If you had a set of "go-to" tools—the kind that would fix most everything—what would they be?
We consulted our "Ask the Mechanic" columnist Steve Thompson. A pro at fixing anything, he gave us a list of tools he keeps at the ready. For a bit less than $700, Steve put together his emergency tool set.
Unless otherwise noted, these tools came from Lowe's. We did not include the tool bag or the Hitachi impact wrench in our price calculation. The canvas bag holds a ton, but you may already have a toolbox. The impact wrench is a great, versatile tool to have. Steve also keeps a 26-piece screwdriver set from Sears Craftsman in his tool bag. The set retails for $29.95. See No. 23 below for selection.
Here are the web sites for the other tool sets:
www.hitachipowertools.com
www.duluthtrading.com
www.sears.com
www.kobalttools.com (tools are sold at Lowe's)
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1. DTPro cell phone holster with writing pad. $14.50 (Duluth Trading Company)
2. DTPro work gloves with Kevlar stitching. $34.95 (Duluth)
3. Three tape types: electrical tape, 10 pack. $4.96; duct tape. $7.98; X-Treme self-fusing tape, 10 feet. $6.50 (last product from Duluth)
4. Plastic pull ties, 100 count. $6.98
5. Cotton towels, 12 pack. $6.98
6. Wrecking bar. $6.28
7. Fire hose apron, cotton canvas. $34.50 (Duluth)
8. Open top tool bag. $59.50 (Duluth)
9. WD-40. $2.94
10. 10-piece, 1/2-inch impact socket set. $45.86
11. Hitachi WR18DL, 18-volt, lithium-ion impact wrench. $249.95 (Tyler Tools)
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12. Komelon self-lock tape measure, 25 feet. $6.98
13. Stanley LED tripod flashlight (left). $24.97; no-batteries flashlight, metal casing. $34.50 (Duluth)
14. Black & Decker Inflation Station. $49.97
15. Socket set, part of 154-piece mechanics set. $99.99 (Sears Craftsman)
16. Kolbalt four-piece spark plug set. $14.96
17. Four-piece pliers set. $29.99 (Sears Craftsman)
18. Hawkbill electrician's knife. $17.50 (Duluth)
19. Kobalt three-piece locking pliers set. $19.95
20. Kobalt oil & gas filter wrench. $9.98
21. Kobalt 16-ounce steel rip claw hammer. $9.96
22. Stanley solid-frame hacksaw. $8.98
23. Three tool sets: Kobalt, seven-piece heavy-duty ratcheting wrenches (selection at left). $69.96; four-piece, large GearWrench ratcheting wrenches (selection at right). $59.99
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