Must Have Tools

[MarkCollette]

For everyone that has been fixing cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc, what tool or tools do you now know you should have bought earlier in your career?

Cheers,

Mark

 

[M6erfan]

And cordless tools

 

[four.cycle]

... and a big-*** 1/2" drive breaker. (I worked only with 1/4" and 3/8" drive up until just a few years ago.)

 

[Dave455]

Long handled ratchet, flex head ratchet, universal sockets - all the stuff that makes access easier.

I was lucky coming from a general engineering background in that I always had access to air and air tools. When I work with folks who havn't, I don't know how they manage.

 

[jonti48310]

All of them!!!!!!

 

[unslow1]

Long breaker bar and ratcheting wrenches.

 

[Wrenchinfool]

I 2nd cordless tools and quality lighting

 

[RedneckWelder]

Flex heads quality ratchets, flex head long ratcheting wrenches, air and cordless tools, good lighting products (headlamps and work lights), quality pliers (like Knipex). Good tool organization and storage

Growing up we did it all with basic Craftsman and harbor freight tools all jumbled together but the innovative stuff available makes life a thousand times easier. We are truly in the golden age of tools vs the past.

 

[neuralsnafu]

Impact tools, probably could have saved days under a cor or under the hood ...

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[Heavy Metal Doctor]

All of them!!!!!!

The only "tool" I wish I had available to me 30 years sooner is the experience I have now which could have saved me tons of time and headaches, regardless of the hand / power tools available at the time.

 

[Druder]

An impact gun for anything automotive, I have a pretty basic set of tools compared to some here and I've never found a project I couldn't tackle.

 

[619DioFan]

And cordless tools

That same re-thread set has saved my **** so many times.

 

[SuitorsGarage]

The only "tool" I wish I had available to me 30 years sooner is the experience I have now which could have saved me tons of time and headaches, regardless of the hand / power tools available at the time.

Coupled with patience

 

[PassnThru]

Not automotive but you need one of these.

 

[geartow]

this

 

[brownbagg]

snap on three foot extension with 3/8 on one end and 1/2 drive on other. perfect tool for the top transmission bolts

 

[Fedwrench]

A laptop. It can serve as a platform for a scan tool, allow access to electronic service information, watch informative you tube videos, and order the latest parts & tools. A close second would the free pocket screwdriver tool trucks often give out. The Alexander made ones are best. It does everything from opening parts boxes, releasing connectors, removing trim items, and even clean your fingernails at the end of the day.

 

[atikovi]

this

Tap and die set does the same thing no?

 

[az45]

Tap and die set does the same thing no?

Tap and die cuts threads...this is for cleaning? Whats it called?

Thread chaser kits are a must have along with every electric tool you can afford.

1/4 die grinders get a work out in my shop.

 

[atikovi]

Wire brush for cleaning.

 

[WittHay]

I think its more of being aware of whats currently available. I wish I had powerful cordless tools a long time ago.

For me its the oddball tool purchases that make the difference. Like the outside thread chaser shown above. Used for cleaning up axle threads. Or the Grease Buster and the Air Comb cleaners for radiators and air filters pictured below

 

[Htscheg]

And cordless tools

This has been a godsend!

 

[WittHay]

Tap and die set does the same thing no?

Its called a outside threader chaser and is used for larger axles on trucks and trailers. You put it on the good threads and work out. Opposite of a retreading die

 

[ssdave]

Its called a outside threader chaser and is used for larger axles on trucks and trailers. You put it on the good threads and work out. Opposite of a retreading die

I picked up a Snap-on set last summer for $35 at a yard sale. Looked useful, but haven't had a use for it yet. Don't work on farm equipment anymore, would have been real handy then. Will be just the right thing for something in the future. If I can remember where it's stored.....

 

[Steven.astle.83]

My Hansen socket organizer trays- they have saved me from leaving sockets in cars or having to search for a particular socket because I can look at the tray and see if the set is complete in an instant. They also are compact and portable to set on a cowl or a service cart and have the complete set at your fingertips.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Its called a outside threader chaser and is used for larger axles on trucks and trailers. You put it on the good threads and work out. Opposite of a retreading die

The internal one is called a back tap, and is a godsend when you need it.

 

[MarkCollette]

Ok, I give up, what is it?

 

[crewchief888]

When all else fails, ya gotta have a BFH

 

[BK13]

Impact tools, probably could have saved days under a cor or under the hood ...

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Yeah, I broke a few bolts when I was younger just using a breaker bar. I think an impact might have removed them without collateral damage....


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[Bagherra]

YouTube

 

[riscal33]

A good bench vise, torch, air hammer and trusty's dead blow hammers

 

[theoldwizard1]

... and a big-*** 1/2" drive breaker.

50 years a shade tree wrench turning, I have NEVER had access to a puller of any kind ! One large enough to pull rotors or drums would have been useful at times, but I managed to get the off via other means !

I have not taken my 1/2" breaker bar out of the tool box for YEARS ! The only 1/2" drive stuff I seem to use is my Sunex flip lug nut set.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not at the top of the list, but I have found them very useful are

• Long handled needle nose pliers, especially the bent ones
• Long reach hose pliers (look like long needle nose, but have a loop on the end that grips hoses; usually a set of 3)

Don't waste you money buying the name brand names. The HF ones are fine.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Not at the top of the list, but I have found them very useful are

• Long handled needle nose pliers, especially the bent ones
• Long reach hose pliers (look like long needle nose, but have a loop on the end that grips hoses; usually a set of 3)

Don't waste you money buying the name brand names. The HF ones are fine.

Disagree. The longer handle is where the better pliers shine. For me, if I need to reach something I can't get without my hand or smaller pliers, then I need the tool to absolutely work, no exceptions. The cheap ones will bend, or the jaws will twist and lose grip on the item.

 

[Ben1967]

Cordless Impact!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Lisle exhaust hanger removal pliers

 

[majorbanjo]

I've got cordless sockets in metric and SAE....

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Probably have always been around but magnetic parts trays are fantastic.

 

[chris_1001]

Magnetic pick/retriever up tool AND one of the pronged retriever tools.

 

[fordnut85]

Disagree. The longer handle is where the better pliers shine. For me, if I need to reach something I can't get without my hand or smaller pliers, then I need the tool to absolutely work, no exceptions. The cheap ones will bend, or the jaws will twist and lose grip on the item.

Good point, I have a nice snappy set even though 90% of the time they get used to push the clips in on electrical connectors rather than any hoses lol

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