buy a harbor freight box and fill it up with good quality tools (snapon, knipex, etc) Then once its full it you can buy a snapon box, which I just did in November after 5 years! Also the last part of your video is so true...I'm in the race car industry and we are in desperate need of mechanics, fabricators, and helpers...there's a ton of work. At my shop we are booked for the next 4+ years and its only growing day by day!
Getting into racing mechanics is really what I want to do. Right now I'm approaching year number 1 as a tech, and I'm at Goodyear. Been getting tired of cranking out covers with my regular ratchets so I splurged today and bought the long neck Snap On 1/4 cordless ratchet.
I would never, ever buy a name brand box. All the features can be hand on more inexpensive boxes, and at the end of the day, it's a box that holds tools. All the price of a Snap-on box is in the decal, not the box itself.
Regardless if the dealer buys you this or you buy this, it is a perfect start to your career, only thing I would ad is to purchase a Multimeter with good leads. I found in my first year I did tires, and the next following 9 years my Multimeter has made me more money than anything else
That’s a great addition!
What was the multimeter used for? Finding shorts?
@@thisismagacountry1318 shorts, testing voltage drop, finding continuity everything
I have an ANALOG multimeter. Which is better for a beginner. A digital or analog multimeter
@@stocks4bt I would say digital, also I've went through multiple harbor freight ones and they always break at the leads, I splurged and bought one at Walmart for 10 bucks and it's lasted me a few years, mind you I haven't used it a whole lot since I haven't done a lot of wiring lately but it's outlasted every harbor fright one I've had (probably 4 or 5) combined
dude! I just started out at a Volvo dealership this month.. same roll cart and honestly a really similar tool set. your other videos helped me out a lot, wish I had this one beforehand but.. at least I wasn't too far off haha! cheers
NICE!!!!
👍👍👍
I'm 16 years old! I work at a truck accessories installation shop, and got my first tool box a few months ago.
I got a Husky workbench 24" deep 61" wide, with the storage drawer on the left-
started with Harbor Freight Hercules power tools! Still using some (drill, electric ratchet, impact driver, sawzall), but upgraded to a Milwaukee 3/8" and 1/2" impact wrench. Bought some impact sockets off Amazon, 12 piece kit for 60 bucks. I broke the 3/4" and 15/16" sockets, as they were my most used ones. Replaced em two or three times for cheap off of Amazon. Finally got a Snap-on socket for $65! Worth its weight in gold because of the lifetime warranty. I'm going to be replacing sockets with Snap-on ones moving forward.
I have a Quinn set of impact sockets from harbor freight, still using it now!
I have a Craftsman set of normal sockets and wrenches, still using it!
I was blessed by one of my coworkers with two sets of Husky wrenches, and I built a small electrical kit from Harbor Freight and Home Depot
I'm in no way experienced lol, but starting cheap and upgrading as you need to with more expensive stuff cannot be stressed enough! Do not buy expensive snap on as a beginner!
P.S. Snap-on power tools are garbage 😂
I took a craftsman tool kit with a very similar design to the gear wrench box and it fit perfectly in the vintage 1970s toolbox I picked up for free.
as a swedish heavy-mechanic i find it absolutely insane that you guys have to buy your own tools for work, here the company supply the tools that are needed. If you need/want something specific you just talk to whoever is in charge of buying tools or you get it yourself, but all the necessary tools and machinery are bought by the company.... as they should be. anyhow, very entertaining and informative video for sure. keep up the good work!!
Guess you guys go on the honor system. It would be easy to abuse, misuse, steal tools if that sort of system was implemented here. We have 30xs the population of Sweden and with that comes a mixed bag of all sorts of people. The US also isn’t the only place that makes their employees buy their own tools. That being said, I don’t know how your system works, but if you were to leave that company of employment for another it seems that you wouldn’t be able to take tools with you, which would really bother me to rely on a tool guy.
@@travisvanalst4698 my workplace buys the tools that i need, if i need something i dont have, i go buy it and they just pay. If i decide to leave/quit i dont take any of the tools with me... Instead i demand the same thing from my new employer 😅 i hve quite the collection in my private garage tho 🙂
That gear wrench kit is such an amazing starter kit. And is solid quality. If I had to start over from nothing that’s where I’d start.
i work at a independent shop and we get literally everything. i have to admit, this box is nicer then mine and i still get the jobs done lolol i got a old school matco 440 series for 160$
We are watching this in class right now with our new 😎students! Thank you for putting this out there for us! #peak hot rod crew 🏁
Tell everyone I said hi!!!👋
I am going to college and am apparently getting an internship and I was told I need to put together a tool cart. I went to harbor freight today and bought tools on the list I was given and this exact roll cart just in Grey. I am excited to be a tech and I'm excited for my toolbox.
I personally think the best tool I bought was the milwaukee m12 fuel stubby 3/8 impact. It was about $180 for the bare tool and worth every penny
That stubby is going for $180 rite now with 2 batteries and a charger and bag
I paid 159 for mine 3 yrs ago, what did you do man lol
I bought it for 200 and battery and charger were separate for 100. Switched to m18 fuel compact 3/8 with the 1/2 big boy impact for 650 with 2 batteries and case + 130 dollar battery and you can return the battery for-130 in store. battery 3rd one was an online offer Home Depot
I had the 4 drawer version of this cart when I first started wrenching. It tipped over twice and both times all drawers and slides were in great shape. The tipping over part isn't a selling point but the slide and drawer quality is lol
As a new tech I would recommend wobble extensions /really useful/ and flex head ratchets. Harbor Freight have them cheap
I would not recommend anyone buy HF impact sockets, I had some explode in my face. HF removed my negative review from their website, when i showed the pics of it and the damage it did to my project.
@@Enonymouse_ I've been using the same Pittsburgh impact sockets for years. Mine have done me fine, even with me battering them and using my beefy Milwaukee M18 high torque at max power on them. I'd probably spring for better ones if these break, but I'll keep using them until they do.
Harbor freight tools exploding is part of the fun! I've done a couple ball joint separators my self. My deep impact Pittsburg 1/2 drive 6 points have years on them. I
I started out with an old craftsman wrench set i got at auction for 10 bucks and the 65 piece craftsman mechanics tool set my dad bought me when i was 8. over time i worked my way up to a roll cart, us made tools and power tools, and everything i need for my job. most of it came from amazon or ebay. been at my job for 2 years now and im still working out of the roll cart, maybe 5 and a half grand into my tools all in all.
Definitely are in high demand! I’m currently an apprentice, but I was at a Hyundai dealer as a lube tech when I got offered a job at a Volvo dealer for the apprentice position all paid schooling, better benefits, and a pay increase of $5 hourly rate, but also moved to flat rate instead of being hourly. Since I made the changed I learned ALOT more, and working on a more challenging manufacturer has made my career even more exciting!
I say tekton tools would be great, cheap, life time, and you just have to take a picture to get it replaced for warranty. I use there sockets at work for diesel mechanic. There torque wrench are crazy cheap, and they work well, compared it to co workers snap on, match wrenches.
Tekton is honestly super kick ass. Probably my favorite tool brand outside of Proto/Mac. Snap-On is great for the weirdly specific tools they have but holy hell they are more expensive than cheap BMWs.
I run pretty much only tekton tools and my only complaint is the 3/8 breaker bars are pretty fragile but at the end of the day most 3/8 breaker bars are fairly weak. Other then that I love them and highly recommend for the price
Hi Charles, as a hobby technician, this been a big help and motivation to me as well, thanks man
Great video, Charles. I landed a job as the fleet supervisor for a municipality a few years ago. I didn’t anticipate needing a toolbox for the job, but a few injuries to mechanics and a staffing adjustment left me too much work for too few guys.
I had been working in admin jobs for a few years prior to that, and had sold my big Snap On taco wagon and built a storage system into my home garage for my stuff. Being a guy who likes to tinker, I didn’t want to break down my home shop, so I did something similar to what you put together. Between Harbor Freight, Amazon, Menards, and Ace Hardware, I was able to put together a functional kit for working on cars, trucks, and heavy equipment on a little over $2500. I did bring some specialty tools from home, but it is definitely possible to cover the basics for a minimal investment.
Oh, and to the new techs, consider municipal work. The top end at dealers is better, but municipal shops offer better hours, a consistent paycheck (no draw checks), much better benefits, typically some kind of pension, and OT over 40 hours per week or 8 per day. Just sayin’
You know how much the city pays where I live? 12-13 dollars an hour! Fuuuuuuuck that! Even less for the guys doing the city maintenance, groundskeeping. The parish pays about the same for working on all the heavy equipment. Double Hell no!
