Tools you couldn't live without

[jayjay9002]

building up my box and I'm not into SO Mac or matco stuff I honestly cannot afford this stuff so I have to go for used or cheaper stuff craftsman, duracraft,etc. what are some quintessential tools you'd die without?


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[Bikes&Bowties]

Makita impact driver. Impact wrench. Impact wobbles/joints. Extensions, including long ones! Seal puller, the usual socket and wrench sets of course. Every long flex head ratchet matco (or Armstrong on the cheaper side) makes. These are things I use daily, or you just need them when you need them and nothing else would work

 

[murphaayyy]

air ratchet with out a doubt. my ingersoll 3/8 has been going strong with good abuse, oil daily. i know its a diff drive but my SO 1/4 started to act up after only 2 months with similar abuse, just on smaller bolts. i definitely push them hard, would recommend ingersoll for sure at the price.

if you got air ratchets, then my next bet would be a 3/8 universal socket set, i got JH williams 8mm - 19mm (no 9mm) but my coworker did get a smaller set by kobalt for like 15 bucks. i think it was a promotion but lifetime warranty, cant beat that price.

this is assuming your trying to get done in good time. if your a weekend warrior you probably dont need those things.

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

Universals all the way.

 

[dirtydogintex]

What are you going to be working on?

Different types of work require different tools.

 

[ddo]

My top ten:
Knipex cobra
Knipex plierwrench
Bahco reversible pipe wrench adjustable combo 9070,9071,9072,9073 rp series
Klein 10 fold multi bit screwdriver / nutdriver
Wera zyklops
Nice dykes - knipex twinforce / nws fantastico
Snap on dual 80 flex head 3/8 ratchet
Battery powered electric impact. I use makita 18v
Gearwrench quadbox
Flexhead ratchet wrenches

 

[Hammell]

Milwaukee cordless 1/2 electric impact. Ive already lived too long with out it, now that I have it theres no going back.

 

[Fedwrench]

Tools come and go but, the one tool that remains constant is my alexander made freebie pocket screwdriver from a tool truck. my current one is labeled cornwell. I could not release a connector, open a parts box, pry a trim panel, or poke at things without it. I probably reach for it more than my cart load of tools.

 

[supra90turbo]

Fedwrench, that's so true it almost hurts.
I could live without an air ratchet, in fact, I do. I find them bulky, loud, and slow.

I would suggest u-joints as well

 

[Lippyp]

Ratchet spanners (wrenches) only got a set a couple of years ago but they make doing up those awkward nuts that you can't get a socket on so much easier.

 

[jayjay9002]

My top ten:
Knipex cobra
Knipex plierwrench
Bahco reversible pipe wrench adjustable combo 9070,9071,9072,9073 rp series
Klein 10 fold multi bit screwdriver / nutdriver
Wera zyklops
Nice dykes - knipex twinforce / nws fantastico
Snap on dual 80 flex head 3/8 ratchet
Battery powered electric impact. I use makita 18v
Gearwrench quadbox
Flexhead ratchet wrenches

Posted from Garagejournal.com App for Android

 

[IngyHere]

The Wiha ESD safe 273-series Precision Set #27399. I use these small jewelers screwdrivers all the time, and I also work on electronics a lot. Awesome tools.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

everything I own so far.

 

[Ohmthis]

I see most people putting mechanic tools up. I do a lot of that, but the tool I can't live without is my 18v dewalt XRP battery drill. I've had it for 10 years now and when it finally goes I'll be jumping in the car and grabbing another one in a flash!!!

 

[robe5000]

everything I own so far.

 

[nanofrog]

Wiha Drive-loc System 4 & Drive-loc System 6 sets (adjustable length, interchangeable screwdrivers) for electronics use.

 

[Scout Driver]

Pick up a set of GearWrench ratcheting wrenches when they are deeply discounted.

Scott

 

[Grayguy]

Plasma and iron worker, going back to Fab work without them would be horrifying

 

[canuckian]

pocket knife, pocket screwdriver and a small adjustable wrench. just those 3 items have gotten me out of a few jams.

