Absolute minimum tools - suggestions?

[leoxdeng]

My family and I are planning relocation to a different part of the world (from Europe to Asia), and likely I'll be forced to pick a minimum set of tools to 'fly with me'.

So after a few years of working on DIY car repairs, and accumulating not an insignificant amount of tools (many are old Britool or Facom, with some used/new Snap On ones which I acquired at good prices) - I'm thinking hard on what would be considered 'absolute minimum tools' - again, just for weekend car repairs every now and then.

The tools that come on top of my mind are:
- standard open/ring ratcheting spanners (8mm to 19mm)
- flare nut spanners
- deep offset double ring spanners (I have all sizes from 8mm to 36mm)
- aviation 15 degree offset extra long double ring spanners (8mm~20mm), for really awkward clearance
- 3/8 ratchets (regular, and extra long flex), 3/8 sockets (standard, hex/allen, torx and E-sockets sets)
- 1/4 ratchet, 1/4 standard sockets
- 1/2 ratchet, 1/2 sockets set (chrome only, as impacts are too heavy),
- 1/2 to 3/4 socket adopter (if needed I can buy 3/4 sockets again, as these are much heavier)
- pliers (regular, needle nose, long reach, plus either 30 or 90 degree angled)
- breaker bar (would not want a cheap replacement bar that may snap)
- 4" pipe (I have an offcut piece of titanium pipe which is not heavy)
- Allen keys
- Stubby screwdrivers

I think the above would total to something like 20KG or so, which can 'fly with me' as checked in luggage. Also I consider offset ring spanners are more important than impact wrenches for accessing really awkwardly located fasteners. And I don't mind 'hand ratchet' given my DIY projects.

(I've excluded these tools which I plan to sell prior to relating: 1/2 electric impact, 1/2 impact sockets, 3/4 ratchet, 3/4 sockets, regular screwdrivers, prybars, hammers, and of course, jack/jack stands/wheel chocks...)

Your thoughts? Am I missing anything critical that should be a good quality make that I'll struggle to replace in Asia? Or am I trying to take too much with me?

Cheers
Namo Amituofo

 

[ez-duzit]

One 6-way screwdriver.

 

[sberry]

None of those wrenches would be flying. Would have a set of common combo and vise grips, small socket sets, pliers and the bits. I got a Bud overseas bought an inverter welder, cost like 100 there and 250 maybe here. I like the 6 in 1 idea for this kind of venture.
If you find you cant live without have a box shipped. My bet you can buy as needed easier and cheaper. I got a Bud who is a mechanic of sorts, can take a Harley carb apart with a screwdriver and he doesnt pack it all up, he got a little collection of **** there but all bought local and doesnt wanna go half way around the world to mechanic on junk.
Different if someone is paying you but send me to another country and I aint packing tools. Might be a slightly different matter if you are shacking up rural and want to salvage but most of them places work so cheap not worth it.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Personally I think you should dump the wrenches, the sockets, pipe, breaker bar, allen keys, and screw drivers.

Get a nice extended length 3/8" ratchet. Keep your torx, e-torx, hex, and other sockets like that since they can sometimes be hard to find. Get a high quality adjustable wrench. A decent multi-bit screwdriver set. And finally keep some decent quality pliers - probably a needle nose, a knipex cobra and a pair of vice grips maybe?

You could probably fit all that in your pocket if you had to?

Sockets, breaker bars, and wrenches are all pretty cheap and easy to get nearly anywhere. They won't be the best quality but they'll do the trick. You can find a pipe anywhere too. Its harder to find a nice ratchet and all the random torx bits etc.

 

[username2]

Obviously it depends on the person's needs.

I've always wanted to put together a set that deals with every fastener on a 1969 Camaro and a 1970 Mustang since it seems like I'm forever doomed to own 302 Camaros and 302 with Cleveland head Mustangs. Partial sets of wrenches/sockets only. I expect it would produce a tool kit that fit into a little bitty hand box given the lack of bolt head sizes.

 

[Dustball]

I think the above would total to something like 20KG or so, which can 'fly with me' as checked in luggage.

As someone who flies for service work, most of what you listed would not be allowed in carry-on baggage. You'd have to bring tools in checked baggage.

I'd say take your hard to find tools with you and buy the more common tools at your destination.

 

[American Locomotive]

Absolute bare minimum?

