what's missing from my tools for automotive work?

[homec]

I'm trying to round out my tools because I have to plan the drawer layout in a Pelican 0450 (a mobile mechanic's chest that was designed for the army) that I ordered. The foam will cost me $100 and I don't want to have to re-order/re-cut the layout a bunch of times. I need to get everything in there that I can.

There are seven 19"x11" drawers in it, so not unlimited space compared to guys with the luxury of a big chest. It's not going to be able to hold everything I own or would want to own, but I want it to hold most of the stuff I'll use frequently, especially the small bits and pieces that are easily lost if not properly organized.

If anyone that's experienced in automotive could point out stuff I'm missing, that would be appreciated. In terms of scope, the only thing I won't be touching any time soon is the transmission, or really anything I couldn't get done in a 3 day weekend. I do intend to do suspension work and all the regular maintenance and repairs. Also trying to stay away from specialty tools No room to put them in the box. I have inner tie rod removal tool, but no intention of putting it in because it's only used for one thing...


This is what i own as far as mechanic's tools are concerned:
Sockets, Ratchets etc

JH Williams Chrome 3/8" drive 20 piece 6-point shallow
JH Williams Chrome 3/8" drive 19 piece 6-point shallow
JH Williams MSMD-12HRC Chrome 1/4" 12 piece 6-point deep
JH Williams MSM-12HRC Chrome 1/4" 12 piece 6-point shallow
Sunex 2569 1/2-Inch Drive Metric Master Impact Socket Set, 43-Piece
Canadian Tire Maximum 1/2" shallow/deep.
Some shortish chrome extensions up to 8"
Sunex Master set includes impact extensions up to 15"
1/2" breaker bar
GearWrench 120xp set (1/2, 3/8, 1/4, 3/8 stubby)

Wrenches
Wright Tool No-758 7mm-24mm Combination wrenches
SK Tool 378 9-21 mm Flare nut wrench set

Screwdrivers
JH Williams Slotted and Phillips sets

Pliers
Knipex 8603180 7-Inch Pliers Wrench
Knipex 8701250 10-Inch Cobra Pliers
Knipex 7401200SBA 8-Inch High Leverage Diagonal Cutters
Knipex 2611200 8-Inch Long Nose Pliers with Cutter
Knipex 1301614SBA 6.25-Inch Electricians' Pliers
Knipex Tools 28 71 280 11" Extra Long Needle Nose Pliers, Straight
Channelock, a set of 3 slip-joint pliers, but have been replacing with Knipex;

Hammers
Vaughan 8,16,24oz ball pein
2 & 3lbs Estwing drilling hammers

Torque Wrenches
Mastercraft Maximum 1/2" 50-250ft/lbs torque wrench
Mastercraft Maximum 3/8" 50-250in/lbs

Other

Fluke 117 Electricians True RMS Multimeter
Mayhew Dominator Hook and pick sets (normal, radiator, and mini set)
Mayhew Dominator straight Pry bars up to 18"
Fasterner remover
interior removal tools

Stuff I realize I'm missing:
Crowfoot 10-19mm open
Crowfoot 10-19mm flare
1/2" impact wrench
Deadblow hammers

thanks

 

[Tallpilot]

Snap-ring pliers, thread chasers, Torx and hex sockets, XZN if you have Euro cars.

 

[Modern Garage]

I'm trying to picture the most used tools in my box.
You probably don't need that many hammers. I have a six and eight oz ball peens and a four pound maul. I see you already mentioned a dead blow or soft hammer, but no chisel or punches. Just leave some room for a few and pick them up at flea markets to get some old hard ones for less money if you can wait.
You'll be looking for Torx drivers. Probably screwdriver style, although I use a set of sockets on my cordless impact driver a lot too. I use 10,15,20,30 drivers, and 45,50 sockets the most but it depends on the cars and jobs you're doing.
I use a plain old six inch combination pliers about as often as any of my longer Channelocks, and some locking pliers ( Visegrips) will be awfully useful.I use four and eight inch and a four inch needle nose pretty often. I've tried different brands but Visegrips seem best.
Your Fluke is a good choice but I use an old fashioned twelve volt test light pretty often too. You simply have to be aware of what you're testing. Most circuits are current protected so you're not likely to hurt anything but you need to be aware of what your tool is doing. Often it's nice to have a little current load when testing power supply and ground circuits. A couple of jumper leads are useful too. I make my own from lamp cord and alligator clips.
I'll think about it more tomorrow at work and add some more ideas.
Joe

 

[M_George]

It never fails, there will always be something you will need to run out for.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Stuff you might want to get - bit sockets (hex and torx), Robertson screwdrivers (if you are in Canada), a wire strippers with more sizes than the Knipex Electricians pliers you have listed, a test light, and a 24" prybar. You'll be buying specialty tools whether you like it or not depending on what jobs you want to do.

