# Tools: What are some of your favorite tools you'd recomend to a new DIY'er? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [April 23, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063 "2012-04-23T05:31:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UsedEconobox\_2\_UsedBMW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8491ac/32.png) [@UsedEconobox\_2\_UsedBMW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UsedEconobox_2_UsedBMW)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/1 "2012-04-23T05:31:26Z")
So far, I love the following: Headband Light, Magnetic pickup tool, Extension bars Universal/“wobble” joints Thumb wheel ratchet Stubby screwdriver Oil suction gun X-LONG needlenose pliers. X-LONG screwdrivers ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 6:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/2 "2012-04-23T06:44:24Z")
A long handled, swivel-headed high quality 3/8 drive ratchet…I would be lost without it… ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 7:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/3 "2012-04-23T07:02:13Z")
I like everything you have except the stubby screwdriver. I have never figured out what to do with one and I’ve been destroying good and bad machinery for 44 years. I do recommend buying the 255 piece Craftsman tool set for the 189 dollars and change. Don’t bother with any hammer lighter than 24 ounces unless you plan on smashing really light duty stuff. I bought a prybar set from Harbor Freight Tools that I really like. Buy all the grinders you want. Buy the largest blow gun set you can find with as many air line pipe fittings in it as possible. I always needed more connections when I did any good amount of work. A 200 dollar digital camera. An 18 volt flashlight for your rechargeable batteries. Goggles and face shield for dirty work or working around the car battery. Pieces of wood to use as wheel chocks. A two and a quarter ton floor jack. Jack stands. An orangutan to help you remove brake parts. ---
**Author:** ![UsedEconobox\_2\_UsedBMW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8491ac/32.png) [@UsedEconobox\_2\_UsedBMW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UsedEconobox_2_UsedBMW)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 7:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/4 "2012-04-23T07:04:39Z")
Why a swivel head and not just a U-joint? Can you find one here? [http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=swivel+3%2F8++ratchet](http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=swivel+3%2F8++ratchet) What about this as well? > **[3 Pc Flex Head Stubby Ratchet Set](https://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-flex-head-stubby-ratchets-46742.html)** > > This set of stubby ratchets gives mechanics the speed of a reversible ratchet plus the convenience of a hinged handle. Each ratchet pivots 90 degrees in two directions, allowing you to get to out-of-reach fasteners. ---
**Author:** ![Manolito](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/manolito/32/3070_2.png) [@Manolito](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Manolito)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 7:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/5 "2012-04-23T07:10:06Z")
Ramps Set of combination wrenches 3’8" drive socket set with a quality rachet Deep well 6 point sockets Mechanic’s picks Channel Lock Pliers (Big) Needle nosed vice grips (small) Soldering Gun Dremel Tool with cutting disks Set of Torx screwdrivers (bits) Metric and English Allan wrenches 1/8" drive socket set with good rachet Floor jack Big pry bar (doubles as digging bar in back yard) ---
**Author:** ![bennyandthejets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@bennyandthejets](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bennyandthejets)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 7:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/6 "2012-04-23T07:12:58Z")
2-3 dollar test light from harbor freight Ratcheting wrenches (a bit spendy, but sometimes worth their weight in gold) Craftsman extra long jewelers screwdriver Heavy duty flip lug socket with 3inch extension Air tools till the cows come home But the most important: box of latex gloves from harbor freight 8 bucks ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 7:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/7 "2012-04-23T07:36:13Z")
A set of 1/4" drive sockets/extensions and a 1/4" air ratchet is pretty handy for most smaller jobs. I do a lot of odd and custom things and I could not live without a Dremel tool. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 11:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/8 "2012-04-23T11:26:58Z")
