Opening a shop, need pros tool advice.

LaserSVT

LaserSVT

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As some of you know I am in the process of starting my own shop with a friend. I am seriously jumping in with both feet and need a little input. I know there is a whole slew of crap to get and I want to replace some of my crappy Companion (cheap sears) tools with better stuff.

Stuff I have:
Engine lift and stands
Two 3 ton jacks and half dozen stands
3/8 & 1/2 tq wrenches
Ingrisol air tools (impacts, ratchet, die grinders, cut offs, air hammer)
Fuel pressure kits (Sappers)
Coolant pressure kits (sappers)
Power brake bleader
Compression kits()sappers)
Power Probe
Brake caliper kits and tools
Ball joint and tie rod tools
Taps/Dies
Breaker bars(Sappers)
Pry bars
Modular timing kit
Pulley puller kit (master)(Sappers

And my buddy (Sapper) has a full tool drawr setup with most every tool.


I want my own professional setup as well so I plan on adding:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00983076000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

and

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_009C0455000B?prdNo=21&blockNo=21&blockType=G21


and

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SP100A8060S1664354701P?prdNo=39&blockNo=87&blockType=G87



Also gonna get a low pro jack($300), trans jack($1000), two post lift ($2000)and a 80 gallon v-twin two phase pump, three phase power compressor ($1000)


I will also get misc larger wrenches and sockets as well as cordless impact. Also will be getting a Miller plasma, TIG and MIG setup.


We will specialize in Modulars but will do pretty much any work except auto trans rebuilds and rear end work. May get into it in the future but not buying the tools and gauges needed for that right now.



So for you pros out there, is there any other tools I should buy right off the bat to get started with?
 
Well, its not really a "tool" but a nice big refrigerator for all of your cold "beverages" is a must:)
 
I've got the tools and gauges for lash adjustment btw

microwave and fridge can be covered with a couple hundred
 
I have the 40" tool box in your link and be sure to get the ball bearing slides or the drawers will not go in and out with heavy use... I went to college and got a degree. My instructor said to buy tools for the type of work you are planning to do and buy the rest as you need them.

I think the Craftsman tools are a good value but Sears gets to where they don't like to warranty them if you return a lot of their tools. I buy OTC stuff from usatoolwarehouse (online) and a few other places that deal with professionals. I get my A/C stuff there because it is a good value even with (decent) shipping charges. As a co-owner, you will need to get your equipment at a good price or you will not be able to recoup your investment.

I also took Business in college and it will be hard to stay open until you get your client base established. My suggestion is to make a list of NEEDS and WANTS before making any type of purchase and go from there.

I wish you luck with your joint venture in this unstable economy!
 
Tools

Start off slow and be frugal when it comes to tools and equipment.More than a few shops fail in the first year because they got over extended.Take the baby steps at first and build the client base first.The first of the month comes real quick when you get over extended.I have survived in business for 19 years and in this economic enviroment its tough and will get alot tougher.Good luck to you guys.
 
Where's your shop gonna be, and are you sure it will stay there awhile? I'd avoid a 3 phase compressor unless you're damn sure you'll be staying a couple years in a building that even has 3 phase.
 
Bill you readin all this? Sound familiar?

I've got a Matco S4 box, he wants his own box tho, I've told him we can share the one box, but I kinda understand him wanting his own, however $1000 for a second box isn't a need. I've got about 5 different sets of sockets, different kits like fuel/coolant/vacuum ect ect. We both have 1/2" impacts and 3/8 air ratchet and 3" angle grinders and a few other air tools.
Things I don't have yet are spring compressors slide hammers, certain hub sockets...

The shop will probably be here in Waco

mechanics always want more and better tools.. Those come with more and (better?) customers
the FlowJet is gonna have to wait a while Bill :)
 
Oh yeah, forgot a few small items. Will also have a parts washer, blast cab, Dake press, large professional spring/strut compressor.

As for tools, im getting them so get over it Jeremy. And being that my box will be $4000 cheaper then yours, ya cant really say much. :p


And yeah, the compressor will be a two phase. I just saw a couple in the power and size I want being two phase.

Also I will have enough left to cover 4-6 months of rent/utilities if we have no customers at all. Need to find a high traffic spot though even if rents a little more.
 
DieselDan said:
A really good scan tool...
Click to expand...
Supposedly Sappefire has one.


See as far as special tools go we only need one but for ratchets and wrenches and screw drivers we need more then one good set if we are both working on differnt cars at the same time.

Now granted I currently have a full set in 1/4 and 3/8 and a good partial set in 1/2" drive but my wrench collection sucks and my screw driver selection sucks. Not much for nut drivers as well. I have a nice 1/2" drive wrench and metric sockets but the rest of my tools (except my Klien drivers and wrenches) are cheap bottom line Sears stuff. Was a 172 piece set for $70. I much prefer using Sappers ratchets and wrenches so I really need my own.

