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Must Have Tools

bcradio

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2012
Messages
6,017
Location
New Mexico
For me it would be a complete set of impact tools, impact sockets (of all kinds), and powered ratchets.

Makes EVERYTHING easier.
 
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doan

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2012
Messages
585
Location
Frisco, TX
Angle grinder (cordless even better)

Cordless impact driver (1/4 hex)

Air angle die grinder.
 

Aberdale

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
1,380
Location
Ohio
For me, a bigger hammer to use on my ratchet, a pipe to slip over my wrenches, and some really good screwdrivers to use as chisels.
 

earlthegoat2

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
877
Location
SE GA
An actual good tap and die set. For me it doubles as a thread restorer since I have bunged up enough so called thread restorers for me to have no confidence in them anymore. Then again I deal with pretty mangled holes sometimes.

To compliment this would be an actual good drill set.

If you use cheap **** taps and dies and drills then do yourself a favor and work towards some nicer ones.
 

Tonyuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2017
Messages
1,539
Location
Scotland
Long pliers, telescopic magnet, long breaker bar, wood chisel as a scraper, penetrating oil, wire + plastic brush assortment, left-turn drill bits, big hammer, anti seize, silicone + ceramic grease, torque wrench, extensions and wobble joints, jack + stands, safety glasses + mask, head torch + work light, medium pry bar, cheap flathead screwdrivers, bungee cords and hooks, catch pans, towels, decent gloves and hand cleaner.

A few things that i consider essential for working on cars, there are others of course. You don't know what you need to work on cars until you actually start doing it. You'll always come across a situation (every few days at least) where you'll wish you had something else.
 

jonshonda

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 17, 2017
Messages
4,731
Location
Wisconsin
What happened to a hammer, wd-40, and duct tape?


I have found I typically buy tools based on need, not desire. If I have a project coming up (I am a DIY shade tree mechanic type) I try to plan ahead for tool requirements. What I have found is tools you use a lot like hammers, screwdrivers, ratchets, bench vise....etc, you should invest time into research and spend money where needed. I buy cheap stuff when I don't plan on using it often, but sometimes later find I use it more then I thought I would and it just ends up ******* me off in the long run. Good example is a harbor freight heat gun. It works 100% of the time, but the cord on that thing is such a royal pain I almost despise using it.
 
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theoldwizard1

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,076
Location
SE MI
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.

You must have much stronger hands than I do ! Never had that problem with my HF ones.
 

DonglordActual

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
76
Location
Wichita, KS
A parts bin organizer (it usually takes two big ones), painter's tape, and a marker for carburetor part numbering so you can match all the pieces to their number in the manual and not forget or lose a piece and have to take it all back apart again. Best $8 I ever spent to prevent me from throwing it all at the wall.
 

BDT/NWMN

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 22, 2012
Messages
3,762
Location
Erskine, Mn
One of those contraptions that lifts the car so they can be walked under.. I used them when working in dealerships. It was nice when I didn't have to pretend to be a worm when working under a car.
 

crewchief888

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
13,736
Location
NW indiana
What happened to a hammer, wd-40, and duct tape?


I have found I typically buy tools based on need, not desire. If I have a project coming up (I am a DIY shade tree mechanic type) I try to plan ahead for tool requirements. What I have found is tools you use a lot like hammers, screwdrivers, ratchets, bench vise....etc, you should invest time into research and spend money where needed. I buy cheap stuff when I don't plan on using it often, but sometimes later find I use it more then I thought I would and it just ends up ******* me off in the long run. Good example is a harbor freight heat gun. It works 100% of the time, but the cord on that thing is such a royal pain I almost despise using it.


especially over the past 20 years or so, i dont "desire" much tool wise.
if the need arises i'll buy tools for work, not too many purchases (workwise) are in that category. most of my more recent purchases were to add to my garage tools, or add to my limited woodworking stuff..
it's always a trade off, price/value/usage....

i'm well along on the downhill side of my professional wrenching career...


:beer:
 

Hytekrednek

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 6, 2015
Messages
373
A good brain, and thumbs!

A pistol and a permit to carry are always with me if I leave the house. They are close by when in the house.

I keep a very good surefire flashlight on my key ring so when I am not home, I will always have a good light source. Love my surefire headlamp, but it is not always with me when I need some light.

A sharp, good quality pocket knife is a must. It is also handy to keep a lesser knife close by for those jobs that would destroy your edge on your good knife.
 

R-mm

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 24, 2013
Messages
420
Brass and steel drift set cold chisel set and plastic prybar set.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

unslow1

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Messages
7,879
Location
Illinois
One of those contraptions that lifts the car so they can be walked under.. I used them when working in dealerships. It was nice when I didn't have to pretend to be a worm when working under a car.

I know what you mean. It's so hard to get motivated to do much once you lose the lift. The place I have currently has 7ft ceiling clearance.
 

natejohn

Active member
Joined
May 27, 2017
Messages
31
Location
Vancouver, BC
Snap-On 4-Way Angle Wrenches. These buggers are worth their weight in gold when you're dealing with hydraulics. Love mine.
 
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