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Starter Tool Set

3K views 26 replies 11 participants last post by  nitely 
#1 ·
Hi guys,

I'm looking for a good set of tools to do simple maintenance on my car ('13 elantra limited) like oil changes.

I have a very small garage. I guess I'm looking for:

  • Stand for the car, not too expensive
  • Pan or bucket to collect oils
  • Tool set to take off nuts and bolts that I need to

Was wondering if anyone had any good links for these things on Amazon or other places?

Thanks.
 
#6 ·
(Smiling)....cool avatar picture. She's adorable!

+1 on the Walmart funnel/pan tip. I would recommend going to Costco for $100 + tax and buy this set.

Kirkland Signature? 159-piece Mechanics Tool Set

it's mostly if not a complete set. There's a few deep sockets in the kit as well. There's also a spark plug socket included. Costco has an amazing return policy if for some reason the tools fail on you within a reasonable period. Costco doesn't say how long someone can return something unless it's electronics.

 
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#3 · (Edited)
Agree on oil pans from Walmart. Get the big black drainer with the spout and one or more of the recycling jugs with the wide openings. You drain your engine oil directly into the drainer, then pour it at your leisure into a recycling jug. When you have time you take the jug(s) to your local oil disposal place, unscrew the cap(s), and pour it out. I also got a big shallow metal tray that I keep all my containers on to collect drips.

On the funnel, check out one of the screw-in ones with a rubber gasket from Amazon and elsewhere. They screw into your oil fill port and make a perfect seal, allowing easy, no-drip refilling using either single quart or 5-quart jugs. When you're done refilling, just unscrew it right onto a paper towel. No "accidents" for your engine to burn off or drips on your fenders or garage floor/driveway.

Oil drain pan
15 QT OIL DRAIN - Walmart.com

Oil recycling jugs
DISPOS-OIL - Walmart.com

Oil filler funnel
https://www.motivxtools.com/products/advanced-engine-oil-funnel-for-honda-acura-ford-hyundai-kia-lincoln-mazda-nissan-suzuki-and-more?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=15325733254&gclid=CjwKEAjwiMe8BRD0ts3Vtv-ohWgSJAAZurk1OcqMfzPuNJUnuNZffgUKIS_gSUsLxAcHgMK3_HnWHRoCXsvw_wcB


P.S. Forgot about ramps. I've had good luck with Rhino Ramps, although tight air dam clearances can create problems. Go to Advance Auto and try one for fit before you buy a pair.

Rhino Ramps
http://www.walmart.com/ip/RhinoRamps-Black/19526658
 
#4 ·
If you have any Harbor Freight Tools store near you they have the better deal. Way better than Walmart, I know because I bought all my stuff @Walmart and later found out about HFT. Plus I think the tools they sell have lifetime warranty, so If one fails take it back and they'll exchange it for a new one.

If you only plan to do oil changes then you won't need any ramps. I lay down next to the passenger side wheel reach and loosen the drain bolt. The oil pan fits beneath the car so it doesn't need to be raised. Takes less than 20 minutes.
 
#5 ·
i dont recommend a tool set. i have never seen a set that works good. every set contains lots of sockets and tools you will never use. it will take longer, but if you just buy the individual tools/sockets you use, you will end up with much higher quality tools. and i only use 6pt sockets. i use sockets the most, wrenches hardly ever. look at the new lines of cordless, like impact, ratchet. i gave away my compressor and all my air tools, and i like the cordless much better. we have 2016 elantra, and there just aint any jack points. while the pinch weld can be used, then there is no place to put a jackstand. and pulling that bf splash shield underneath is a pain. ramps dont work for me, it dont get the car high enough. and i dont drain the oil anymore, i use a mityvac, and vacuum it all out. would work perfect, except getting to the effing filter still means pulling the splash shield. you should try to make friends with someone who owns a shop, and try to borrow a lift. they will also have stuff like oil drain pans to catch the filter, and waste oil disposal. plus, you can look all around from underneath, and look for stuff like leaks.
 
#20 ·
i dont recommend a tool set. i have never seen a set that works good. every set contains lots of sockets and tools you will never use. it will take longer, but if you just buy the individual tools/sockets you use, you will end up with much higher quality tools.
While there are a lot you won't use, I'm not so sure buying piecemeal is both cost effective and will result higher quality tools. The following socket sizes would satisfy a most of what I've encountered on the Elantra:

17mm - Oil drain plug, brake calipers
14mm - headlights, battery mounts
12mm - headlights
8mm and 10mm - I've encountered these frequently - battery terminals, other places.
Extensions - need 3" and 6" together for battery mount.
Ratchet

Add 19mm if you're going to do shocks (easy) or struts (not as easy, but cost effective). There are probably other things too.

