Tools beyond the basics for DIYers

Except when it comes to mountain bikes and drum kits, I’m frugal (read: cheap) by nature, so I’m not the kind of guy who would blow a chunk of change on tools that I will never use. I’m also keenly aware of the limitations of my skills when it comes to automotive repairs. That doesn’t mean that I wasn’t like a kid on Christmas morning when I brought home this nifty new toolbox, a gift from a close friend who’d had enough of my incessant whining about my ancient, overloaded junker that hobble-wobbled across my garage floor like the shopping cart I pulled out of the supermarket corral yesterday. I can’t begin to express the joy I felt when I transferred my lifelong collection of hand tools from the creaky shallow drawers of the old chest to the smooth-as-glass ball bearing-enabled drawers of the new. Even my oddball assortment of wrenches that had multiplied like rabbits over the decades fit like soldiers in parade formation. Beautiful.

I don’t own a torque wrench. I don’t own a tap and die set. And the last thing a guy with my inexhaustible zeal for new, potentially dangerous hobbies needs–without the benefit of any prior training–is a welder. Or anything that makes fire, for that matter

That said, I can’t disagree with any of the recommendations in this very helpful video. Nick and Andy made some solid choices for items that elevate the shop tool inventory of just about any DIYer who wants to level up beyond kicking the tires of his vehicle when it won’t start. I’ll go so far as to say that I see an inexpensive borescope in my future arsenal because I’m tired of pretzeling my aching body into weird positions to peer into the dark recesses of my engine compartment or undercar.

I don’t think I’m unique, and I believe Shop Press readers would agree that there are two basic types of backyard mechanics. There’s the type exemplified by Nick, Andy, and Liam, any of whom could probably build a car out of the parts they’d find if they were helo-dropped into a salvage yard in an episode of a yet-to-be conceived reality TV show. And then there are folks like me who make up the majority of enthusiasts. In much the same way we’ll readily treat our common cold with over-the-counter medicine, we’re also smart enough to know not to attempt our own cardiac surgery. We know that when it comes to anything beyond the basics, we need to turn to the professionals.