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Herron Performance Garage's must have tools & Gadgets!
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items These lists and recommendations will contain a lot of the tools and sets that I used to start my career as a mechanic. All of the tools listed here I still own and have held up through years of use and abuse. My recommendations are built based upon r...
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Budget friendly, professional quality, must have tool sets
Keep these in your vehicle. They may save you!
All sockets are not made the same. High quality only
The best socket turners... Er... Ratchets in the game!
Milwaukee or DeWalt? I'll let you decide.
Screw drivers are not Pry bars! Use the right tool for the job!
Budget friendly, professional quality, must have tool sets
I am a firm believer that you should always try to use the right tool for the job. That mentality comes with a high price tag attached to it. Thankfully home depot and a few other companies have bridged that gap for mechanics like me to still allow u...
When I started my career, I started with this set and a very small tool cart. If mechanics is your goal... This is a GREAT place to start.
Husky Mechanics Tool Set (280-Piece) H280MTS
This is for the DIY guy that needs EVERYTHING. Or for the apprentice mechanic that knows he wants to pursue the career but is looking at a looming tool bill from the trucks. This would cover every hand tool you would need for your first years in the ...
Husky 1/4 in., 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. Drive Master Mechanics Tool Set with Impact Sockets (1025-Piece) H1025MTSPORM
Stop busting your knuckles in the engine bay fighting those belts! They make a tool for that! This set has saved me many fights with belts over the years
Powerbuilt Serpentine Belt Tool Kit 648629
For under $200 you can replace any ball joint that exists today. This would be in comparison to the thousand dollar sets that are made by other brands.
Astro Pneumatic Ball Joint Service Tool with Master Adapter Set AST7897
Keep these in your vehicle. They may save you!
I always recommend to learn the basic repairs on your vehicle as well as keeping basic tools inside of your vehicle at all times just in case of emergency. Roadside repairs are never fun, but they can be made easier with the tools in this list!
You haven't lived until you've done a couple roadside repairs... All jokes, but it is still a blessing to be able to fix minor issues and prevent the cost of a tow truck!
Husky Mechanics Tool Set (94-Piece) H94MTS
I've had this exact model for a little over a year now. It has never let me down one time. You can jump generally 4-5 truck batteries per charge and it will also jump start large diesel trucks if you have the need!
NOCO Boost X 12-Volt 2500 Amp Lithium Jump Starter GBX75
When it's below 0 outside and you have a flat tire. You will be so thankful to have a good tool to get your lugnuts off. The tool that comes with your vehicles is not always the greatest.
Husky Tire Change Kit (9-Piece) H9PCTIRECNG
All sockets are not made the same. High quality only
Quality is important, after all we use the tools hard and need them to hold up. I think equally of importance is a good price point. These sockets check both of those boxes! They also carry lifetime warranty through home depot. There is no downside w...
Impact rated 1/4 inch sockets with a 6 point grasping head. This set includes the 15 MM, every mechanic knows how crucial that size is in 1/4 inch!
Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE 1/4 in. Drive Metric Deep Well 6 Point Impact Socket Set (14-Piece) 49-66-7003
Short and long chrome 1/4 inch drive sockets, extensions and wobbler. All inside of a blow molded case and lifetime warranty through home depot!
Milwaukee 1/4 in. Drive SAE/Metric Ratchet and Socket Mechanics Tool Set (50-Piece) 48-22-9004
This set encompasses all 3/8 inch drive impact sockets you will need to be successful. They are under lifetime warranty through the home depot and come in a blow molded case to hold everything in its place!
Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE 3/8 in. Drive SAE and Metric 6 Point Impact Socket Set (43-Piece) 49-66-7009
The best socket turners... Er... Ratchets in the game!
I bought these same ratchet sets when I first started in the trade 5 years ago. I still use them today and have yet to warranty one. They do offer a lifetime warranty if you do ever need it!
This is a great starter ratchet set. It covers all of the ones you need to get started and as you work you will learn the other sizes needed
GEARWRENCH 1/4 in., 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. Drive 90-Tooth Flex-Head Teardrop Ratchet Set (4-Piece) 81230T
Milwaukee or DeWalt? I'll let you decide.
I personally choose Milwaukee over DeWalt however I would say that Milwaukee is better than DeWalt at mechanic tools and mechanic tool lines. I feel DeWalt is more durable for the construction trades!
DeWalt in my opinion is much better for the construction trades as they are more reliable and can take more damage.
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Cordless Automotive 2 Tool Combo Kit with (1) 1/2 in., (1) 3/8 in. Impact Wrench and (1) 5.0Ah Battery DCK205P1
This is my personal favorite impact on the market. I use it everyday and have for over 3 years. I highly recommend. This listing is for tool only, no battery or charger
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Impact Wrench with Friction Ring (Tool-Only) 2967-20
Screw drivers are not Pry bars! Use the right tool for the job!
I've broken my fair share of screwdrivers using them as pry bars. I've since started buying both because replacing tools all the time becomes expensive!
This set is amazing for all of your smaller pry bar needs. From compressing calipers to small prying the needs to be done in tight areas. The indexing head of these bars makes it easy as cake!
GEARWRENCH 8 in., 10 in., and 16 in. Indexing Head Pry Bar Set (3-Piece) 82301D
Magnetic tip and very precision cut driver heads that grip any screw you may need to remove!
Husky Screwdriver Set (15-Piece) 246340150
A good pair of pliers is a mechanic's best friend.
Knipex pliers. Nuff said. These things have yet to let me down. I own them in every size. I recommend them to any professional or DIY mechanic!
It will also be important to have other styles of pliers for various jobs or tasks. Knipex will not let you down regardless of what you throw at them!
KNIPEX 4-Piece Pliers Set 9K 00 80 94 US
These are hands down the best pliers that are available on the market. I have them in every size made and I've never had to warranty them once. Thankfully though, they do come with a lifetime warranty if ever needed!
KNIPEX Forged Steel Cobra Pliers Set with 61 HRC Teeth (2-Piece) 00 31 20 V01 US