Introduction
Car tools are a necessary part of owning and maintaining your car.
But what should you buy? You’ll need the basics, like a socket wrench set, metric and imperial sockets, screwdrivers, wrenches and other miscellaneous tools. But there are also a number of other power tools that can come in handy when getting your car back on the road or repairing it. Here’s an ultimate list for every auto enthusiast to make sure they have everything they need to get their vehicle up and running again.
1. Air Compressor
An air compressor can be used to inflate tires, power paint sprayers and even clean the dirty inside of your car’s engine bay when you’re working on it. You’ll need one with a good amount of horsepower to handle these tasks, and there are many different options available. But make sure you have one with a most of these features:
- 1.5 HP or More – The more power it has, the better it can perform these tasks. It should be able to inflate tires in less than three minutes and be powerful enough to clean the engine bay of dirt and oil particles without issue
- 120 PSI – For tires, this pressure is the recommended amount to fill them safely and comfortably. If you plan on using your air compressor for other tasks, go for more like 150 PSI or higher as it will be able to handle almost any job you throw at it.
- Tank Size – You’ll want a tool that can inflate your tires multiple times before needing to be refilled or recharged. The larger the tank size, the better so make sure you look for one that is at least four gallons of compressed air.\
- Rechargeable / Battery Powered – Not all compressors need to be plugged in and have a cord, especially if it’s just used for tires. A cordless option is a lot easier to move around and bring with you on the road, but it will be more expensive than one without this feature.
2. Cordless impact drill
A cordless impact drill is an essential for every home garage because it can drive screws into anything from wood, drywall, and even metal with no problem at all. It’s lightweight too which makes it easier to hold while trying to complete projects around your house. There are many different brands to choose from and they will be able to handle most standard tasks. But here are a few features you’ll want to consider before buying one:
- At Least 500 in-lbs of torque – Having at least 500 in-lbs of torque is important so you can drive screws into surfaces without breaking them or stripping the head. Most cordless impact drills have anywhere between 1250 and 2500 in-lb which makes this a very affordable tool for just about any garage.
- Variable speed settings – You’ll need variable speeds for your cordless impact drill so it can drive screws into various materials without too much force or damage. This feature should be on every single model, even if it’s only two different speed levels with low and high.
- Rechargeable / Battery Powered – You’ll want a cordless option for your impact drill as there are many times when you won’t have enough power or room to plug it in. Make sure the battery lasts long enough to complete all your jobs, but still has a quick recharge feature so you can get back to work quickly.
3. Corded / Pistol Grip Drill
A regular corded drill like this is an essential piece of equipment that every home garage needs. It can be used with different drills, bits and other attachments which makes it very versatile for nearly any project around the house. This is also one of those tools that’s extremely inexpensive (about $30), so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a good corded drill for your garage.
But there are a few features to look for before buying one which will make it easier to complete projects around the house and yard:
- Variable speed levels – The more speed settings you have on your drill, the better. You’ll need different speeds for driving screws into various materials like wood or metal, so having three or four different options is ideal.
- 500 in-lbs of torque – Having 500 in-lbs of torque will allow you to drive screws without stripping them out or breaking the head off inside the surface you’re working with. This should be standard on even smaller drills, as you shouldn’t buy a corded power tool if this feature isn’t included.
- Accepts different drill bits – You’ll want a corded drill that accepts different drill bits with ease. Having an adjustable chuck is the best as it will accept any size bit you throw at it and tighten down securely so they won’t fall out or slip while working.
4. Reciprocating Saw
Every home garage needs a reciprocating saw which makes quick work of various materials by making short or even flush cuts with its serrated steel blades. This tool might look intimidating but it’s actually pretty safe and easy to handle so anyone should be able to get used to it in no time at all. You’ll want to make sure your reciprocating saw has the following features before making a purchase.
- Variable speed settings – You’ll want at least two or three different options for your cordless reciprocating saw so it can handle both wood and metal cutting jobs around the house.
- Rechargeable battery – Having a cordless model will give you more freedom with the reciprocating saw as there are no extension cords to keep up with, but it won’t be very helpful if you have to stop and wait for your battery to recharge every 10 minutes on each job site. Make sure the battery lasts long enough to complete all your projects without having to slow down too much or take breaks in between. This feature is especially important if you plan on working with larger materials like 2x4s or metal piping.
- Variable speed settings – You’ll need variable speeds for your reciprocating saw so it can cut through various materials without too much force or damage. This feature should be on every single model, even if it’s only two different speed levels with low and high.
5. Die Grinder
An air powered die grinder is an essential tool for anyone who’s serious about their car. It can help you sand uneven surfaces, remove rust, and even cut through metal materials quickly so that the job gets done a lot faster than expected. It’s basically a handheld power drill which has a small cylindrical wheel attached to the end of it which spins at high speeds and can be used for endless projects around the house as well.