 

[wafrederick]

My Leatherman Charge,Knipex pliers and 3/8 drive air ratchet.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Kershaw leek, carry it in my pocket every day!

 

[IndyGarage]

Leatherman is in my pocket all the time.

Milwaukee V28 cordless set. I have nearly the entire set, and haven't needed corded tools since I got them. I suppose there are other cordless sets that would be OK, but this one has been fantastic for me. The only disappointment is that they didn't make an impact driver in v28(they do have an excellent impact wrench), so I have a V18 impact driver.

Good flashlight - streamlight, pelican, surefire or Fenix

good 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 socket sets. I have a bunch of sets, but my favorite set is the SK green box sets.

headlamp. I use them all the time.

Oh and I forgot to mention my Jawhorse! - I have two of them now the Jawhorse and a knockoff from tractor supply. They both work great.

 

[justanengineer]

b.f.h.

 

[young_buck]

a good adjustable, hex keys, breaker bar, swivel sockets,

a large number of magnetic pickup tools are always in my box and pocket screwdrivers are in every drawer of my box

 

[MG44]

SnapON PH3050 Air Hammer. I can't count how many jobs we couldn't complete without this air hammer.

 

[crewchief888]

hammer and a screwdriver.

i could probably take just about anything apart with them...


we've been thinking about having "wood chisel wednesday"

the only tools you would be able to use is a wood chisel and a claw hammer.

:tard:


yea......

we're pretty f'd up at our shop

 

[jvitez]

Lineman's, slip joint, and needle-nose pliers.

 

[Exceller8]

Snap-On slip joint pliers. I love Channellock but I just picked up a nice pair of Snap-On slip joint pliers and they are awesome! Buy them used if you have to.

I also couldn't live without my Victorinox Swisstool spirit.

 

[jethro29]

my s.o. air hammer.i use this thing for everthing from ball joints to exhaust work.it is badass.

 

[dgreen1069]

My Swiss Army Knife....more specifically, the mini scissors and screwdrivers get used more than anything in my toolbox.

 

[greasemonkey44]

10mm socket

 

[Dust]

Pocket screwdriver with a magnetic top, very closely followed by this:



I just had to buy another one after getting four years out of my first one. It probably would have lasted longer had I not pounded on it with a hammer and forced the tool into the handle.

 

[j.c.whitney]

Buy an LED Headlamp, I like the Icon Irix II at $20. Likely better ones now.
Forget the price, Snap On/Williams Ratcheting Screwdrivers are without peer and worth the price of admission. Optional bits @ $1.65 each and it will hold about 10 of them. Very handy and a go to tool on nearly every job around here.

 

[ClrkLndeKmt'su]

My iPhone.

From gps so I can find my next customer, to the camera to make sure I'm ordering the right parts, to the calendar so I can avoid missing appointments with customers.

My rain suit and Carhart bibs with a jacket.

It doesn't matter how nice my dual 80 ratchets are, when I can't feel them cause I'm too damn cold. Lol

I cOnsider these tools because I use them daily, and couldn't perform my job without them at all. For actual hand tools, Gearwrenches and extremely smooth action ratchets like the dual 80's, pick and hooks save my life on hydraulic packing, and ******* files.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Streamlight Knucklehead work light.

All other work lights are kids toys in comparison...


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MOEJWK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Exceller8]

Another tool I couldn't live without is an awl. I use it almost every single day, especially when I'm cleaning up old tools. I drilled a hole in my bench as a holder to keep it handy.

 

[transittech]

12 volt impact. Got soaked in ATF the other day, I almost panicked. Spent half an hour cleaning it up, works great still.

 

[jebutler]

Pocket screwdriver #1, they sure don't get any glory though do they.

 

[03protege]

Craftsman Pry bar set and Harbor Freight breaker bars, should set you back about $40 and is money well spent.

 

[czgunner]

Impact universal sockets, IR Hammerhead (air ratchet gathers dust now), Bosch driver, pocket screwdriver.