Right now, since I am debating doing my own struts, I have a 1/2 inch set with a breaker bar on my wish list. Also debating whether I need an electrical impact wrench-one from harbor freight for $49. Do not have room for compressor, nor the money. ---
**Author:** ![GSragtop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7c8e57/32.png) [@GSragtop](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSragtop)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/9 "2012-04-23T16:27:14Z")
@galant the big electric impact gun is good for tires, and a smaller one us good for most everything else. It’s 90% of what the guys in the shop use in there day to day. ---
**Author:** ![macfisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@macfisto](https://community.cartalk.com/u/macfisto)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/10 "2012-04-23T17:40:29Z")
On my old Buick (with big, beefy strut-to-knuckle bolts), I couldn’t get those bolts to budge with a big breaker bar. So I jumped on the breaker bar. The bar hit the floor and didn’t bounce back. I fell off. Surely, the nut had turned. In fact, the socket had split down the middle. The nut hadn’t budged. It took two more days of penetrating oil and a new socket to get them out. Get an impact wrench and socket. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/11 "2012-04-23T18:06:31Z")
Not really a tool, but essential just the same. The FSM (factory service manual). I’ve purchased one for each car I’ve owned, new or used. Order it from the dealer’s parts counter. ---
**Author:** ![DfromSD](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dfromsd/32/1669_2.png) [@DfromSD](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DfromSD)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/12 "2012-04-23T19:25:26Z")
Battery operated rechargable LED work light. 50 or more LED’s would be best. ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/13 "2012-04-23T19:31:50Z")
If you do not have an air compressor, one device that I received as a Christmas present was a Black & Decker “air station”. It is not only useful for keeping up the pressure in car and bike tires, but is useful for blowing dirt away from around the spark plugs and other places. I prefer this plug-in compressor to one that connects to the car battery. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/14 "2012-04-23T20:35:50Z")
**Right now, since I am debating doing my own struts** What are you going to use to compress the spring??? There are good tools for this and bad tools for this. Personally I wouldn’t touch it. I’ve seen a couple of people try it without the proper equipment and got seriously hurt. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/15 "2012-04-23T21:36:09Z")
An air compressor and an impact wrench. Also, I have screwdrivers with sliding clips on them to hold the screw heads (hold the screw on the screwdriiver). I hiughly recommend them. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/16 "2012-04-23T22:56:29Z")
Besides basic hand tools, these are some of the specialty tools I use that make auto service/diagnostics a lot easier. Hard access hose clamp pliers. [http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cable-operated-hose-clamp-pliers/p-00947390000P](http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cable-operated-hose-clamp-pliers/p-00947390000P) Serpentine belt tensioner tool. [http://www.harborfreight.com/serpentine-belt-tool-kit-66344.html](http://www.harborfreight.com/serpentine-belt-tool-kit-66344.html) Inner tie rod tool. [http://www.harborfreight.com/inner-tie-rod-removal-set-96558.html](http://www.harborfreight.com/inner-tie-rod-removal-set-96558.html) Internal/external snap ring pliers. [http://www.sears.com/craftsman-snap-ring-pliers/p-00945358000P](http://www.sears.com/craftsman-snap-ring-pliers/p-00945358000P) Hand impact driver. [http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p\_10153\_12605\_SPM1965760501P](http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM1965760501P) Fuel pressure tester. [http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p\_10153\_12605\_SP101A12213S3876332101P](http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SP101A12213S3876332101P) Compression tester. [http://www.harborfreight.com/compression-test-kit-66216.html](http://www.harborfreight.com/compression-test-kit-66216.html) SAE/metric thread restorer. [http://www.sears.com/craftsman-48-pc-sae-metric-thread-restorer-kit/p-00942275000P](http://www.sears.com/craftsman-48-pc-sae-metric-thread-restorer-kit/p-00942275000P) Damaged bolt/nut remover. [http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p\_10153\_12605\_00952166000P?mv=rr](http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P?mv=rr) Steering wheel puller. [http://www.sears.com/craftsman-steering-wheel-puller/p-00941833000P](http://www.sears.com/craftsman-steering-wheel-puller/p-00941833000P) Steering wheel plate remover. [http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-steering-wheel-plate-remover/p-00941834000P](http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-steering-wheel-plate-remover/p-00941834000P) Cooling system/cap pressure tester. [http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cooling-system-pressure-tester/p-00946342000P](http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cooling-system-pressure-tester/p-00946342000P) Ball joint/tie rod seperator. [http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-4394-otc-6295.aspx](http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-4394-otc-6295.aspx) That should be enough to lighten the wallet for now. Tester ---
