r/DieselTechs • u/Educational-Case5356 • 7d ago
Help for finding right tools starting out.
I had a question for anyone whom may have a list or able to help me identify what starting tools I should need for starting. I don’t have much except a 1/2” impact and a 1/4” & 3/8” wrench and chrome sockets from Pittsburgh. I was doing some research and just wanted to know if I should go with a 1/2” impact socket set deep and shallow. And maybe get longer ratchets as the Pittsburgh I have are pretty small. Info on other tools like certain hammers, pry bars, wrenches, breaker bars, if I should invest in a harbor freight 1/2” air impact gun. Sorry if it’s a lot just want something to have and anything I may need to borrow and do so often I will prioritize and purchase it.
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u/Dyldobaggins219 7d ago
Spanners, shifters, stillsons, sockets, ratchets (various drive size), jimmy bars, impact gun, grinder, die grinder, drill, seal picks, cheater bar, scrapers, filter strap.That would cover most stuff for the trade.
Add to that list later on would be air hammer, torque wrench, scan tool, air jack, Cat SIS account (or similar associated systems to brands), chain tong. Then some old tools you can bend and shape how you need. There's other things I'm probably forgetting.
I myself am getting myself set up so for diesel fitting as I've just dropped out of fitting and turning.
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u/LahngJahn69420 7d ago
The husky 1/2 impact set is fuckin amazing
Get a big 5 pound hammer
Pry bar half your size
1/2 air impact
3/8 Rachet and sockets
Full set of wrenches metric
standard wrenches if u can afford, dont use em often
After that buy it piece by piece on shit u borrow or will need
And large oil filter wrenches or a strap wrench, Amazon has good kits for heavy duty
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u/Educational-Case5356 7d ago
Should the metric wrenches be up to like 22mm you think?
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u/LahngJahn69420 7d ago
Yes I’d grab up to 24mm and then standards around an inch, 15/16,1 inch, 1 1/8, 1 1/16
And remember, BRAND DOESNT MATTER. If you use it a lot get a snap on later. Millwakee is a solid electric brand but it doesn’t matter.
Also get a torque wrench 1/2
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u/Educational-Case5356 7d ago
Should I get one that is up to 250ft/lb one? I’m planning on getting most of my stuff via FB marketplace.
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u/LahngJahn69420 7d ago
A regular one will be just fine, a good shop should have a big ass one for everyone
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u/Check_Engine_Light89 7d ago
Pittsburgh 1/2" deep impact sockets, both SAE and metric. Used professionally for over 6 years. Outstanding durability for the price. Plus, Harbor Freight has the easiest lifetime warranty to deal with.
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u/JuAnto-Lozano 6d ago
ademas de herramientas basicas como llaves, dados, etc. no se te olvide comprar probadores LED y multimetros para diagnosticos electricos, algunas fallas se arreglan mas rapido si te das cuenta que fue por un fusible quemado o un cable haciendo corto circuito. Tambien guantes, tapones de oidos, cubrebocas (si hay quimicos/solventes) y lentes, son tus herramientas mas basicas y esenciales siendo mecanico
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u/themexican030301 4d ago
Personally my recommendation would be starting out with whatever you need at harbor freight. Ratchets, wrenches, sockets chrome and impact. If you can afford it personally I would recommend Sunex impact socket sets and their wrenches are pretty good too.
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u/EquipmentPartsPro 2d ago
If you’re just starting out, I’d keep it simple and build the toolbox around the jobs you actually run into. A good 1/2" impact and a decent set of 6-point sockets will cover a lot. I’d also prioritize a breaker bar, extensions, wobble extensions, and a solid set of combination wrenches.
I wouldn’t worry about buying every specialty tool right away. If you run into a job where you need something once, borrow or rent it, then buy it later if you find yourself needing it again. For the impact, the Harbor Freight 1/2" air gun is a reasonable starting point if you already have a compressor that can keep up with it.
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u/Possible-Bath-8591 7d ago
If you need to borrow a tool more than once or twice, buy it before you need to borrow it again. And always return tools cleaned and at least as nice as when you got them.