What Tool is Best?

At some point we’ve all done it - working on something either at home or on site only to discover that you don’t have the right tool on hand. More often than not, it seems like it’s okay to simply adapt something you do have on hand and hope it does the job and although it can often work - there are a few very good reasons as to why this is a bad idea in general.

There are a multitude of different mechanic's tools (and tools in general) available, for an even larger variety of jobs, so it’s very unlikely that you are going to have everything you could ever need on hand, all the time. That said, even basic tools can often be misused - for example, the wrong sized sockets, or the wrong type of screwdriver.

When doing things like drilling or cutting, if the wrong bit or blade is used it can snap off or break, not only damaging the equipment and your workpiece, but possibly hitting you or others nearby and potentially causing serious injury too.

Evidently, safety is the most important factor involved in using the right tool for the job, but using the wrong tools can cause damage to both the thing you are working on, and the tools themselves. Working with the first example above, in the case of incorrectly sized sockets or the wrong screwdriver it’s likely that you will round off the head of a fastener, or strip out the slots in it - making it even harder to remove later.

This sort of thing can be particularly damaging when you are working on parts or projects that require a lot of precision. Winging it with things like bearings, piston rings and valves can lead to later engine failure, and using the wrong types of tools when working on brakes and suspension, can seriously compromise the safety features of your vehicle.

Ensuring you use the right tool will also reduce the amount of effort you need to get a job done. You can struggle with an adjustable spanner, trying to remove a crank pulley bolt, and then mess about all day long with pry bars, or you could simply use the correct sized socket and an impact wrench, then remove the pulley with a puller. Doing things properly, with the right tools can save a whole bunch of frustration and rage - not to mention time you could spend doing something productive.

Finally, keep in mind that tools and equipment aren’t exactly cheap, so using a screwdriver as a chisel, or a socket as a hammer will only end up costing you money better spent on the right tool in the first place. Quality tools will last for many years and help you to carry out all sorts of cool stuff if you look after them, so if you need to do a job that your current tools might not allow for, don’t potentially reduce your inventory by breaking something - instead expand it by buying the right thing. Not only will you have gained a tool, but you’ll have gained experience that you can apply to future tasks.