Funny questions I have, but directed to the heavy do-it-yourself modders.. who all can post pics of your work area/tools. I wonder how advanced or non advanced your tools are and how big/small your work areas are. Do many of you have car lifts? I am not experienced in automobiles and I want to start collecting tools. I don't really know which direction to go..

 

Off the top of my head:

• Metric and Imperial wrenches and shallow + deep set sockets.
• Both 1/2in and 3/8in drives are good, but not needed. (3/8 will do for most simple things). I do like having 1/2in for bigger and some jobs will require it (susp/wheels).
• Air tools are good, but not needed.
• BFH (Big ****ing Hammer) - needed.
• DIY penetrant fluid (50:50 mix of ATF and Acetone http://www.zrxoa.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2733787).
• Cutting wheel is good to have.
• Torque wrench - required.
• Breaker bar - I'd get one.
• Jack and stands - required.
• Kerosene heater - really nice to have in the winter.

Space:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k6...o/DSCF0923.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k6...o/DSCF5751.jpg

This barn is 2 cars deep, gives you 5 feet or so on either side to work.

 

Don't forget screwdrivers, allen wrenches, a good drop light, stuff like that is a good start.

If you aren't going to be doing it for a living and just tinkering I'd start out with craftsmen for stuff you'll use a lot and maybe harbor freight for other things.

 

I have a pretty big bench with a vise, tool box full of 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive sockets in 6 and 12pt, deep and shallow, air compressor with tools, breaker bars, in/lb and ft/lb torque wrench, screw drivers, multimeter, wrenches, flex head ratcheting wrenches, lights, saudering equipment, boost leak tester, and a bunch of other crap I can't remember

 

Nothing fancy here, just a jack and jack-stands with basic hand tools. My toolbox isn't very big, its one of the portable ones. When I run into an issue where I need another tool I just go buy it but that isn't very often. You can do a lot of things with just the basics.

 

I do quite a bit of simple jobs such as maintenence and you really don't need too many tools. A set of screwdrivers, metric and standard open end and socketing wrenches, a magnet for when you drop stuff, jack stands, floor jack, torque wrench, at least a 20oz hammer, lots of lighting, and that's all I've really used lately.

All this in a dirty old shed.

 

craftsman sells starter tool sets for mechanics. They are a good place to start building your tool collection. There are different levels as well in case your pockets aren't deep.

 

Thanks for the posts guys. Helped me out too

 

I'm too cheap to buy craftsman or snap on tools.. so i just get some from harbor freight. Their quality is okay and its cheap.. good enough for me to do basic work on the car in my garage. My advice to you is to invest in a decent tool box and start buying tools you need as you go along.

 

this is a pretty interesting topic, but anyways my tiny little garage at my apt. with my toolbox thats neatly organized with ratcheting wrenches, sockets, air tools, bunch of custom tools compressor, overhead lights, a nice sized space heater two low profile jacks and some beastly jack stands!! haha its a tight squeeze but I make it work.. for evo's Sake! haha

 

Kind of off topic... Lifts are nice to have but most peoples garage's don't have the vertical height for a useful one. I'm surprised no one has done a bay rental service. You know set up 5 bays with lifts, trans jacks, etc... and charge by the day to rent one. I've never seen one if they are out there.

Make the renters supply their own tools and parts so your overhead is basically just the building and an attendant. I'm sure liability would be a big concern but, I think in places where a lot of people don't have a garage like a city or near a college it could work.

 

good point. The college that I went to had a shop like this for students. Really cheap rates, most tools that you would need, and they even had a mechanic that would help you if you needed it. Never actually used it myself, but I had friends that did. I would like to be able to go somewhere and mount and balance my own wheels. I am tired of watching monkeys try to mess my stuff up all while I pay way to much for the time that it takes. (yes there is a small amount of training here, but I used to work in a tire shop...)

 

Yeah, my college barely gives us a parking spot. Oh, sorry I mean I pay for a stupid little parking spot. I want a garage for paying $30K a year!

 

My toolbox and my bay.

 

my advice get the jack, jack stands and basic $30 craftman tool set, and the rest borrow your friends crap and their garage lol.