A good Tool Thread? Worthwhile?

Hi CP2, I'd get a reasonably large 1/2' drive clicker type. The clicker type is easier to use than the beam type and if you ever want to use it for head gaskets it's good to have a decent size wrench. These type are usually ratcheting too, which makes them easier to use.

I often find when I ask about tools on some forums that people are all too willing to reply "that's crap" (without elaboration) if you ask about anything other than the one or two most expensive brands. Personally however I've had no problems with cheaper brands for tools like my torque wrench that I only use once in a while. I don't even know what brand mine is (cheap one I bought 10+ years ago) but I could post some pictures later if you like.

 

There are great deals on Amazon. You should also buy your friend a breaker bar.

I have the 25-250 lb version of this, for when the capacity of my SnapOn is exceeded. 10-150 covers a lot of ground.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B000JFHN60?tag=priuschatcom-20 nothing beats having a good breaker bar. Don't bother with a 3/8" drive one from Harbor Frieght, I watched a guy twist the drive right off when trying to loosen lug nuts.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B001222378?tag=priuschatcom-20

 

Sears makes fantastic tools. The Craftsman mechanics tools carry lifetime, no-questions-asked warranties. If you round a socket or a ratchet sticks, you bring it to any Sears store and they replace it, no questions asked. Sears always has great sales on Craftsman tools, including torque wrenches, on Black Friday. Depending on your budget, my favorite gift is one of their socket sets in a plastic, fitted case. But these run around $50+.

 

I picked mine up at Harbor Freight Tools. Some of the items in there are cheaply made, but their torque wrenchs seemed pretty darn solid to me. In fact, I'm sure if I felt a need to whack someone over the head, it might knock them out! I've used it a couple times swapping my winter tires on/off the car and haven't had any issue (other than too stubby of a socket and the wrench rubbed the car a little). You can always find a 20% single item coupon for HFT, esp if you have a male friend that subscribes to Maxim, GQ, etc. Or for 45 cents, I can send you one LOL. Usually they have them in the in-store flyer or online for printing, too. I get at least 3 or 4 of them a month between magazines and mailers.

Otherwise, Sears and even Lowes have some good tools for this type of stuff. You'd be surprised what has a lifetime warranty at all these places on handtools.

The nice thing for Sears, is you can also exchange at Kmart and their hardware stores, I believe. Between all 3 of those stores, you're bound to have one not too far away

 

That looks like the exact same wrench I've got here seilerts. I've had it for years, I think I paid about $30 for it. I would recommend this model for cyberprius if that was about the price range she's looking at.

Just out of interest wik1ert. What is the torque range on the H/F wrench and roughly what was the price. Also, is it 1/2" or 3/8" drive?

 

I have a 1/2" and a 3/8" drive one. I believe the 1/2" one is this one:

1/2" Torque Wrench

20-150 range. The price online is about what I recall - much more and I would have passed it up because I'm cheap

 

I bought my 3/8" torque wrench at Sears for finer torque applications. I then bought my 1/2" wrench from Harbor Freight for the heavier applications.

 

That's actually a good point, to have a 3/8" drive in-lb torque wrench (like 240 or 360 in-lb) if doing 10mm sized nuts/bolts etc. Even though it says 20-150, accuracy at the low end is very poor and there is the possibility of stripping out or breaking things if not careful. I do have a Craftsman for that, it is 20 years old and works perfectly.

 

I recently did a valve job on an old BMW. The 3/8" torque wrench was adequate for everything on that job, and the 1/2" one just got in the way. If you're changing wheels on a truck, or doing a clutch job, then the 3/8" wrench would be too small. Same thing for suspension work.

The colored sockets at Harbor Freight are really nice. Each size is a different color, which sure beats reading the numbers on every one that's about the right size.

In addition to the wrench, there are a bunch of adapters, extensions, angle drives, wobbly connectors, and such. The basic adapter to have with a 3/8" wrench is the one that allows you to use 1/2" sockets.

 

Yeah I've often thought about getting a smaller precision wrench for that type of job. The one I've got is 18" x 1/2" drive and rated 10-150 ft-lbs (looks identical to the amazon one you linked). It came in blow-molded case with a Cr-V 3/8" adapter and 6" extension.

Since mine was a cheapie I've often wondered just how accurate it is at the low end. I just did a quick test with a spring pull-scale and it was better than I expected. It's only rated down to 10 but the resistance on the adjuster starts at about 6, so I started there and it was very close to 6 ft-lbs with the adjuster wound right back. I then did a few tests from 6 through to 15, and within the limited accuracy of the pull-scale everything measured as expected.

 

All right, here's a list of tools, that will get you through oil, all filters, tire rotation, 12V battery testing/change, transaxle fluid change, inverter coolant change, spark plugs, PCV, and serpentine belt. Engine coolant change (and engine water pump R&R) is also possible but follows non-standard procedure to fill thermos.

3 ton floor jack
4 jack stands
3' 2x4
Oil filter wrench 64mm cap-style
Oil drain pan
Bucket
Screw driver set
Metric socket set with ratchet handle and extensions, 3/8" drive.
Metric combination wrench set. Ones with ratcheting box end are very nice ("GearWrench"). Most common sizes are (mm) 10, 12, 14, 17, 19.
21mm socket (1/2" drive) for lug nuts. Do not use 3/8" drive on lug nuts, you will break something.
24mm socket (1/2" drive) and 10mm hex ("Allen") key for transaxle service.
25" breaker bar, 1/2" drive
1/2" (female) to 3/8" (male) adapter
1/2" drive extension
20-150 ft-lb torque wrench for lug nuts
20-250 in-lb torque wrench for plugs.
Digital Multimeter -- preferably one that says "Fluke"
Gear oil pump or funnel+hose
Bentley Toyota Prius Repair and Maintenance Manual
OEM 25313 Door Panel Remover tool (great for popping out trim)
Telescoping magnet to retrieve dropped tools and nuts/screws/bolts

 

Knee surgery??? Ouch! Hopefully you have a partner to be your slave for a little while.

The floor jack issue depends upon the raise height of a floor jack. I had to use the 2x4 with the smaller, cheaper floor jack that my brother conveniently left in my garage several years ago and apparently didn't want back. A good jack shouldn't have that problem, and HFT has some decent ones. There's usually one in their flyer with a coupon for either $60-90, though it's only 1.5 tons but you aren't typically lifting the entire car with it and should work just fine to get the car up for putting a jack stand underneath it.