So, if you figure $15 for a decent ratchet and $5 each for sockets, you're up to $45 without the extensions. If you ever plan to change your battery yourself, another $10 for extensions, at least, and you're up to $55.

That also assumes that either short or deep is good enough for each socket size, which is possible, but it's always nice to have options. If choosing one or the other, I'd go with the deep sockets.

If you miss the Craftsman deal, this Stanley set at Walmart for $49 is not a bad deal and has a lifetime warranty (although you need to send items to Stanley to get new ones):

Stanley 123-Piece Black Chrome Socket Set, STMT72254
 
#7 · (Edited)
If you are thinking of tool set, you probably thinking of doing your own maintenance not only to save money but to have the satisfaction and knowledge that your car is being taken cared properly. I would suggest investing on craftsman tools - sears. Buy when they have a sale. Like holidays or so. Harbor Freight is another option which is even cheaper that also has lifetime warranty on hand tools. They too put everything on sale in cycles. So wait for that. HF is a good place for weekend mechanics. Cheap and functional for infrequent use. If you have mostly japanese/asian cars, you will be using the metric socket wrench. Set of pliers, set of screw drivers. Having the 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 inch drive socket wrenches with corresponding sockets will eventually be useful as you broaden your repair and maintenance skills. A 1/2" drive breaker bar would be useful as well. A short handle 3-4 lb hammer will also come in handy. You can accumulate all these slowly.

99 cent only store has the same oil pan as walmart for 99 cents. Get 2.

Those plastic ramps has less incline than the metal ones. Better for the elantra or low riding vehicles. Might hit the front bumper underside otherwise. I would get one to make things easier. Plus, I just found out that the elantra does not have a front and rear center lift points. So the floor jacks seems to be useless with this car. They really make it so to discourage owners to do their own repairs. But still, you will need a floor jack and jack stands to do brake jobs and suspension work. Costco has good floor jack for less. Get your jack stand at harbor freight. The 3 ton should be good.

Don't forget to grab a box of nitrile gloves to protect your hands from fluids- HF 6.50 for 100 pieces.

These are just a few to start you out.

Good luck and have fun with your car.

Regarding cordless tools, if you don't use them often enough, when the time comes that you really need them your battery will be dying on you.
 
#8 ·
Regarding cordless tools, if you don't use them often enough, when the time comes that you really need them your battery will be dying on you.
nicads, yah. but all the latest have lithium. lithium will keep a charge forever. i also really like those miner's lights. the ones that have a separate battery pack on the rear are way better than the ones that have the batteries in the light.
 
#9 ·
Getting tools all depends upon what type of work you are doing.
For instance, if you are mainly just changing tires then a jack and jack stand .. along with a good impact wrench to take lugs off
If doing brakes then add a big and small flat head screwdriver along with 10 mm to 19 mm sockets and wrenches
(Philips head screwdrivers would also be good)
And a bungee cord to hold the brake caliper .. maybe a 3 to 4 lb hammer to help remove stuck rotors
Oh, after the first time of turning a wrench a quarter turn at a time, I fell in love with ring wrenches.
If you need to do brake lines then brake line wrenches help but aren't a must.
If you live in the salt belt and want to replace your O2 sensor then you will need a pipe wrench and a good torch (oxy-acetylene)
Trim panel tools if you work on doors (lock and/or windows)

So, what are you working on???
 
#11 ·
I would not advise on the costco tool set. Should you break a wrench or socket, you will need to return the entire set. What if down the years you lose a piece? Sets from craftsman or HF is much better. Break a piece, just take it back (just the broken one) for a free replacement, forever. Well, until they are in business anyways. Even your children can do this. Should they be lucky enough to get your tools. And you will eventually need to replace at least a piece of that set.

Most sets don't come with the bigger sockets. You can get a set of bigger impact sockets from HF for 20 bucks. They have this electric impact wrench that I really love. Only 40 bucks when on sale and works great for removing lug nuts and bigger bolts. Most sets come with standard and metric sockets. There is nothing you can do about that. However, random house repairs may prove it useful at times. Buying piece by piece strategy is good to a point, but eventually it will end up costing you more. Specially when you get the repair bug and will want more complete sets. Car repairs has many specialized tools for specific jobs and you will be getting it as your car needs it. Again, HF is good for that. Some tools you can even rent for free from autozone or Oreillys. Oh yeah, you would want torque wrenches to. Good luck.
 
