The term gearhead may be unfamiliar to you if you are new to mechanical hobbies or auto repairs. In that context, gearheads are people who always want to learn something new, find out how things work, and love to fix things.
Some gearheads like old cars, while others like speedboats, motorcycles, and many different mechanical objects. So, if you ever want to become a gearhead or just improve your gearhead skills, you should see what tools you need to get the job done right and get into a lifetime adventure of fixing and tuning things, just like you see them do it on TV!
If you don’t know where to start, here are seven sets of tools that every gearhead needs to have in their garage at all times.
First things first, it’s certainly easy to overlook the little parts you need to have in your arsenal such as bolts, nuts, and washers but know that they’re some of the most important parts of the toolset.
Bolts, nuts, and washers come in different sizes and shapes, so make sure that you have the right size for each job. If a bolt is too small or too large for its job, it can break or strip out easily. Also, don’t forget about getting a proper lock washer for each task, as it’s a vital part that helps distribute pressure evenly across a joint and prevents bolts from coming loose.
Wrenches are used to turn nuts and bolts, while sockets are used to hold them in place while they’re being turned by a wrench. Both wrenches and sockets come in various sizes depending on their purpose. For example, you might need a 1/2-inch drive socket set if you’re working on an older vehicle with large lug nuts, or a 3/8-inch drive socket set if you’re working on something like a Mini Cooper.
If you’re going to be working on cars, you’ll need a good set of tools. You can’t expect a hammer to last forever, so make sure you have some spares on hand as well. You should also have some picks, screwdrivers, and chisels for getting into tight spots and removing parts like valve covers and spark plug wires. Be sure to get yourself a torque wrench as well. This tool is used for tightening bolts with the correct amount of force so that they don’t break under pressure.
Screwdrivers are an essential tool to have in your garage. They can be used to tighten a loose screw or to remove a stripped screw head. You should invest in both flathead and head screwdrivers. Flatheads are great for loosening or tightening screws, while head screws are great for tightening or loosening screws with rounded edges.
Pliers come in handy when you need to bend or squeeze objects that won’t fit into your hands easily while wire cutters are used for cutting wire and stripping wire ends for soldering purposes. They can also be used to cut through other materials like metal pipes or even plastic insulation from wires if necessary.
Electric tools are just like their non-electric counterparts. It’s just that instead of being gas-powered, they use electricity to power them up. This means that they’re much easier to handle and control since they don’t need any kind of fuel or battery charging to use them. They can be used for anything from construction projects to home improvement tasks, so there’s no need for you to worry about having any trouble with these kinds of tools.
Air tools are more powerful than electric ones and often faster to use. They operate on compressed air, which means that they don’t need an electrical outlet or battery power source like an electric drill does. This makes them great for working under the hood or in other areas where electricity isn’t available.
You can find air wrenches (also called impact wrenches) at most auto parts stores and even at some local hardware stores if you have one nearby. These are great for removing stubborn lug nuts without damaging them or your wheel hub when changing out tires/rims/hubcaps.
A cordless drill is a must-have tool for any garage or home. It’s one of the most versatile tools you can have around the house, and it’s easy to find a model that suits your needs.
There are two main types of cordless drills: hammer drills and impact drivers. Hammer drills are designed for boring holes in concrete or other masonry materials, while impact drivers are used for driving fasteners such as screws and bolts.
There are plenty of tools that you can use as a gearhead, and the list is only going to keep growing. But you should check out the essential tools that we’ve listed above, and they will make your life easier when you start working on your next project. The most important thing to remember is that no matter what you do, never forget to use the proper protection when you’re working with your tools!
