7 Tools You Basically Can’t DIY Without
I often think about the bare minimum number of tools required to do a job. Not the ideal tools. Maybe it comes from watching Saturday morning TV shows, where everything took 10 minutes and fit together flawlessly. Watching those projects take shape encouraged me to pick up tools and try my own. But what do you need to just get started?
If we waited until we had a full toolbox to dive in, none of us would ever get anything done. We’d just be sitting around staring at tools. Instead, let’s take a look at the tools that compose the minimum kit required to safely and successfully tackle a project on a daily driver—or at least allow you to do most of a job and then rent or borrow any specialty tools needed for to complete specific tasks. These don’t need to be fancy tools; in fact, this might be a list of items that are best purchased at garage sales, flea markets, or secondhand stores.
Jack and Stands
Sure, there are a lot of projects that do not require lifting a vehicle, but sooner or later you’ll need to do it. I’ve done oil changes by putting the front wheels on a curb to get enough clearance to roll under and access the drain plug and oil filter, but that practice doesn’t work in all situations. A jack and stands do. These are the right tools for every job that requires lifting a vehicle. That’s why they are something to get early in your wrenching journey.
Screwdrivers
Applied properly, screwdrivers have thousands of uses. We would never tell you to use them improperly, of course, but in a pinch a screwdriver can be used for all sorts of stuff that might very well render them one-time-only tools that, for better or for worse, will get the job done. Screwdrivers also can last a very long time if well taken care of, so adding these to your toolkit early will make for a solid base that rarely needs replacing, which leaves you with funds to buy more specialty tools to grow your kit—or you might just get through a handful of jobs without buying anymore tools at all. That’s a great feeling.
Socket Set
There is a reason every “mechanics toolset” sold in parts stores or home centers has sockets and ratchets as its main component. Ratchets and sockets are a highly efficient method of removing hardware without damaging it. A basic kit is enough to get started, and you can easily add bigger or longer pieces as needed.
Hammer
You thought I wouldn’t include the hammer? It’s an inarguable necessity. Judicious use will make for a better wrenching experience, but when force is required, a mass at the end of a stick is just the right tool for the job.
Multimeter
“If you can’t fix it with a hammer it’s an electrical problem” is a good joke, because occasionally it’s based in fact. Electrical issues are more common than ever as cars feature more and more sensors and connections. To be a mechanic and not a parts replacer requires diagnostic tools, and diagnosing electrical issues is difficult to do consistently with only your eyes and hands. A good multimeter—and understanding how to read it—is vital.
Drain Pan
Want to do an oil change? You’ll need to catch the used oil somehow. Even a makeshift catch pan is good idea, but many of the drain pans designed for automotive projects are affordable and have features that seem trivial, until you are without them: A pour spout makes emptying the pan easier, and the ability to seal the fluids inside for transport is helpful, too. An open container of used oil is just waiting to be knocked over. Or it’s a magnet for tools or parts or worse, a spark. A good drain pan makes jobs cleaner and safer.
Penetrating Oil
Cars are built from a couple dozen different materials and the vast majority of them are susceptible to corrosion. Penetrating oil helps limit the need for big tools like impact drivers. Is an aerosol can technically a tool? Maybe not, but a good can of penetrating oil should be something you reach for before grabbing tools, so we are going to say it’s a critical part of the toolkit. Besides, if you’re limited on tools, you want to be able to stack the deck in your favor, and that means trying to break fasteners loose using science rather than force.
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Mini fridge in the shop. And if thats not possible, have your therapist on speed dial
As I get older, the number one requirement for any work that requires me to be close to the work is a decent pair or reading glasses.
Dump the oil in the sewer. It creates a nice sheen on the lake.
Thanks to all for the tips re the solvents; I knew I would get a flurry of them, and that’s why I brought it up.. :))
“Take these three items right here. You can have this. WD-40, vise grips, and some duct tape. Any man worth his salt can do half the household chores with just those three things.” -Walt Kowalski, Gran Torino
WHAT? No mention of pliers or adjustable wrench!
I don’t know how many times nuts have stripped corners and pliers are the only way to get them off. Then, there are cotter pins to consider. Needle nosed, regular slip-joint and lineman’s pliers are absolute necessities in even the most basic toolbox.
Crescent wrenches are a lot cheaper than even cheap sockets, and are both metric and inch sized. Sometimes they can also stand in for a hammer!
The nick-name for Crescent wrenches is “knuckle-buster.” I have to be real desperate to use one.
Crescent wrenches are the best tool I know of for rounding off bolt heads and nuts. Do yourself a favor and throw all of them away or have a real good pair of Vise grips on standby 🙂
air compressor and parts cleaner always come in handy
As a 12 year old with a bicycle, I started out with pliers, screwdriver and hammer purchased with earnings from my newspaper delivery route in 1958. Hands are now too arthritic to swing a framing hammer, but I’m still the only mechanic I trust:-)
Mostly these articles are click bait. I don’t know Kyle Smith, however he must not use his screw drivers much if he thinks they last a long time! I replace the philips ones ever few years as the edge where down and you can’t apply the same torque. Also. I bought a multimeter decades ago and probably used it a handful of times. Drain pan and penatrating oil. Are those really tools or did you get lazy. No wrenches, come on!
I wouldn’t call someone who uses penetrating oil lazy. I usually pull that out after a lot of wasted time and energy spent on trying to loosen a seized nut or bolt. I agree with you on the multimeter not being an essential tool thought.
Good screwdrivers do not *wear out. They are not cheap though. Buy once, cry once. Try Vessel’s Megadora line. Best Phillips blades, especially good tip that does not round out and strip screw heads.
You are apparently new to these articles as I have never seen any click bait in any of them. As with anything else you get what you pay for in Screwdrivers. No reason why they shouldn’t last a long time if used properly. As Kyle said a good multimeter comes in very handy. I use mine at least once a month for testing relays, switches and numerous other things. I couldn’t get by without one. As a matter of fact I have 3 or 4 of them and always one in my house for testing electrical circuits. I would consider a drain pan a tool. What would you do when you change your oil if you didn’t have some type of container to catch it in ? So Kyle missed mentioning wrenches. Maybe you just like to find something to complain about ????
I have a set of MAC screwdrivers that are 40 years old and are still in perfect condition. And yes, I use the hell out of them. If you buy high quality tools, they’ll last you a LONG time….
Lights; flashlight, LED magnetic base light, forehead LED light are all a must have in the toolbox.
Yes!! Good lighting is a must!
This was kind of……
Someone serious thought this was a good article to write???
Stuck bolt? ATF and Acetone 50-50 mix will cut through almost any rusty bolt quickly. Used it a boats all the time.
Yes, back in the dark ages I also dumped used oil on the ground for weed control. We learn, and change as we grow. Look at some of the things that were done just 20 years ago that people frown on now.
JEEZ! I think through, change a few things and I’m STILL “posting to quickly”!!
I keep a tightly sealed jar with half ATF and half acetone. Works pretty well for all of my penetration needs and is fairly cheap to make. Just don’t use synthetic ATF.
All I need are 2 adjustable ( Cresent) wrenches. One metric and one standard.
I finally broke down and purchased a set of metric screwdrivers as well.
Both left and right hand drive?
You forgot rags and lots of rags and 2+2 carb cleaner and google and a telescopic magnet and a mirror all these things help immensely also pen and paper