I don’t like to do themes, but I’ve decided to give it a try this week. That’s why you’ll see a somewhat common theme this week, with plenty of mechanics and industrial tool reviews, and a couple of previews of tools that debuted at SEMA.
There is often a fine line between automotive/mechanics tools, and industrial tools. I suppose the same goes for automotive and aviation/aerospace tools as well. There’s a lot of overlap and, except perhaps for specialty tools, you can often use tools marketed towards one industry for other applications.
To start off, I wanted to ask you all what I hope is a simple question:
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What is your favorite automotive/industrial hand tool or accessory?
For me, it’s bit sockets, and if I had to pick a favorite I’d point towards PB Swiss’s single-piece ones.
jesse
Extractor sockets, which have saved my butt many times.
But it's me!
Good old cheap breaker bar!
fred
I have not worked much on cars since the late ’60’s – early 70’s – so I cant speak much about favorite automotive tools – unless you still have a vintage car. I do undertake repair work on bikes – both the pedal kind and the motorized sort. For motorcycle tools I’ve come to like some of the tools form aftermarket tool suppliers like Motion Pro, Posse Products (Pit Posse Tools).
I can recommend several Motion Pro T-Handle tools and their Tire Spoons:
http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0409-Spoon-Type/dp/B000QFVJ5O/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1416253866&sr=1-1&keywords=motion+pro
Although in the garage I often use a tool called a Tire Tamer from K&L Supply.
Tom
Love to hear more about hex bit sockets. I have never seen PB Swiss ones. Trying to make up my mind now between Williams, Gearwrench and Sunex. I just want something a little nicer than the Craftsman.
fred
You might also throw SK, Wiha and Wera into the mix for comparison. Some come with ball-ends:
http://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-ball-end-hex-bit-socket-8-piece-3-32-1-4-inch-p/71798.htm?gclid=CIzLrf7KgsICFewF7AodAUEAvQ
Chad
id have to pick the gm battery post wrench — used to do a lot of car audio installs and this saved me tons of time i knew if i was to work on a gm car or truck i would pull this tool out asap!! need one for ford — do they make one for ford other than a 8mm socket and ratchet ??
T
Stahwille deep offset wrenches, Felo ergonic screwdrivers, Wright long handle contour 3/8 ratchet & sockets, Wurth (Felo + Facom oem) 1/4″ spline drive socket & bit set, Snappy’s awesome boroscope.
Raj
http://www.steritool.com/tools/byo.htm
I was looking about some tools for some light boat (outboard work), and came by this – rather expensive it seems, but one can make fav tool here. For certain kinds of work it might be worth it.
Nathan
I guess my favorite “automobile” tool is my Topeak Hexus II Multi-tool, as I sold my car awhile back. It’s not indestructible (mine was FUBARed by torquing hard on a hex bolt and a chain (with the chain tool) after five years of service), but in several pieces or one it’s pretty handy for bicycle repairs.
fred
My bike multi-tool is one by Crank Brothers:
http://www.amazon.com/Crank-Brothers-Multi-Bicycle-19-Function/dp/B002VYB4QC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416313369&sr=8-1&keywords=crank+brothers+multi-19
fred
BTW – I have a buddy who likes the Lezyne tool”
http://www.amazon.com/Lezyne-Rap-20-Multi-Tool/dp/B004BKXN72/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1416313595&sr=1-8&keywords=lezyne+multitool
Nathan
Hmm haven’t seen that, but i do have a little Lenzyne pump for emergency fills. It’s nicely made.
Pete
These are by far my most favorite ratchet. Yes I know from harbor freight…. but they work great and I’ve put +300lbs/tq on the smaller 1/4+3/8 ratchet WHILE it was extended and it didn’t break. We have 3 of each ratchet in and around the shop. And the best part is they are “Pittsburg pro” so if they break I can bring it in and get a free replacement.
http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-x-38-in-dual-drive-extendable-ratchet-62312.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-extendable-ratchet-98831.html
These are also my favorite ratcheting wrenches. Again pittsburg pro with a lifetime warranty.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-pc-sae-double-box-end-ratcheting-wrench-set-68959.html
rx9
I used the 98831 to break some bell housing bolts. it’s rated up to 400 fl lbs!
BikerDad
I don’t really have a favorite, but I will say the one that I appreciated the most was safety wire twisting pliers. I don’t have a pair, but came to really, really like ’em when we were setting up our camps during Desert Shield. We probably laid in a couple miles of concertina wire. At first, we were using lineman’s pliers to twist the baling wire holding the concertina together. Not the best solution for twisting lots and lots of steel wire. Next we got our hands on some ironworker’s pliers, a definite improvement as they’re intended for working with steel wire. Then somebody (a former AF guy I think) came up with some safety wire pliers, and things got downright productive, and a darn sight easier on the hands.
I do have myself a pair of Channellock Ironworkers pliers, they are my favorite pliers.
fred
You can probably buy safety wire twisters from HF – or even less expensive sources – or spend hundreds of dollars on a professional set. We used Milbar (Stride Tool) ones – which worked smoothly:
http://www.crawfordtool.com/milbar.html
Seraph
As an industrial emergency response / hazmat tech, my favorite is my Proto ASD wrench set (11/16 – 2 “) and my all time favorite ( and biggest butt saver) my
Leatherman super tool 300. I’ve carried it everyday for ten years at least.
rx9
m18 fuel impacts both compact and full size. harbor freight ratcheting breaker bar. knipex needle nose pliers. gearwrench flex ratchets and pass through socket sets.