1. bent-handle flex-head ratchet
   parts washer
2. automotive stethoscope
   stubby screwdriver

The long handle and shaft of regular a screwdriver help to provide good grip and sufficient turning force when tightening or loosening screws. They are not of much help, however, in tight quarters. That is why the stubby screwdriver gets so much praise from mechanics who are regularly called on to work in confined spaces inside vehicles.

1. circlip pliers
   drive extension bar
2. inspection camera
   heat gun

This relatively new tool has become indispensable to mechanics since it reduces the time and energy spent disassembling parts for the sake of inspecting them. The flexible snake of the inspection camera can wind through tight space and pipes, sending back images for the mechanic to analyze.

1. tire changer
   engine crane
2. headlamp
   palm ratchet

The handle on a tool serves several purposes, such as providing good grip and increasing the turning force you apply. There are times, however, when the handle just simply gets in the way. A palm ratchet is the perfect tool to use for jobs in those tight spaces that a long handle just can’t handle!

1. stubby impact wrench
   air chisel
2. jack stands
   nut splitter

A jack is used to lift a portion of a vehicle off the ground – it is not meant to be used to keep the vehicle in the air. That’s what jack stands are for! Different jack stands can accommodate different maximum weights, so it is important to buy ones which can withstand the weight of the vehicles being worked on.

1. deep drive sockets
   scribing tool
2. digital caliper
   flexible sockets

This simple tool is used to mark vehicle parts just like a pen or pencil. The marks made with its hardened steel tip are more or less permanent and will not be easily erased as the parts are handled.

1. kneeling pad
   needle scaler
2. crow’s foot wrench
   ignition spark tester

The ignition spark tester can be used to check whether a spark plug is working or not, as well as whether it is misfiring. It is a simple and easy way to pinpoint or eliminate possible problems when working on an engine.

1. mechanic’s creeper
   electric cutoff tool
2. underhood light
   electric impact wrench

It can sometimes be a real hassle (and a waste of time and energy) trying to loosen fasteners which are rusted into place. An electric cutoff tool makes short work of cutting right through fasteners when saving them isn’t a priority.

1. parts washer
   ratcheting socket wrench
2. stubby screwdriver
   air compressor

It’s never a good idea at the end of a job to reassemble parts which are grimy, greasy and just downright dirty. That dirt isn’t just unsightly; it can also prove to be a real hazard once the vehicle starts running again. That’s why professional repair shops invest in a parts washer and why it is a good idea for every do-it-yourself mechanic to consider getting one, too.

1. spark plug pliers
   oil drip pan
2. hydraulic floor jack
   carpenter pencil

Quite a few of jobs which get done in a garage result in dripping oils which can create a slippery and dangerous mess on the garage floor. A large drip pan can collect dripping oil for easy disposal while leaving the work area much cleaner and safer.

1. headlamp
   tire inflator with gauge
2. crow’s foot wrench
   flexible sockets

This specialized wrench is very useful for tightening and loosening fasteners which are on ends of pipes and tubes. It is a cross between a regular wrench and a box-end wrench, with its small opening being just enough to slip around the tube while providing a secure grip on the fastener.

1. needle scaler
   circlip pliers
2. automotive stethoscope
   air compressor

The design of circlip pliers depends on whether they are meant to be used on internal or external circlips. They also differ in terms of the length and the diameter of their tips, so the mechanic can choose specific circlip pliers to match the size of specific circlips.

1. deep drive sockets
   carpenter pencil
2. heat gun
   retractable air hose reel

Sockets typically come in two lengths: standard and deep, each of which works best for particular jobs. For example, deep drive sockets are very handy when a mechanic is working on a vehicle’s exhaust system and needs to loosen an exhaust clamp from around an exhaust pipe.

1. air chisel
   palm ratchet
2. tire changer
   transmission jack

Tire changers vary as to the type of wheel-and-tire assembly they can manage. Some are suited for the wheels of standard-sized cars, while others are meant to work specifically with wheels from motorcycles, trucks or heavy-duty vehicles.