- Variable speed levels – Having at least two different variable speed levels on your die grinder will allow you to complete jobs much faster, but it also makes it better for polishing metals or smoothing out irregular surfaces.
- Materials and shape – The material that the die grinder is made out of should be considered carefully as not all metals are created the same. Stainless steel will provide more resistance if you plan on cutting through metal, but it also tends to break a lot easier than other materials.
6. Wet/Dry or Vacuum Cleaner
A wet/dry vacuum cleaner is a must for every car enthusiast. Not only can it be used with compressed air to blow out dirt and debris, but you can also use it on dry surfaces to suck up water and other things. Those who own cars that get their share of rain know how important this is. The Wet-Dry Vacuum is also great for use with solvents and chemicals used in certain cleaning jobs.
When looking at a wet/dry vacuum cleaner make sure to choose one with large, easily replaceable filter cartridges. It’s also nice to have one that has some type of drain port to remove any liquids and chemicals before they burn the motor out. As for capacity, this truly depends on what you plan on using it for most often, but bigger is better.
Another option is to buy a wet/dry vacuum cleaner that doubles as a leaf blower, then you get two tools in one. You can use it for both wet and dry cleaning jobs and when you need some fresh air blown at the car while detailing, it works great for that too.
If you’re looking for a leaf blower/vacuum cleaner, consider the Toro Ultra+ which is small and light with plenty of power, yet runs on standard household current.
When it comes to accessories, there’s just no end to what they offer. You can get different sized nozzles, extension wands that allow you to get into hard to reach places like the engine and wheel wells, chemicals and solvents, interior cleaning kits, detail brushes; anything you can think of.
7. Angle Grinders
An angle grinder will help you make smooth cuts through steel materials which are thicker than what a standard hand saw can cut through on its own. It has a side handle that allows you to exert back pressure for precision cutting. The best type of angle grinder is one with a diamond blade for grinding metal. At RPM’s up to 30,000 it will cut through any metal surface like butter and doesn’t burn the material, leaving a clean cut every time.
If you’re going to be cutting a lot of thick steel, magnesium or aluminum then consider buying an angle grinder that also uses a diamond blade like the Metabo Ultra Grind.
The best time to cut steel is when it’s cool and with the heat generated by the friction of the metal against the diamond blade, you can get your jobs done faster, which also helps to prolong the life of the blade.
8. Crimper
A hydraulic crimper is used to install quick disconnect fittings as well as other types of special connectors used on custom air and water lines. It works like a pair of pliers that uses fluid pressure from an attached compressor to close the jaws and create a strong, airtight seal.
What makes a Hydraulic Crimper the ideal choice is that it’s faster than a manual crimper and you don’t have to fiddle with getting things lined up just right before squeezing them together. It can also handle multiple types of materials whether they are copper or steel since it doesn’t generate heat when in use. It’s also quick and easy to set up and change the dies as well.
9. Impact Wrench
If you need to loosen a rusty bolt or something similar then the impact wrench is exactly what you need to make the task much easier for yourself instead of just trying to do it by hand with no assistance. All this does is deliver kinetic energy into the bolt so that it breaks free with less effort put into it.
All you need to do is set the desired torque level with the impact wrench and simply squeeze the trigger. With the help of some penetrating oil, it can be so powerful that a large bolt head on something like an engine block will break free easily without any pulling, prying or struggling required.
If you don’t need the impact wrench for doing work with fasteners then it will still come in handy for removing them. It’s a great choice to have around not only as an automotive enthusiast, but also as a home mechanic and DIYer too.
There are many types of Impact Wrenches available including air powered or electric units like the Ingersoll Rand IR-214SMC as well as hydraulic units like the Powerbuilt 6281.
Power Source : Gas (Cylinder) | RPM: 18,000 RPM Max Speed
The Ingersoll Rand 231C is an air powered unit with a max torque of 150 ft-lbs that goes almost up to 18,000 RPM.
Power Source : Electric | RPM: 2,400 Max Speed
The Powerbuilt 6281 is an electric impact wrench with a max torque of 200 ft-lbs and speeds up to 2,400 RPM. It has forward/reverse rotation and an adjustable head that reaches up to 90 degrees in either direction. It also comes with a 3/8 inch square drive.
Conclusion
As a car enthusiast, you know that owning and maintaining a vehicle can be a costly prospect. You also likely know the importance of having the right tools for each job and know that not having them is an inconvenience. To make life easier for everyone who loves cars, all car enthusiasts should keep these essential power tools around when working on their vehicle. Not only will these tools come in handy for smaller maintenance jobs, they’ll have the potential to save you time and money by making tasks easier to complete. On top of that, some of these power tools are just fun to use and you’ll be looking for excuses to show your skills once you have them!