 

[PFSard]

I wouldn't know how to answer that, but ... try this thread for more ideas.

Basic Automotive Tools
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352984

 

[sweet victory]

I would add swivel/universal sockets. Get a dedicated crimper as well.

 

[Moose Legs]

#2 pozidrive screwdriver, doesn’t show up too often, but often enough that it can become a PITA if you don’t have one.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Elbow Grease

 

[alfazer]

A set of oil filter cup wrenches.

 

[Wamsutta]

You need spin handles in both 1/4 and 3/8 drive. Unless you enjoy starting nuts and bolts with your bare fingers, you need spin handles. And just to clarify, I don't mean speed handles.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Snap On ratcheting screwdriver with as many different bits you can fit in the handle.

 

[FlaGman]

I have a Power Probe 3 and have found it invaluable for quickly tracing electrical problems.

 

[trackwelder]

Picks, magnetic pick up tool

 

[4Kings]

Safety glasses... first thing I always pick up

 

[5ktq]

A mirror is often pretty useful on cars. hex keys. hose clamp pliers

 

[testwerke]

Hex and torx sockets! They’re everywhere on my euro car

 

[orangeblood]

Elbow Grease

^ That is rare stuff and hard to find these days

 

[ChaseDE]

Impact screwdriver for rotors screws and other PITA situations.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I find a meter with a current clamp to come in handy. I've taken to keeping a Uni-T 210e next to my Fluke 117.

 

[R_einan]

Brass drifts, taper/alignment punches, pin punches, and feeler gauges are all invaluable in my opinion. Also, brake tools if you are working on drums. Could replace the taper/alignment punches with rolling head pry bars if so inclined, I’ve used them nearly interchangeably. I would not necessarily get crows foot sets unless they are needed, a flex head ratcheting wrench set might be more useful.

 

[homec]

for the snap ring pliers, what should i get, specifically? Knipex has just about a million different types of them. Can anyone provide a specific rec there? Ditto for the hose clamp pliers.

For hex and torx sockets, will I ever see them on American/Japanese cars, or just Euro? I'm in a ford suv right now. Next car going to be an f150, a toyota 4runner, or a jeep. I go back and forth. At some point I will buy a new house with a garage, but realistically it'll be in 5-10 years when my is done school. If I will legitimately never use something it doesn't belong in box right now.

 

[Rabid Badger]

for the snap ring pliers, what should i get, specifically? Knipex has just about a million different types of them. Can anyone provide a specific rec there?

For a portable kit I would look at one of the multi-purpose pairs with interchangeable tips. Channellock makes one that you can typically get for under $30.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Tire air pressure gauge, tire tread depth gauge, 6" ruler, tape measure, magic marker, pry bars, caliper, flashlight

 

[R_einan]

for the snap ring pliers, what should i get, specifically? Knipex has just about a million different types of them. Can anyone provide a specific rec there? Ditto for the hose clamp pliers.

For hex and torx sockets, will I ever see them on American/Japanese cars, or just Euro? I'm in a ford suv right now. Next car going to be an f150, a toyota 4runner, or a jeep. I go back and forth. At some point I will buy a new house with a garage, but realistically it'll be in 5-10 years when my is done school. If I will legitimately never use something it doesn't belong in box right now.

My 90s Chevy cars used hex bolts on the caliper slides, and my Harley’s have had a mixture of hex and torx, almost nothing is a straight bolt. Fords use torx for seat belt bolts commonly.

 

[sberry]

I agree, don't need all the hammers in a road kid, do need the bits, don't carry crows in mine, don't carry flares. You need 7 and 10 R vise grips. 440 Channelok. Agree with mirror and magnet. Never used a filter wrench on road. Don't need a deadblow and don't carry torque wrenches. Wire stripper and Stanley razor knife.

 

[Tallpilot]

https://www.jbtoolsales.com/knipex-...MIz9Og7sL-3AIVDVgNCh3Y4QhcEAQYAiABEgKzDfD_BwE

Probably a better price somewhere else. The Lang rebrands are cheaper but these are really the best besides the very expensive forged Snap-on.


