One tool to replace socket sets, crescent wrench etc

[bigsallysmom]

My tool bag is blooming heavy.  I'd like to lighten it by buying maybe one, two tools to replace metric and standard socket sets and crescent wrenches.  Anybody find anything that works well?

 

[highdesertranger]

instead of one tool bag use 2. one for metric one for standard. the universal tools are not worth it. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

instead of one tool bag use 2.  one for metric one for standard.  the universal tools are not worth it.  highdesertranger

I keep metric and SAE in separate heavy duty ZipLoc bags in my tool box.

 

[MrNoodly]

If you've had experience repairing your rig you might know which sizes of wrenches you actually need. If you can get past that "But I might NEED it" fear many of us have, you can ditch the ones you don't need.

 

[Gr8ful]

I keep these in every vehicle

STANLEY 85-610W - 10'' Locking Adjustable Wrench never slips, & one of these in 10" & 14" internet #205149968 Model # 01-122 (Home Depot #s The work as well on bolts or pipes.

 

[bigsallysmom]

Yeah thats the problem Noodly. I MAY need something so I take too much.

 

[regis101]

The required tools depends on what might need to be fixed. And what a person can fix depends on where they're at at the time. You're most likely not gonna be doin ball joints out in the desert.
Most times I find a simple home tool kit is just fine. Couple screw drivers or a 10-n-1, adjustable wrench, slip joint pliers, wire stripper/crimper, hammer, tape, hex key set, cocktails.
That pretty much covers it, imo.
Back in my VW camper daze, a friend was setting up his camp. He had to first pull out two tool boxes and a box of parts to make room in the Bus. I gives him the friendly schmile.
He calls my hand. "What. What do you carry?"
I replied, "Cash, a CC, and a AAA card. Oh, and a spare wine glass."
Theres the old adage, if ya don't bring it, ya won't need it.
Just some thoughts.

 

[B and C]

And the other adage is, I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Having said that, my toolkit is pretty slim and all fits in a drawer.

 

[MrNoodly]

Another solution is to travel with someone who's a tool hoarder. Why own when you can borrow?

 

[maki2]

The universal tools don't work for all situations. That is because quiet often for vehicle repairs you need a deep socket and don't have room to get an adjustable wrench onto a bolt head.

Auto parts store rent sockets and wrenches. So if you break down and can get a ride to the store then you don't have to carry every single tool that might someday be needed.

But do carry a caliper, the battery digital readouts are now pretty inexpensive and with one of those you can check the size of the bolt head so that you know what size of socket you need. Then when you get a ride to the store you can either purchase that socket or rent it. Or you can ask other campers nearby if they have one that size.

I do travel with a 6" digital caliper, I need it for setting up and checking the dimensions of things I make. But it certainly comes in handy for repair work too. The one I use measures in decimal places in both metric and standard inches and it also displays in fractions. So you have three options for choices in the readout display.

 

[MrNoodly]

...He calls my hand.  "What.  What do you carry?"  
I replied, "Cash, a CC, and a AAA card.  Oh, and a spare wine glass."...

Yeah, that's like when I was on the forum of a particular motorcycle (not Harley). They were talking about what tools they take on extended rides. My answer: a cell phone and a credit card.

Or the discussion with my then-wife about which necessities we carried with us day to day. She's the leave-the-house-prepared-for-anything type and I'm the prepared-for-only-the-most-likely type. My answer: my wallet, cell phone and keys (and the keys were only for the car, house and office, not for every damn lock I owned).

So I guess I've always been inclined to the minimalist approach to life. It has worked 67 years.

 

[Scorpion Regent]

Just throwing my two cents into a old thread.

Here is a mechanics secret, some nut and bolts are the identical size in respect to what wrenches will turn them.  So if you have one tool you don't need the other.
These are the overlaps that will work:
3/4"     =19mm
5/16"   = 8mm 
13/16" = 21mm
7/8"    = 22mm
A 14mm will fit snug on a 9/16" fastener, but a 9/16" wrench is a loose fit on a 14mm fastener and can slip and cause damage..  

