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: