Added on August 2, 2019  The News Wheel

10 Must-Have Tools for Mechanics

In addition to skills, every mechanic needs the right tools for diagnosing and repairing vehicles. Most mechanics prefer having their own tools rather than borrowing. Those that work in automotive shops also prefer buying their own toolset since they don’t want to worry about misuse, loss, and neglect of tools. 

Additionally, some shops might not have enough specialty tools for all mechanics and this causes tool sharing which eventually leads to time wastage. If you are a mechanic, having your own toolbox is beneficial since you can work at any time. Furthermore, some automotive shops give their employees’ tool allowance.  

There are many tools that you need to build your tool collection. Start with basic tools before acquiring tools that you use once in a while. You can do additional reading on various categories of auto tools available on the market. You should note that you don’t need to buy all the tools in each category to successfully carry out car maintenance or repair. Just invest in a small set of tools that allow you to tackle various tasks. Let’s see some of the must-have tools for every mechanic. 

1)  Ratchet extender 

Sometimes you might want to loosen or tighten a bolt in unreachable areas of your engine compartment. Using a standard ratchet will often lead to frustration, time wastage, and you might even damage other components. The solution to this problem is to get a ratchet extender. This tool enables you to attach your ratchet on one end and then slap your socket on the other. With this extension, can easily reach any bolt in tight areas of your engine. It is a good idea to have both 3/8-inch and -inch drive ratchets and their sockets so that you can be able to work on different types of bolts.  

2) Needle scaler 

This tool has nineteen 1/8-inch needles which mill scare, remove rust and paint from metal surfaces. When running, the needles deliver up to 4,600 blows each minute. But it features an adjustable collar which allows you to fine-tune the force of the needles. You can use it to remove rust or paint from various parts of the vehicle before repainting. It is recommended to wear gloves and goggles or other eye protection gear when using the tool since it kicks up debris and dust particles which can cause eye injury. 

3) Spark plug pliers

Unlike conventional pliers, these ones have padded jaws which protect your spark plug boots and wires from damages. You just slide the jaws on the top part of your spark plug boot and then clamp down to get a firm grip. Twist and pull the spark plug to detach them from the engine. This tool doesn’t tear your spark plug boot since all the force is transferred to the strong metal clip in the boot. 

4) Mirror and magnet sets 

When working on the engine, you might drop some bolts, screws and other small parts in tight spaces. You have to retrieve the parts since you will need them at some point. In addition, they can get into sensitive parts of the engine and cause damages.  These tools allow you to retrieve the parts even if they are obstructed by other components. The telescoping handle has been designed to extend up to 25 inches and this is more than enough to reach tight spaces in the engine compartment. The kit also contains screw ends, one swivel magnet, fixed magnet heads, two swiveling mirrors, and two handles.  

5) Carbide-tipped scriber 

This is a handy tool when disassembling or reassembling parts. You can use it to mark each piece while disassembling complex components to minimize time wastage during reassembly. It has been designed to scratch various types of metal surfaces with ease. This enables you to write numbers or scratch alignment marks as you remove the parts.  

6) Flexible sockets 

Flexible sockets are shorter and feature a universal joint combo. They are perfect for installing and removing bolts from inaccessible parts of your engine compartment. The sockets come in various sizes to handle various types of bolts.  

7) Magnetized belt clip 

When assembling the engine or other parts of your vehicle, you might get frustrated if small components are scattered all over the garage. You will spend a lot of time searching for bolts, nuts, washers, and other fasteners. To prevent this problem, acquire a magnetized belt-clip to hold small parts. The fasteners can be arranged on the clip as you remove the components so that you don’t waste time testing if they fit. 

8) Digital torque adapter 

Applying excess torque when tightening a bolt or a nut might damage some components. Experienced mechanics use several torque wrenches to apply the right force to the bolts. But buying several torque wrenches can be expensive.  A digital torque adapter guarantees safety to your components since it notifies you when you’re done. It has LEDs and a digital display which indicates the torque applied. The audible signal will let you know when you have applied enough force. The adapter comes with one-inch and 3/8-inch adapters and supports inch drive sockets. 

9) A floor jack 

Models that can lift in 2 places are safer since they rarely create scratches on your vehicle. They also give your car an even lift which is desired when working on components under the vehicle. If you have this kind of jack, you just replace the saddle with a cross-beam lifting accessory. Extend both arms and turn the lift pads until they meet the beam. Finally, pump the jack handle until your car is at the desired height.  

10) Precision hook and pick set 

Latest models of vehicles have electrical connectors that are protected by either slides or plastic pins. These additional features lock the connectors tightly and you need special tools to disengage them. If you face such a problem, you need precision hooks which have pointed ends to hold the locks. The toolset is also perfect for snatching O-rings and other tiny parts.  Mechanics need a wide range of power and hand tools to tackle various vehicle problems. This article has covered a few essential tools that every mechanic must have to successfully diagnose and fix some common car problems. The tools covered have various uses. For example, A tool like a ratchet extender will enable you to work on bolts located in unreachable areas of your engine compartment while a needle scaler is important when you want to remove old paint and rust from the car body. You should note that buying high-quality tools pays off in the long run since they will last longer.

This is a collaborative article.