if your just getting started equipping your garage,start with the basics,obviously youll need hand tools, most of these tools are REASONABLY CHEAP but servicable get a decent air compressor http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...00003+10002016 and a few air ratchets, http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100210348 get a die grinder http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=99698 light http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...9803_200309803 cut off tool http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=65065 get a decent welder http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...c_180_autoset/ and get a lift or http://kwiklift.com/Options.htm jack stands http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=34924 floor jack' http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...5429_200345429 get a basic drill press http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100037270 a press http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6415_200326415 youll be amazed at what you can do with basic tools

Most of that stuff is not what I would consider "basic tools".

maybe not BASIC , but stuff i have access to . i'm lucky to have a gearhead nephew that lives very close . a drill press & arbor press are the things he does not have . the above list is a SANTA'S wish list . good luck .

Well, if I had a garage - maybe.

Some of us are still crawling around on the concrete driveway, in the rain, snow, mosquitos, gnats. And at age 44, it isn't easy!

{anyone got crackers & cheese to go with my whine?}

Concrete?? better than the grass I have to deal with. Dropping ANYTHING turns into a nightmare. Of course, at 22, I have a while to go until I get the dream garage.

Oh, how nice it would be to even have concrete.



Some of us have to work on plywood and gravel.


But, back on topic......

I don't have half of the stuff that was listed up top.

Here's my suggestion for a basic tool list besides your basic wrenches & other mechanic hand tools:

jack stands
angle grinder (my #1 all purpose tool)
sawzall
dremel
cordless impact (worth it's weight in gold)
mig welder
air compressor
work lights
at least two of the small 2-ton floor jacks
BFH.....need I say more?
various squares
SAFETY GLASSES
various pry bars/cheater bars/ big screwdrivers
ball peen hammers (various sizes)

"Some of us have to work on plywood and gravel."

done that FAR too many times! I now try to avoid that, if I can, joining a local hot rod or corvette club will usually give you the contacts and networking to get access to a few buddies that may help you work on the car at thier location with at least a flat concrete floor

Hahahahahahahaha, ahh man, that sucks!

And keep in mind you don't have to buy new. eBay is alright for small stuff, and craigslist is good for big local stuff.
I've picked up gently used Snap-On wrenches at pawn shops for 50 cents a piece.

How about basic tools.
Such as wrenchs and sockets, screw drivers, ect...
I will say this though.
Even though most of this is past basic tools, it's not bad to have. But until you really get into something (as in basic) you only need hand tools. (hand tools meaning no air, no power) granted it's all easier, but anything power is not basic.

I agree, the only real basic items on there are the jack stands, the jack, the grinder, and the light.

Most of the other tools require a higher level of skill or education to use.

And like kcb37 said, anything power is not basic, it's very easy to strip bolts as you're tightening them with air tools.

Dunno.

I can't imagine not having a drill press, or a bench grinder, or various welding equipment (so far, acetylene, buzz-box stick, and MIG). Chop saw was a nice addition to the list. These are the tools that you need when you actually start fabricating stuff, as opposed to just taking things out of their boxes and bolting them together. Tools you'll use when you find yourself making a "one-time use" tool of your own.

Ditto for the cordless impact, cordless drill, floor jacks, ramps, and jackstands. And the alignment measuring stuff.

I'd really like to have a lift, but I suspect that the township would frown on it being set up in the driveway (and my garage isn't tall enough and has a sloping floor anyway).


Norm

Remember this is for me, and just a reference for you. I am in no way stating what you should get, just what I am doing to prepare myself and from what I have learned will be needed or wanted when doing a future job.

Anyway. A nice setup would be (What I am trying for right now)

Sockets= 5mm - 35mm (2 of each per ratchet size)
Sockets= 1/8" - 1 1/2" ( " " )

Wrenches= 5mm - 35mm (4ea., x2 boxed end, x2 open end) (Different lengths)
Wrenches= 1/8" - 1 1/2" ( " " )

Wrench Style= L-Shaped, S-Shaped, Waterfall Style (Unsure of real name) (2ea.)

Ratchets= 1/4, 3/8", 1/2" (2ea.)(Different Lengths)

Adapters= 1/4"-3/8", 1/4"-1/2", 3/8"-1/2" (2ea. straight/swivel)
Adapter Types= Straight, Swivel (Different sizes and lengths)

Extensions= 3", 4", 5", 6" (2ea.) (Always helpful for that little extra length)

Pry/Breaker Bar= Anything really, jack handles, piping that will fit a hand tool handle etc.

Floor Jack= Low Profile, Aluminum (Preference)

Jack Stands= 2-ton (x6 (Because of the uni-body))
Jack Stand Pad= Blocks of wood or Jack Pads from Prothane for protection and weight distribution for the car on its frame rails as using just a stand may dent the frame rail.

Creeper= (x1)

Rolling Stool/Chair= (x1)

Wheel Chocks= A block of wood, angled wood, brick, tire, ramp (x4)

Lighting= Clamp/Floor Style (x2)
Lighting= Free Stand (usually come in pairs ranging from 100W- 1000W) (x2)
Lighting= 4ft fluorescent lights(1 over hood, 1 over trunk, 1 over each windshield) (x4)
Lighting= 8ft fluorescent lights one on each side of car (x2)

Dremel 400-6/90 Kit

Air Compressor= At least 10gal., At least 120psi.

Tool Chest= Upper & Lower Section (1ea.)

Cabinets= Long & Tall

Pin Board= Hang Stuff Up (Whole Back Wall

Needle Nose Pliers, Vise Grips, Crescent Wrenches, Magnetic Pick-Up Tool/ Claw, Test Light, Hammer, Torch, Fender Cover(s), Push Broom, Oil Drip Pan, Funnel, Saw

Rags
Towels
Work Gloves
WD-40
PB Blaster
Brake Cleaner
Compressed Air Can
Bench Brush (Keep it clean)
Anti-Seize
Acetone/Denatured Alcohol (Clean Gasket surfaces and parts)
Zip Ties
Labels (Label wiring or parts put away)
Radio/TV/Fridge (Entertainment and refreshment)
Kitty Litter (For Spills)

Surge protector
Extension cord(s)

That's about a good start...something like that though.

Once you hang up a couple of cord reels you'll wonder why you ever put up with loose cords for anything other than maybe supplying juice to the leaf blower. At least two of mine will reach far enough into the house/crawl space to be occasionally useful there as well.


Norm