Clear the road!
January 24, 2009
My oldest son, who is a wonderfully cautious, kind, and respectful young man, recently got his driver's license and because I love him madly (and also because I know it will be real handy to send him out on errands) I gave him a car. I also gave him a bumper sticker and an empty toolbox. His birthday is next week, and now I need suggestions about what to put in the tool box. He is mechanically inclined, and I want him to figure out how to work on his 1981 car in the same way I did a zillion years ago when I got my first vehicle. So once again, devoted readers, I'm asking for suggestions: what are the necessary tools to put in a beginner's tool box? What does my kid need, and what can he do without?
Posted by Jefferson Kolle | Categories: Hand Tools | Permalink
(5) Comments
I'd suggest tools for changing his oil and other regular maintenance: a simple socket set, maybe an oil filter wrench, stuff like that.
I'd suggest:
- Battery corrosion cleaning tool & a thing of vaseline to prevent corrosion
- Jumper cables, but those probably aren't a tool box item.
- Magnetic Pickup wand
- Socket bar extensions (depending on the depth of his engine's cylinders
The most important tool I had to go along with my first truck was a Chilton's Manual for my make and model - that way when I determined there was a problem, I could look in the book and see if it was a project I felt like I could handle. It guided me through brake jobs, u-joint replacements, radiator flushes and shock replacements.
In addition to the good set of jumper cables mentioned above include a good quality tow cable. If he gets stuck, the nice guy who stops may not have one. And having the those kind of things can add to his "knight in shining armor" image with the "damsels in distress" But you don't want to think about that do you?
I am not male, nor can I even remember being 16! However I have always carried plyers, screw drivers, black tape, duct tape and a good Swiss army knife, and a blanket that I wouldn't mind giving away.