Essential Hand Tools You Need in Your Auto Shop

Essential Hand Tools You Need in Your Auto Shop

Finding the best tools for your auto shop is one of the hardest parts of starting your business. You don’t want to miss anything, but you also don’t want to buy anything you won’t need. There are some hand tools you wouldn’t be caught running an auto shop without. Take note of these essential hand tools you need in your auto shop and put them directly into your shopping cart.

Wrenches

You will need a basic wrench every day in the auto shop. Wrenches provide the extra grip you need for nuts and bolts. An adjustable wrench will be perfect to keep on your tool belt, but you may also want to get a basic set of metric sized combination wrenches. The combination wrench set will provide you with small wrenches that function well in tight spaces and have the perfect size for every nut or bolt you may encounter. The hearty adjustable wrench will let you loosen or tighten a bolt on the fly.

Though it’s technically a power or air tool, an impact wrench will make any job go quicker and raise the efficiency of your auto shop.

Screwdrivers

Always keep a small Phillips or flathead screwdriver in your pocket or tool belt. Screwdrivers are one of the most common tools that fill up a toolbox. Phillips screwdrivers have a pointed, plus-shaped end and can come in many sizes. Flatheads are exactly as the name indicates—flat. They have a wedge-shaped end that is perfect for screws with a simple line indent. These two types of screws and screwdrivers are the most common, but it doesn’t hurt to keep an Allen wrench, also known as a hex key, nearby.

Some extra secure modern cars will have Torx screws, which are a six-pointed star shape and require a special Torx screwdriver. You likely won’t encounter these often, but it helps to have the Torx in your shop just in case.

Ratchet and Socket Kit

A ratchet or socket wrench kit will save you the extra effort you’d otherwise need to use on bolts in awkward angles. If you have combination wrenches, you will likely use the boxed end for most bolt jobs, though some may require you to use force in impossible places. The ratchet will do all the work for you while you simply worry about keeping your hand from getting stuck. Make sure to get a kit with ratchet extenders so you can reach even deeper bolts.

Pliers

While on the job, you’ll need to use many different kinds of pliers to grip bolts, cut wires, or hold something in place. Needlenose pliers are used for small objects that require careful handling, such as removing broken screws. Meanwhile, locking pliers and slip-joint pliers will save you from the perils of a stripped screw. Your shop will also need specific pliers such as battery, oil filter, brake spring, hose grip, or cutting pliers.

For any of these essential hand tools you need in your auto shop, rely on Tooldom to keep you supplied with our wide selection of reliable mechanic hand tools.