A properly equipped garage is one that enables car owners and enthusiasts to work on and modify their vehicles. A proper garage has space, a way to raise the vehicle to work on the wheels or chassis, and a good selection of automotive machine shop tools. All gearheads need the right tools to do the job right or run the risk of ruining their rides. The following automotive machine shop tools help to produce professional results.

Essential Hand Tools

Wrenches, ratchets, screwdrivers make it possible to loosen and tighten nuts, bolts, and screws. A properly equipped garage has standard and metric wrenches that have open ends and closed ends with either six or 12 points. The standard and metric sockets for ratchets also should have full sets with six points and 12 points as well as short and long barrels. The ratchets should fit quarter, three-eighths, and half-inch sockets to provide a full range of mechanical options.

Air Compressor and Air Tools

An air compressor with air tools really makes hard work easy in a garage. An impact wrench will remove most stubborn nuts and bolts that might have seized up. Air ratchets do the hard work that mechanics otherwise would have to do with their hands and arms when using regular ratchets and wrenches. Air compressors make it possible to top off tires and enable auto body work with the right tools, including shooting new coats of paint.

Specialty Tools for Particular Tasks

Some tools will sit in a toolbox for months and sometimes longer before a home mechanics needs them. But when it comes to doing things like removing wheel hubs, pulling gears, or even removing a steering wheel, specialty tools get the job done correctly. A hydraulic press can insert and remove bearings, wrist pins, and other parts that other tools cannot. And special diagnostic tools can help to adjust the engine timing and very specifically measure parts for the perfect fit.

Power Tools and Welding Equipment Enable Quality Repairs

Drills, grinders, reciprocal saws, and other power tools can make quick work of hard tasks. They also make it possible to customize vehicles to make them very special for their owners. Welding equipment can help to modify body panels, mount an aftermarket exhaust, raise the suspension, and do many other cool things. A wire welder is relatively simple to use with some practice. Oxygen-acetylene gas torches can braze sheet metal with brass rods.

According to Ibis.com, the machine shop services industry market is set to increase by over 14% by the end of this year. This is understandable, given the array of tools used by hardworking professionals every single day. To learn more about this topic, visit the professionals at Regis Manufacturing Co, or feel free to give us a call. We'll be happy to get you up to speed with the latest in automotive tools.