Top 6+ Tools in Your Garage That Likely Need Maintenance

6 Tools in Your Garage That Likely Need Maintenance

The tools in our toolbox are items meant to keep other things running smoothly, but what about the tools themselves? Don’t they occasionally need a little bit of love? Of course they do, and while box-end wrenches and screwdrivers might only need the occasionally wipe down to get the worst of the oil and grease off, there are a few other items in most DIY home shops that would appreciate a bit more attention and regular upkeep.

Tools are what help us maintain our project cars, but what maintains the tools? If you’re smart, you do. And most tool care is simpler than the effort put into those projects, so it’s absolutely worth setting aside a few hours every so often to go through your toolbox and do a little maintenance. Here are six tools to start with.

Ratchets

They are some of the most reached-for tools when wrenching under the hood of vintage cars, yet for all the time we hold them we rarely stop to look at ratchets. There are moving parts inside them, and that means there is some form of lubrication, too. Although some models are sealed better than others, not much holds up to being dunked in solvent for extended periods of time. You know, like being leaked on by gasoline for an hour or two.

Just opening one up, cleaning everything, and reassembling with fresh grease or oil will make most ratchets work like new again and will remind you why you use a breaker bar with a cheater pipe instead of the relatively delicate teeth of a ratchet. If you do have a set of som’r teeth in your ratchet (som’r here, som’r there …), rebuild kits can be purchased for most ratchets very affordably and will put all the teeth back in place. They might even include the OE-spec grease, which is a nice bonus.

Torque Wrenches

On a torque wrench, you’ve got the ratchet end, so repeat the above, and then factor in the need to make sure the calibrated bits on the other end are taken care of. This means taking the time to clean and inspect for damage or any sort of strange feeling when adjusting the torque setting. Some wrenches can be home serviced, with guides available from the manufacturer.

Match the amount spent on maintaining your precision tools with the cost of the consequences if they are out of spec. Being 10% off on a wheel stud is often a lot less consequential than having the same error on critical engine components in a high-performance application. Maintain your tools to match your project expectations—but maintain your tools.

Micrometers/Calipers

Torque wrenches are on the durable end of the tool scale once you step into projects that require measurements involving three significant digits on the right side of the decimal. Most who have purchased precision tools also store them with the care their price tag deserves, but it’s also worth taking the time to double-check with a 1-2-3 block or similar to ensure the tools you are trusting are actually still trustworthy. Otherwise, a good cleaning and light oiling will keep things in the proper condition.

Sharp Things with Non-Replaceable Blades

Could I have just said “pocket knife?” Probably. At least, that’s the one I find myself using most, and after a couple decades carrying one I’ve finally confirmed the theory that a sharp knife is a safe knife. Reducing the force needed to cut often allows for more control. Even if we are only talking about opening boxes from the latest parts order, a fresh edge is nice.

Other items like gasket scrapers or punches and chisels can be included in this category, too. These tools were deigned to be used with a fresh edge, so sometimes effectiveness and finish quality can be impacted if the edge is left dull. Grab your favorite way to sharpen an edge and hone in that bevel.

Drill Press

Not all home shops have the floor space for a drill press, but if you’re lucky enough to have one there is a certain amount of upkeep to be done. Most drill presses are belt belt-driven with a pulley system, meaning the belts and pulleys will wear. And how often are most of us actually properly setting spindle speed when drilling at home? That kind of treatment means belts aren’t looked at very often, so a quick visual inspection and adjustment is always worthwhile. Also be sure to lubricate the machine appropriately, plus take care of any rust that might appear. Corrosion is a lot easier to deal with when caught early.

Most Anything That Can Rust

With that thought, we might as well cast the super wide net that includes a high percentage of hand tools. Tools get exposed to all kinds of chemicals when used in an automotive setting. Combined with an often damp garage storage environment, and that means rust can set in while in. While some sort of drying agent in a toolbox drawer can help, most toolboxes are not sealed, which means that desiccant is attempting to dehumidify much more than just a drawer. A light coating of oil is a good solution for most tools while in long-term storage, and it is easily applied by wiping on with a rag.