Bringing your car to the mechanic every time you need a minor repair completed can become expensive over time. With so many tutorials, blog posts and instructional videos online nowadays, there are countless resources out there that can help you to carry out minor repairs at home all on your own. This can save you time and money and will help you to stay safe on the road whether you’re behind the wheel or in the saddle.
There are countless different tools that you could add to your tool shed, however, it’s wise to start with a few essentials and expand your collection over time. With just a few particular tools, you can carry out a lot of maintenance work at home without having to bring your car or bike to the mechanic every time. When you’re buying tools, it’s important to remember that they are an investment. They may cost you a fair bit upfront, but you can be sure that they will pay for themselves in the long term.
Let’s take a look at just a few tools that you should have in your shed as a car and bike owner.
An Air Compressor
Having a quality air compressor set up at home allows you to inflate tyres on your car and on your bikes as required. This can save you a lot of time on trips to the local garage and also save your arms from all of that manual pumping. What’s more, should you purchase any pneumatic power tools down the line, an at-home air compressor will ensure that you’ll be ready for action right away.
Socket Wrench
A socket wrench, sometimes called a ratchet wrench, is an essential tool for any home garage. These tools are incredibly versatile, allowing you to loosen and tighten nuts and bolts on your car or bike with ease. Most of these sets come with a range of attachments to fit different sized hardware. With a socket wrench, you don’t have to reposition the tool every time you make a part-turn as you would with a regular wrench, which essentially allows you to get any job you’re handling completed in a fraction of the time it would’ve taken without this trusty tool.
Pliers Set
Whether you are fixing the electrics in your car or you are adjusting the brake cables on your bike, pliers are always a useful tool to have access to. However, rather than buying just one, try to buy a set that contains different types. Needle-nose pliers can be useful to get in those smaller areas while regular pliers can help you to get a better grip on a cable without damaging your hands. With a set, you can be sure that you will always have the right set of pliers for any job that may come your way.
Hex Keys
As every bike owner knows, a set of hex keys, commonly referred to as Allen keys, is an essential bike tool. While they don’t look like much, without them, you can be sure that you will run into trouble. They can also be useful in car maintenance, especially if you need to remove coverings from the interior to access the electrics or other components that are typically hiding behind the plastic interior panels. Hex keys typically come in a set with different sized keys for different jobs. A good set of Hex keys is highly likely to last you a lifetime.
Set Yourself Up For Success With Your DIY Maintenance And Repairs
Having the right tools is the first step to getting any job done right. Whether you are a seasoned car and bike maintenance expert or you are just starting out, be sure to equip your toolshed with the tools you need to look after your personal mover in the future. Once you have bought your tools and organised your garage or shed space, you will be able to maintain your vehicles from the comfort of your own home and undoubtedly save a wealth of both time and money in the long run.
