Adding tools to my collection. Where to start?

I think there was a thread about this a long time ago, but I didn't save it, so lemme ask. My inventory of tools is newbie thin, since I'm just starting to learn to wrench. I want to start adding to the collection, but have to do it as budget friendly as possible. So it'll be CL "can't pass up" deals or closeout Harbor Freight or whatever I can find. If you were starting your tool supply where I am, where would you start? What would you get first? What can't you live without? Right now, I have:

The basic 70 or 80 piece tool set (wrenches, sockets, pliers in a handy, dandy case). I think I actually have two of them.

Jack stands and Rhino ramps, with an Autozone cheap jack.

Torque wrench from Autozone

Assorted screwdrivers/hammers/wrenches

C-clamps

Five drawer rolling toolbox from Sears (about 3' tall)

I'm sure I have a few odds and ends that I can't think of while sitting here in my office, but that's the majority of it. What would be the first few things you'd add knowing that you couldn't go out and drop big bucks on stuff?

I always base it on need. What do you need the most?

In reply to bravenrace:

I agree with this, depends on what you're going to do, if you're just doing mechanical work, the list is A, if you're going to do body work/paint the list is B, if you're doing electrical it's C, if you're doing welding it's D, if you're doing fabrication it's E, if you're doing all of the above, well you get the point...

Me personally though, a good workbench with a bench vice and lots of shelving for storage and maybe a rolling tool cart are my basic must haves. They save the pain of running back and forth to the tools, tripping over stuff or stubbing a toe, can work on stuff on a stable platform, or cut, grind, pry, etc safely while the vice holds things...

go out and drop big bucks on stuff

Given your station in life and predicted budget, i would not buy ANYTHING, until you NEED it... On peice I MIGHT consider without a specific need would be a GOOD 20-50 gallon compressor, just cause then you have the CHEAP use of ANY HF air tool, impact gun, air ratched, grinder, drill, can fill tires etc etc.... but dont buy things in anticipation if you have fundamentals down.

Buy tools as you need them.

a decent hack saw

a decent metal file. One big, one small.

a decent drill

a bench grinder with a stone and a wire wheel

a mapp gas torch

the tapered balljoint tool from harbor freight

a large thick pipe

a big 5 pound mini sledge (autozone sells a 4 lb for ~$11)

bravenrace wrote: I always base it on need. What do you need the most?

Dunno. To date, I haven't come across much where the very basic stuff I have hasn't worked. But I've only done basic stuff so far, such as changing brake pads/rotors. I'm hoping to do more with my project Geo Tracker. To date, I've been going with the "run out and get it when I need it" philosophy. I can keep going with that. But if there were some things that would be inevitable as a basic need down the road, I wouldn't mind scouring CL and such for it.

My goal is basic auto mechanics. The more experience I get, the bigger projects I'll try to take on.

^This. I bought a 3lb hammer last time I needed a BFH, and am NOT satisfied. 5lb on a 12-18" handle is the way, the truth, and the light. Learn to swing it properly, and there's nothing you can't break unintentionally.

Pry bar. I like 36" best, YMMV. A 6" or 12" would be useful at times as well, I'm just a sucker for monster pry bars.

Internal and external extractors. I use my externals much more, and can't remember how I got by without them.

18v Drill and Impact driver would be nice, 1/2 drive ratchet with 1/2 drive IMPACT sockets, a 18-24 inch pipe that fits over then handle of said 1/2 inch ratchet.

1/4 and 1/2 drive drill to socket adapter, comes in sooo handy can be found @ HF

Good hammer

Dead blow hammer or rubber mallet

Vise-grips

just off the top of my head, but i dont think you have to "run out and get it" you just need to get it when planning your project. If you know your doing project X take the 5 mins to think ahead and buy needed tools while your out.