@@johnwilliamson2393 sorry to hear that. My entry level guys start at $53k/year and top of the scale for my certified guys is $91k, plus overtime.
@@michaelcrumlett187 what state are located in?
@@mmholling87 Illinois, just outside Chicago.
@@michaelcrumlett187 👍 thanks for the reply.
2 years ago one of my sons began working at a friends performance shop, he started off with harbor freight. Hd husky. Lowes kobalt/craftsman tools. He had begun building a miata, he completed the build with a junkyard honda k20, he then moved onto a c10 pickup, he worked very hard to save, and eventually swapped a Hellcat 6.2L into it and went on hot rod power tour this past year without hiccups, and with a permit as my other son who went with him is 28 haha.
Anyways, he has both those cars taken apart haha, they will be going in for paint finally. So he bought his first new truck, by flipping motorcycle builds, and banking on other talents.
He got a ford f350 crew cab utl chassis, and has already done interior conversion for dash, big info system, changed out steering column and installed factory push start with dash, raptor steering wheel. Suspension and etc this coming summer for his overland rig. He built a tinyhouse on an ibeam looking hd trailer and welded the house framing and etc when he built his home last year. All welders and tools from harbor freight, hd, lowes, and in 2 yrs when he is an adult he wants to live in his tinyhouse full time, but have a shop building and lift in the future. His bike build and flips were made with hf tools and welders, tube benders and so on.
So when turboed k swapped miata blast around a track or blows doors off hellcats, zl1s, etc its funny hahaha.
Hes always so proud hes built what he has with such cheap tools and misc equipment haha
That advice at the end was everything I needed to hear. Motivation
Great choices...I worked out of that same cart for a long time. Ended up giving it (and several tools) to a new kid in the business when I upgraded to a US General 44 top and bottom. The US General boxes are great for the price, I still have the 44" set, though I did spoil myself this year with a SnapOn KCP1422. There are times I miss the little 5 drawer cart though, I outgrew it rather quickly but still might buy another one just to keep commonly used tools in to save steps walking back and forth across the shop.
I'm still on my original Harbor Freight deep 1/2" impact sockets and 3/8" chromes that I bought from them in 2010. They are going on almost 12 years daily shop use. The only one that didn't make it was the 21mm. That one broke and I replaced it with another Harbor Freight. I also have a 3/8" ratchet from them I bought the same day that is also still going strong and daily used. Yes I do also have snap on, matco, Mac, and Cornwell tools that I've acquired but you don't have to spend a fortune for decent tools. Especially in the beginning when you're not making the big bucks yet.
As I always say discount pay gets you discount tools but still top pay work quality. Want me using truck tools then pay me truck tool money lol.
@@alpham777 I'm 15 years in and not making 6 figures in automotive and with inflation and kids I can barely pay the bills. So I'm with you on that one. I got my box payment and that's it. They don't wanna pay for experience than I'm not gonna spend money on the truck.
Thank you for this video. I’m about to get out of the military and only have been using an army issued toolbox for work, and this has been a huge insight into a decent set to start me out in the civilian side.
Check out v.a. voc rehab some vets don't finish a school voc give them first chans buy thare tools n if thay don't thay take back n sale them off
If thay finish school thay get to keep them
You get stuff less 50% this way
N thank you sir for YOUR SERVICES
Your last point is right on the money. We live in a day and age where the industry is very short on “Good Technicians”. I’ve been able to negotiate better pay & benefits due to my extensive experience in the automotive and medium/heavy duty truck fields. The icing on the cake, is my flexibility/reliability and quality of work performed.
Thank you for the great content as always.
That is great advice, I started with a small Kobalt box and cheap tools and gradually I moved to a bigger Husky box and small roll cart that I have now chugged full of Snap-On, Mac, Blue Point, Gearwrench ETC. Also another word of advice, your tools make your money, not your box. Go with a nice husky or even us general or craftsman box or something of that nature for 1000 or 2000 dollars and then spend 10,000 and fill with quality tools instead of spending 10,000 on the box and 1,000 on cheaper tools. That was the best advice I ever got, now I have 4 Nice Quality boxes that are more on the professional side, still not Snap-On quality, however all full with about 30,000 worth of Quailty tools!