Mechanics tool sets are made for most vehicles, not yours. You can save lot of weight if you are only going to work on your vehicle.  Take your tool set and use it to find out what size nuts and bolts you vehicle has.  Every tool that fit are the ones you should keep.  Only have a full set of tools if you are intend to repair any and every car, truck and van that breaks down.
With no exception I know of every car, SUV, van and pick up truck (foreign or domestic) made since the mid 80's is metric.  Power steering pressure hoses are the only thing I have encountered in under hood that required a standard wrench and that was only once or twice.  Things like roof racks and after market accessories may have standard bolts.  RV's can be a nightmare, metric engines, drive trains and vehicle parts with standard interior furniture and household items.  If you customize your vehicle pay attention to what kind of fasteners you use.  Pay close attention to allen head bolts.  A lot of people cary both sets and they really don't need to.   

So right off the bat you can leave out most standard tools, unless you have a very old truck or van.




Almost all spiral hose clamps are 5/16" - 8mm except for the small ones they are 1/4".  If you have a multi bit screwdriver the socket size for the bits is 1/4".   

A flat tire is a definite possibility.  Find out what size the lug nuts are and make sure that you have either a 1/2' drive socket that fits with a appropriate breaker bar and extension or if you have one of those X style tire irons find which arm fits and mark it clearly, (spray paint, duct tape, what ever.)   1/2" drive sockets extensions and drivers are big and heavy, so you can save a lot of weight by keeping these to a minimum.    

Avoid at all costs gimmicky tools that promise to work on all sizes.   The Gator socket is a great idea, but a terrible tool.  All in one wrenches rarely work well, if at all.   

Keeping things simple is good, but make sure you aren't cutting corners on load bearing walls.

 

[MrNoodly]

I keep these in every vehicle

STANLEY 85-610W - 10'' Locking Adjustable Wrench...

However, sometimes (many times?) an adjustable wrench won't fit into the space.

 

[jimindenver]

A credit card can be a valuable tool if you know how and when to use it. However it’s usefulness declines greatly on a Friday night before a holiday weekend as a friend of mine found out.

 

[Scorpion Regent]

However, sometimes (many times?) an adjustable wrench won't fit into the space.

Ah mastering the art of Holy Crescent Wrench revolves around the fundamental principles embodied in the catechism of it employment.   It's applications are legion, and they are good.  Yet there are evil and perverse acts that debase the very nature of the Holy Wrench.  Travel not upon that forbidden path for performing such natural acts can lead to terrible woe and torment in many forms such as, the corruption of the fasteners, the busting of the knuckles, the utterance of profane oathes.  Once these truths are revealed, you will ascend towards the next level of enlightenment.  You must then commence upon the quest to acquire the sacred knowledge of fitted tools.   (cue the choir of angels)

 

[Scorpion Regent]

A credit card can be a valuable tool if you know how and when to use it. However it’s usefulness declines greatly on a Friday night before a holiday weekend as a friend of mine found out.

Any fool can spend money.  I should know I was a graduate student at the the most vaunted of institutions: the  University Inebriated Mariners Economics.  My doctoral thesis, "I can't be broke, I still have more checks."
My roommate was researching the concept of Rent-a-friends: how to use your finances to improve your social standing in taverns, night clubs and other social venues.

 

[user 423]

My roommate was researching the concept of Rent-a-friends:

Yeah, that's been legal in Nevada for some time now.

 

[Scorpion Regent]

Yeah, that's been legal in Nevada for some time now.

only in smaller counties.

 

[maki2]

Considering that the OP asked this question 2 years ago I am wondering if they ever switched to carrying just one tool
The OP is still active on the forum. Perhaps they will drop in and let us know?

 

[user 423]

A pass-through socket set will at least eliminate the need to have a set of deep sockets in addition to the regulars.