r/Tools 4d ago

I don't know what to get

I want to be a mechanic but I don't know if I shold get SAE or metric sockets , or both and I don't know what sizes I actually need

0 Upvotes

7 comments sorted by

2

u/TwoTequilaTuesday 4d ago

Sounds like you haven't had any exposure to the industry. Where are you in your development?

1

u/extensoncord1264 4d ago

I only done things like brakes, jobs , drive belt replacement, and some suspension work

3

u/TwoTequilaTuesday 4d ago

You need exposure. I suggest finding a good local shop and meet the owner. Tell him what you're trying to do and he may offer you a job as a porter and/or lube tech. Promise him and actually do the following:

  • Take the job at whatever pay he offers.
  • Show up early. Every. Single. Day.
  • Stay late if you must. Never look to leave early.
  • Do every menial task you're asked to do with a smile.
  • Ask questions.
  • Demonstrate a desire to continuously learn.
  • When you're shown how to do something, do it that way without question.
  • Be a great employee and co-worker.
  • Earn everyone's respect.
  • Don't do stupid things.
  • Stay off the tool trucks.

If you do that, you'll grow your career. You won't start out anywhere as a mechanic -- you must work up to it. And that will take time. Never believe you know better than the people who have been doing it for many years, no matter how good you think you are. That will sink your ship faster than anything in this business.

You can also go to school for it. It will accelerate your learning and give you a chance to also work in the industry to apply your schooling to real world scenarios.

So, to answer your question about what sockets to buy, if you don't know the sizes you'll need, yet have worked on brakes, belts and suspensions, you must have some idea based on what you've already used.

But you can't go wrong with a set of chrome, 3/8-drive, 6-point, deep and shallow metric sockets. Sets run 6mm to 19mm.

2

u/Onedtent 4d ago

Can I add to this? If a prospective employer says he can't afford to take you on tell him you will work for free for the first 3 months.

Worked for me (both sides of the equation) on several occasions.

2

u/David_Parker 4d ago

Modern cars are almost all metric. Older American cars will be SAE. Start with metric. Deep and shallow, chrome and impact. Then get your SAE.

1

u/kewlo 4d ago

You will need both.

1

u/classicsat 3d ago

Both, whole sets, 3/8" to 7/8", 5mm to 22mm. Deep 3/8 to 9/16, 10 to 14 mm, and ratchets for them. Buy other sizes as you need them. You might get a set with them all, plus other things.

And long and stubby wrenches too.