Favorite tools and tricks? Garage mechanic so I don’t own all the fancy tools. Gotta get creative sometimes.

Posted by zozzy24@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 38 comments

The multipoint articulation ratchet is my favorite tool. I use it for almost every job in some capacity. I’m the only person I know that owns one.

I have screwdriver sockets. Can’t turn them for shit on their own but the screwdriver fits in my 24mm 1/2” socket and I can use a ratchet to turn it. They aren’t as deep so they’re easier to fit in some places along the engine bay than a socket with an extension - specifically under the fuel rail on my Lexus.

Leverage for a shorter wrench is just a socket that fits over the handle, an extension, and a swivel if you’re working in an area that needs extra angles.

What‘s your can’t live without tool and favorite tricks you’ve learned?

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themwnn@reddit

A breaker bar and a blowtorch as both essential to work on older stuff

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Solid_Enthusiasm550@reddit

I don't know why I would need a Ratchet like that when I mainly use swivel-head ratchets and can get in anywhere.

I don't like "Not having the right tool", so I have a good amount of "specialized" tools for certain jobs. At the dealership, every tech waited in-line for the shops tools and I hated that. They would wait for simple things like the programmable charger for progamming modules. I just bought my own to not have to deal with the headaches.

Snap-on thread chaser and my flex-magnet probably saved my Butt more than anything. Next would be the mini ratchet.

https://www.eppys.com/product/screwdrivers/38pc-Mini-Ratchet---Bit-Set/

I have a pair of 24" long flex head screwdrivers, 1 uses 1/4" socket bits and the other uses standard cordless dril/driver bits. If I can get my hand on thre fastener, I can unscrew it without removeing everything in my way.

They are similar to these.

https://sunextools.com/products/3-pc-pick-up-tool-set

I have a similar flex power drill bit holder.

If I can only get my hand in there and can't use the mini ratchet, I have 1/4" and 3/8" drive Thumb ratchets.

https://www.eppys.com/product/Thumbwheel/1-4--Drive-Thumbwheel-Ratchet/

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Solid_Enthusiasm550@reddit

Here's the "Cat Paws" 24" bit and 1/4" drive flex drivers.

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2Drogdar2Furious@reddit

Not really custom but it got the bolts out that were up against the firewall...

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bml20002@reddit

Dude, like the effort but harbor freight Icon tools are as good if not better than snap-on. I’m a dork and watch Torque Test Channel on YouTube far too often. The proof is in the pudding! Icons usually perform 95-110% of what snap-on will achieve at 1/3 or less of the cost. Get on their mailing list for coupons and crap and they do have 30% off coupons regularly for one item.

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zozzy24@reddit (OP)

Completely agree. I don’t own any snap on tools.

My wrenches, sockets, and that screwdriver are part of a 252 piece craftsman set.

My cordless impact is Ryobi, my impact sockets are Pittsburgh, and my back up impact still plugs into the wall and I don’t know what brand it is lol

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juwyro@reddit

Twist the handle and it spins the socket. It's a lifesaver in tight spots.

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zozzy24@reddit (OP)

That looks sweet. I don’t know that I’ve seen this before.

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Odd-Towel-4104@reddit

I have a Stanley one. Its a gimmick. Facom makes one that's probably better quality

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juwyro@reddit

I've had it for probably 15 years. They're around.

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Tired_quail@reddit

What in the snap-on? What is it?

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juwyro@reddit

Husky

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jbjhill@reddit

I have one of those! It’s a minor god in its own universe.

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Odd-Towel-4104@reddit

Meme tool, bit kits, vessel ratchet, VIM NORA, dewalt pass thru multi drive, astro nano sockets

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OlYeller01@reddit

My most used tools are GearWrench locking flex head, pass thru socket sets. I own multiple 1/4” drive sets (GREAT for batteries and many other things), a 3/8” set and a sadly now discontinued 1/2” set.

Besides those, my Milwaukee 3/8” stubby impact wrench is a favorite. It’ll do 98% of what you need done on a car, and you can break out the big boy 1/2” for that other 2%.

Finally, I have a set of extra long, low profile, flex head ratcheting GearWrench double box end wrenches that are great for getting behind engine blocks, under seats, and other areas where you might need a fair amount of leverage but don’t have a lot of room.

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Aleutian_Solution@reddit

Welded a couple sockets together because I didn’t have one long enough to remove the ground posts on my E90. Still have it, haven’t used it since.

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mynumberistwentynine@reddit

Still have it, haven’t used it since.

But the day you need it again, oh boy it's gonna feel good to still have it.

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Ambivadox@reddit

Just don't put it somewhere safe or you'll never find it on that day.

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Aleutian_Solution@reddit

I am patiently waiting for that day to come.

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Malarky3113@reddit

I have a bit of allen key welded to crescent I made for loosening the drain plug on my transmission. Can't wait another 40k to use it again.

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zozzy24@reddit (OP)

Haha I love this. I have some jack extenders a friend of mine made that I never use because I don’t have my will made out yet.

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sundownersport@reddit

I have an Allen key hammered into a 10mm socket in my glovebox it’s stupid handy

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firestorm734@reddit

My favorite trick is linking together box-end wrenches to get more leverage when there isn't space to use a breaker bar.

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Crewstage8387@reddit

Kroil. It puts PB blaster and Liquid Wrench both to shame

Cooling system tester and filler - applies a vacuum to the system to purg all the air in The system and then you can back fill with coolant

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booradleysghost@reddit

I wish kroil was easier to find

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firestorm734@reddit

They carry it at Tacoma Screw Products if you're in the northwest. Otherwise, my favorite penetrating oil is Lucas Toolbox Buddy. That shit is magic.

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Double-hokuto@reddit

Where do you backfill from?

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booradleysghost@reddit

You switch a valve and the vacuum in the cooling system pulls fluid from a jug or bucket

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Sonicblast52@reddit

I have a 1/4 drive screwdriver with a ¹/4 drive chuck in the handle that I can attach right onto an electric ratchet, it's great for quickly switching out sockets while taking bumpers and body panels off!

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DaWayItWorks@reddit

Had to replace the brake booster in my 98 Silverado, four pain in the ass nuts up under the steering column. I was laying under there with a ratchet, two extensions and a U-joint cursing life when I had a EUREKA! moment!

I just bought a 20 gallon air compressor and an air ratchet for another project so I hauled it out to the street and if it didn't make quick work out of that. The hardest part was just getting the socket in place and then zap zap zap it was magic!

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tauntdevil@reddit

Most of my ratchets are expanding ratchets for more leverage. Have had them for ages and now i even have different brands as they have gotten more popular.

I also have the multipoint ratchet, mine is from HF and has worked great for transmission bellhousing bolts.

Custom tools i have are many welded sockets for specific parts of cars. Few welded tire lugnut sockets, and grinded down sockets for spacing. My most unique one is a reverse vice grip to a socket for pulling a wheel stud with the lug nut out enough to cut. Made it when having issues with wheel studs rounding out on track cars.

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Roadkill215@reddit

I can’t live without…my whole shop. I’m honestly not sure what I would do anymore if I had to struggle or come up with a solution short of a cnc mill for a little longer. Im clearly way too lazy and not in a hurry. If its a struggle, it means there is a solution, I must have said solution

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Confident_Artist6194@reddit

I got one at harbor freight for like $12 a few years ago. I ended up not needing it for the job I bought it for, so I haven't actually used it yet. Im sure it will come in handy one day.

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zozzy24@reddit (OP)

This is the one I own. I couldn’t imagine not having it.

Pittsburgh 3/8 Dual Flex Ratchet