Base it on need, seriously. The more you do, the more you'll need. Someone mentioned a monster prybar? I have a 10", 14", 18", 36", and a 6' bar because I've needed each and every one of those when none of the others would do. If you are doing mechanical work, it depends on what kind of cars. You may find that 80% of your tools will be metric if you are into Asian cars.

get something for your wife or girlfriend while you are there.

my wife LOVES these things. she's been asking me when I am going back so I can get another set. They work better than other tupperware type stuff we have as far as food preservation goes

http://www.harborfreight.com/general-merch/kitchen/3-piece-vacuum-preserving-container-set-98130.html

basically a little rubber check valve on that flap, close the lid, press down on the lid to force air out, then the valve seals and wont let air in.

Where to start? Harbor Freight.

As many tools as I have I always discover that some jobs are better done with a tool I don't have!

Once you note a tool you need or might need, jot it down. I have a white board that has a spot just for this. This has a bonus as I got my long shank screwdriver set in my Christmas stocking. Brother got a 1/4 air ratchet in his.

Picked up a set of metric flare wrenches from a pawn shop a while back.

I was looking for a few metric deepwall impacts a while back and hit the pawn shop...found an $80 toolbox with 3 sets of Snap-on sockets and about 15 Snap-on combo wrenches! Other fun stuff in the box were a brake caliper compressor that I didn't know I needed until I used it. Got it AND my set of impacts (also Snap-on) for the one price!

Unless you have mega-bucks, I would suggest that you build slow, buy well and take care of your tools. Only you can know what you need.

Bruce

When I was starting out wrenchin', I added to my tool collection based purely on immediate need. That is, if I was doing ball joints on a Caddy, I needed a BFH, so I bought a BFH. Next project might need a 15" adjustable wrench, go buy one. Next project might need a 17mm combination wrench, buy one. Next jack stands. Every project needed at least one new tool. Then one day I reached the point that I had a project to do and I had every tool I needed.

I personally would not suggest impact wrenches for first time mechanics. I think it's important to understand by feeling how fasteners react to certain situations.

Get a nice t handle and a nice breaker bar. Air tools be damned.

Invest in good penetrating oil. I personally use wd40 because it does so many things and is easy on the sniffer.

But most importantly, learn tricks. Tricks are free and can be better than tools.

Taiden wrote: But most importantly, learn tricks. Tricks are free and can be better than tools.

Yo dude, I don't turn tricks...

Oh, I'll add that I suggest buy good tools. Stay away from Crapsman that are less than, maybe 10 years old? Then if they break replace them with something else. An inexpensive universal socket is nice, till it brakes, zings across the shop/garage and damages something else. Now you're replacing a window AND buying the proper tool.

My collection has grown well on need. I think you will find most people will recommend the Lowes house brand for hand tools without reservation

So is it the fact that I don't live in the rust belt or that I work on european cars that the LAST tools I ever reach for are the BFH or prybars. I own a 5lb mini sledge but never use it on cars.

My personal favorite tools are 3/8" extensions. From 1 inch to 24 inches I love them all. The longer they get, the higher quality they need to be.

jack Stands , gloves , eye protection

Hollow fence post to use a breaker bar. Nitrile and mechanix gloves. Open-ended wrenches.

you can do nearly everything you need with hand tools and determination. I've used my 25" 1/2 drive HF breaker bar at work a few times and I love it. it was like $15, as compared to the cheapest crapsman which was 30.
so I'd suggest glasses (even though I neglect to wear safety glasses, it is a good idea), a breaker bar, a dead blow and a 4 or 5 lb sledge, and some ratchet wrenches are awesome.

Colt 1911. It's kind of like a hammer, only louder.

Buy as you need, yada yada yada, this is what I do even as a professional. I only occasionally by a tool as a spec purchase on the off chance I might need it. I am lucky the mechanic in the next stall buys just two of just about every tool that comes along. I usually can borrow from him when I need that special tool for a job and then realize I will need it again and if I like it I will buy one of my own. If you have freinds that wrench and have more tools than you this could work for you as well.

I have found various pullers to be very useful even if they are harbor frieght brand. 2 jaw, 3 jaw steering, wheel puller and there aren't many other ways to pull alot of things like bearings and steering wheels with out them.

Multimeter.