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Im a Auto Tech , and a HVAC tech

For car tools , Pffffftttt , my snapon box alone cost me 5 grand empty , then spend 20 grand to fill it up

For AC stuff , 5 grand buys all the basics

Probably own close to 10K. When I started I had to provide most all the tools. Not so much nowadays.
I show up at customers door with some 2K in my toolcase
Fluke multimeter, fluke thermometer, amprobe, digital manometer, digicool gauges and an assortment of handtools.
Then more come out of the van as needed. Van is a shop on wheels.

To start out you dont need anything fancy. I buy alot of craftsmen hand tools because there a good brand that if i break a wrench there replaced for free. To start working for someone normally you dont need everything if your an apprentice because your working with a tech ussally and they have anything beyond your basic hand tools. But you can slowly build up your own tools that you need as you go. Will you buy price wise what the auto techs have to put out probbly. The thing to remeber that most dont tell you is if they buy there tools from mac or off a truck like most do they dont have to pay then if they have a good report with the company. Alot of the tools and tool boxes go on a monthly bill like a credit card

2sac, just do it dude!

I was thinking about this the other day.... I figure I have 8-10k on my van. I bought all of my own specialty tools though because we don't have enough to go around and I can take them home to use them if I want. Just buy a few things here and there, you would be surprised what you will have in 5 years. Also ask all of us what's good so you don't buy crap and have to buy something twice.

Originally Posted by 2sac

Now that I think of it, digital thermometers and leak detectors, and the such maybe 8k or so.

jp, Are the digital manifolds that much better than a $25 Ritchie manifold, a digital thermometer and a PT chart? I just can't seem to pull the trigger. Maybe I'm stubborn

I could burn up an entire thread extolling the virtues of digital manifold gauges.

Rather than hijack this thread, I'll keep it short and sweet.

0.5% accuracy, a display that gives exact pressure and saturation temperatures, real time superheat readings and they're one H**L of a lot more durable than Ritchie's plastic cased trash gauge heads. I went digital 3 years ago and now only carry my 2 digital manifolds.

Originally Posted by Mike19

Just out of curiosity, what do your companies provide, and what are you responsible for buying on your own?

Currently, I carry a company torch, recovery machine, vacuum pump and sawzall. There might be another tool or two, but that's about it.

My father is an auto mechanic. If it helps relieve the anxiety more, I think the hvac pay system is better too.

Thanks to everyone! This is such a relief of anxiety of tool cost, this has reassured me about going into HVAC. You guys really cleared things up.

My shop provides recovery machines, specialty tools, and construction tools(lifts, pipe threaders and the mule, chop saws etc.). Everything else is on my dime, which is fine by me. I'm not stuck in one place. I can pack up and go anywhere or start on my own at anytime if need be.

Just out of curiosity, what do your companies provide, and what are you responsible for buying on your own?

Now that I think of it, digital thermometers and leak detectors, and the such maybe 8k or so.

jp, Are the digital manifolds that much better than a $25 Ritchie manifold, a digital thermometer and a PT chart? I just can't seem to pull the trigger. Maybe I'm stubborn

HI, I'm JP and I'm a Tool-Aholic.....


My daily Veto LC/MB setup and Digital manifold set would set you back over $3k to replace.

This doesn't count another $14-15k in other tools that I've purchased over the years.

waltervan nailed it. It depends on what you're doing.

A residential guy might never need a 1/2" socket wrench setup (shallow and deep well) with an 18" breaker bar and a 20-150ft/lb torque wrench. For a commercial guy, it's almost an everyday thing to grab that.

Also, as a newbie, you're not going to be expected to put up that kind of investment UP FRONT.

A fair selection of hand tools, a set of gauges, a thermometer and an electrical meter will get you started.

You'll add this or that as you go along.


Before you know it, you'll be going to Tool-Aholics Anonymous meetings.

I would say it all depends on what you plan on doing Residential, commercial, chillers, etc etc.
On my truck as is I have just under $30K and another $10-$15 in a job box ready if needed.
With the exception of centrifugal work I have most anything I need on my truck.
When I first started long ago I guess I prob had $600 - $900 out of pocket for doing mid commercial.

Originally Posted by Mike19

i think your instructor might have told you prices for top of the line tools like snap-on, you could probably get by as an auto-tech with less expensive tools for a fraction of what your instructors tools cost.

As far as being an hvac tech, if you bought basic hand tools, a meter, and a bag to carry them in you could spend $200-$500 or more.

As I said before, my employer provides everything else. Some companys might not be so nice. If you had to buy power tools like a drill, impact driver, and sawzall; tubing tools like tubing cutters, flaring bar; and more tools to keep in the van like socket sets, pipe wrenches, hammer; my guess would be you'ld have to tack on another thousand, maybe more.

If you had to buy a gauge manifold, recovery unit, vacuum pump, tourches, and all the other special equipement, that could easily be a few thousand, but unless you are in buisness for yourself, i think almost all employers would provide these items.

I'm kind of cheap myself, estimates from the other guys are probably more accurate.

Originally Posted by SkinnyBoi757

Will it be anywhere near as expensive as autotech?

i think your instructor might have told you prices for top of the line tools like snap-on, you could probably get by as an auto-tech with less expensive tools for a fraction of what your instructors tools cost.

As far as being an hvac tech, if you bought basic hand tools, a meter, and a bag to carry them in you could spend $200-$500 or more.

As I said before, my employer provides everything else. Some companys might not be so nice. If you had to buy power tools like a drill, impact driver, and sawzall; tubing tools like tubing cutters, flaring bar; and more tools to keep in the van like socket sets, pipe wrenches, hammer; my guess would be you'ld have to tack on another thousand, maybe more.

If you had to buy a gauge manifold, recovery unit, vacuum pump, tourches, and all the other special equipement, that could easily be a few thousand, but unless you are in buisness for yourself, i think almost all employers would provide these items.

Originally Posted by samejj

prob equal

If you're on your own I can see 50k or more on tools. You've got 20k in the back of your truck? Love to see it. I feel like a bum with 6k

No. Maybe a grand to start. Most shops provide recovery machines vacuum pumps and specialty tools. After that to "Keep up with the Joneses" another 2-3k. I've been in the trade for about 15 years. and probably have 5k-6k in out of pocket tool cost. I like to buy tools that make my job easier.

prob equal

Will it be anywhere near as expensive as autotech?

It all depends which company you work for too, like with my company, all I bought myself is a basic set of hand tools (wrenches, pliers, screwdriers, nutdrivers) and they provide the service van and provide all the expensive equipment like power tools, gauges, vacuum pump, etc.

you should search high and low.....it is very expensive to gather just the basic tools to do this. i do craigslist and eebay and mutual friends getting out of it for the very thing we are discussing. if you are not smart about what to buy and when to buy it you will be scrounging for coffee money every friday. my best advice is to buy quality tools so you hopefully only have to buy them once.... heaven forbid you have to climb back into that attic and find your 50$ flashlight. the conditions of this trade weed out the mass's in quick and no excuses fashion.