[ElMacedonian]

Hello all,

I have only had my 2006 accord for a while and want to start working on it myself, however I do not currently own any mechanics tools. I have been looking on amazon to get tools, and I find myself confused about what is the best starting place of tools to buy. Just to buy wrenches and sockets there are massively different sizes of sets. Do I just need the smallest set of wrenches and sockets? Will I be better served by investing in a more comprehensive mechanics tool set. I wish to be able to have the tools to be able to do most work on my car from home such as brakes, spark plugs, belts, ETC.

Alternatively I was curious if anybody had any good tool brand recommendations, I really don't want to buy tools that wont at least last for years.

Thank you.

 

[Lue Oven]

General recommendation for intermediate repair level more than an oil change and tire rotation (this list is no way to be fully inclusive)
8 mm nut driver and socket (1/4"drive)
10 mm standard and deep socket; box end offset wrench
12 mm same as above
14 mm same as above plus swivel socket plus ratcheting combo wrench (must be premium quality brand)
17 mm same as above
19 mm standard and deep socket; box end offset wrench
22 mm oxygen sensor socket
32 mm axle nut socket *
2 jaw puller (5 ton preferred)
19 and 17 mm flare nut crowfoot wrenches (must be premium quality brand)
1/2" drive breaker bar (must be premium quality brand)
torque wrench*
pry bar, 24" long
OBD2 scanner
hard copy or electronic version of service manual
19 mm sockets can be substituted with 3/4" standard sockets
box offset wrenches can have 2 sizes (like 17/19 mm or 12/14 mm)
several extensions to make 24 inches assembled length
1/2 to 3/8 adapters (must be premium quality brand)
Sockets size 17 and larger could be impact type
Fine action ratcheting wrench may be helpful
Internal snap ring pliers
* can be rented from the store
pair of jack stands.
professional grade of most brand is generally superior in fit and performance (but not necessary in strength) to generic type

 

[enne]

I think a good way to start finding out which tools you need, would be to get a Haynes manual or some other manual for your specific model year car. Then look through it and see what tools they require to perform tasks like oil changes, taking the spark plugs out, interior trim removal, etc.

Make sure when you buy your sockets and ratcheting socket wrench set(s), that they have the same "drive". There's 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, and 3/4 inch (referred to as "drives", as in "3/8 drive"). You don't want to end up with a mismatched socket and ratchet! For example, if you have to run into the store to get a specific socket, say a 5.5 mm one, make sure you have a ratchet that will fit it. I have a 1/4 inch ratchet for a tiny 5.5 mm socket I need for interior bolts on my cavalier.

 

[200366HFP]

A good place to start, is to go buy a box of Craftsman sockets - there are nice smaller sets that have all the sockets with 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive with a ratchet for each. Yes, you will get some of the teeny tiny sockets you may never use, but you'd be surprised what will come up. The one I have has both standard and metric, and has 6 and 12 point sockets. This set also has a hand full of Philips and standard screw driver adapters. I think this set cost me $99 back in the day. I'd be surprised if its more than $200 now.

Then go get a couple extensions for each, and an adapter to each different size (1/4" to 3/8" to 1/2").

Then go get a set of box/open end wrenches, standard and metric. Get a nice set that goes down to 8mm, and up to 19mm. As well as a set from 1/4" up to 3/4". 6 point end wrenches would be preferred, but 12 point will do.

Then go get a nice set of screw drivers, with standard and Philips with different sizes and lengths.

I'd be willing to bet you could pick all of that up for less than $3-400.

That will get you a LONG way to doing your own maintenance.

Edit: One more thing, if you are a novice, and don't have much experience, a torque wrench is a must.

Here is a good example of a set that will have almost everything you need, minus the torque wrench.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=37661126

 

[RickBlaine]

A good quality floor jack and jack stands- and know how to use them or you will kill or maim yourself- happens all the time....

As for brand of tools....the days of one brand being vastly superior to another are long over for the DIY-er. Unless you are buying premium brands like Snap-On (with an insanely high price), pretty much any set you pick up at Home Despot or Lowes will come with a lifetime warranty and free exchange (save your receipt, scan it, and register your tool set).

I would add Sears to that (most of my tools are Sears Craftsman) but the future does not look good for them. They started whoring out their brand name to Ace Hardware, Menards, K-Mart, etc.....that ain't good. I don't know if Sears will exist in 10 years.

You can buy during the excellent Father's Day sales- or Thanksgiving to Christmas sales. Prices get crazy cheap during these times. You can pick up a good set for $99 - $129 from a big box store.

A friend who summers in Key West, FL always buys tool sets for 10 cents on the dollar at estate sales there, then brings them up to Illinois in the Spring and makes big money re-selling on Craigslist. Lots of wealthy old timers buy quality tool sets, use them once, then they sit in the garage until the widow gets rid of them. He buys Harleys, pick-up trucks, power tools- all the rich guy toys.

Since you are new to this, just get a basic tool set and grow. Take care of the tools- don't leave them out in the rain or loan them to idiotic friends who use meth.

 

[derass]

I think a good way to start finding out which tools you need, would be to get a Haynes manual or some other manual for your specific model year car.

Good advice. Better yet, get a copy of the Accord Factory Service Manual. You can download a copy for free of you look around. The first step in performing a repair should be reading the manual on the issue.

A good quality floor jack and jack stands- and know how to use them or you will kill or maim yourself- happens all the time..

Agreed. A floor jack and safety stands will be essential to general automotive repair and maintenance.

A good place to start, is to go buy a box of Craftsman sockets

Came here to say this. I think this is the best way for someone to get started. Keep an eye out at the hardware and parts stores for something like a 200 piece (or more) set when they go on sale. It will give you enough variety, and you can't beat the value.