- 1 set of metric combination wrenches (open and ring end)
- 3/8" drive set of sockets (a lot lighter than 1/2", and will fit in most places that a 1/4" drive set would also work. Although I understand 3/8" drive may be less common in the UK then it is here in the US)
- Specialty sockets/tools (hex keys, torx, etc..)
- Screwdrivers if they're nice
- Pliers, vise-grips, Knipex Pliers Wrench (this tool is seriously a god-send)

The kit that stays in my truck is a basic Stanley 3/8" socket set with a few wrenches, a single pair of vise grips, and a Knipex Pliers Wrench. I have been able to do basically any emergency road-side repair with those tools.

Having 4 different sets of wrenches, a breaker bar and a cheaper pipe is just too much. You can find a cheater anywhere.

 

[leoxdeng]

Thanks lot guys for the replies. I omitted to say I plan to bring a pair or two of vise grips (I have the Peterson ones which are just unmatchable).

And I’ll bring my extra long 3/8 flex ratchet for sure.

I’m still holding my offset ring spanners/wrenches quite close to my heart - there have been those occasions only these would fit on well hidden/recessed bolts near the subframe - the thinnest sockets would not fit in, so my impact wrench and ratchets were useless.


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[alfazer]

Knipex Cobra. Bondhus fold-out Hex and Torx key sets.

But if you believe all you see on YouTube, an Asian mechanic only needs a hammer, rope, pipe and a pair of flip-flops.

 

[sberry]

Asia is big, gonna be living in a hotel, in a house, a palace? A base. You know you will be working on stuff? I can see living places a guy has absolutely no use for it. You gonna be working on tight spaces and clunkers?
Despite what I do I cant think packing a bunch of hand tools for an international move would be my first thought. I can stay home and work on junk if its 3rd world, if its a top end hobby then shipping some **** when I got there might be practical? Is someone paying to relocate me or am I just moving in the wind?

 

[sberry]

I have flown with tool box in checked baggage back in the day. I needed it when I got there. Was modest, gave or tossed everything I didnt need and really amounted to a heavy tool belt. I got a hammer when I got there, might even have found one. When I work in the trades I often didnt have much but a handful of stuff and if I needed something got it. Even working jackleg usually didnt have much. If a guy is going in to engine removal and repair then its a different matter, he needs more true mechanic tools but diy, buy a set of econo combo when you have to.
If I had to might be able to trade thee 3 drivers for a 6 in 1 and could get rid of the hammer for travel. When I add to this its a 12 adjustable and 18 alum pipe wrench.

 

[m6z]

If you've already invested in quality tools, just pay the checked baggage fee and take it all with you.

But, if you've got the means to just buy everything new when you get where you are going, do it. New tools!

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[leoxdeng]

Knipex Cobra came up multiple times - I do have a pair for my ‘plumbing kit’ but every now and then they find good use on car jobs - so I’ll pack al least one of these!

Vise grips - thinking one small size plus one big size.

And very good shout for the combo/multi-bit screwdrivers - though think most of these are Asian made anyway.

Now, some of the tools I bought because of some hellish experience with not having the right tools (like my 3/8 long flex ratchet and some extra long offset ring spanners) - which made a 5min job to 2hrs abuse of drift hammering and abuse of my knuckles... so both practically and sentimentally these have their places in my tool box


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[leoxdeng]

If you've already invested in quality tools, just pay the checked baggage fee and take it all with you.

But, if you've got the means to just buy everything new when you get where you are going, do it. New tools!

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I guess cheap new tools are almost never better than old quality ones - unless paying $$$ to buy the best quality (probably talking about made in USA / Germany / France + hefty import duties) [emoji6]

So would rather pay something like 50 quid for an extra piece of 23KG checked in luggage!

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[Charles Waugh]

Certainly take a Leatherman Wave+
I've had a Wave on my hip for 30 years - even in a dress suit or tux!

I use mine probably 10 times a day minimum, even when I'm just at my desk all day.

 

[richfinn]

I guess cheap new tools are almost never better than old quality ones - unless paying $$$ to buy the best quality (probably talking about made in USA / Germany / France + hefty import duties) [emoji6]

So would rather pay something like 50 quid for an extra piece of 23KG checked in luggage!

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It depends where your going in Asia??

What brands of cars your going to be fixing??

Ko-Ken/KTC and Vessel in Japan all make excellent world class tools, and could be readily available

 

[dogdog]

save the rare ones and unfortunately you'll have to buy as needed at designation, better that way since you don't know what car you will be getting or working on.

or find a freight shipper and send all of them .... if it is something relocating permanent.

but if you were to absolutely insist.

I did say a good set of wrenches metric 10-19mm 3/8 1/2 sockets 10-22mm a multi screw driver, and vise grip. Bring the cheap ones if it is just your temporary stay.

as far as tools.... it's a tool, the knowledge is in the fool.... any decent tool would have done the job fine.