Best Mechanic's Tool Sets: The Fix Is In

Top 7 Best Mechanic's Tool Sets

Gearheads are lucky. We’re interested in vehicles, so the natural extension of our interest is to pick up a set of tools to poke and prod at the very machines we enjoy. Someone who is interested in horses would be well-advised not to do the same, for example. Or those who have more than a passing interest in household electricity.

Buying a set of tools isn’t a problem. They’re sold everywhere from high-end retail stores to highway rest stops. The quality of those tools, however, varies greatly. Few things on this earth are more frustrating than getting halfway through replacing a thermostat only to have one’s ratcheting wrench start to spin futilely in its gear set.

We’ve picked out several different options for the shadetree mechanic, all of them with different strengths. Most good gearheads seem to accumulate tools over the years; perhaps these will make the grade and take up residence in your basement or garage.

Try doing that with a horse.

Choosing a tool kit from a well-known brand is usually a safe bet. After all, only the silliest of companies would put their name on subpar equipment (ahem *Black & Decker* ahem). This set from DeWalt immediately puts your author in mind of Matt Kenseth's NASCAR racer, a testament to modern marketing efforts.

As for the set, it is packed with most of the common sizes of sockets one will need to tackle the majority of basic automotive work. The ratchets are advertised to have 72 teeth, a feature that should permit the removal of bolts in even the tightest of places. Three drive sizes are in the kit, along with some box end wrenches and spark plug sockets.

If all you need to carry around in the back of your pickup is a basic set of sockets for common repairs, this kit might do the trick. Included in the plastic blow-molded case are deep and shallow sockets of both 6- and 12-point variety. If you don't know why 6-point sockets are a benefit, give us a shout when you round off your first bolt.

Said to be an updated version of a previous offering, this set has a new sturdier case with steel hinges and 2 latches to keep your tools organized and secure. The ratchet has 60 teeth inside its teardrop-shaped head (sounds like we're talking about horses again) and is 10 percent longer than the ratchet in their old set. May the torque be with you.

These chrome vanadium forged tools are advertised by the seller to have the toughness and durability to withstand our ham-fisted repair attempts. A full polished chrome finish helps with anti-corrosion duties if you leave the things out in the rain, you slob.

The piece count is padded by the likes of Allen keys but does also include an agreeable number of sockets and screwdrivers. The tools are organized in a sturdy aluminum box that has three drawers so you can pretend to be a real mechanic, at least until you start snapping off exhaust header bolts with reckless abandon. No mention is made of the ratchet tooth count, a worrying omission for an off-brand product competing with the big boys.

While your author would love to pretend and explain American bankruptcy law, he is far better equipped to explain the finer points of a Weber carburetor. Yes, this brand was tightly knit with the now-defunct Sears department store chain but does appear to stand on its own now that the bricks-and-mortar shops have been shuttered. Digging into specifics caused this scribe's head to spin with words like 'tortfeasor' so let's just agree that the Craftsman name has a bit of weight and leave it at that.

These tools also have a bit of weight, with customers reporting a pleasing heft and smooth ratchet actions. All three drive sizes are represented by a variety of sockets in 6-, 8-, and 12-point configurations. Half a dozen extension bars of varying sizes and drives help you reach that third bolt on the starter motor.

Some shoppers don't need the benefit of having hundreds of tools on hand, content with only having the minimum they need to handle small issues that might arise in their 37th-floor condo. This starter tool kit is fine for assembling furniture, putting up a picture, and perhaps a couple of very minor repairs on the car.

Included in the little case are a set of slip-joint pliers, some screwdrivers, and a hammer. The latter should be saved as a last resort when assembling furniture, especially if it's from IKEA. It is all conveniently sized to fit under the sink in a small apartment or in that cupboard above the stove.

Yes, the House of Bezos has even managed to put its stamp on a set of mechanic's tools. Despite my sneering introduction, this set is filled with 6-point sockets, a delight when most kits feature wretched 8 pointers (or, worse, 12s).

Metric sizes go up to 17mm while SAE measures reach 11/16. Both of those are 3/8-inch drive sockets, by the way. Only those and 1/4-inch drives are included, it should be noted. Customers report good quality, though how much of that is simply in the 'better than expected' category is unclear. There's a spark plug socket and a few screwdriver heads in here as well.

If the DeWalt set reminded your author of Matt Kenseth, then this Kobalt-branded kit has Jimmie Johnson written all over it. It includes 117 commonly used 6- and 12-point sockets plus a trio ratchets with which to spin them. The balance of the piece count is made up of combination wrenches, Allen keys, and other assorted tools.

Packaged in a natty blue box with three drawers and a lift-top lid, the whole kit and kaboodle weighs about thirty pounds. Best to keep it on your workbench, then. By the way, the third drawer is purposely kept empty so you can add your favorite tools to this set. Shrewd move, Kobalt.

Which tools do professional mechanics use?

When talking about car repairing, there are some essential gears without which the vehicles cannot be fixed whatsoever. If you are new or want a brief set of tools to keep in the boot for emergencies, the following is a list of some mandatory items that you must consider buying:

Hand Spanners and Wrenches

These come in both open-end and box-end variants, and must be bought in a set that comprises those ranging from 11mm to 19mm.

Special Wrenches

You may also want to buy some adjustable wrenches so you don’t get stuck in the middle of the repairing process if no static spanner or wrench matches the size of the nut/bolt. The jaws of these adjustable wrenches can be expanded or contracted to ensure a firm grip.

Pliers

Pliers are one of the most important tools in any toolkit. For car repairing, it is advisable to get corrosion-resistant pliers made of tempered steel. You may also want to check if the handles of the pliers provide a good grip.

Screwdrivers

It is advisable to buy both flat-tipped and cross-tipped screwdrivers of different sizes (usually come in sets). Also, as it is with the pliers, you must also check the grip of the hands, and even assess their length for convenient usage.

Oil Change Wrenches

These wrenches must perfectly match the size of oil filters for flawless and smooth installation. Make sure to check if these wrenches are enough in numbers to be used with a variety of car filters.

Spark Plug Gauges

Spark plugs work well only when the electrode gap is accurate. Therefore, spark plug gauges are the must-have items in your toolbox.

Who makes the best quality mechanics tools?

What is a good brand of tool set?

Among all other manufacturers in the industry, many users have given positive reviews to DeWalt and Husky. The tool sets manufactured by these brands come in several variants to choose from according to your need and budget. Nevertheless, both the companies are known for producing toolkits that offer a decent overall performance.

What is the best tool set you can buy?

What is a mechanical tool set?

A mechanical tool set is a set of tools that comprises various items like screwdrivers, pliers, spanners, wrenches, etc. to help you repair your cars. Tool sets come in various sizes that may differ according to the number of pieces they contain. For instance, some are 16-piece tool sets whereas some have 46 pieces, and so on. These tool sets can go up to 1000+ pieces per kit. The price of each set depends on the brand and the number of items it has.

What is a good beginner tool set?

From time to time, TTAC will highlight automotive products we think may be of interest to our community. Plus, posts like this help to keep the lights on around here. Learn more about how this works.

(Editor’s note: This post is meant to both help you be an informed shopper for automotive products but also to pay for our ‘90s sedan shopping habits operating expenses. Some of you don’t find these posts fun, but they help pay for Junkyard Finds, Rare Rides, Piston Slaps, and whatever else. Thanks for reading.)

[Main photo credit: Ant Photo Studio / Shutterstock.com. Product images provided by the manufacturer.]