[Closed] Best tools for a home mechanic

My personal recommendation would be to get a selection of good quality Torx bits, and a 1/4 inch socket driver. More and more fastenings use Torx and the ease of removing say all six rotor bolts with a ratchet driver compared with a single key is enlightening.

If you use HT2 BBs, then I would suggest a proper 1/2 inch drive cup style BB tool, not a c or even a ring style spanner.

Chain link pliers. Not essential, but a godsend.

Long T-handled hex keys, preferably the two ended type.

Good quality screwdrivers to fit limit screws.

Grease gun.

Cable cutters. Lifechanging!

I'm wary of toolkits, as more often than not they have stuff I don't need, or miss some stuff that I do. I have built up a decent toolkit by buying separately. Most of the SS stuff looks good, and cracking VFM, but I also like Fat Spanner and Cyclo (bikehut)

Look at the bigger tool sets, e.g. Park, Lifeline etc, and make a list of all the tools you use now or think you will in the future. Add those to your shortlist along with more niche tools like cable cutters etc.

You'll soon figure out what you want and don't want + how much it's going to cost.

And get a decent workstand.

And a vice.

Or two.

Mostly I find having separate hex / torx keys easier than changing a driver bit all the time , the only thing I normal use a ratchet for are rotor bolts and bb cups

The driver bits are useful for torque wrenches though
Things I'd would not skimp on
Chain tool
Cable cutters
Time

You'll never regret buying good quality allen keys. At worst, you won't use them much but they'll still be doing a great job putting up your grandkids' Ikea Hoverwardrobes. Though the 5mmallenkeyfairy will probably strike at some point.

Tool kits in principle are a great idea, done right, but the best ones went off the market a while back (Lifeline one was superb). Icetoolz and Bikehand have decent ones but they're not massively cheaper than buying individual tools. The main advantage is just not getting caught out without a particular tool at midnight, the night before a big ride.

The new Topeak prepstation is really nice

http://www.topeak.com/products/Homeshop-Tools/prepstation

Pretty much what scapegoat said. I have built up my tools over the years by 1st of all getting a good set of hex and toex keys and then buying more specialist kit as i needed it.

Look at Superstar for tools.

I have a Halfords professional socket set, Facom allen keys, knipex pliers, Park workstand and various other tools I have acquired over the years.

Cycling specific brands such as Park can be over priced in my opinion, however certain tools are only made by cycle specific brands so you have no choice.

I would also suggest a torque wrench.

Buy the best you can afford

Yeah, some branded tools are pretty poor. You could dip a turd in blue plastic and people'd pay £39.99 to put it in their toolkit.

You could dip a turd in blue plastic and people'd pay £39.99 to put it in their toolkit.

LOL 😆

Although the park tool Pizza cutter is a good bit of kit.

I've got a cheap T-handle screwdriver that takes various bits, which works a treat as it can be spun to get machine screws out and given an ounce of mechanical nous you won't over torque anything with it either.

Liaise with your mates so that between you you cover the less common tools, eg mech hanger tool, Hope hub tools etc.

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Surely this should cover it?

I'm sure it does for some bike shops 😀

Damn it nicko74...Now it seems I need another 9 'tools'.

Bondus for hex keys , cheap and very good
I'm not a huge park fan some of the workshop stuff is very good but a proper investment

For screwdrivers and pliers lidle do some very nice stuff now and then
Cutters knipex
I'm a tart and love my snap on spanners and ratchets but not screwdrivers or small socket bit hex keys

I forgot the two most important tools

Angle grinder
Lump hammer