Because there are so many different types of vehicles on the road, an auto mechanic needs to know that he has the proper tools to work on any number of vehicles that come into the shop on any given day. While there are a few specialty tools that are job-specific, there are a few other considered must-haves because you can use them on any number of projects, regardless of the make and model of a vehicle.
Socket set with attachments
Quite possibly one of the most versatile tools in any mechanic's shop, a socket set allows you to turn various sized bolts and fasteners using the unique ratcheting mechanism built into the handle of a socket wrench. This allows you to turn it in a back-and-forth motion even in cramped spaces where a normal wrench is simply too bulky and clumsy to use. The attachments are just as important, ranging from breaker bars for more leverage, to extensions for those hard-to-reach bolts and fasteners deep within an engine.
Air-powered tools
From torque wrenches to connectors for airing up tires to blowing off the dust and dirt from a particular piece within an engine, air-powered tools are the mainstay of any professional mechanic. The air hose, is the backbone of the shop because nearly every power tool in a mechanic's repertoire hooks up to one, making these tools the most important in the toolbox. They are particularly useful for working the nuts on tires as well as undercarriage fasteners that have been tightened over time. No experienced mechanic works without air-powered tools.
Car lift
A mechanic without a car lift is a mechanic without the ability to quickly, efficiently and safely work on a car. While the jacks that come with vehicles can work in a pinch for emergency situations, a professional mechanic needs a professional car lift, one that is either pneumatic or hydraulic and can safely keep the car up off the ground . This lets the mechanic in question to quickly and easily get to all the various parts and sundries that require work.
Wrenches
Some of the oldest tools in the shed, wrenches have been in use for centuries, and they are still an important part of any mechanic's tool box. With varying sizes of heads, in both standard and metric measurements, mechanics use wrenches for any and all easy-to-reach bolts and fasteners, and with varying degrees of length can allow the mechanic extra leverage. Another advantage: you can easily slip a breaker bar over the end of a wrench for additional leverage, making them a versatile inclusion to any mechanic's list of must-haves.
