Pretty much what the title says. I used to go to my grandparents to work on my car (basic stuff) and now that I moved away I need to get some tools so I can work on my car. What are some basic sets you guys would recommend like at harbor freight or Home Depot? So I can do basic stuff like oil changes, spark plugs

15 comments

  1. Get your standard “200 tool mechanics set” (180 of those 200 tools being different sockets). That will take care of 99% of the stuff most people need to fix.

    From there, just buy tools as you need them.

    As a heads up new electric impacts are all fantastic for DIYers, and they’re usually around $150 for the tool+battery. This would be the one tool I’d recommend getting ahead of time before you “need” it, because they make a lot of jobs a lot easier even though really nobody ever “needs” an impact. I’m also a big fan of electric ratchets for car stuff due to limited space, but again… nobody “needs” an electric ratchet.

  2. A set of box wrenches in SAE & Metric, a set of screwdrivers, crescent wrenches in 6″, 8″, & 10, socket set in SAE & Metric, and a filter wrench.

  3. Just a basic Husky mechanics set from Home Depot and an oil filter wrench is all you need. I like some of the Icon tools at HF but the cheaper stuff sucks

  4. Sounds silly and stupid. Begin with a basic multitool pocket knife like a leatherman.

  5. Hi bud. Welcome to the wonderful world of tool collecting. You’ve got a great life of adventure ahead of you.

    Harbor freight is for tools you need once. If you’ve got mind to get a set on the cheap cruise the estate sales and garage sales for old guy tools. A lot of tools made today suck. Getting a whole set of old guy stuff from an estate sale is a great start. Otherwise if you need it now, you can do worse than a basic craftsman set.

    If you’ve got room for a cabinet get that to keep your tools straight. It helps even if it is hard to move with.

  6. There’s a Pittsburgh tool set at harbor freight in varying sizes that’s pretty comprehensive, high quality and reasonable price. Plus there’s usually an online coupon if you search a little

  7. You really only need two sockets, a socket wrench, and an oil filter wrench to do those things. Spark plug sockets have a rubber insert that can grab the ceramic insulator of the plug and hold onto it so you can pull it out from deep within an overhead cam engine. Your oil pan drain plug. is maybe a 14-17 mm or thereabouts. You can google the specific size you need but it’s probably worthwhile to just get a set that spans the specific size. Your oil drain pan plug might be on kind of tight so a longer socket wrench is better. As for brand, everything is made in china these days. For infrequent use, whatever is cheapest.

  8. Standard and metric box wrench set, a crescent wrench, needle nose pliers, slip going pliers, screw drivers (standard and phillips), hammer, possible rubber mallet, and maybe a pair of vice grips.

    They do sell tool kits with a variety of things in them. If you want to do a bunch of things maybe pick up a light lithium cordless drill. It saves your wrists from doing a lot of unscrewing (like taking off plate covers in a house to repaint) and you can drill holes for anchors, etc.

  9. Wait till a man oriented holiday when tools go on sale. Buy a decent quality mechanics tool set. Usually they go half off. A set thats normally $200-300 should cover most your needs.

    While there, grab a Ryobi deal on the drill, saw, batteries, and charger. That typically gets marked down to around $100-130.

    That should cover most anything you need to.

  10. Before you go spend tons of money, hit up local pawn and second hand stores. See if they have any used tools in bulk for cheap. Also estate sales can net you really good tools for a cheap price.

    I would focus on basic tool sets first, various pliers, adjustable wrenches, screwdrivers and try to get both a sae and metric set of sockets.

    For auto repair I’d get a decent floor jack and jack stands for safety.

    If you prefer new sets, check sales and look for full sets.

    Once you have good assortment of hand tools, start looking at some specialized tools as you identify needs.

  11. Father’s Day and Christmas etc have great sales. Get a set of combination wrenches and sockets. An extension set for the sockets. Screw driver pack. Vice grips, pliers, needle nose and channel locks.

    1/4″ to 1″ SAE and 8mm to 18mm for metric will get you most places on cars. You will run into certain nuts here and there that you need a large socket for but you can generally borrow them from O’Reilly’s or any other parts store.

    A lot of this can be had in one combo pack that comes in a carrying case.

    From there just buy what you need specifically was you need it.

    There are special sockets for spark plugs as well.

    Husky brand is fine. I have a lot of old Craftsman stuff, which is at Lowe’s now and the quality isn’t what it was. But they are serviceable. Anything with a lifetime warranty really. You don’t need to waste money on snap on etc.

  12. Cobalt sells this socket-screwdriver-Alan wrench set in a hard case that costs about $200, and I absolutely love it. Also, get a decent cordless drill, good bits, and a spare battery. 99% of what you need to do at home can be solved with those things.

  13. Socket set. Wrench set. Big slot screwdriver. Hammer. Then, anytime you need a tool to do something you buy it. May the best man win.

  14. Harbor Freight brands (Chicago / Pittsburgh) are OK for the money. You’re not using them everyday so they should last more than a few years

    * Get 1/4″. 3/8″ & 1/2″ ratchets & socket sets in SAE & Metric – same for open end wrenches
    * Get a full Phillips and standard screwdriver set
    * Standard & Needle nose pliers and channel lock
    * Wire tool & snips

    That should cover most of the basics

    For oil changes, depending on the Make / Model, you’ll get the correct Oil filter wrench

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