New tools bring a bag of new tricks

Tag: pneumatic impact wrench

While most of you reading this column are automotive enthusiasts, it is probably safe to say the majority of you don't become overly excited with words such as portable plasma cutter or pneumatic u-joint driver.

These are some of the fancier tools that are essential to the garage of the auto mechanic or metal fabricator, but probably not necessary for you and me on a daily basis, unless of course you happen to be the kind of person who bores out a 302 V8 engine or is in the process of restoring or tricking out a hotrod.

We all own tools for various home repairs and probably own a handful of tools for use in the garage. Obviously many of the tools that are purchased at auto parts stores cross over for home use. Everyone should have a few basic automotive tools on hand for proper maintenance of their daily driver.

I recently acquired a collection of goodies from Matco Tools to use in my home garage and to bring onto the Powerblock TV (weekends on Spike TV) set for times when I get my hands dirty. I've already put them to use and discovered that, to make our lives at home and on the road safer and more efficient, there are several new tools you just shouldn't be without.

The quality of tools is constantly improving and they should. It's progress. Matco, and I'm sure many other companies, really seems to incorporate the needs and desires of the user, designing tools that are easy to operate, have great quality, do the job, are affordable, feel good in the hand and, also important in my opinion, look cool. OK, so I'm totally in love with the top torque screwdriver set. The handles on the five screwdrivers have different sizes depending on the length and application and the material on the handles is soft and comfortable on my hand, yet also keeps it from slipping. While these can be used around the car (interior trim and that sort of thing), I think most of us will probably use them more often around the house. They will be used for nearly every project, so a set is worth the investment.

Matco offers many types of hammers for a variety of uses. Yes, there's more than the carpenter's claw hammer that you used to fix up the laundry room. My pick is the two-pound brass hammer that can be used to hang pictures and take care of home repairs, as well as find use in the garage if you're working with sheet metal or other automotive work that calls for some pounding (leave the claw hammer out of it, OK?). The brass hammer also looks beautiful, is top notch and worth the $30 or so.

A set of pliers, such as the Cobra Ergo is an incredibly versatile tool because you can use it for automotive work, around the home and even for jewelry repairs. I have used mine to fix necklaces and earrings, saving money and an unnecessary trip to the jewelry fix-it-up shop. The pliers provide versatility and adjust gripping power, depending on the strength and grip size that is needed. And, like the screwdriver set, the non-slip material on the handle is soft and comfortable. The pliers will also look good turning in your hand.

Ratcheting up the technology a bit, and to show just what's out there for tools these days, Matco has a neat coil-on-plug probe that verifies whether an ignition coil is firing without having to disassemble the coil to check for a spark, which can be really tedious on an eight-cylinder engine these days. Just hold the probe against the coil, which is usually riding on top of the rocker covers, pull the trigger and see if the lights go on. At $130 or so, it's no brass hammer, but if you're into fussing over modern engine electronics, don't let the price stop you.

The last item on my list is the 1/4-inch mini composite impact wrench. The best part is that it's small enough to use in tight quarters (under the dash, etc.) where you really want an impact wrench to work. I mean, who wants to lay on their back under the dash twisting a wrench when this little baby will do the job in short order. The 1/4-inch fitting accepts standard sockets and other attachments. For US $174, put one in your toolbox and keep it at the ready.

From the garage to the home, just a few key tools - and some brand new ones - will make your life more efficient, safer and even more fashionable. And buying quality tools means they're going to have a long life.