The tools and equipment used in the workplace (Honda Civic 6)

Selecting a quality tool is one of the fundamental requirements for anyone planning to perform maintenance or repair procedures on their vehicle themselves. At first glance, the costs associated with purchasing the required set of tools may seem disproportionately large, but when compared with the costs associated with performing routine maintenance and simple repairs to a vehicle at a service station, they appear quite reasonable.

In order to systematize the approach to selecting the tools needed for car repair and maintenance, three lists of tools are provided below, conventionally titled as: "Tool set for routine maintenance and minimal repairs", "Tool set for general and major repairs" and "Special tools". Car owners who do not have practical experience in performing mechanical work should start with performing procedures limited to the use of tools from the first list, while improving their skills and gradually expanding the range of their activities. As skills are acquired, you can move on to performing more complex tasks, gradually expanding the range of tools at hand. After some time, the acquired experience will allow you to move on to performing more complex work requiring the use of tools from the second list (for general and major repairs of the car). When the performer's qualifications reach a sufficiently high level and allow significant savings on independent performance of complex repair procedures, you can think about purchasing a special tool.

A set of tools for routine maintenance and minimal repairs of a car

The list below includes the minimum number of tools needed to perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on your vehicle. The authors of this guide recommend starting with a set of combination wrenches (with a regular open-end head on one end and a socket head on the other). Despite the increased cost of this set compared to the cost of a set of conventional open-end wrenches, the costs will be justified, since such wrenches have the advantages of both types.

• Set of combination wrenches from 8 to 19 mm
• Adjustable wrench (up to 35 mm)
• Spark plug wrench with rubber insert (petrol models)
• Spark plug gap adjustment tool (petrol models)
• Set of measuring probes
• Brake Bleeding Nipple Key
• Screwdrivers:
• With a flat tip (100mm long by 6mm in diameter)
• With a cross sting (100mm long by 6mm in diameter)
• Combination pliers
• Hacksaw for metal with a set of blades
• Tire inflation pump
• Tire pressure gauge
• Grease gun (syringe)
• Oil canister
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Wire brush
• Tool for stripping battery terminals and wire contacts
• Oil filter removal key
• Funnel (medium size)
• Supports for fixing the car in a raised position (2)
• Drainage tank

If routine maintenance procedures include performing basic adjustments, you will also need to purchase a high-quality strobe light and a combined tachometer / instrument to measure the duration of the closed state of the breaker contacts. Despite the fact that these tools are included in the list of special tools, they are mentioned here in view of the absolute necessity of their use for high-quality tuning of the engine ignition, which is part of the car's routine maintenance procedures.

A set of tools for general and major car repairs

This tool is absolutely necessary for any car engine repair operations and is offered in addition to the first list. This list includes a complete set of replaceable socket heads. Despite the considerable cost, a set of replaceable heads brings invaluable benefits due to its versatility and ease of use, especially in combination with the included drives of various types. It is recommended to give preference to drives with a cross-section of 1/2 inch (and not 3/8 inch), because they, although more expensive, can be used with almost any type of torque wrench (ideally, a good mechanic should have both types of drives at his disposal). A cheaper alternative to a set of socket heads is a set of tubular wrenches.

• Set of replacement socket heads (including type heads) (or tubular wrenches), sizes corresponding to the sizes of wrenches from the previous list
• Ratchet reversible drive (for use with interchangeable socket heads)
• Gate length 250 mm
• Cardan drive (for use with interchangeable socket heads)
• Torque wrench (with the same size drive as for socket heads)
• Self-locking pliers
• Round-head hammer (about 230 g)
• Soft-faced hammer (plastic or rubber)
• Screwdrivers:
• With a flat tip (150 mm long and about 6.5 mm in diameter)
• With a flat tip (strong No.2, 8 mm)
• With cross blade (No. 3 x 8 inches [203 mm])
• With a cross sting (strong No.2)
• Clamping pliers
• Pliers:
• For electricians (with insulated handles)
• Narrow-nosed (needle nose pliers)
• For retaining rings (internal and external)
• Chisel 25 mm
• Scraper (made from a copper tube flattened and pointed at one end)
• Scriber (scribe)
• Kerner
• Beards with a thin sting (1.6, 3.2, 4.8 mm)
• Hose clamp kit
• Brake Bleeding Kit
• Set of drills
• Steel ruler/flatness gauge
• Set of Allen key rods (Allen) (for hexagon socket heads)
• Set of files
• Wire brush (large)
• Second set of supports
• Jack (hydraulic or pantograph type)
• Carrying case with closed lampshade

Another constantly required tool is an electric drill with a chuck up to 9.5 mm and a set of good quality drills.