That set for $900 has everything I need, replaces my mismatched and crap tools plus gives me the ratcheting wrenches I need ($250) the long allen drivers I need ($150) The deep metric and standard sockets I need ($280) The line wrenches ($130) Nut drivers ($125) and the various extensions and torx bits ($180) so as a set it makes more sense and that way I can keep a fairly full set (what I own now) at home in case I need to fix something there.
 
bill for now i would skip sears and go to home depot, specially right after xmas, husky tools are good tools, life time warranty and they have everything you see in the 1st link, at half the price. they also have a some killer deals on husky tool boxes, they have a really cool tool box on sale right now with a car stereo mounted in the top, its own speakers, and it even have a fridge in the bottom. i would also consider craigslist, lots of mechanics loose their jobs and sell their stuff cheap. if i didnt have a big tool box already i'd consider the one at home depot, or was it lowes, i dont know lol!
its lowes that has them boxes.
my box is from Clarke it was a repo at usa tools in palm harbor, i got it for 800 bucks less than new and it was 8 months old i paid $1,100 bucks for it but its more than i'll ever need. shop around, buying new isnt always the best thing to do, you can buy new after you start making money, some of my tools are my dads hand me down, some of my tools are flea market scores i found, alot was bought new. my box is totally mongoloid, i have S.K tools, Snap On, Craftsman, Husky, Green mountain and Stanley but they all work, they all do the trick, and i dont have to borrow anything from anyone when i work in my shop i have everything i need so just pace yourself and try and buy alot of stuff used. the next thing i want is another tire machine i wish i never sold mine! since i split my shop with my buddy matt, between the 2 of us we have a pretty slick shop, we have a head surfacer, 3 phase mill/ bridge port, 3 phase lathe, hot tank, parts washer, blast cabinet, valve grinder, flow bench, we now have 2 compressors in the shop, so its a pretty decent set up.
 
If something good pops up used for tools at the time I am ready to do this then I may go that rout but just pricing that Craftsman setup in Mac or Snapon is over $5000.

Things that will get used is:
Press
parts washer
blast cabanit
trans jack
giant metal work table
strut compressor


Cause they are readily available and way way cheaper.
 
If you're gonna get your tool box from Sears, let me recommend the 52in top/bottom combo. I just bought that set recently and if you there's any way you can swing it now/soon, it's currently on sale *online only* for $999.98, the same price as that 40in combo. It's been on sale for that price now for over a month (I bought mine Thanksgiving week), so I don't know how much longer it'll be available.
Here's the link...
52 inches of awesome!

I don't know, maybe you could set up a Sears credit card and get a percentage off of your first purchase also, if you don't have the money yet. You're waiting for your property to sell first, right?
 
Here's a picture of it in my garage, I need to finish rearranging the garage to get it to fit better. lol.

tool box.jpg
 
The most important tool will likely be insurance....

Not a comment on your skills, but no matter how well you do, you'll always be just one loose nut from losing everything.
 
Go used.

Used shop equipment and tools can be had cheap nowadays. Much of it in like new condition, and if it can be had for a song, you can replace it later as the business warrants it. Like said before, too many startups over extend themselves in the beginning, leading to failure.

I've known a couple local guys who started their own shops about the same time a few years back. One started on a shoestring with used equipment and very little new tools. The other banged out a complete shop with all new tools and equipment using his inheritance. The low budget starter is now thriving and ready to move to a new location while the other guy lasted just over a year and ended up auctioning off all his prize possessions for pennies on the dollars to pay off his debtors.

It's all about cash flow.
 
See guys what I am saying is that I searched for used stuff and found Matco, Mac, Snap-On tools used but nowhere near the ammount of tools that I get from Craftsman AND they still cost more.
Im not a tool snob so I dont need the big name stuff when Craftsman has always treated me well and gets the job done.
I think $2000-$2500 in hand tools with storage isnt bad at all, more so when the higher end stuff would run 4 times more money new or almost double used.

The only tools I am splurging on (and not by much) is the air compressor setup and the lift. A $2000 lift aint nothing special but its a whole lot nicer then the $1500 one.



The problems I am having is cant find a damn tall trans jack for under $900 and cant find any nice presses for under $800.

Not that it matters right now I guess since I have to sell this property before I can do anything anyway.
 
I agree that you need decent hand tools, the basic stuff. These guys make a lot of sense because the reason for failure is poor management. No matter what you say, someone is going to argue with you about your tools and the brand name... I would check into auctions in your area because you can get some awesome deals through a liquidation sale.
 
Sears can kiss my a$$ for tools... When they give me as much grief as they did last time for simple warranty on a $25 ratchet that has repeatedly broken (3x this past year) just from personal use, I'll shop elsewhere for ALL my stuff from now on... Theres way to many other companies that will help with warranty/have lifetime warranties and have better stuff than to have some whiney manager say he won't help, they'll never see a dime of my money again... :mad:
 
bill anything by miller is good but do you really need a tig welder? if anything i would start off with just a basic miller mig welder. i wouldnt worry about owning a tig welder unless you know you have some serious fancy welding jobs lined up otherwise a tig welder isnt really needed to start. what i was saying to you about tools is go price the large tool kits they have at home depot vs sears because home depot has huge husky mechanic sets for half the price of sears with the same life time warranty.
 
I've seen a $2000 lift and it's as good as the $9000 lift another guy has, If not better because of the price. Hell they both look a like!
 
Icarus said:
Sears can kiss my a$$ for tools... When they give me as much grief as they did last time for simple warranty on a $25 ratchet that has repeatedly broken (3x this past year) just from personal use, I'll shop elsewhere for ALL my stuff from now on... Theres way to many other companies that will help with warranty/have lifetime warranties and have better stuff than to have some whiney manager say he won't help, they'll never see a dime of my money again... :mad:
Click to expand...

I would buy a decent ratchet, quality at sears is not what it used to be and the manager can be a prick.
 
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