Best Automotive Multi-tool?

[DMucci]

I'm looking for a quality automotive based multi-tool. I drive vintage cars / motorcycles and I'm looking for something that would be a good every day carry for a mechanic, or something I could throw in the glove box.

I have no need for multiple knives, saw blades, and scissors. They're just dead weight to me. Is there anything like this that exists?

 

[nickleone]

Both have a knife also:
http://tinyurl.com/bx4erto
http://www.bepreparedtosurvive.com/Ranch Hand Multi-Tool.htm

nick

 

[shampoop]

no such thing

 

[Shadowdog500]

TRUNK MONKEY!!!

Or one of these Chinese multi tools

I agree there probably isn't a pocket tool to fix your car.

Keep a tool box in your trunk.

Isn't there a tool kit on your bike. My Hondas all came with a tool kit under the seat, and I carried a tool bag with most used tools on my Harley as well.

Chris

 

[Lotek]

Snap On ratchet magnetic tip screwdriver. Most things that you might want to remove on the side of the road will probably be held on by screws.

 

[brownbagg]

five pound hammer

 

[Lotek]

five pound hammer

Think finesse...

 

[DMucci]

Both have a knife also:
http://tinyurl.com/bx4erto
http://www.bepreparedtosurvive.com/Ranch Hand Multi-Tool.htm

nick

Those are great Nick, thanks. Have you had any experience with either? The first I'm afraid may be cheaply made. The 2nd looks like a nice tool though.

Here's what I've found in my research thus far:

Gerber Grappler with vice-grip style locking jaws.

CRKT Getaway Driver

CRKT Zilla Tool

CRKT Guppie

Leatherman Crunch - vice-grip style locking jaws



Swiss-Tech Micro plus

Personally I really like the units with the vice-grip feature.

 

[Modern Jess]

In my own experience as a rider, I've found that the only real solution is a carefully thought out toolkit specific to the bike, taking into consideration the versatility of each tool and what scope of work you hope to accomplish by the side of the road. I do include a typical leatherman in most of my toolkits, primarily because it is a compact way to carry pliers and a knife. The screwdrivers in such tools are rarely long enough to be versatile throughout the bike, though -- not long enough, too much bulk around the bit, and so on.

Lately I've started dividing toolkits into two halves -- the "everyday" kit and the "road trip" add-on kit.

Some of the multitools you've shown above are cool -- I might really like a more compact vise grip, for instance -- but I kind of doubt that any of those tools are versatile enough to cover all the bases or reach all the fasteners that you'll encounter.

 

[DMucci]

In my own experience as a rider, I've found that the only real solution is a carefully thought out toolkit specific to the bike, taking into consideration the versatility of each tool and what scope of work you hope to accomplish by the side of the road. I do include a typical leatherman in most of my toolkits, primarily because it is a compact way to carry pliers and a knife. The screwdrivers in such tools are rarely long enough to be versatile throughout the bike, though -- not long enough, too much bulk around the bit, and so on.

Lately I've started dividing toolkits into two halves -- the "everyday" kit and the "road trip" add-on kit.

Some of the multitools you've shown above are cool -- I might really like a more compact vise grip, for instance -- but I kind of doubt that any of those tools are versatile enough to cover all the bases or reach all the fasteners that you'll encounter.

What I'm looking for would file under your "everyday kit." I've got a more extensive kit I throw in a backpack for longer journeys. My every day carry tool is something I can fit in my pocket or wear on a belt when I'm not riding with a bag. It's a bare minimum repair tool.

 

[papabil]

torch

 

[Modern Jess]

What I'm looking for would file under your "everyday kit." I've got a more extensive kit I throw in a backpack for longer journeys. My every day carry tool is something I can fit in my pocket or wear on a belt when I'm not riding with a bag. It's a bare minimum repair tool.

Okay, here's one that's not exactly a multitool, but is fairly compact. Coupled with a few of the most appropriate sockets for the specific bike, this one will cover a lot of ground. I've got one, and have crammed a few 1/4" drive sockets and a short 1/4" drive extension into the pouch.

Versatool:

 

[DMucci]

Oh wow, very cool.

 

[Modern Jess]

Here are my everyday and roadtrip kit for one of my Vespas:

Everyday: This one mostly has 1/4" drive sockets, a few of the smaller wrenches (8mm and 10mm are very useful) and a broad selection of Wiha Drive-Loc bits.

Road Trip: This one is mostly 3/8" drive sockets, plus the bigger, heavier stuff. Some of the things are tucked away in pockets or behind other tools, but there's a small vise-grip hiding back there as well.

The Wiha Drive-Loc has made a huge improvement to my toolkit. The bits adjust to any length within the handle, and it gives me all the screwdriver types, allen drivers, torx drivers, and even nut drivers. Additionally, because of the "blade" type bit design, you can still fit this down through a hole (say, in plastic bodywork) without interference. Most of the small interchangeable-bit screwdrivers fail on that point.