A few tools that I personally find invaluable, I used to use em all the time in the shop I worked at, is the channellock 718 duckbill pliers, channellock 558 hose clamp pliers (although I haven't used the ones you showed in the video, they very well may be better, I'm not sure), and of course the channellock 460, they're useful for so many things, and of all the different oil filter wrenches I've used, none of them even competed with the channellock 460, yeah I know it's not an oil filter wrench, but imo it's way better plus it's useful for other things as well, but I personally have used them the most on oil and fuel filters on cars, trucks, and lawn mowers, basically if I couldn't get it off with my gorilla hands that's the first thing I grabbed and the only thing I ever needed to grab, even on those oil filters that were installed by Thor
As for some other tools that I'd definitely add, combination wrenches number 1, snap on is absolutely the best but you really can't go wrong with craftsman, I'd also add an extendable Stanley 3/8 drive ratchet, ive been amazed by the strength of Stanley tools and in terms of ratchets, I'd go with Stanley over snap on, torque wrenches on the other hand I absolutely prefer snap on click type, another thing is a steel scraper, a set of Allen keys (long preferably) with the ball end, the performance tool ratcheting screwdriver set from oreilly is awesome, my favorite screwdrivers are Klein, I think they're electrician screwdrivers, but another great place for sockets and screwdrivers is garage sales, those ones are nice for modifying and beating on. For someone who will mess with wiring, Klein auto strippers and channellock crimpers, you can also never have too many extensions, a quality punch set is also great as is a ball peen, mini sledge, and copper hammer, the harbor freight push tab trim tool is also pretty awesome, one thing I would definitely add is a 1/4 and 3/8 wobble and a roll of scotch electrical tape, I would also add a pair of channellock 420 and 430 pliers, I would upgrade from the channellock dykes to wiha compound dykes, a cheap but decent multimeter and maybe a test light, I also much prefer the blue point magnetic socket trays to anything else, a quality pair of snap ring pliers (both 90° and straight, also having 45° is even better), a center punch, a chisel, a claw hammer (such as the estwing with the straight claw), a pair of nippers, and a Stanley tape measure. Of course there's many other things I forgot to mention and the things I did mention would put you way over budget, however they are great to have, but I will say I am impressed with the setup you out together for that price, I wouldnt have went with a harbor freight breaker bar as those break easy, I really like my crescent one, oh yeah and a crescent wrench or 2 would be great, but for that price I can't say there's much I could have done to improve it for me personally that doesn't involve getting tools secondhand
I would have went with the Milwaukee m18 over the m12, personal preference, and I'd also upgrade from the earthquake to an Ingersoll Rand, but those tools will definitely be a huge help for someone who's just starting out. I want to get a nice harbor freight cart box like that for myself as my current toolbox setup is pretty terrible, 2 stacked craftsman boxes, its disorganized and too high up.
But great video, good choices overall, and glad you're helping out a new guy, hopefully he becomes a master mechanic and builds a reputation for quality work
One more thing, I have actually heard really good things about the icon torque wrenches, they're no snap on but they work and I've heard they're pretty accurate.
Have a great day!
When I started out fresh out of highschool for Toyota with a three drawer Craftsman box I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the techs hooking me up with tools they needed an excuse to replace. Even the Snap-On guy told me about two big pawn brokers that moved a lot of tools and that they would negotiate which is exactly what I did. Just thought I'd share my experience and hopefully that helps someone build their tool collection without breaking the bank.
Edit: I forgot to add asking for scratch and dent boxes or blemishes like the Horror Freight cart that was on clearance for a bent and scratched lid I got for $75 with a years club membership or the $50 Craftsman top box Lowes had that two pipe clamps fixed good enough for my garage. Just ask and make an offer.
Also eBay is good for cheap tools.
The US General boxes really are better quality than their price point. I'm not saying don't try to find a good sale, but if you have to pay retail, it's hard, if not impossible to beat that value
when i first started all the guys where getting into battery tools and gave me a lot of air powered stuff i now have 6 impact guns 3 air rachets 10 die grinders 4 air drills 2 air hammers and a ton of other random stuff
This was also true for me working in a machine shop. I still have tools gifted to me by senior machinists.
I can't even explain in words how bad I need this video. My tools are scattered all over my house and I'm getting into cars more and want to work on my own car but I have almost no tools and I desperately needed a video like this thanks Charles!!!
Awesome!!!
