What does your home tool setup look like?
 

I am looking at buying a rolling automotive tool box and a new set of sockets with wrenches. In addition, I found a couple nice electric impact guns to grab too.

Does anyone have suggestions for a mid-range rolling toolbox and a good socket set/wrench set? Other than the typical extensions, are there any specialty adapters to look for when working on these engines (without pulling it)?

If you have pics, please post them for ideas!!

I've got a 170 piece fatmax set I got on clearance locally. Any kit of this size or larger is a perfect base kit. I've had mine for years with no issues.

I've accumulated a bunch of other stuff from Canadian tire as they sell their mastercraft brand often at 40-70% off and it's actually decent quality. Wracheting wrenches, 70 piece screwdriver set, wrench/plier set, etc


The only specialty tools I've needed were flare nut wrench for Bleeder screws and a passthrough wrachet set for struts and getting sway bar end links off. Generic "specialty" tools not specific to this car.

I don't have a proper tool box, but have been fine with a mac tool bag. I can chuck everything I have into it including the cases for all of the impact sockets, drill etc and carry the base kit case and take it with me.
Similar to this one, though mine is bigger. I'm guessing they don't sell it anymore.
https://www.mactools.ca/en-ca/Tool-S.../Wheel-Pro-Bag

Yes! This is exactly the type of set I am looking for. How much did all this cost you?

I'd have to tally everything up. In sales I've probably saved a good $700+CAD.
I'm not factoring in taxes just list prices. Probably spent about $500-600 in tools if I had to round.

I think the tool kit was 400-500 regular I got it for 179.
Screwdriver set was 80 on sale for 20.
Wracheting wrench set was 200 on sale for 80.
Impact set 130 on sale for about 50.
Wobble extension set was in the 30 range paid.
Breaker bar was also cheap around 20.
Passthrough set was $60 via Amazon.
Adjustable wrench and plier set was 70 on sale for 30
Flare nut set I got 10 years ago. Can't recall the price but less than $60.
Plug in impact drill was 80 10 years ago. I'd buy cordless now.

I was fortunate to inherit the tool bag and torque wrench. Add $300-400 for those depending on what you get. Probably some odds and ends I am forgetting.

Buy what you can afford at the start and then upgrade certain things as you go. I like nice ratchets, screw drivers, and a good set of combination wenches. Most other things I buy cheap. I would also recommend making sure you get a set of 6pt sockets. 12's are convenient, but when you get a stubborn fastener that is very tight a 6pt will save you a lot of grief.

I actually like to have multiple tool boxes. I keep hand tools in one box and power tools in another. I have 3 boxes total right now. Also a good idea is to buy those magnetic strips and machine screw them to the side of the box. That way if you are working low or on the ground you can stick the tools you are using to a spot you can reach them from a stool and not have to worry about kicking them around. This is not a bad little box, I have 1 for my hand tools. Also don't forget drawer liners.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-26...66BK/309580736


This cheap set from lowes is a good base. But you will want to add a full set of metric combination wrenches. Down the road maybe get some more screw drivers.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-138-...l-Set/50200791

Thank you. It looks like waiting for sales and accumulating tools over time is the way to go, unless you want to pay nosebleed prices

Yep. A good base kit with a torque wrench and a breaker gets you through most stuff. I used the 3/8to 1/2 adapter to run the 6point 19mm deep socket for wheels in my set until I grabbed the 6 point 1/2 impact sockets.
I hardly use them for impact use but they're good to have

Then it's a matter of piecing everything else you want together. I bought the one off use stuff when needed in advance.

I got the Husky Set from Home depot last year and is absolutely amazing. Any new part that has gone into the car has been installed using this set. Seems to be out of stock but it give you an idea what to look for.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Me...0MTS/301653450

Husky isn't bad for the price! I have a few of their tools.

Has anyone tried the new line from Harbor Freight called Icon that is suppose to compete with Snap-on?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzidH7NbmOM

The difference I notice in cheap wrenches is how fat they are. Most of the time not an issue, but it can be in certain instances. I would not want to try removing the driveshaft bolts with those. I don't think they would fit.

Yep! And then you get stuck using a ratchet with 6 degrees of range because you have no hand clearance.

True. But for general use, as you said, it will mostly not be an issue. I have a kit from Harbor Freight that has been getting everything I need done perfectly - and that's for under $100 for a full kit of tools.

Also went cheap on my first torque wrench, about $30-40 on Amazon and has been used for just about everything that requires proper torque up to about 120 ft-lbs on the car.