 

[nickleone]

DMucci,
No experience with those just Googled them. They looked good, less knives.
I agree the second one would be my choice.

nick

 

[Hobbit]

The tool needs will depend on the parts you carry. At a minimum for an old vehicle a screwdriver to change the points & condenser, bump the solenoid, use as a pry bar to adjust a belt. A knife to cut out a leaking heater hose or bypass the leak. A few adjustable wrenches for battery & other bolted issues. I find multi tools that appear to be able to do all of this inadequate in length and jaw size to provide enough torque to work on a vehicle. Oh' In todays time a cell/smart phone is the best tool.

 

[Falcon67]

Multi screw driver, pair of pliers, pair of dikes, duct tape, electrical tape, AAA card

 

[Nak]

Spyderench. A little pricey, but nice.

 

[Modern Jess]

Spyderench. A little pricey, but nice.

That's nice. Maybe the best one I've seen.

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=286

 

[DMucci]

Very nice! One of the top options I'd say.

 

[Super Scout]

Vise Grip used to make one, that I thought was real nice. But gotta agree with a lot of the other guys on here. Carefully thought out go bag, or tool roll would be far more useful.
I have three old scouts, with these tools I can fix just about anything, on the side of the road. Ideal no, but possible yes.
1/2" Combo wrench
9/16" Combo Wrench
6 in 1 Screwdriver
Hammer
Channel Locks
6" Adjustable wrench
Linesman pliers.

And all of those fit in a nice little bad I keep by the spare tire, far more useful than a multitool.

 

[vpogv]

Don't forget the coat hanger. A simple "tool" that has so many uses.

 

[captainskyhook]

The more tools the merrier. I have a drawer in my tool box with tools that I maybe use a few times a year, but it's worth keeping them around for "if/when".

With that aside, you do have some pretty solid options.

My go-to is the Gerber diesel, but with what you're asking for, the Gerber Suspension NXT is a good choice. It has spring loaded pliers with X3 different sized flat screw drivers, a graduated Phillips driver, ruler, scissors, knife, file, and an awl (comes in super useful more than I ever thought). Extremely compact, tools lock, and it comes with a pocket clip.


I would also highly suggest keeping a tool roll in your trunk or saddle bag. Nothing fancy, just the basics, and a bare bones socket kit.

Best of luck friend.

 

[four.cycle]

I may have made a few changes since this photo was taken in July. Added a couple things - duct tape, wire, Band-Aids, etc.

"All-in-One" = it's a myth. Any tool trying to perform multiple tasks is going to do a sub-par job on all of them.

 

[KansasArt]

12yo zombie thread resurrection

 

[PoorUB]

five pound hammer

Think finesse...

Just choke up on the handle a bit.

 

[lolaetype]

Best automotive multi-tool? You want something that works on everything, is easy to carry and can be easily moved from car to car.

 

[NUTTSGT]

12yo zombie thread resurrection

Yes, it is.

Of course by another first post new member.

I'm waiting for a typical edit on the post with "hidden" spam link.

Joined today at 10:23 and last seen at 10:39.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Checking the dates on the penultimate post is not something I am in the habit of doing, but I guess I need to remind myself to do so.

 

[Byrdnyrd]

Cell Phone and AAA Card

 

[msharley]

What I'm looking for would file under your "everyday kit." I've got a more extensive kit I throw in a backpack for longer journeys. My every day carry tool is something I can fit in my pocket or wear on a belt when I'm not riding with a bag. It's a bare minimum repair tool.

Two for me...

A 4" Crescent & a older S&W Pocket Knife w/screwdriver ....

Those two items have got me and many others home...over the years...

 

[Shadowdog500]

Cell Phone and AAA Card

+1! I used to do roadside repairs until my wife’s car broke down at her work and she had AAA tow it home. Why roll around In the dirt on the side of the road when a AAA flatbed will tow the car to your own house where you can repair it in your own shop.

 

[msharley]

+1! I used to do roadside repairs until my wife’s car broke down at her work and she had AAA tow it home. Why roll around In the dirt on the side of the road when a AAA flatbed will tow my car to your house where you can repair it in your own shop.

I like that!

..............tow my car to YOUR house where YOU can repair it!

 

[Shadowdog500]

I like that!

..............tow my car to YOUR house where YOU can repair it!

Good catch! I fixed it!

 

[tarmy]

Buy a tool roll and fill it with basic tools (screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, gloves, prybar…)that are good for the given vehicle. Every car and truck in our house has one under the back seat…throw a wheel chalk in there too. They all have tow straps, jumper cables, flashlights and road flares as well…basic stuff.

 

[Beerhippie]

My automotive multi-tool for old VWs weighed about seventy-five pounds.

 

[Pennsylvania 39]

Make sure you have metric capability Slim39

 

[Stuart in MN]

Despite the zombie thread deal, you can go to places like Dennis Kirk to get compact motorcycle tool kits, they typically come in a small tool roll that should be easy to stash in a saddle bag or tank bag. https://www.denniskirk.com/search?query=tool+kit