A good upgrade is getting a Milwaukee m12 3/8 stubby worth 100 percent the cash, I work on semi trucks and this thing is a godsend highly recommend adding this to your cart
thank you so much for pushing this agenda for quanity over quality.
at 18 i got pressured into getting on teh tool trucks for my new job got into debt its been over 2 years n still paying for them. i never had all the tools i needed. fucked my finances up.
That yellow one is great as well to just roll around when you in the shop with tools specifically for the job your doing . Big tool box just stays in one spot
Thats how we did it in the shop. youd roll around for basic stuff, but your bay was where the bigger action happened.
I’m a huge fan of Tekton sockets and wrenches myself, they’ve got a couple of bundle deals. Also Capri tools offers some nice starter outfits but the Depot really did us a solid this year with that GW kit. I bought the $99 socket set and the $199 cube. Another one to look at is SATA, it’s GW’s 72 tooth cousin from Europe. Nice stuff and cheap! I’m also a huge fan of Sunex and Grey Pneumatic, the metric duo socket set in 3/8 isn’t that bad but might be a little pricey for that budget.
Great video! With that M12 kit, a great starter impact is the M12 Fuel stubby 3/8” impact. It’s what I started with on my cart along with the M12 kit.
Starting diesel tech here. And I can tell you this much having just a few tools to start off is such a big help.
Thanks for the wise words. I'm currently in the automotive program at my local community college and having a blast. Looking forward to what's next.
I've been starting too look for a technician job, I just need to get my state certs. I'm working for Lowe's and have been using my discount to stock up a decent starter tool set. I should've been keeping a running tab, but I'm almost afraid to know how much I've spent so far.
I'm trying to push the brand, but Kobolt tools are really good, cheaper than Craftsman, but still has the lifetime replacement guarantee. Also we seem to run BOGO sales on power tools all the time (at least for the past few months) where you can buy a kit (Tool with battery and charger) and get a Bare Tool for free (no battery or charger). I've saved a ton of money using these deals and have a really good head start tool set.
Keep that running tab, you will want it for tax purposes when you are a working tech.
Excellent video young man! We implemented this a while back after I watched a couple of B-C tech's have to file bankruptcy with SOOO much debt to Snap/Mat/Etc. Many of these young folks think they always have to have the best of the best..Sure we all want that but it has to make sense in the moment. I started with a basic Craftsman kit that you purchased from Sears. I was active military back then and I needed a way to provide more income to provide for my family in the early 80's. If I recall the interest rate back then was 24% but I digress.
The message at the 15:00 minute make is spot on. I'm seeing the local VW dealer paying relocation plus a $15,000 sign on for Master Techs.
Mark Sawyer
Fixed Operation Director
Don Franklin Family of Dealerships
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Some of that push for top brand tools falls on the older guys. I don't know how much it's changed but when I started out, you almost had to buy the tool truck stuff if you wanted anyone to take you seriously. But in those days there weren't a lot of good quality tools out there that didn't come off a truck.
I really loved this video. I'm going on 6 years as a GM tech and strated out with that exact tool cart and used it untill I couldn't fit anything in it. Reply enjoyed this video and hope more new techs see this.
Charles, I am sharing this on Facebook because I have nearly finished the second year of my mature age apprenticeship at a Hyundai/Kia/Isuzu Ute dealership in Australia and I keep telling the young guys not to get stuck in the debt trap of buying fancy tools.
So many of them have a massive debt already with the Snap-on tools sales rep.
I use predominantly Kincrome and SP Tools (Australian owned companies).
This video is so good! This should be compulsory viewing for all first year apprentice light automotive technicians.
Thank you Charles!
My niece bought her first house last month and me and my brother in law were wondering what to get her that wasn’t already being given by her grandma, mom, and friends etc. I watch toolbox tours all the time and decided that a nice tool box with tools would be a good investment. My niece isn’t a DiYer but if she calls one of us (I’m in construction, my BiL is a farmer) it will be nice to know there’s a fine set of tools on hand to bang out a quick job if the need arises and we don’t have access to our tools.
That’s awesome!!!
Thank you for the list of tools!
Love this! I wish my younger techs had a video like this before they jumped in the truck!
I started with hand me downs from my dad and ended up filling the box out with the tools I had to borrow the most from other techs. This is a great set up and by far better than being thrown to the tool truck wolves on day one. Great set up!!!
That Gearwrench set is really, really nice. I've found that you can go pretty cheap on impact sockets. Harbor Freight impact sockets work great.
