Essential Tools Every Mechanic Needs


Written by: Toolsmith Direct

When trying to assemble a mechanics tool set, there are a few essentials that everyone needs. You will first need to know whether your car uses US standard or metric units of measurement. This will dictate everything about the tools you buy. The simplest way to check this is to figure out whether your car is foreign or domestic. Once you’ve figured out the measurement, your next step is to buy the essentials.

Wrenches

A quality set of wrenches will last a life time, and it’s amazing how often people forget these very basic automotive tools. Torque wrenches are useful if you want to do the same job by expending less energy, and torque sets may enable you to reach areas you can’t reach with a manual wrench.

Ratchets

With ratchets, it’s important to get three basic sizes. The ¼”, 3/8” and ½” are all useful to have. Most starter ratchet sets have these sizes, but you will need to purchase them individually if yours does not.

Sockets

An impact socket set is useful for tasks around the house, in addition to the many uses you can find for your car. With a socket set, you can replace a tail light on your car or tighten the bolts on a bed in your home. You should also make sure your sockets come in the same basic sizes as your ratchets.

Screwdrivers

Deciding which kind of screwdriver is the biggest challenge with these sets. Stubbed screwdrivers are crucial for working in tight spaces, so it’s helpful to have at least one in a size you will need. Long screwdrivers with a skinny body have a tendancy to break, so be careful putting too much stress on them while you work. You may also need a screwdriver with a star shaped head to remove sensors, or unfasten other specially threaded screws.

Pliers

Whether you are changing the hoses in your car, or doing work to your brakes, pliers are a necessary apparatus to get the job done. Needle nose pliers can help you strip the casing off of a wire to fix a short, or assist in rewiring a car stereo. Vice grips are very helpful when removing hoses, because they clamp down. You can also use them to hold up the hood of your car if the hydraulics have failed.

Hammer

Sometimes the best course of action is to give something a good whack. A ball pein hammer has the weight you need, with the surface area to get a proper strike. It sounds prehistoric, but sometimes it really works.

Cleaning Supplies

The final component is cleaning supplies. After a day spent wrist deep in the internals of your car, you’re bound to pick up some grime. Shop towels are handy to clean your hands, with pumice soap for hard-to-remove stains. An air compressor can also come in handy as a method to blow away debris, but you should have a shop vacuum around for the real dirty work too.