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Knipex-K...2769&wl11=online&wl12=379873627&wl13=&veh=sem

Again most likely not the best price but nothing beats these for modern hoses and retainers.

 

[R_einan]

https://www.jbtoolsales.com/knipex-...MIz9Og7sL-3AIVDVgNCh3Y4QhcEAQYAiABEgKzDfD_BwE

Probably a better price somewhere else. The Lang rebrands are cheaper but these are really the best besides the very expensive forged Snap-on.


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Knipex-K...2769&wl11=online&wl12=379873627&wl13=&veh=sem

Again most likely not the best price but nothing beats these for modern hoses and retainers.

That knipex set is bomb, I have never been happier with a snap ring plier set! Much better than convertibles or replaceable tip styles. You might need a lock ring plier as well (sk 7630) used for retaining rings on shafts, sometimes found in hubs, brakes, and transmissions.

 

[homec]

I agree, don't need all the hammers in a road kid, do need the bits, don't carry crows in mine, don't carry flares. You need 7 and 10 R vise grips. 440 Channelok. Agree with mirror and magnet. Never used a filter wrench on road. Don't need a deadblow and don't carry torque wrenches. Wire stripper and Stanley razor knife.

to be clear, this isn't a "road kit". I'm buying the pelican because I haven't seen anything better for moving 7+1 drawers worth of tools around. This is just my way of stuffing as many tools as possible into a mobile chest that I can haul out to the driveway to work on cars because it's a PITA to keep going up and down from basement for tools.

I can still get a small chest for the basement to put less frequently used tools like an inner tie rod tool, pullers, different weight hammers, but I want all the frequently used stuff in the pelican case that I can easily move to the driveway.

 

[homec]

https://www.jbtoolsales.com/knipex-...MIz9Og7sL-3AIVDVgNCh3Y4QhcEAQYAiABEgKzDfD_BwE

Probably a better price somewhere else. The Lang rebrands are cheaper but these are really the best besides the very expensive forged Snap-on.


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Knipex-K...2769&wl11=online&wl12=379873627&wl13=&veh=sem

Again most likely not the best price but nothing beats these for modern hoses and retainers.

Yes, I love Knipex more than it is reasonable to love any tools. I have some other brand pliers, including channelock, but I've been replacing all of them with Knipex. I will order that set.

 

[Finky198]

I have the same box if you want to look at some pics. I personally did away with the foam as I just ran out of room...... I'll get back to this later with info im at the shop, but I'd be happy to answer any question... a pictures worth a 1000 words right

My most used tools, mainly hand tools remain in the pelican which as of now include 1/4", 3/8" chrome sockets, ratchets, extensions and accs, picks, punches, chisels, scrapers, cutting implements, pliers, adjustable wrenches, vise grips , screwdrivers + hex and torx keys. That's pretty much all that fits. I recently made more room, but haven't yet decided what to fill it with... Any other tools 1/2" drive stuff, hammers, pry bar, wrenches, impacts, Air tools, Brake tools, specialty tools all reside out side the box....

It's a great box, but it def has some serious size and weight limitations.
I think I have about maxed out the box at 150+ lbs as its not easily
mobile without an extra set of hands...

My tool cart thread has plenty of pics ill try to find some more as well...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335578

Show us your tool box thread setup before the cart was built...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5890339&postcount=19481


In use

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=394979

 

[Copymutt]

A couple of small led flashlights
Ear plugs
Laser temp gun (a must)
Boroscope
Auto stethoscope
A few jumper wires w/ clips
Brake tools, spoon and pliers, tubing bender, double flaring tool.
A good assortment of files
Timing light
3/4 drive socket set, with breaker bar & reducer, to 1/2" .this will pay for its <$200.00 cost the first use.
Flexible tubing to listen for vacuum leaks.
A cold fridge for beer and a decent sound system

 

[homec]

I have the same box if you want to look at some pics. I personally did away with the foam as I just ran out of room...... I'll get back to this later with info im at the shop, but I'd be happy to answer any question... a pictures worth a 1000 words right

My most used tools, mainly hand tools remain in the pelican which as of now include 1/4", 3/8" chrome sockets, ratchets, extensions and accs, picks, punches, chisels, scrapers, cutting implements, pliers, adjustable wrenches, vise grips , screwdrivers + hex and torx keys. That's pretty much all that fits. I recently made more room, but haven't yet decided what to fill it with... Any other tools 1/2" drive stuff, hammers, pry bar, wrenches, impacts, Air tools, Brake tools, specialty tools all reside out side the box....

