Working on your own cars at home can save you a ton of money if you know what you�re doing, and it�s satisfying, too. Plus, you can always make sure [�] The post Here Are the Tools No Shade-Tree...
Working on your own cars at home can save you a ton of money if you know what you�re doing, and it�s satisfying, too. Plus, you can always make sure your cars are well-maintained if you�re doing the maintenance yourself. If you�re ready to start working on cars at home, make sure you have these basic tools to get started.
Socket Set with Ratchet Extender
You can�t work on any kind of motor, no matter how small, without a socket set. A socket set should include a ratchet handle and a number of sockets � the bigger the set, the more nuts and bolts you�ll be able to tackle. In addition to the basic socket set, you should buy a ratchet extender, to give you more leverage when breaking free stubborn bolts. You may also want a bent-handle ratchet and a finger ratchet to help you get into difficult places.
Torque Wrench
Many nuts and bolts in a car need to be tightened to the appropriate torque, and you�ll need a torque wrench to achieve this. A part can wear out faster if the nuts and bolts are over-tightened, or it can fall off altogether if the nuts and bolts aren�t tight enough. A torque wrench helps you get all your nuts and bolts just right.
Impact Wrench
An impact wrench provides powerful turning capabilities. It�s the ideal tool for breaking stubborn nuts and bolts free. A cordless electric model is going to be easiest to use, but you can also buy impact wrenches powered by compressed air.
Pulley Puller
A pulley puller is necessary for removing pulleys, gears, bearings, and a range of other automotive parts that are pressed into place on the factory floor and therefore can�t be removed by hand. They�re great for grabbing and holding onto round parts, as well. Because pulley pullers are specialized for different automotive parts, you may need to buy a pulley puller set or get a new pulley puller for each type of job.
Hex Bolster Screwdrivers
Hex bolster screwdrivers are like regular screwdrivers, but they have a hex bolster at the bottom of the screwdriver shaft, where the shaft connects to the handle. This allows you to turn the screwdriver with a wrench while applying pressure with your other hand to keep the screwdriver seated in the screw.
Pliers
Any mechanics tools need a good set of pliers, including spark plug pliers, vise grip pliers, linesman pliers, slip joint pliers and needle-nose pliers. You should consider buying out-of-sight pliers, in which the grabbing parts are angled to one side, allowing you to see what you�re gripping without your hands getting in the way.
Work Lights
Powerful work lights are essential in every garage. A good automotive work light should be flexible enough that you can put it anywhere you need to put it in order to shed light on your car�s innards. Look for a work light with strong magnets that allow you to place it wherever you need it to go. You may also want a battery-powered or rechargeable light, instead of one that plugs in, so you can put the light anywhere without worrying about a power source.
Oil Changing Equipment
Oil changes will be one of the most common maintenance tasks you�ll perform on your car, so you need the right equipment to do them. You�ll need a flexible funnel and a drain pan for changing oil. You may also want to get a creeper to make it easier to slide under your car � and get back out from under it again. A creeper keeps you from having to lie on the ground or floor, and it can protect your back from injury if you�re working under your car for a long time.
Floor Jack and Jack Stands
If you�re going to be under your car doing work on it, you don�t want to rely on the emergency jack that came with your car. You need a floor jack and jack stands to keep your car safely propped up while you�re working. Make sure your floor jack is rated for the weight of your vehicle. If you work on many different vehicles, a valuable tools is to get a heavy-duty floor jack and jack stands.
Automotive Hook Set
In today�s heavily computerized cars, there are lots of small, delicate, fiddly connections that you shouldn�t attack with a pair of needle-nosed pliers. You need an automotive hook set to disconnect and reconnect those tiny electrical connections without damaging them.
If you�re planning to work on your own car, make sure you have the right tools. The work will go easier, and you�ll enjoy it more, too.
The post Here Are the Tools No Shade-Tree Mechanic Should Be Without appeared first on Gauge Magazine.