I was recently looking to build a tool kit to start working on my car, and put together a list of tools that are more hobbyist oriented. I didn't try to go for quantity and instead tried to reduce the number of tools that are duplicated which allowed me to balance some quality tools with some cheaper ones and the total came up to around 350£/500$. If anyone is interested here is the list
- 3/8 Hilka socket set with deep sockets, extensions, torx and hex bits
- 1/2 450 mm breaker bar (with a 3/8 adapter and salvaged gi pipe so that once the bolt is loosened the 3/8 ratchet can be used to remove the bolt)
- 1/2 Tekton torque wrench 15 - 210 nm
- Milwaukee ratcheting combination spanners
- Ring spanner set deep offset (any cheap one as it will mostly be used to hold a bolt or when a particular size is not available)
- Knipex pliers wrench 180mm (alternative to carrying multiple open ended spanners and can be used for the missing sizes)
- Oil filter wrench
- Milwaukee locking pliers
- Needle nose pliers 200mm (any cheap one)
- bahco cable cutters 160mm
- Knipex cobra 180mm
- Klein 14 in 1 screwdriver
- Philips and flathead long screwdrivers
- mini sledge hammer
- prybar and picks
I am hoping these should cover the basics for servicing and some suspension work. I plan on buying specialized tools when required and own jack stands and a small bottle jack so I have not added them to the list.
Super helpful for a non-mechanic weekend wrencher who just wants to do basic maintenance. I love seeing how pros organize and prioritize things so I can recreate as I slowly build a set at home.
As someone wanting to possibly completely change careers in my 30s to do something in the automotive industry, this was helpful.
Yes same here just became a bmw apprentice at a local shop, im 30. And being around cars all day is the best thing that couldve ever happened to me.
Did you have to go to school again or were you hired on as a paid apprentice? I'm looking to change careers as well, but I'm married with kids and am not in the position to go back to school. I really need a company who will pay me and teach me.
Great video, I'm 2 years into being a lube technician at a dealership and looking to move up to line tech. Would be great to see what you recommend as either upgrade to current tools or those not mentioned yet. I have started a list of things just by observing and asking, but the more input the better in my opinion!
The Walmart hyper tough magnetic trays seem to have a better magnet that the harbor freight ones. At least in my experience the Walmart one was way better in keeping the bolts contained.
Nice! I’ve never used those.
I've had to make my own because none of them ever lived up to their potential.
Charles, you are an absolute legend! keep with the content i cant thank you enough. your videos helped me rebuild my 13 gti and properly time it i got 3500 miles on the rebuild so far and shes going strong!
I fought the idea of buying a HF tool box over a go-to Craftsman for awhile, compared it against everything, even boxes outside it's price range within reason. Finally pulled the trigger and it's been flawless. I don't buy HF tools but their boxes are a winner.
I think you need to be very selective on what you buy there. I have tools 20+ years old that still rock perfectly great. Other stuff got tossed in the trash the same day
In regards to the Torque Wrenches I have the techangle snap on and the Icon. The Techangle only does engine work and the icon is used for general tasks. I have seperate one for suspension as well. maybe a bit overboard, but the icon works very well
I like this!!!!
@@HumbleMechanic I’m not even a tech by trade just a serious VW/Audi DIYer with currently an 8P A3 Quattro in my garage / shop undergoing a dsg to manual swap 😂
Heck yesss
@@HumbleMechanic Project Farm here on TH-cam did a review of torque wrenches this week and I kid you not the amount of people that are now considering the Icon one is tenfold from what it was before the video came out. It's a pretty solid buy.
Nice!
Honestly, that looks like it'd even be a good set up for the garage at the house.
Great setup for that
Guys at my shop talk smack if you dont buy everything off the tool trucks or pay $10k for a tool box. They believe that the quality of work is all in the quality of the tool. I believe a good tech can work with any brand of tool. Don't get me wrong, and strap-on box is legit but spending $5k to $10k on storage is not my thing.
"Professional" grade tools may enable a mechanic to work more efficiently, but some of the best mechanics I've ever known worked out of a small Craftman box full of Craftman tools. That was before Harbor Freight came to be...
My reply to them would be just because you have a $250,000 piano doesn't make you a Beethoven.