It's a great box, but it def has some serious size and weight limitations.
I think I have about maxed out the box at 150+ lbs as its not easily
mobile without an extra set of hands...

My tool cart thread has plenty of pics ill try to find some more as well...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335578


Show us your tool box thread setup before the cart was built...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5890339&postcount=19481


In use

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=394979

Cool. Do you move your box or just leave it horizontal on that cart? I could imagine that without the foam, if you actually put it vertical to roll it, any organization inside the drawers would quickly go to hell.

 

[chrismenke]

Do you need 3/8? Can you get by with 1/4 and 1/2? Trying to think of keeping the weight manageable.

 

[Tallpilot]

That knipex set is bomb, I have never been happier with a snap ring plier set! Much better than convertibles or replaceable tip styles. You might need a lock ring plier as well (sk 7630) used for retaining rings on shafts, sometimes found in hubs, brakes, and transmissions.

Good suggestion. I have this type:

http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i..._Proto®-Lock-Ring-"Horseshoe"-Washer-Pliers/#

I am not sure which style is better but it is much easier for the retaining rings without holes than screwing around with needle nose.

 

[Tallpilot]

Yes, I love Knipex more than it is reasonable to love any tools. I have some other brand pliers, including channelock, but I've been replacing all of them with Knipex. I will order that set.

I'm a pretty big fan too. The pliers wrench is way better than any old school adjustable. Their dykes and nippers are excellent. The only thing I prefer Snap-on for is needle nose. The talon grip are awesome for grabbing and twisting tasks as opposed to fine jewelry making type work.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00065TGQI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Try these for drum or parking brake springs. They are awesome!

A couple of small led flashlights
Ear plugs
Laser temp gun (a must)
Boroscope
Auto stethoscope
A few jumper wires w/ clips
Brake tools, spoon and pliers, tubing bender, double flaring tool.
A good assortment of files
Timing light
3/4 drive socket set, with breaker bar & reducer, to 1/2" .this will pay for its <$200.00 cost the first use.
Flexible tubing to listen for vacuum leaks.
A cold fridge for beer and a decent sound system

Good suggestions except I am at a loss for what one does with a timing light in 2018??

 

[Polo_Karl]

for the snap ring pliers, what should i get, specifically? Knipex has just about a million different types of them. Can anyone provide a specific rec there? Ditto for the hose clamp pliers.

For hex and torx sockets, will I ever see them on American/Japanese cars, or just Euro? I'm in a ford suv right now. Next car going to be an f150, a toyota 4runner, or a jeep. I go back and forth. At some point I will buy a new house with a garage, but realistically it'll be in 5-10 years when my is done school. If I will legitimately never use something it doesn't belong in box right now.

I have run into Torx on Ford E150 belt tensioners and on Cadillac brake rotors.

 

[Tanro]

Lisle Spill free Funnel
3 Jaw Pullers
P/S Pulley set, OTC makes one.
Quick Disconnect Tools (Lisle, OTC)
Magnet Trays
Jump Starter
Scan Tool
Battery Charger
Ball Joint Press
Front End Service Kit (OTC makes them, or your can take a chance on the harbor freight one)
Air Hammer
Die Grinder
Pad Spreader
Brake Caliper hangers (I just bent some metal rod instead of paying for them)
Clamps
Serpentine belt tools
Back probe pins
Aligator clips (test leads)
Fused jumpers
Noid Lights
Test Light.

Thats just stuff I use on a weekly basis you dont have listed.

 

[sberry]

A simple cart or chest for this kind of thing. I don't remember what the Bird case is but foam and all is not for this. A box with **** thrown in it does the same, cheaper, easier, adaptable.

 

[Finky198]

Cool. Do you move your box or just leave it horizontal on that cart? I could imagine that without the foam, if you actually put it vertical to roll it, any organization inside the drawers would quickly go to hell.

I don’t move it as often now, I currently have the top lid removed for easy access to my sockets on my cart. I’d say I can pack it up and my other stuff in about 10-20 min and hit the road. I have a job coming up soon where I’ll be doing this, but I will have air and electric on site...

It’s packed so full nothing moves an inch

With box in tow as far as basics goes I add hammers, Pry bars, Wrench Rolls, 1/2” drive and any other specialty tools to a large tool bag, hand carry box, and or a pelican 1610 case.

I relized my first link wasn’t working those pic towards the end are most recent.

Can’t wait to see what you come up with...