Special tool

This category includes tools that are quite expensive, not needed regularly, or require following the manufacturer's instructions when using. Unless the hobby mechanic frequently performs complex mechanical operations, purchasing such a tool would be a bad investment - it would be wiser to buy it with friends or rent it from auto repair shops as needed.

The list includes only those tools that can be found in retail or that are produced for distribution to service centers of representative departments of car manufacturers. Sometimes in the text of the Manual the reader will encounter references to such special tools. Usually the authors try to simultaneously offer an alternative method that allows to avoid the obligatory use of a hard-to-find tool. In case it is impossible to avoid using a special tool, and its acquisition for use is problematic, it is better to entrust the performance of the corresponding work to car service specialists.

• Valve Spring Compressor Tool
• Valve grinding tool
• Piston Ring Groove Cleaning Tool
• Piston Ring Crimping Tool
• Piston Ring Installation Tool
• Cylinder Compression Gauge (compression meter)
• Countersink for processing cylinder edges
• Hone for processing cylinder mirrors
• Cylinder Bore Gauge
• Micrometer (micrometers) and/or dial caliper
• Clutch Disc Centering Tool
• Ball joint extractor
• Universal type puller
• Impact screwdriver
• Dial Gauge Set
• Stroboscope (with inductive sensor)
• Hand Combination Pump (vacuum/pressure)
• Set of taps and dies
• Tachometer/breaker contact duration measuring instrument
• Universal tester for electrical measurements
• Lifting rigging
• Tool for removing/installing brake springs
• Trolley (trolley) jack

Purchasing a tool

A novice mechanic can be offered several practical tips in terms of purchasing the tools necessary to perform car maintenance and repair procedures. When preparing to perform routine maintenance or minimal car repairs, it is reasonable to purchase tools individually. On the other hand, if you are planning larger-scale work, it is easier and more reliable to buy a set of modern tools in a retail store. Purchasing a set is usually somewhat cheaper than individual purchases and is often accompanied by a tool box. In the future, to expand the range, individual tools, additional sets and a larger tool box can be purchased. Gradually expanding the set of tools will allow you to stretch out the costs and decide on the choice of really necessary tools.

Specialized tool stores are the only source for some specialized tools. Regardless of the source, avoid cheap purchases, especially when choosing screwdrivers and socket heads, as their service life will likely be short. The costs associated with replacing and restoring a cheap tool will ultimately be incomparably greater than the costs of a one-time purchase of a quality product.

Care and storage of the instrument

A good tool is a valuable investment, so it is wise to take care to keep it clean and always ready for use. After using the tool, before storing it, always wipe its surface thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth, removing traces of dirt, grease and metal particles. Never leave the tool scattered around. After completing work, carefully check the space under the hood and under the car for forgotten tools.

A tool rack mounted in a convenient place on the wall of the garage is ideal for storing tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, etc. Sets of wrenches and socket heads should be stored in metal boxes. Precision measuring tools should be stored in places that are free from corrosion, dry and clean.

You should always pay attention to the condition of the working surface of the tool. The striking part of the hammer head is subject to riveting during use, and screwdrivers lose the sharpness of their tips over time. Do not skimp on spending a little time and attention to remove riveting with sandpaper or a file and tidy up the cutting edges. Replace irreversibly worn or damaged tools in a timely manner.

With careful maintenance, the instrument can serve faithfully for a very long time.

Workplace equipment

When talking about tools, we cannot help but mention the equipment of the workplace. If more serious work is to be carried out than simple maintenance of the vehicle, it is necessary to take care of the preparation of a suitable work site.

It must be admitted that many car enthusiasts are forced to dismantle the engine and other similar work far from a garage or workshop. However, in any case, an important requirement is the presence of a roof or awning.

If possible, any procedures for disassembling parts of vehicle systems should be performed on a clean workbench with a flat work surface, or a sturdy table of a comfortable height. The workbench must be equipped with a vice with a jaw opening of up to 100 mm and with soft pads on the jaws.

As mentioned above, the work site should be equipped with a clean, dry place for storing tools, lubricants and cleaning fluids, putties, paints and varnishes, etc.

It should be noted that an absolutely necessary tool is an electric drill, therefore, the work site must be equipped with a power source for its connection. Having a drill with a chuck up to 9.5 mm and a set of high-quality drills will greatly facilitate the implementation of many procedures.

Finally, the work area should always have an adequate supply of old newspapers and clean, lint-free rags available for picking up spills and wiping down the work area, tools, and vehicle parts.

Used working fluids should be handed over to recycling centers in sealed containers.

Never carry out any work on the uncovered painted surface of the car body panels, use protective pads on the fenders, or, at worst, cover the polished surfaces with old blankets.

[Original material on the website: hondabook.ru]