Mechanic's Tools
A brief overview of hand tools for mechanical projects
Mechanic's tools have changed dramatically over the years. From my father's 1960s-era Husky and Craftsman tools, to my own first socket and wrench sets in the 1990s, to the modern, expansive sets required for modern cars, not simply design but materials and even some basic ideas of how these things actually work have undergone often dramatic revision.
Global competition does not allow companies to continue on reputation alone, as Craftsman found out the hard way. Someone new is always waiting for a chance to do it better and cheaper, but that also means lots of contenders, not all of which are up to snuff.
The technology you are working on has changed, too; an old ratchet might have been excellent in 1962, but just won't work in the tight spaces of a 21st-century car. Even a 20-year-old high quality tool set won't have all the tools for modern fasteners, and the available materials were inferior.
"Meta Modern Man, what tools do I need to do the job?"
These are the basic hand tools needed for working on common mechanical tasks:
Ratchet/Socket Wrench: The most common tool for tightening and loosening torqued fasteners, it consists of a handle with a reversible ratcheting mechanism allowing you to rotate a square anvil which is used to hold an appropriate socket for the size of fastener. These are grouped by the size of the anvil, commonly 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2", but there are more, for either more torque and larger fasteners or easier access to smaller nuts and bolts. The number of teeth in the ratchet determines how tightly and quickly it can turn a fastener. There are also breaker bars, with no ratcheting mechanism, used for breaking loose very tight fasteners, and flex-head ratchets, for tight spaces.
Sockets: The size- and type-specific tool that goes on the ratchet and directly turns the fastener. Common distinctions are SAE/Imperial vs Metric, 6-point vs 12-point, hex, torx, e-torx, torx-plus, triple-square, and more, and available in longer or shorter versions. There are also universal or swivel sockets with a joint for difficult access.
Wrenches: Less commonly used than sockets, these are still essential for access in tight spaces, and modern ratcheting wrenches make them more convenient. Available in different configurations of box-end, open-end, angled- or flex-head, and longer or shorter. There are also adjustable wrenches, for moderate torque and convenience.
Torque wrench: Used to tighten fasteners to a specific torque, they come in various styles, some like ratchets which "click" in a special way when the torque is reached, others with a bar that bends and you read across a dial, and modern versions that use electronics for both torque and angle calibration.
Screwdrivers: Used for low torque fasteners and light prying and poking, the main types are Philips and flathead in various sized, but there are also Robertson as well as torx, hex, and more specialized variations like Posidriv and JIS, in wide ranging sizes. Not intended for use as pry bars or chisels, they are often employed in this manner, although lightly by the wise.
Pliers: A subject unto itself, good pliers for holding, gripping, squeezing, or cutting are invaluable. Slip-joint or tongue-and-groove pliers can quickly change size ranges; diagonal cutters (diags/dikes/dykes) cut wires and cables, as well as biting into disposable items like cotter pins; long- or needle-nose pliers for fine manipulation; there are dozens of sizes and styles. Locking pliers are another variation, with a clamping mechanism to squeeze and hold without your hand on it.
Hammers, pry bars, punches, chisels: Commonly grouped under "Striking tools," their common feature is the potential for damage or personal injury from misuse or failure. Hammers have the most variety, here, with various combinations of head features from flats, ball-peins, claws, or more specialized shapes like cross-peins. There are also rubber, plastic, brass, and other hammer materials for hitting things without damaging them.
Allen/Hex/Torx Keys: L-shaped metal rods with hex or torx ends for tight access to those fasteners. Some hex-keys have ball-shaped ends for use at an angle.
Trim tools: Specialized tools for removing pop-in plastic panels, push retainers, car stereos, etc, these are essential to prevent damage to modern car interiors.
Telescoping mirror and magnet/retriever: If you work on cars, at some point you will almost certainly drop something in an inaccessible location, and these can be essential to save the day.
Flashlight or worklight: If you can't see, you can't work; hold it in your hand, clip it to your hat, hang it around your neck, or magnet it to the car, there are lots of options.
Jack, jack stands, and chocks: Absolutely, 100% mandatory before you crawl under a vehicle; do not drive it up on a curb, use the scissor jack while you "just check something," or any of the dozens of other ways that creative idiots have killed or injured themselves.
Specialty tools: If you are working on brakes, you may need special brake tools for the caliper piston or the drum hardware; if you are looking for a coolant leak, a pressure tester helps; axles and bearings and steering and a dozen other things require specialty tools, which will be another article.
"Meta Modern Man, just recommend me some tools, would you?"
Fair enough, here are some general suggestions for different tools:
Master Sets:
$ Craftsman 500-pc Set: https://amzn.to/3QwbLO4
$$ Gearwrench 613-pc Set: https://amzn.to/3MzHTzc
$$$ Williams 277-pc Set: https://amzn.to/40rBHig
Socket Sets:
$ SATA 88-pc Set: https://amzn.to/47oiAI6
$$ Gearwrench 118-pc Set: https://amzn.to/3u6CDg3
$$$ Williams 138-pc Set: https://amzn.to/3Qwd0MW
Wrench Sets:
$ SATA 31-pc Wrench Set: https://amzn.to/3QOVi95
$$ Gearwrench 44-pc Set: https://amzn.to/3sffbN7
$$$ Williams 27-pc Metric Wrench Set: https://amzn.to/463QZLh
Ratchet Wrench Sets:
$ Gearwrench 29-pc Ratchet Wrench Set: https://amzn.to/3MtoaRK
Torque Wrench:
$ Gearwrench 1/2" Beam Torque Wrench: https://amzn.to/3Su9pSe
$$ Gearwrench 1/2" Micrometer Torque Wrench: https://amzn.to/3snix0m
$$$ Gearwrench 1/2" Electronic Torque and Angle Wrench: https://amzn.to/475hcdY
Screwdriver Sets:
$ Craftsman 12-pc Acetate-Handle Screwdriver Set: https://amzn.to/40uqZrj
$$ Wera 6-pc Screwdriver Set: https://amzn.to/40tUDwX
$$$ Mayhew Catspaw 10-pc Screwdriver Set: https://amzn.to/49tA3B4
$$$ Gearwrench 51-pc Master Screwdriver Set: https://amzn.to/473Csk0
Pliers Sets:
$ Irwin 4-pc Pliers Set: https://amzn.to/40qVgao
$$ Channellock 4-pc Pliers Set: https://amzn.to/3QwnGeM
$$$ Knipex 4-pc Pliers Set: https://amzn.to/3sn4yI4
Hammer Set:
I do not recommend cheap striking tools for safety reasons; they may be fine, but use at your own risk.
$$ Proto 4-pc Antivibe Ball-pein Hammer Set: https://amzn.to/467YT6m
Pry Bar Set:
$$ Mayhew 3-pc Pry Bar Set: https://amzn.to/40usIg9
Punch and Chisel Set:
$$ Mayhew 20-pc Punch and Chisel Set: https://amzn.to/3FOIrxf
Hex/Torx key Set:
$ Bondhus Hex Key Set: https://amzn.to/3Qs3IBU
Trim Removal Kit:
$ Dualeco https://amzn.to/47oa2kq
Telescoping Mirror/Magnet/Retriever:
$ Workpro https://amzn.to/3SwJkSH
Pocket Flashlight:
$ Streamlight https://amzn.to/3QNtqSD
Jack, Jack Stands, and Wheel Chock kit:
$$ Big Red https://amzn.to/3SzP4uT
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