Essential Mechanic Tools for DIY\Beginner for Toyota and Lexus

A Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician covers Essential Mechanic Tools for DIY mechanics and Beginner mechanics in the field. These are recommendations specific to working on Toyota, Lexus and Scion products.

I made a list of some tool recommendations in my amazon affiliate store which can be found in the link below:
*as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

In this much requested video by my viewers and patreon community I'll cover the very basics of tools. There's no way I can cover every single little detail of tools as tools have somewhat of a personal touch but I tried my best to convey as much information as possible in a single video which will help you make better decisions when it comes to tools.

I am a big advocate of experience over tools. I see this in the shop where the mechanics that do the least amount of work have the most amount of tools and the mechanics that do the biggest jobs have the least amount of tools. This theory only works in a single brand dealership. Mechanics in independent shops are forced to have a very large tool set because of the nature of their work.

DIY mechanics often start with the most basic tools and end up over buying or buying the incorrect sets and finding out later they need more tools. If you already know which type of cars you'll be working on you'll be able to narrow down which key tools you need to have in a particular set you're buying.

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#thecarcarenut #toyotamechanic #toyota #lexus #tools

0:00 Intro
0:42 Tools Overview
2:02 Basic Hand Tools : Sockets
8:36 Power Tools
15:34 Wrenches
20:14 Pliers and Screwdrivers
21:52 More Tool Recommendations
23:28 So which brand should you buy?

[dogsarefun]

My parents owned a 4 family house that we lived in too. Always helped my Dad paint and do electrical & plumbing & carpentry fixes.
Never thought of it as "on the job training" when I was a teenager. Saved me thousands of dollars over the years with home ownership.
Still have a few tools we used.... great memories.... Thanks Dad....you are missed.

[salvadorsepulveda]

My first tools were hand me downs from my Dad. We went thru his ammo boxes of tools and I ended up with a ammo box of a variety but basic assortment. The beginning of my career. I ended up as a mechanic then as Lead mechanic at our school district for 31yrs with a fleet of 98 buses. Now a great retirement 👍

[MrOnlinmrine]

I remember when I first started I would binge watch all of Ericthe carguy's content and then Chris fix, Scanner Danner and now I'm binge watching all of AMD videos. The minute I see you post a video I watch it like it and love it thank you so much for everything

[JayTdub]

Gear wrench is highly underrated too! Especially for a beginner. The prices are really really good. Bolt biters will change your life in the rust belt.

[timothy]

30 years in the Airlines, my Craftsman tools have served me well. Trucks and cars at home a mix even tools from Pittsburgh have been fine. Car care nut is absolutely correct, some my best tools are the cheapest tools. I have literally beat Harbour Freight tools to death and never failed me. Thanx for another great video.

[mailmanjoe]

I got super blessed and received my late father's snap on tool box filled with snap on wrenches, socket wrenches and a plethera of specialty tools. Most all snap on brand. He was a master Honda tech for almost 20 years. I'll admit I didn't realize how good I got it until i started working on my own cars more.

[rightlanehog]

AMD, Once again thanks for sharing your practical experience. Your video needs to contain a proviso that buying a Toyota may result in having a lot of dust gather on your tool collection while you wait for something to fail. In general, people can save a lot of money by buying second hand tools.

[fuijika]

That's the most honest tool buying guide I have seen by far on the internet. Kudos! 👌

[ericksoler]

Im a Toyota Technician as well and I definitely agree with MOST of what was said EXCEPT ever since I started at toyota I bought this 216 Piece tool set from Craftman and I can’t see myself using any other alternatives as much as that set on a daily. No it doesn’t hqve everything and occasionally you might need socket wrenches that can give a little more leverage but that set is so masterfully organized and the 3 drawers are divided all 3/8 in one drawer, all 1/2 in another and all 1/4 in another and it helps me so much not needing to get up of the floor every 3 minutes if I forget something. It only cost me 100 dollars and has produced 1000’s in earnings without breaking or losing any of them

[deedle]

Thanks for an honest real world opinion. Some of these other tool Youtubers I swear sound like undercover Snap-On salesmen.

[josephr]

I’m an elevator mechanic. I still use old craftsman v series USA made stuff, Carlyle from Napa, and tekton from Amazon. I’ve got the added requirement that my tools must survive a fall.

[philipmasse]

When I built my toolset, I purchased All my Craftsman tools thru eBay. I Only bought vintage Craftsman tools “Made in USA”. They have served me extremely well.

[pamed]

I don’t drive a Toyota. Still, I love your videos. I’m a simple diy Mercedes guy and in really every video you posted I’m impressed by your attitude. So honest and correct. Please go on giving people knowledge!

[PH-mdxp]

This video is the TRUTH from a guy that’s been there, and done that. 👍🏼

[retiredafce]

Awesome video! I got to replace the struts on my 99 Camry.
What I love is how easy Toyota has engineered the car to perform maintenance with minimal tools.

[marcellinden]

Building your tool kit is a life long thing. Way back in 1981 I bought a Stanley 1/2" metric/SAE socket set to work on my RX4, and it is still my main socket set today. Only last year I spent over $2500 in new tools at one retailer, and well over $4000 in unique test gear for my trade in communications electronics.... Yes, you are always buying more tools.
Am so glad I haven't needed to use any of my tools on my Toyota so far...even though so many live in the back of it, including the socket set...

[coloradoboo]

I've been waiting for this one....great job! I agree, don't waste too much money on the professional grade stuff when other stuff will get the job done that we don't do every day! As a DIYer, I've found putting certain tools/items in those big orange Home Depot tool boxes (and are labeled) helps...I have "oil change" and "brake job" and "tire tools" and "electrical tools"...really makes the jobs go faster. And the 10mm socket stays on my little cheapo cordless power wrench...Toyota loves their 10mm bolts!

[scku]

Biggest game changer for me this year was a 1/2 brushless Makita impact and a set of deep-well Icon impact sockets from harbor freight. The set goes down to 10mm, so the tool is so versatile for fastener removal-especially with the impact on Pwr Lvl 1 and in “fastener mode”, which auto-brakes once a fastener is loose, so as not to damage smaller stuff

[dgdiyer]

Great practical advice on this video. Based on the AMD rating scale I am just an "apprentice" that mostly does DIY brakes and suspension work. Having done brakes, struts, sway bar links, lower control arm, hubs, tie rods and more, I offer a couple of other tool considerations.
1) The corded impact drivers are another option that are bulky but reasonably good. Mine easily spins off lug nuts.
2) Jack stands. Since most of us DIYers don't have lifts and safety is at a premium getting under a vehicle consider jack stands made 100% in the USA.

[WhalerGA]

I bought one of those "mechanic's tool sets" (~ 300 pieces) about 20 years ago. I was lucky. It was the made in USA Craftsman variety. It was a really good value. I'm a fairly light DIY user so I still have the entire set without a single piece lost or broken. I guess I will sell them when I'm too old to use them.