The most useful tools in your toolbox

[buzzer]

I have built up a good collection of tools over the years, some more useful and used than others. A few stand out though...

The set of combination swivel head spanners from Halfords, How did I manage without them?

The set of stubby combination spanners from Machine mart - not the best quality, but so useful

The set of wobbly 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch extensions for my sockets

And the pair of cheap water pump pliers that I have used over and over again...

I am thinking of buying a few more tools, what's the best and most useful tools in your toolbox?

[TRUENOSAM]

My Snap-On lineman pliers are used for basicaly everything. Unless its really tight and then its time for some hammer action

[jas xjr]

Molegrips for me. Oh and a selection of hammers

[TheEnd]

telescopic magnetic pick up.

It's not always used, but when it's needed, you'd swap your entire tool kit for one.

[buzzer]

TheEnd said:

telescopic magnetic pick up.

It's not always used, but when it's needed, you'd swap your entire tool kit for one.

yep, bought one a while ago with a bright LED in the head, it picks up 2LB!

[drummerian]

hammer
small can of wd40
mole grips
some of those ratchet style ring spanners, amazing and fit into gaps that some sockets cannot! (sunroof removal without the headlining being taken out!)
multimeter

all i can think of for now but all relatively cheap and v useful!

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Hammers, stubby ratchet with 3/8 and 1/4 drive, one of those long grabby things

[Jimmyarm]

Difficult choice, I'd probably go for my air ratchet. It makes most jobs 10x quicker than doing it by hand and you can jam it in places you wouldn't get a swing on for a ratchet/spanner

Mirror on a stick is a close second.

Pry bars 3rd.

[voicey]

TheEnd said:

telescopic magnetic pick up.

This - if you have a mid engined car with a full undertray it is essential.

Also, Halfords flexible head ratchet spanners - my bestest tools ever!

[buzzer]

jas xjr said:

Molegrips for me. Oh and a selection of hammers

Strange... I hardly use my mole grips...

[voicey]

Also....

PlusGas - if you think WD40 is good at loosening rusty bolts then try this stuff.

Tap & Die set - for those moments when you think "just a little more torque and it'll free off"!

Dremel - so many uses.

Electric Impact Wrench - I'm a home mechanic so don't have air but this thing will undo anything.

[wackojacko]

Mac stud extraction kit
Or rounded bolt remover sockets.



And yes I do need them from time to time when working with a brother that "knows" everything

[buzzer]

Jimmyarm said:

Difficult choice, I'd probably go for my air ratchet. It makes most jobs 10x quicker than doing it by hand and you can jam it in places you wouldn't get a swing on for a ratchet/spanner

Mirror on a stick is a close second.

Pry bars 3rd.

I have a 3/8 drive air ratchet that I rarely use, its not that good... what sort do you have? I guess mine is 20 years old now though, they have probably improved!

[kambites]

Well the one I use most is probably my hatchet for splitting firewood.

[OldSkoolRS]

About 14 years ago I'd have said my special tool for doing the oil stem seals on a CVH engine that meant I didn't have to remove the head. I still have it in my tool box, thought the cars it repaired have probably gone to the scrapy years ago. Otherwise I'd say a decent 1/2" drive rachet and selection of impact deep sockets...and the obligatory hammer of course.

[kambites]

voicey said:

This - if you have a mid engined car with a full undertray it is essential.

I had this problem changing my alternator recently. Had to take the damned thing off to get out the socket I'd dropped onto it.

[alfasud1]

Compressor and air tools. Brilliant for the full on F1 tyre changes

[wackojacko]

Also various leaver bars etc
and alloy wheel protector impact sockets..... very handy and safe your alloys if you remove them alot.

[Jimmyarm]

buzzer said:

I have a 3/8 drive air ratchet that I rarely use, its not that good... what sort do you have? I guess mine is 20 years old now though, they have probably improved!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=power&item_ID=83353&group_ID=19894&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

[sjg]

Multimeter (and gas soldering iron) takes away so much of the head-scratching associated with electrical jobs.

The ratchet ring spanners are great too for tight spaces.

A tap & die set is nice to have handy too.