All posts tagged auto tools

5 Tools That a Professional Auto Mechanic Must Have

by Carsurfer Admin on 2017/10/25 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off on 5 Tools That a Professional Auto Mechanic Must Have

When it comes to repairing an automobile, there are mainly two things that matter a lot. First of all, the automobile mechanic should have all the important automotive tools; and secondly, he should have decent amount of experience of how to use these tools properly. Additionally, it is also vital that the mechanic should have thorough knowledge about how to deal with the various kinds of technical issues.

When talking about the automotive tools, there are certain tools that matter a lot, and can make the task of repairing your vehicle quite easy. In fact, if you have even a little amount of technical knowledge about car repair, you can use the tools mentioned below in order to fix the minor issues. So, let us take a look at some of the must have auto mechanic tools.

Tools That Every Auto Mechanic Should Have:

  • Jack
    We all know that it can be really difficult to repair a car without lifting it with a jack. Once there is enough space available between the car and the ground, you can easily execute the process of repairing. For this reason, having a set of four jack stands is absolutely essential, along with a floor jack. It is important to remember that all jacks are not enough versatile to lift each and every type of car; therefore, before you buy a jack, make sure it has been designed to support a wide range of models.
  • Impact Wrench
    In most of the car servicing or repair cases, the wheels have to be pulled out. Hence, every auto mechanic should have a good quality impact wrench, which can deliver high amount of torque. The good quality impact wrench smartly stores its rotating mass, which in turn ensures that the user does not have to use too much force in order to keep the machine under control. Apart from an impact wrench, you would also need a torque wrench to put back the wheels to their position.
  • Proper Lighting
    If the garage does not have enough lighting, it can be quite difficult to carry out the repairing process easily. If you end up dropping even a small hardware item like screw or nut inside the engine’s compartment, it may turn into major issue later. For this reason, make sure that the garage is not dark inside. So, purchase a few spotlights and a couple of LED lamps. Don’t forget to buy a good quality flashlight.
  • Air Ratchet
    When it comes to fixing a car, you usually have to play with a lot of nuts and bolts. So, in order to save your time and effort, as an auto mechanic you should have a good quality air ratchet, which is powerful enough to ram the bolt in an effortless way. Do check the torque delivered by the air ratchet before buying it.
  • Automotive Stethoscope
    It is an invaluable tool of every professional mechanic. Many a times, vehicles make strange noises, particularly at the time of driving them. With the help of an automotive stethoscope, it becomes really easy to find out the source of the issue. An automotive stethoscope comes equipped with numerous transmitters and a few microphone clamps.

So, those were some of the must have tools that every auto mechanic should have in his garage. In addition to them, you can also include some other tools like high torque pneumatic wrench, bleeder, vacuum pump, pressure testing kit, battery carrier, pliers, and many more. When purchasing these items, you must make sure that the supplier or manufacturer is a reputed and reliable one. Durability of these tools matters a lot in ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Keeping it Real: 4 Tools for Original Car Restoration Projects

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/10 in Uncategorized with Comments Off on Keeping it Real: 4 Tools for Original Car Restoration Projects

When it comes to planning and completing your own original car restoration projects, the first thing you’ll certainly need is the right set of tools for the job. After all, no two cars on the market, past or present, are ever the same. With each make and model of car that you restore, you’ll need a different selection of tools. However, with a bit of planning, you can easily have all the tools you need on hand to complete your restoration project. What follows is a list of some of the more commonly used restoration project tools.

3/8" Professional Air Ratchet

You’ll certainly need a professionally balanced air ratchet for nearly every original car restoration project that you undertake. The 3/8" model is capable of delivering a torque of up to 50 pounds. The slimmer, more portable 3/8" design is also especially handy because it will allow you to reach fasteners in crowded, inaccessible spaces that the regular impact wrenches simply cannot. This is one item that will definitely need to be on every car restorer’s list.

Dual Action Air Sander

Another item that no qualified car restoration expert can afford to be without is a dual action air sander. You’ll need a sander that employs dual action for the simple reason that sanding the body of your car is not a one time process that smooths down only one type of surface on your car. Therefore, you’ll need a sander that can handle varying surfaces, such as metal, fiberglass, and others, without causing damage to the body. A dual action sander will give you the best results in this tricky situation. Unlike larger sanders, this still gives you the quality and detail control without giving up efficiency.

Portable Abrasive Blaster Kit

A portable abrasive blaster kit is an excellent addition to your personal garage. This handy instrument is equipped with a blast gun, 15 ft. of hose, and a 50 pound hopper. It’s the ultimate tool for removing paint, rust, graffiti, and previous restoration errors! These tools might seem expensive for the scope of the project you’re working on, but spending months with a small sander trying to take the paint and bad welding lines off of your restoration project is also time consuming. Save your valuable time and get yourself a fun tool in the process. Even if you don’t choose to restore another car after you’re done, this handy tool is great for all sorts of home improvement projects, and could be lent out to help with community service projects, like an eagle scout project to remove graffiti.

2000 PSI Pressure Washer

Before you can really consider your car restoration project complete, you’ll need to clean it up. A 2000 PSI pressure washer is the instrument most restoration experts recommend to accomplish this goal. It contains the recommended amount of pressure needed to fully clean a newly restored vehicle in a safe and convenient fashion, perfect for most personal home garages. This is a must have before you paint. If you paint over shavings and dust from your sanding, it will destroy that coat of paint, and any additional layers you add to it. A pressure washer can ensure that the body of your vehicle is clean and dry before you attempt to paint.

Whether you are interested in learning more about these and other car restoration tools, or looking for a a good place to source affordable parts,  there are plenty of handy online resources available to you. YouTube has thousands of helpful how-to videos for repairs on all types of vehicles. Your car restoration project might not be as far away as you think, and it might just be the perfect excuse you need to stock up on some fun new tools.

Author Bio

Marlena Stoddard writes on antique cars and auto repair. Originally from Senoia, GA, Marlena lives in Santa Rosa, CA with her husband and 2 children. For help finding parts for classic restorations, Marlena recommends established sites like 99 Truck Parts.

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