The way I see it from there is if I need a specific tool to do a job that my standard tools can't do, I go get a good quality one - having saved plenty of money on all the general tools.

Another nice thing is that with cheap tools, no fear in modifying them. I have quite a few wrenches ground down or bent at odd angles for special use. I also have a bunch of sockets I have turned down in the lathe to shorten them or skinny them up.

I want a basic welder for this reason. I'd happily weld a a throw away extension and socket together to get around the issue I ran into when installing the rear shocks the other week.

I picked one of few passthrough wrachet sets that didn't include the 3" extension :lol:

lol
https://live.staticflickr.com/7663/2...05dbd482_o.jpg

that was my setup in my parents basement most of the way through high school.

i've expanded since.

they're more expensive. if you've got the dough, sure. but they don't turn the bolts any different.

i've got 2 toolboxes.

the one in the garage is stocked almost entirely with harbor freight standard socket stuff. mostly 1/4" and 3/8" with a few 1/2" for good measure. home depot sells a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 wobble extension kit that i really like over the HF stuff. then usually keep a few pick sets for poking and prodding things, as well as some 5-in-1 screwdrivers for turning things.

the basement tool box has ended up getting a home depot husky brand socket set. i like the quality a little more than the HF stuff. otherwise, the basement toolbox inherits tools from work that i decide no longer work great day-to-day, or find better replacements for.

That room is beautiful madness!!

I honestly would rather have a cheaper tool set with more variety than an expensive smaller set. I’m not rebuilding my motor with them, I’m just a weekend wrench-turner. My box has a few torqued and twisted extensions that are useless, but they were dirt cheap and lasted a couple years. No biggie

Tools are something that you grow over time. Get the basics first. Keep them organized so you do not lose any, forget them in your engine compartment. If you have good pawn shops around keep an eye out there. Some tools are worth the extra price of Snap-on, etc. If you get a Snap-on tool at a pawn shop for 1/2 price it still has the same warranty as a new one. Ratchets screw drivers are some of the basic tool it is worth going with Snap-on. After 30+ years of getting tools this is what my wrench drawer looks like. Never get rid of a tool!

https://i.imgur.com/7VcT0j2.jpg

I have a Stanley tool chest but I haven't been able to set it up yet (used to live in a condo).

I've been using a socket set much like this one which was also on sale (currently $180 on sale, normal $600!)

I've also got a mastercraft click type torque wrench which I picked up on sale, a 10 pc princess auto impact deep socket set that I use with a maximum 1/2" drive cordless impact (saves so much time and effort doing tire swaps), and a pencil case full of the individual sockets that I've bought over time (allen heads and torx especially for doing brakes, swapping the steering wheel on my old car, etc.). One thing I want to get is a cordless 90* ratchet wrench but I haven't seen a great sale yet.

That's aside from my classic red toolbox of wrenches, allen keys, screwdrivers, and power tools for doing work on my house.

Speaking of not losing tools, an extendable magnetic pick-up tool goes a long way. Specially when you drop the engine oil plug inside the bucket, or drop anything inside the engine bay. Plus if you're doing and welding or cutting, I like to take the magnet and scan the ground to pick up any shards I might of missed during cleanup.

Oh, and an FYI CDI Torque is who makes, or used to make Snap-On's basic line of torque wrenches. These can be bought on amazon for much less and can be recalibrated.

https://www.amazon.com/CDI-1002MFRMH...36&sr=8-5&th=1

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Torq...b)/BRUTUS3R300

Yep! Good tools go on sale for insanely cheap prices all the time. They are a pretty common loss leader item at most automotive/home stores. It is just a matter of watching the flyers.

Started mine with simple tools. Found good deal in a Dewalt tool box, then got some cheap tools at Harbor Freight clearance (torque wrench for 9usd, that I don’t expect to last forever)

And I liked the idea of going in a pawn shop. I am going to try that.

First set was all from Harbor Fright, not the cheaper tools but the high quality ones. And surprising they have lasted and have worked out really well. Changed intake, header and exhaust all with their tools. So like many have said, start small and basic and build up dude. There are three places that makes me feel like a kid in toys r us... Total Wine, Tool Story and Gun Store :)

be sure to check out estate sales as well. lots of times it's a separate company running the show, and their goal is just to move stuff out for any amount of money over a weekend. lots of times, anything they don't sell goes in the dumpster.

i'll routinely offer $10-15 on stuff they had marked for $50, and they'll take it just to get rid of it..

Great thread with a lot of good idea sharing. In all my years spent in the garage I'd only add that a peg board is worth its weight in gold.

https://i.imgur.com/aY5MX3Q.jpg