#15 ·
WHAT....Ace is still around? (I'm being silly). Im surprised Ace has any roots left to dig into the ground and still be able to stay in business. Different company entirely, but same principal>> Macy's closed several stores (80 from what I recall) in the last several months.

Sears needs to cut the fat from their business portfolio by closing all k-mart stores. I can't see Sears selling the kenmore or craftsman brands entirely. I can see Sears keeping a controlling interest with the addition of signing short term agreements with other companies to sell their brands.

If this did happen, I wonder how Ace hardware fits in since they are selling the craftsman brand. I'm sure Ace will throw a fit.
 
#14 · (Edited)
I had never really gave much thought to Lowe's brand, having an "almost" 7-foot, 3-tier Chraftsmsn box loaded with that brand of tools. But the recent K-Mart/Sears/Craftsman marriage, coupled with both stores continually downsizing, is a bit disconcerting.

I have some of dad's Craftsman stuff he used in the 60's...still going strong. Also some Proto, S-K, a smattering of Snap-on, Matco, and Mac (majority from estate/garage sales). In 45 years, you can amass a fortune and a sizeable amount of this stuff.

Back to Lowe's: have bought some of their Christmas Black Friday specials. Have to admit, they're working just fine.

Harbor Freight? Yeah, if it's a 1-2 time specialty thing I have to get and probably never use again. For confidence and reliability, however, the above brands are my "go-to" items.

And in those 45 years? One 3/8 Craftsman ratchet went south. Went to Sears, counter guy said, "Go get you another one." Craftsman is as American as mom and apple pie. Sure would hate to see that iconic brand fade away.

Now I rarely use any of them. Special occasion mods. Lawnmower tune-ups. Stuff like that. The boys can fight over them when the groundhog starts delivering my mail. :grin:
 
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#16 ·
I believe for greenhorns, just trying to see if car maintenance and repair are for them, these 2 proven brands are undeniable the better option. Their lifetime warranty is a very strong selling point and their price is cheaper than most. Its a good place to start. So, craftsman is above harbor freight, no doubt, just to be clear. And is priced accordingly. But craftsman has designated China to manufacture some of their tools now. Used to be all USA made. I was surprised to find this out early this year when I was getting a free replacement of my broken 1/4 inch socket wrench. They said that they have been doing it for a few year now. So long they will honor the lifetime warranty, I have no problem.
 
#17 ·
Seriously, just buy this Craftsman set today! At this price ($75, regularly $199) -- you'll be glad you did:

Craftsman 230-Piece Silver Finish Standard and Metric Mechanic's Tool Set

Scroll down "More Information" to see a PDF contents list.

At the very least, I'd recommend getting Craftsman socket extensions. When putting struts on last week, there was a stubborn nut on one of the struts. I grabbed the first extension I could find in my toolbox and immediately twisted the extension into two pieces. Grabbed another one and did the same thing. Spent 15 minutes looking for the Craftsman extensions and done.

Quality doesn't matter at all until it does -- then it's the only thing that matters. I'd used those other extensions many times without a problem, but that didn't stop them from failing last week.

Here's an extension set for a great price:

Craftsman 20-Piece Drive Tool Accessory Set
 
#19 · (Edited)
@williakz & @benman: Wow, I bought a similar set many years ago. I promise you: I DID NOT GET IT FOR THIS PRICE POINT. Heck of a deal. Should just about cover 99% of your basic tool needs in the future. Specially tools you can add as you go, if needed!

And, NO, the missus will NOT let you sleep with them the first night of ownership. Regardless of how great your tools are. :blush: Well, mine doesn't allow it. :grin2:
 
#21 ·
>>>Hopefully this post draws the attention of all the gearheads on this forum<<<

I'm wondering which brand of torque wrench all you Hyundai fanatics use? How long have you had it and how often do you use it? These basic questions are being asked to determine a quality tool. I'm asking these questions b/c it's finally time to replace mine :grin2:
 
#27 ·
I don't know about you guys, but I store my torque wrenches just a notch above zero setting. And I have the HF ones - 1/4, 3/8, 1/2. Had them for about 7 years now. So far, no problem with the small nuts/bolts. Last year, I used them when I changed the timing belt on my '99 odyssey. Seems to work fine still.
 
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