Tools.. Part 2
Then we have an Oil Filter wrench. As the name implies, it is for removing oil filters. It is not used for tightening oil filters because we all know that oil filters should only be hand tightened. There are several different styles, but for the basic toolbox a large or small strap style is sufficient.
Wrenches also come in 6-point and 12-point styles. 12-point are more useful for general work, but 6-point wrenches have more gripping power. If I had to chose one style or the other, I would chose the 12-point although I do have complete sets of both in my toolbox.
Hammers:
Hammers also come in many shapes and sizes. The most common hammer used in automotive work is the ball-peen hammer. A ball-peen hammer has a regular striking face on one end and a rounded "ball" on the other end. Dead blow hammers have a hollow head filled with shot to prevent rebound and direct more force to the object being struck. Hammers are sized by weight, from an 8 ounce tapping hammer to a 20-pound sledge. I once used a 20-pound sledge on an Oldsmobile, but that's another story. A good range for hammers is 8 ounce to 32 ounce, otherwise known as a BFH.
Pliers and Cutters:
Nothing beats a pair of plain slip joint pliers. I prefer the ones with soft plastic grips, they are more comfortable in the hand. Water pump of Channel lock pliers are also a must have. These are like slip joint pliers except they have angled jaws and several different grooves for adjusting the jaw size. A large and small pair is good for your toolbox. Needle nose pliers are a pair of pliers that have two thin jaws that come to a point. I would keep a large and small pair in your toolbox. A good pair of wire cutters is a necessary item for any toolbox. I have several different styles, but for the home mechanic a large and small pair will do nicely. A good pair of terminal pliers is handy to have. These will strip and cut wire and crimp solderless terminals. You can get a pair in a kit with an assortment of solderless terminals at any auto parts store.
Miscellaneous Tools:
Some other tools to round off your toolbox are a good tire pressure gauge. A tire gauge should measure up to 50 psi. A magnetic pick up tool is a good thing to have. This has either a flexible or telescoping shaft with a magnet on the end to pick up those nuts, bolts and tools that have fallen into a nook or cranny that you can't get your hand into. And since Murphy's Law states that a fastener or tool falling on the floor will gravitate to the geographic center of the car being worked on, it will extend your reach to get it back. Punches and chisels are nice to have for general use. You can get a nice set with several different sizes. Files are good to have for general de-burring work. A decent digital Volt-Ohm meter is good to have for testing circuits and sensors. A 12-volt test light for checking continuity and power in a circuit is a must. Masking tape and a felt tip-marking pen for labeling vacuum lines and wires is very handy to have.
Now, a few words about tool safety. As with anything, common sense will tell you what is safe and what isn't. When you turn a ratchet or wrench, try to pull towards you and not push away. If you push a tool, there is a good chance that when the fastener comes loose, it will come loose quickly, and your hand will probably wind up smashing into something. That could result in a skinned knuckle at the least or a broken finger or hand at the worst. You will not always be able to do this, so use extra care when you can't. Look at the job and see where your hand will go when that nut cracks loose. Then put some rags there to cushion the area in case you do hit it.
Keep your wrenches clean, a grease-covered tool will let your hand slip off and cause you an injury. Besides, if you have good tools the grease is not required to keep them from rusting.
Never use a screwdriver as a chisel or pry bar. Banging on the end of a screwdriver will force the handle down and the blade can come out of the handle end and, at the very least, ruin a good screwdriver and your hand at worst. If you use it as a pry bar, the tip can break off and go flying somewhere, maybe into your eye. If you need to hammer something, use a hammer. Don't use your screwdriver handle because the plastic handle can shatter.
If your punch or chisel is mushroomed, file or grind it back to its original shape. I was working across from a mechanic that was using a well-mushroomed punch and when he hit it with the hammer, a chunk of metal broke off and embedded itself in my chest. So if you think that danger is not real, I'm living proof it is. Wear your safety glasses. You only have two eyes and if you want to continue doing your own repairs, you're going to need them.
Copyright © 2001 - 2003 Vincent T. Ciulla All Rights Reserved