**Author:** ![CapriRacer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capriracer/32/22_2.png) [@CapriRacer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapriRacer)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/17 "2012-04-23T23:01:12Z")
I must of missed it because I can’t believe no one say a high quality clicker type torque wrench and some never-seize (to be used sparingly and carefully!) ---
**Author:** ![eraser1998](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6de8d8/32.png) [@eraser1998](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eraser1998)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/18 "2012-04-24T00:33:43Z")
One of these: > **[Fumoto® Oil Drain Valve](http://www.fumotooildrainvalve.com/?target=main)** > > Granted "Genuine Parts" Status in Japan By: > > > See How Quick & Easy! > > Our FumotoⓇ Valve Makes Your Oil Change Cleaner, Quicker and Safer. > > By simply replacing your stock oil drain plug, you can drain your engine oil without tools or mess! No more... $25, including shipping, and it has been years since I’ve had to grab a hand tool of any kind to change my oil. I pull into the garage after work, get out, pop the hood, slide my pan under the valve, and I simply reach under the car and flip it open. No wrench needed, and no risk of stripping or crossthreading anything. Go inside, eat dinner… come back out, close the valve, spin off the old oil filter, spin a new one on, and refill the oil. I can change it in less time total than I can drive down to the nearest shop of any sort and come back… ---
**Author:** ![doubleclutch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/doubleclutch/32/1281_2.png) [@doubleclutch](https://community.cartalk.com/u/doubleclutch)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 1:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/19 "2012-04-24T01:37:00Z")
Decent sockets, ratchets, and breaker bars in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sizes. A lot of times bolts that shouldn’t be hard to break loose are, and 1/2" breaker bar will get them loose a lot more easily. This should also include deep-well sockets. Find what kind of oil filter wrench works best for your situation. I have Channel-Lock oil filter pliers. Different cars have oil filters in different places, and there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all there. GOOD QUALITY screwdrivers, slotted, phillips, and torx. Cheap phillips screwdrivers are useless. Cheap slotted screwdrivers aren’t much better. I know it sounds like a lot of money, but a 30 gallon oil-lubed air compressor can be had for a bit over $400 at Home Despot. Once you have one, you’ll be amazed at how nice it is to have around. Air tools, particularly a good 1/2’ drive impact wrench (mine is an Ingersoll-Rand 231 C) are handy, and while a GOOD impact wrench might set you back $150, a lot of air tools are not real expensive. The oil-lubed compressors with the big belt-driven flywheel are much nicer than the oil-free models. The oil-free models are obnoxiously loud, and most of them won’t keep up with a die grinder or cut off tool. Between me, my wife, and 3 kids there are: 5 bicycles, a couple beach balls, a dolly with pneumatic tires, and 2 cars. I have a fairly frequent need for compressed air, and it is nice to be able to simply grab an air hose in the workroom. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 4:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063/20 "2012-04-24T04:50:17Z")
Minor tool but I love my B&D AA battery screwdriver, 8 bucks at target. I am so burnt out on rechargeables, I bought a new one, as a summer helper messed up my old one. I was tracing conduit for new network wiring and suggest he keep tapping on a pipe with a screwdriver so I could locate it, Big regret when I found it was my B&D. unfortunately they shortened the shaft so a double sided bit will not fit. I have a kit with drills and sockets, and for regular handywork it is my most used tool. Also a 17/32 socket, I think for when you loose all the 14mm sockets :} [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tools-what-are-some-of-your-favorite-tools-youd-recomend-to-a-new-diyer/72063.md?page=2)