1. drive extension bar
   mechanic’s creeper
2. ratcheting socket wrench
   electric impact wrench

The creeper makes it easy to roll under a vehicle and then back out again. Some models are convertible and can easily be transformed into a roll-around seat for working on low areas such as wheels.

1. stubby impact wrench
   ignition spark tester
2. kneeling pad
   flexible magnet pickup tool

Working in a garage means you have to be prepared for plenty of standing, crawling, bending and kneeling while you work. Items such as a creeper, rubber floor mat and kneeling pad help to ensure you aren’t left suffering from aches and pains at the end of the day.

1. jack stands
   bent-handle flex-head ratchet
2. nut splitter
   inspection camera

Its bent handle and flexible head allows this ratchet to get to even the most obscured nuts and bolts. It is not the type of tool the ordinary do-it-yourselfer will have in their toolbox but repair shops find plenty of good use for it.

1. headlamp
   electric cutoff tool
2. spark plug pliers
   engine crane

A headlamp directs light to the exact spot you are looking at and working on. Plus, unlike a flashlight, a headlamp offers the convenience of having both hands free to work and it will not get in the way like a hanging light tends to do.

1. retractable air hose reel
   hydraulic shop press
2. hydraulic floor jack
   underhood light

An air hose has to be long so that it can be pulled to any area of the garage where compressed air is needed. A retractable reel mounted on a wall or on the ceiling helps to keep the hose out of the way when it is not in use and automatically pulls the hose back when you are done using it.

1. oil drip pan
   scribing tool
2. stubby screwdriver
   heat gun

The heat gun has several applications in the garage, including helping out with paint removal when bodywork is being done on a vehicle. Needless to say, the heat generated by this tool means safety equipment, such as goggles and gloves, must be worn.

1. electric impact wrench
   bent-handle flex-head ratchet
2. crow’s foot wrench
   hydraulic floor jack

The hydraulic floor jack is the ideal piece of equipment for elevating a vehicle when mechanical work needs to be done on it. Once the vehicle is raised sufficiently, however, jack stands should be used to keep it raised. Hydraulic floor jacks can be bought in a low-profile version for vehicles which sit low to the ground.

1. engine crane
   mechanic’s creeper
2. tire inflator with gauge
   hydraulic shop press

Sometimes it is necessary to take the engine completely out of a vehicle in order to work on it. At those times, most repair shops will rely on their engine crane to safely lift the engine and move it, often to an engine stand where it can be worked on.

1. flexible magnet pickup tool
   ratcheting socket wrench
2. spark plug pliers
   deep drive sockets

The ratcheting socket wrench fits into spaces where the handle of an ordinary wrench would not have enough room to turn. The socket fits snugly over nuts and bolts and the ratcheting action means that the wrench will only turn the fastener in one direction.

1. tire changer
   air compressor
2. parts washer
   stubby impact wrench

When a regular-sized impact wrench is too big to fit into tight spaces, then you will need to reach for a stubby impact wrench. Its compact size lets you work in confined areas without sacrificing the power you need to get the job done.

1. air chisel
   digital caliper
2. kneeling pad
   crow’s foot wrench

The air chisel or air hammer is powered by compressed air and can deliver much greater force than a manual hammer and chisel would. It can be used to remove tarnish from metal; split bolts which are rusted in place; and cut through sheet metal, among many other applications.

1. underhood light
   needle scaler
2. flexible sockets
   hose clamp pliers

An underhood light is a good way to illuminate the entire engine bay or undercarriage of a vehicle. The light is most often rechargeable and uses LED bulbs. It can typically be clamped on or attached magnetically.

1. circlip pliers
   oil drip pan
2. carpenter pencil
   ignition spark tester

The carpenter pencil is a simple and practical tool to have for making markings, jotting down parts numbers or anything else you would use an ordinary pencil to do. Its shape makes it easy to grip and means it won’t roll away like a round pencil would.

1. hydraulic shop press
   transmission jack
2. needle scaler
   jack stands

A needle scaler makes very short work of stripping rust or paint from the body of a vehicle. It also works very well at removing built-up gunk from the vehicle’s undercarriage.