Most shops I've worked at will provide the basics for every employee. The specialty tools you rarely use are with the senior employees, and you can just borrow those for the few times you need them
This video is going to be so helpful for so many young technicians. I tell all of our new guys to stay away from the tool trucks unless its absolutely necessary. If you borrow a tool 3 times it's time to get your own and purchase low quality until you find that it is failing you and then purchase the better version.
I would highly suggest a set of wrench organizers/holders. I used to organize my wrenches in that exact same box like you did, but they slide all over the place if you close the drawer too hard. Some other good starter tools would be some standard oil filter caps (for hard to reach filters), a small package of razors (they're only like 99c from walmart), and a pair of alligator pliers. I use my alligator pliers almost daily, they work great for hose clamps, and much more. Hope this helps!
If you look closely at the bottom of the drawer, there is a pad which prevents the wrenches from sliding around
This is excellent for a starting tech and hits the general items, leaving room for a few trends to get later on. Day 1 if I had this I’d be thrilled! That gear wrench mechanic set was tempting to me when I saw it at Home Depot and I have absolutely no need for it. One of the best mechanic sets I’ve seen since the USA craftsman ones.
Kudos to your new guy for hitting all those cha-chings, but I was really looking forward to that struggle counter. 😆 I’ve had mostly hand me down tools and an old hand me down toolbox that has seen better days. This is great for even a DIY garage mechanic like us to consider if we have most of what we need to get our jobs done. I see some things I need after I get a new box/cart.
Just a diyer with my three Acura rsx. Recently bought myself the husky 52 inch box for 500, it was 100 more than the 47 inch I was originally going to get. I’m reading these comments like hm, yea my husky/ hart tools are no good… let me take notes. In all honesty they’re good for how often I use them, like everyone says use the tools, once it breaks upgrade. Eventually I’ll buy better tools.
Shout out to this guy for not forcing people to spend money to work
This is one of the best videos I have ever viewed!
Why someone else has never done a video like this I don’t know. I have my tool set up the way that I want them.
You’re spot on with this. Most all of my to just come from Harbor freight, US general. I still use some of their tools. You’re preaching the right thing stay off of the snap on or the tool truck until you get established and you know that you’re going to be a technician.
I was actually wondering about this recently. As a professional software engineer, all my tools are provided for me by the company I work for, weather I like it or not... so why is it in other industries that its expected that you provide your own tools?
Because my toolbox has wheels. I can also make money on the side with my OWN tools.
Having been on both sides of this one, it's hard to track tools once you've given them to someone unless you're going be extremely anal about it which causes more trouble than you want. It's expected that you buy your own tools almost everywhere. That said, we tried a system once where we paid something towards tools as a reward for attendance. That wasn't easy but it was a good idea all around.
If they are your tools you can customize for greater efficiency. Provided tool kits can in some industries slow you down as they were approved by lawyers…..
The icon hook and pick set is a little expensive for how many you get but they do an amazing job
How about a pt2 for the home garage with those tools and another $1000 on top? You can keep it Euro car based. Maybe a basic scanner etc.
Like it!
I'd guess its pretty much the same. You just buy the things you need before the job and look for discounted deals so its cheaper and you don't have to buy it all at once.
My handheld autel scanner does a lot, not as much diagnostic Info as our shop autel. But for $30 you can't beat it...
Xtool V401 is $55 and has most of the Vagcom functions. That is more vw/audi. Many good bluetooth OBD scanners can work with a smart phone and give a lot of data also. Any suggestions on service manual?
@@stevegee218 ebay the factory one very legally honestly
That's a good starter setup. I've been turning wrenchs for a few decades now and within the last few years started buying off the tool truck. You can still have the great success off cheaper tools. It's not the tool that makes the mechanic good that comes with experience and time.
Charles, I can clearly see how you started your career teaching the younger techs; clearly you love to teach. Kudos to you. This video is one of your best that I have come across. I can't think of anything to add to your tool box except perhaps those mounting studs (or guides) to help position a wheel on a car (again, probably most applicable to VWs and other European cars). Keep up the good work, Charles.
add push pin remover tool since everything is covered by a plastic panel, magnetic telescoping stick because you will drop many screw/bolts,nuts, temperature gun which is really usueful, and cheap thermal camera (i used a flir one for phones) which helped diag really quick heated seat coils and defrost. these were used 95% of the time along with the normal stuff that you already have in the cart. i would also try to hammer home with new techs that not everything has to be snap on/matco/mac/etc. 80% of my most used tools are Harbor Freight and well reviewed Amazon tools (mostly hand tools/bits/small tools).