To that I would add a set of screw drivers, a set of pliers, some vice grips and a multimeter.

To me, that is a well rounded set of tools to do nearly anything on a car. Don't worry about specialty tools, you can just buy them as the job dictates. That's how your tool collection will grow.

 

[enne]

And a magnetic dish to hold nuts and bolts :yes:

 

[visionguru]

.....
As for brand of tools....the days of one brand being vastly superior to another are long over for the DIY-er. Unless you are buying premium brands like Snap-On (with an insanely high price), pretty much any set you pick up at Home Despot or Lowes will come with a lifetime warranty and free exchange (save your receipt, scan it, and register your tool set).
.....

Totally agree. After upgrading my ratchets, sockets,... hammers to Snap-On, I would add that even brands like Snap-On are only slightly nicer, not better in terms of DIY use, 0.01 gain with 5x~10x more cost. I started with this basic set, $20 in 1996, which is by far the most well thought out compact set I've seen. This had been my main tool set for maintaining my 3rd gen Accord for 10+ years: oil changes, brakes, plugs, tune up, valve adjustments..... I lost some pieces, but everything still works perfectly and has all the sockets I needed.

Basically, ANYTHING from a store that doesn't have a "dollar" in its name should be better.

For the OP, you can start from a decent set from Craftsman, Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowes, or even a $99 set from Costco..... Brand name doesn't matter at all, just make sure it's not dirt cheap. Then add tools as needed.

 

[mclasser]

For a weekend DIYer, Harbor Freight will get the job done.

 

[t-rd]

My question to you is, what do you want to start working on first?

I can tell you where I started:
- oil change
- tire rotation

So you will need for oil change:
oil drain pan
oil filter wrench, cup or strap, ether is fine
1/2" drive wrench
17mm socket

for tire rotation:
18" long 1/2" drive breaker bar
19mm socket
1/2" drive mid range torque wrench
set of small hydraulic jack + 2 jack stands

 

[KW2004Accord]

If you are going the Sears (craftsman) route, sign up a few days before purchasing for their rewards club points, then use to buy more tools. Look for Harbor freight coupons. NAPA sales for floor jacks (stay away from made in China ones, they have weak pumps).

 

[Soler25]

If you can wait, wait until around black friday. Lowe's for the past 5 years has run the below linked set for at least 50% off. It has had all the sockets I have needed (except for a specialty crankshaft socket), and most of the wrenches you may need. I have purchased 3 of these over the last 3 years, 2 for myself (one at my apartment one at the farm) and 1 for my father. One year they ran the it for $80!! Well worth it and if you register they have a "sockets for life program" where they will replace any lost piece and just pay shipping. If the entire set gets stolen, file a police report and they will send you a new one.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-227...t-227-Piece-Standard-SAE-and-Metric-Mechanic-s-Tool-Set-with-Hard-Case/50200795

 

[drowned12]

3/8 ratchet. 1/4 ratchet. 10,12,13,14,16,17,18,19 mm sockets in both deep, semi-deep, and regular forms in both 1/4 and 3/8 drive. 3" and 10" extensions for both 1/4 and 3/8 drive. Then a basic metric wrench set. That will cover you for about every job you may need to do with routine maintenance. I recommend buying extra-long flex head ratchets since they'll make it A LOT easier to crack bolts and work in tight spaces. Specifically get these: GearWrench 81009F and GearWrench 81210F . I have 10 or so ratchets and these two are the ones I reach for first.

You start spending thousands of dollars in tools when you want a toolbox that has something to deal with every situation of inaccessible or frozen fastener. Can you get everything done with a basic set from Harbor Freight? Maybe. But if you need to drive your car away the following morning and can't afford to deal with stripped fasteners or other problems, you want to buy good quality tools.

 

[visionguru]

.....Look for Harbor freight coupons. NAPA sales for floor jacks (stay away from made in China ones, they have weak pumps).

:wink The question is: which floor jack is NOT made in China? It seems that Craftsman, Harbor Freight, Napa, ...., Snap-On jacks are all from China.

Made in China has come a long way, nothing like 20 years ago. The quality is all determined by brands/prices. Those tools don't need rocket science, even so, China seems pretty good at it.

The other day, I stopped by Harbor Freight to replace a 15 year old broken torque wrench. I noticed that many combo wrenches are "made in India". That's probably the quality you want to avoid, but they are cheap and most likely can still get the job done.

https://www.biztimes.com/2017/industries/law/snap-on-harbor-freight-settle-floor-jack-case/

 

[jimijam]

not sure about tools for maintenance, but I strongly recommend @chris918 as he is the resident repair tool.

 

[demonics12]

I started with a tool set similar to this one, and now have a roll-a-way with a Stanley rolling tool cabinet full of tools, supplies and measuring devices.

https://www.searsoutlet.com/Craftsm...ls.jsp?md=ct_md&cid=116&pn=1&ps=25&pid=165623&mode=seeAll&itemSelectionType=all

This tool set should help you tackle 90% of jobs that you will encounter in doing maintenance on your car.

I also highly recommend a good cordless impact, as well as a corded 1/2" drive impact for the very tough jobs. A creeper is nice, but I've never owned or used one working on my cars.

 

[Drew03Accord]

Craigslist and Offerup are full of ads placed by bitter exes, getting rid of boyfriend/husband's tools.

 

[chris918]

I keep a belt tensioner tool in the trunk. No sense carrying an extra belt if you don’t have a good tensioner tool

 

[midnight witch]

electrical tape and zipties (the official repair kit of the 240SX owner)

 

[Miker]

not sure about tools for maintenance, but I strongly recommend @chris918 as he is the resident repair tool.

.....ooooohh, I get it :devil