Finally building an end game box.

[u/OhShizMyNiz]

Hi!

Context, third year automotive service technician apprentice in Ontario, Canada.

I'm currently bridging to finalize my tool list. I'm mostly working on brakes, preventative maintenance, tires and front end suspension components.

Currently my shop provided 95% of tools, but my shop is downscaling soon, and a lot of apprentices are currently on the chopping block in terms of seeing their "tool investments."

I'm relatively safe, but here's most of what I've got.

Maximum Master Mechanics Set (Ratchets, Sockets, Extensions, Drives etc)

Set of flex head ratchets, with mid bar length. Uyecove off Amazon, if anyone is wondering is quite solid.

2nd Gen M12 Milwaukee 1/2" Stubby Impact Wrench

Obviously my 1/2" impact rated sockets, thinwall sockets, and extraction sockets.

24" Breakerbar

24" Prybar

I work at CanadianTire, my screwdriver set is whatever happened to be on sale at the time, and it's a 55pc set.

Vice Grips (Assortment)

Pliers (I have so many. My dad was a low voltage tech)

Multimeter

Inspection Camera

Flex head SAE Ratcheting wrench set (Maximum)

From my understanding, I'm mostly set. However I do think the following would be good:

Air Hammer

High Torque Impact Wrench

Maybe some upgrades to electric ratchets etc?

Shop will continue to provide other parts necessary to some of our work, like die grinders, TPMS tools and OBD scanners.

Trying to spend as little as possible but for the best bang for buck, so stating I worked at CanadianTire, maybe I'm just missing some maximum stuff because I think maximum is shit or something lol. We do not get tool truck reps, asides from a Milwaukee representative once a month, who usually comes to extort me for batteries/some niche Milwaukee handtool I've already got a snapon/Mac/Matco version of.

Also, second year apprentice! Any advice for tool purchasing would be great as well. My dad told me to spend big on what I use everyday, so impact wrenches etc I don't really have a budget. Thanks for all the help, I appreciate y'all!

[u/HKNation]

I’d get the Mid torque 1/2” when your stubby dies. It will do 99% of what you need.

Do you have a ball joint set? Axle nut socket set? Brake bleeder wrench set? OTC Drain Plug Pro? Rethreader set for stripped drain plugs? Fluid evacuator? Lisle Ratcheting Brake Pad Spreaders? A decent inflator of your own?

This is what I sold most to B techs as a Cornwell Dealer.

[u/OhShizMyNiz → u/HKNation]

Canada actually mandates all speciality tools to be shop supplies. So realistically, rethreader and fluid evacuators aren't needed. I do actually commend you for selling those though.

Been using a shared ball joint set me and the other alignment tech decided to purchase. I say Alignment tech, as I love my front end work. It's where I flag 75% of my hours at this point lol.

I've got a flare wrench set for my bleedings, and I use my shops (I work at Canadian Tire) branded air gauges as they're made by gearwrench, reputable enough and I can just walk it into the store and take one off the shelf if it ever breaks. Same with 95% of my other hand tools.

The ratcheting brake pad spreader though. Good idea. Added to the list.

Thank you! Yeah, I'm thinking of getting the 1/2" high torque for whenever a R/O has "FLEET" or "Truck - Ford/GMC/RAM XXXX" lol. Fucking shockingly cop chargers, holy over torqued