Repair 7

The Best Automotive Tools

Automotive tools are used by both professional and amateur car mechanics to repair and maintain automobiles. These tools are generally kept in a garage or workshop until needed. Although modern cars contain many specialized components, the fundamental principles of automotive engineering have remained the same for quite a while. As such, every professional or amateur handyman should have a basic set of tools at their disposal.

Hex Key Wrenches

Hex key wrenches consist of metal rods in the shape of hexagonal prisms. They are usually bent at right angles near one end. They are used to screw and unscrew hexagonal-headed screws. Hex key wrenches are also called Allen keys. Hex keys can be purchased in sets of many hex keys of different sizes.

Voltmeter

Voltmeters are used to test car batteries. Car batteries can gradually run out of charge over time. A voltmeter measures the electrical voltage between two points in an electrical circuit. If a cars battery runs out of charge the car will not start.

Duct Tape

Duct tape is a tough, thick, waterproof masking tape. Duct tape is useful for binding components together while you work on them. It is also used for implementing temporary repairs on parts of cars, such as reattaching broken wing mirrors until they can be properly repaired.

Socket Sets

Socket sets typically contain a wrench and a large number of exchangeable heads. The heads are supplied in the set along with the wrench. Ratchet wrenches contain a ratchet mechanism that allow the wrench to easily rotate around the head in one direction. This enables the user to easily and quickly apply the wrench without removing it from the nut. Socket sets are also available in power tool versions.