1. engine crane
   nut splitter
2. deep drive sockets
   retractable air hose reel

Mechanics very often come across nuts which are so corroded or cross-threaded around a bolt that the only way forward is to reach for a nut splitter tool. It is the perfect way to deal with a stubborn, stuck nut while ensuring that the bolt and its threading remain intact.

1. digital caliper
   transmission jack
2. drive extension bar
   electric cutoff tool

A digital caliper allows the mechanic to take very precise measurements which is often a key factor when conducting work on an engine. Working with exact measurements helps to ensure optimum performance once repair work is complete and the vehicle is delivered back to the client.

1. inspection camera
   palm ratchet
2. flexible magnet pickup tool
   tire changer

There are many hidden and inaccessible recesses under the hood of a vehicle. Trying to retrieve nuts or bolts which fall into one of these areas can be an extremely frustrating task. This is when a flexible magnet pickup tool becomes indispensable in a garage shop. It can bend and wind its way into narrow, unseen areas to retrieve lost items.

1. stubby screwdriver
   electric impact wrench
2. retractable air hose reel
   scribing tool

Impact wrenches are designed to deliver strong bursts of torque (turning force) to quickly and effortlessly loosen or tighten fasteners. Electric impact wrenches might not give you quite as much torque as the air-powered versions, but they save you time since you can simply plug them in and get to work.

1. bent-handle flex-head ratchet
   stubby impact wrench
2. air chisel
   automotive stethoscope

The automotive stethoscope amplifies internal sounds in very much the same way as a stethoscope used by doctors. It is a very important diagnostic tool especially when trying to pinpoint the source of engine trouble.

1. digital caliper
   carpenter pencil
2. air compressor
   kneeling pad

Many repair shop tools are powered by compressed air even though there are often electric options available. That is because air-powered or pneumatic tools are generally more powerful than their electric counterparts.

1. oil drip pan
   drive extension bar
2. electric cutoff tool
   tire inflator with gauge

The drive extension bar fits onto a ratchet just as a socket would. Once the bar is in place, a socket can be attached to its other end. This extended assembly can now be used to reach fasteners which are located in awkward, hard-to-reach places.

1. flexible sockets
   circlip pliers
2. hose clamp pliers
   scribing tool

Flexible sockets are jointed to allow them to reach fasteners which are located in tight spaces and are otherwise inaccessible. They come in a wide range of sizes just like ordinary sockets and can be bought for impact wrenches, as well.

1. headlamp
   hose clamp pliers
2. underhood light
   tire inflator with gauge

A tire inflator with a gauge helps to ensure that each tire on a vehicle is pumped up to the required air pressure. Tires which have too much or too little air will wear unevenly; make the vehicle harder to maneuver; and reduce gas mileage. They will also put you at greater risk of developing a flat tire.

1. spark plug pliers
   flexible magnet pickup tool
2. heat gun
   hydraulic floor jack

Using the incorrect tool or your hand to grasp and twist spark plug boots and wires often does more harm than good. A pair of spark plug pliers is specially designed, typically with offset or angled jaws, to reach in and get the get done safely.

1. hose clamp pliers
   mechanic’s creeper
2. jack stands
   palm ratchet

The clamps used to hold hoses in places sometimes have a screw or nut and bolt to loosen and fasten them. Some hose clamps, however, are made with a spring action which requires a special tool, the hose clamp pliers, to open them. The hose clamp pliers is designed to squeeze the clamp open and keep it open until it is positioned where you need it.

1. hydraulic shop press
   automotive stethoscope
2. nut splitter
   parts washer

Hydraulic shop presses typically feature a simple, easy-to-use design along with sufficient power to handle many of the toughest repair shop jobs. Some shops also use a smaller, desk-mounted, manual press known as an arbor press.

1. inspection camera
   ignition spark tester
2. ratcheting socket wrench
   transmission jack

A transmission jack is used to remove or replace the heavy transmission of a vehicle. It is usually rated by its maximum weight capacity, often ranging from 600 to 4,000 pounds.