Great selection of tools. I started with more or less the same. Pry bars I would borrow from my boss’ tool when we would need them. For sockets I use the clip holders on the metal bar, since they use less space. What I spent good money was on torque wrench and screwdrivers. Since I work on BMWs bought torx in long reach and stubby versions. Great info as usual Charles.
Why not a multi bit screwdriver, I've always been curious as to why people bother with all the extra handles of having a full set of screwdrivers I'm a welder I'm extremely rough with my tools and my multi bedside is done literally everything that I've needed it to perfectly well and if the bits get shouted up I just go buy new bits instead of a whole new screwdriver
Bits fall off, bits take time to change. I always had one but rarely used it. Mostly the risk of bits falling out
@@HumbleMechanic the Milwaukee one I bought has ball indents so it locks into place but it's only got 14 bits so I'ma see if there's a way to extend that range and post a link if I find it
@@jonathangarzon2798 because then you can not use the screwdriver as a small prybar.
Multiple times working on trucks you need to line up a screw with the opening, and a pry bar will not fit. But i bet ya a flathead screwdriver will.
Also the multi bit screwdriver don’t fit everywhere. Just far more effective to get the regular ones .
@@qwertpoiuy430 I have a screwdriver sized prybar for that and an awl for lining up holes through the inside.
The only things I can't use the multi bit for are electronics with deep inset screws. Not alot of that in a truck.
Awesome to see the 232 pc Tool Kit included in your beginner mechanic tool cart setup 11:06! Nice work as always Charles! #GEARWRENCH
❤️❤️❤️
This is a great video! I’m a DIY car guy and thanks to this video it made me realized what tools I have and what I didn’t have. Definitely saved me time and money. Also thanks to this I got the Milwaukee combo kit (impact driver/drill) with a free 50 bit kit and a free 3/8 ratchet . Definitely a game changer for me for $250 out the door
This is a great thing to see! I wish places were doing this when I was 18-20 trying to get in the door. There was even a shop when I was 25 that wanted me to have a minimum of $10k in tools to step into the shop. I worked hard to just live and only buy tools I needed at the times. Lots of experience, but low in tools. Now, 17 years later, I have some tools that have been with me nearly that entire time! But also have 3 boxes and need more to hold everything I have now! My wife hates seeing all the tools.
What else is on the must have list??
First thing that comes to mind I didn't see it a set of easy outs
Oil filter strap or claw for those TSI engines, large pair of channel lock pliers, and test lamp for checking fuses!
How about a tire gauge, brake gauge
Exhaust hanger pliers!
Not just hose clamp pliers but the _locking_ ones! And a multimeter. And a Dremel cutoff tool. Also reiterate what Bryan said about bolt extractors. Oh and what Karim said about channel locking pliers.
It always makes me feel weird when US people talk about prices and tax as separate things. Over here (EU) when I say something costs let say €20 I mean thats with included with tax.
Tax varies quite a bit between areas as small as counties. The dollar amount will matter in a big purchase like this
Not all states have a sales tax.
Politicians love the VAT system because it hides how much tax they take. What is your VAT? 18% 20%?? At least in the US we can see it and complain if they try to raise it.
@@davidduma7615 In my country is one of the highest if not he highest of the world 27%.
May God bless you all who's ever reading this 🙏💖💞
Hello, My Brother worked a GM Engineer Mech. Shop and what I got out of what he did was a lot of using his experience to make the needed repairs and figure out what was wrong with the designs of whatever was put on this bench. What failed and what caused the failure. Using your mind more that hands to get to the problem solving. Please understand that you do have to use your hands, but its usually the simplest thing, Example, Oil light comes on, Check the Oil Level, Check the wire to sending unit, etc. I fix my own cars, but I buy older cars 1999 - 2010. I hate working in the cold and in the heat (outdoors). Nice Spring or Autumn Day in Texas. Loved this video.
I mostly buy used tools, I love the Gear Wrench product, Good Value, Husky and Kobalt. When I buy used items I buy USA and some Japan made tools, so I have a mix-match of style of wrenches screwdrivers, etc. Vintage tools also. I like offset box wrench the most. Not to crazy about 12 pt. wrench, but useful.
Thanks for the vid.