Photography by J.G. Pasterjak
New to cars and want to buy some tools, eh? Well, you’ll get the same advice that everyone else gets when looking to build out a kit: GOOD LUCK, SUCKER!
No, not really, but close. The thing is no matter where you start, you’re going to have serious FOMO at every stage. But don’t sweat that too badly as it’s part of the process. And discovering you’re short a tool is just a great way of realizing that you’re trusting your skills enough to attempt more complex operations.
So, where to start? Well, that’s a loaded question, and you may as well ask a room full of dads how to best drive to the airport. But hopefully my advice can give you something to chew on–and of course I expect lots of comments below.
First, remember that you’re not just collecting tools, you’re entering an ecosystem. So as you acquire stuff, you need to think about each bit of that stuff adding functionality to the entire system.
For this reason, I’m not going to recommend you look at a lot of “one box”-style assortments of mechanic’s tools. Those are great as a single solution to keep in a trailer or shed, but as the basis for your primary tool set, they can just cause frustration.
When it comes to your first tools, I recommend that you start at the happiest place on earth: Harbor Freight. The great thing about HF (aside from everything) is that every HF in the USA pretty much carries the same stuff. It also has a wide range of quality all the way up to its Icon imprint, which is pretty much as good as anything you’ll likely ever need–I’d put the Icon tools up there with today’s other big-box premium brands, but I realize that tool brands can often be a religion. I know this sounds like a HF ad, but it’s a good place to browse everything you think you might need under one roof while acquiring it at a very reasonable price.
Your very first purchase should involve storage. Tools are useless if they’re scattered around your work area.
If your situation allows, I recommend starting out with something like this four-drawer tech cart. One of these serves as my primary toolbox, holding my most critical tools. I can do 90% of the jobs I tackle out of it without going to one of my big boxes, where I store larger and less used stuff. So even as an “only” box, it will be perfectly sufficient for a long time.
As for outfitting it, start by hitting all the high notes: metric and SAE sockets in ¼, 3/8 and ½ inch as well as ratchets and extensions for same. At some point, you’ll want/need deep-well versions, too.
A set of wrenches in metric and SAE is nice–I’m partial to the ratcheting combination wrenches to fill this slot as they’re infinitely more useful and efficient than fixed combo wrenches. A good screwdriver assortment should include some alternate drives as well, like Torx and hex.
Loosening stuck bolts? A breaker bar is your friend.
Want to properly tighten them? Grab a torque wrench.
Hammers? Basically, you need three soft hammers of varying intensities and three hard hammers.
A plier assortment is a good thing to have in your box, although I wouldn’t spend a ton on your initial buy. Use the inexpensive pliers to figure out your specific needs. Later on, you can augment with specialized, higher-quality pliers as those needs arise.
Cutting tools are often overlooked in starter boxes, but I tend to use them a lot. I just keep a couple of boxes of these retractable knives on hand and scatter them around the shop so I always have one handy.
When you’re buying this stuff, remember the importance of storage. Don’t buy a socket set without buying a socket rack. Don’t buy a wrench set without buying proper wrench storage.
Also remember safety. Your first trip to buy tools should also include some basic safety equipment. Gloves, eye and ear protection, and basic first aid should always be easily accessible whenever your tools are out. When you buy your first floor jack, grab some quality jack stands, too.
Wherever you start, remember that you’re just starting. You’re never going to get everything you need in one trip, so understand that you’re starting a journey that never really ends. Make sure to build flexibility into your plan and have room to expand or reorganize as your kit and skills grow.
I definitely need to pick up a tech cart. I only have a 52" tool box in the corner of my garage, and it definitely gets annoying having to walk around the car every time I need to grab a wrench, or swap out a socket.
I also skipped the "buy a socket rack with the sockets" step, so I finally got sick of hunting through loose sockets and ordered some storage racks for those recently.
I would also add a good flashlight or headlamp to the list. You can never have enough light when working on a car.
When you buy sockets I highly recommend getting one of the extended sets 6-24 instead of the normal 8-19. Yah its more expensive, but its also really hard to add later, especially if you want to keep the same brand/style. I'd get both standard and deep to start. There are low profile ones that come in clutch. 99% of my work is 3/8 drive. The rare 1/4 socket I use is a specialty one and I use an adapter when needed. no need to start with a whole 1/4 drive set. Similar for 1/2. Thats mostly wheel nuts and impact stuff. Buy 1/2 impact sockets if you choose to get a set. The extended 3/8 covers most use, but I buy a few specialty ones too. Look for sets that are one 1's for metric- every mm. Cheap sets skip sizes.
For wrenches, I'd get a set of ratcheting ones if you can possibly swing it. Flex heads are nice too. Its really rare that I want a standard closed end wrench. but if you can only have one to start, ratchet wrenches are worth it. If you can only cover common sizes in them, thats fine.
Get a ratchet for all sizes. I'd get a 2nd 3/8 with a flex head. extensions, wobbles. An electric ratchet is a game changer if you can afford one.
If you don't buy some huge 400pc set, focus on metric or SAE if you know what your car takes. I've only used SAE a handful of times in decades. Its relegated to a dusty tool box that get buried.
For storage, even harbor freight has gone up a ton in recent years. I have this tool cart which is less than half the price. Its certainly not amazing, but it works and if the choice is a normal tool box or a cart, get this.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/HT-28in-Steel-Project-Cart/5672380752
I did multiple engine swaps with one of those 300 piece Craftsman setups in the plastic box, a tq wrench, some wrenches and ratcheting wrenches, and some T-handle Allen wrenches.
Of course some jackstands and a Harbor Freight low profile jack. And some 2x12's nailed together in graduated lengths so I could get the jack underneath the car to the correct jacking points.
In reply to theruleslawyer :
I just ordered that project cart; definitely liked the price point on that vs $200+ for the HF one (plus I have to drive 30+ minutes round trip to get to my HF).
Let's hope it arrives today, and in one piece!
Austin Cannon said:In reply to theruleslawyer :
I just ordered that project cart; definitely liked the price point on that vs $200+ for the HF one (plus I have to drive 30+ minutes round trip to get to my HF).
Let's hope it arrives today, and in one piece!
Well, it is flat packed, so you need to bolt on the legs, etc. Still its fairly heavy steel and if you get a bent up one you can just drop it off at a local walmart.
In reply to theruleslawyer :
Sorry, by "in one piece" I meant "not smashed to bits" 😂
Looks like I'm going shopping this weekend. 
I just got a new garage. Once I refurbish it a bit, it'll be fun to go tool shopping, because a new garage means new tools, right? Of course.
In reply to J.A. Ackley :
I think that is the only logical answer. It's like that moment when your almost done moving and suddenly the small things that are left are just, "we can buy a new one later."
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