As I mentioned earlier about getting a digital voltmeter, here is one on sale and will work excellent if you want to add this to the set. It is Sears item# 03482315000 and is on sale until 10/4/08. The meter has all the features he would need and more for a great price.
I wouldn’t buy tools from Wallmart either. Not too sure of the quality. I’ve bought cheap tools before and after 2-3 uses they broke. Not worth the hassle. Many years ago K-Mart had a life-time warranty on their hand tools. After numerous trips replacing broken tools I switch to snap-on and craftsman. It just wasn’t worth it…and this was when gas was $0.35/gal.
Not Champion. Companion.
You are correct, Alan!
I should have said: My vote: Sears Craftsman NOT Sears Companion!
Sorry, I buy only the Craftsman tools, with the life-time warranty, therefore my confusion.
Thanks for the help!
i agree with most everyone here - but i would buy the craftsman master set, it’s around $250. of course he’ll need more specific tools and he should but them - i think what your doing is a grate thing for a dad to do. so i say buy the big craftsman set (everything will literally last a lifetime) and then as he needs things he can buy them (and he will) or you could make it a tradition to tools for bdays $ christmas. by the way dad it sounds like a great potential bonding situation.
well thats my $.02
Something nobody’s mentioned is the electronics/engine control side. If your son’s into PCs, getting some kind of an OBD II scanner/software/whatever that hooks up to a laptop could be interesting.
one screwdriver, one pair pliers, and duct tape 
…ok Craftsman is a great starter set when buying genericaly with no specialty target. My dad got me Craftsman at 14 ( sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, just basics. ) and at 52 they’re still my tool box staples .
I agree with everyone else about buying Craftsman tools. Just keep in mind that if you buy a set of tools, you’ll need to buy additional accessories such as a tool box and socket holders. Otherwise you’ll just have a big pile tools. Depending on what the goal is maybe consider one of their sets that included molded plastic cases to hold the tools. Also, the easy to ready sockets are great, much easier to find and read the size.
Do not buy him any tools yet.
Send him to a community college where he can take auto courses, or
get him a job in a auto re-cycle shop[junk yard],or
at a auto repair shop[either independent or dealer].
If still interested then get him some tools.[discount possible for tools from the school or workplace]
How then about getting on the buy US cars bandwagon? I mean US cars designed here as well as assembled here. Sending money (wealth) out of the country for foreign tools is chicken feed compared to buying foreign made cars.
I will never again, as long as I live, intend to buy a car made or engineered in a foreign country except possibly Canada or Mexico.
Tools come in handy for a lot more things than working on cars-almost everyone should own a basic set.
Sorry I only buy cars that are of good design and quality and are enjoyable to drive. I’m happy to buy a U.S. made car when they live up to those expectations and happen to have something in the category I’m looking at. Other than a handful of cars I wouldn’t touch most.
I support American tool companies because they make excellent products. There are many things that American companies do extremely well, but building cars is not one of them.
Wow. Thanks for all the advice. I feel much more confident about where to start. As far as the community ed classes, he might do that but right now he’s fresh out of college and more school doesn’t appeal. He lives in a small city/town in Iowa (first job) and is making friends with people that work on their own cars. His dream is to design cars for a living. His hobby for the past 8 years or so has been RC cars (more affordable than the real thing) and he has an engineering degree. He’s very careful with his first car and wouldn’t take anything apart without knowing how to put it back (not his mother’s genes). He has the car manual that some of you suggested. Thanks again for helping me.
Perhaps instead of tools you could get his some books. Any of the below could be ordered through any bookstore.
My bet is that lots of folks will get him tools…but you’ll be the only one to get him textbooks.
Auto Fundamentals
By Stockel, Stockel and Johanson
Published by Goodheart - Wilcox
ISBN 1-56637-138-4
Automotive Engines
By Crouse and Anglin
Published by MacMillan/McGraw Hill, (800) 338-3987
ISBN 0-02-801099-X
Complete Engine Performance and Diagnostics
By Robert Scharff & Editors of Motor Service
Published by Delmar Publishing / Thompson learning, (800) 477-3682
ISBN 0-8273-3579-2
Automotive Chassis Systems
By Thomas W. Birch
Published by Delmar Publishing / Thompson Learning, (800) 477-3682
ISBN 0-7668-0001-6
Fuel Systems and Emission Controls
Published by Chek-Chart Publication, (408) 739-2435
ISBN 9-781579-322496
I missed if you said what kind of car he has. If it’s a new Lexus, tell him to keep his hands off. If it’s a 1983 Chevrolet, let him hack away.
In my opinion, learning to make simple car repairs gives a good payback over the years. Changing oil and filters, and changing transmission fluid should be among the first tasks performed.
Also, learn to check tire pressures, and rotate tires every so many thousand miles.
I consider safety devices to hold the car up, other than a standard jack like used for changing tires should be very high on the list.