5 TOOLS Every SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC Should Own - (And 3 I Advise AGAINST!) 

I buy inexpensive wrenches and sockets. The ratchets that come with said sets i fire straight into the garbage most of the time because I love my snap on ratchets lol. You forgot about the 20lbs sledgehammer for when you have “had enough” with that particular piece of equipment lol

there's also the issue of hi-end tools life time warranties like daniel-Forge , Fuller, the Companies are no longer!

Thats going to help someone thats thinking about working on their own stuff or maybe starting their own business. Thanks tom

Torque on cylinder heads, especially OHV engines is pretty important, but CONSISTENCY is the key. No one, except me lol, calibrates their small engine torque wrenches frequently, If the value is off a few inch or foot pounds no worries but they ALL need to be the same for proper loading applied to the assembly. And the torque sequence called out by the manufacturer should be followed to get proper fitment. Great video Tom, but I like torque wrenches, especially on expensive engines like Kawasaki’s. A twisted head can and will result in head gasket failure

This was a good video. I have mixed feelings about your torque wrench viewpoint but maybe I'm just trying to justify the money I spent on the SnapOn truck. I did just order the Wera T handle. I'm excited to see how that works out. I don't think anyone that watched this video would mind watching a followup video called "5 MORE tools..."

You are correct about torque wrenches Tom. Apart from maybe new apprentices, a moderately experienced bloke should be able to "feel" when the fasteners are about right. I'm usually a bit over what the manual says

Whats that spark tester called and where can i get it?

Tom it is the OLD MAN at Eliminator Performance in Canada. After your first video on the Spark Check'R i contacted the company to find a Canadian distributor and sadly at this time there are none. But i was told a new model SPC-7200 with a MSRP of $59.95 was getting ready for release. The following are the upgrades to the original model: 1. The battery is more durable and battery drain is approximately a third of the original 2. There is now a low battery voltage reminder , in order to keep testing stability. When the voltage is lower than 1.2V the 3 LESs flash at the same time to indicate battery replacement 3. A variety of AAA batteries with different voltages can be used (due to low voltage pro default setting is to use 1.2 and 1.5V batteries) 1.2V rechareable Ni-MH battery, 1.5V alkaline or carbon battery, 3.2V rechargeable lithium iron phosphate battery, 3.6V rechargeable lithium-ion battery 4. The new unit has improved accuracy detection since each has passed calibration independently with better consistency 5. This unit now uses strong anti-interference components which prevent circuits from malfunctioning or being disturbed. The following comes direct from the manufacturer Trillium Worldwide Inc. 214 Pond Ridge Road, Liberyville, IL 60048 USA. Phone #847-234-5355 for information. WE ARE NOT SPONSORED BY THIS COMPANY JUST PROVIDING INFORMATION FOR YOUR VIEWS SINCE THIS APPEARS TO BE A GREAT ADDITION TO THE TOOL BOX!

I say buy the tools that you can afford then if you want buy better.Like you say there is not huge torque pressures it aint a space shuttle.I have tools that are over twenty plus years old made of steel not cheaper modern metal.This year i am going to start replacing piston rings on my stash of spares machines to sell them off.And clear space also be more money

Great video Tom, this will surely help someone just starting out in the small engine gig. 👍

This may be your best video yet. The format and camera work was great. I didn't agree 100% with the spanners but did with the rest. (I have never used a torque wrench in a small motor).

Where's the welders tip cleaning set for the carby clean omg! 😅

By the way very good choices on and well filmed buddy.

Great job Tom! You have a great charisma and deep knowledge easy way to deliver the material. Good luck to your channel!!!

What’s the brand of the spark tester? I’m a one man band, and that would be a life saver.

Agreed, but add a good set of high speed drill bits, a good gear puller, a good flywheel puller, and a good tap and die set.

Nice video bud! Definitely agree on spark tester, I’ve had a few machines that were passed onto me for further troubleshooting and found the spark weak, but was told spark was seen.

What size of orifice did you use on your leak down tester, and did you buy the orifice or did you make it? Cheers from Canada.

Couple questions. Why did you choose the 12V over the 18V Milwaukee? And, does that particular multi-meter have a capacitor test option? Good one as always.👍🍻

👍🙋

I totally agree with this entire video. To confess i don't have a leak down tester.

Two things i highly advise as a tech is a 12v screwdriver, not an impact. I have a DeWalt but Milwaukee makes one in the m12. The main difference is that the screwdriver is basically a very compact drill with the 1/4" quick change chuck and the main advantages is that there are no impacts that can damage small fasteners and the adjustable clutch makes it easy to not over torque pieces so assembly and Disassembly goes way faster. The other thing is a bench mounted bicycle repair vice, you can get cheaper ones for $30us that work great but we have a park tools one in our shop and its amazing. I mostly use it for safely tuning handheld ope chainsaws/string trimmers and it holds the tool perfectly steady and in a safe direction so you can hold your tach and screwdriver without having to monkey with holding the equipment

I really enjoy your video's.. Plus I have picked up lot's of checks that I didn't know .. many thanks..

Does that compression tester have fittings for ALL old and new small engines? You didn't mention a tachometer. You tune by ear. Do you find no real use for an inductive tach.?

I agree with everything except buying the cheapest tools. Cheap tools break and waste your time. They strip rusted or partially damaged fasteners. They can even cause injuries if they slip or break while in used. You dont need the most expensive tool truck stuff. I like mid grade tools. They have served me well. The cheap stuff is fine for wrenches you need to cut down or modify and you will only use once or twice. My humble opinion. Nothing wrong with being geeky and measuring stuff.

Hi Tom I just wanted to thank you again for sharing your expert knowledge and advice. Since watching your instructional videos I've been using my pressure and vacuum tester to test carburetors, crankcase seals and fuel lines. I've also discovered it can be used to test the combustion chamber seal on Paslode nail guns. Like you've said elsewhere, it can be tempting to just throw parts at a problem instead of properly diagnosing a fault, especially in a professional setting, but I'm with you that systematic diagnosis means lower costs and better outcome for clients in the long run. Let me know if you'd be up for a chat, email etc. I'd love to pick your brain about some of the finer points of diagnosis and repair. I'm happy to share what I know about power tool repair, and I've also studied some Christian literature and philosophy so it might be interesting to explore that as well.

I can use a business

Great video Tom 👍

Hey Tom what a great video! I have to say that I agree with you concerning most all of the tools mentioned, including the torque wrench. Experience comes with a built-in torque wrench, the one in our elbow lol. As far as future small engine mechanics? I don't believe there will be a need as most everything is getting cheaper and cheaper quality. Unfortunately it's going to be a throwaway world in the not to distant future. Just look at the sh*t on the market today! It's definitely isn't designed with the mechanic in mind, as much as I hate to say it....

Excellent review, and I appreciate your real world perspective. Over the years, I have accumulated multiples of many tools, such as sockets and wrenches. It is surprising how often only one particular example will fit to do what needs to be done. Each has its own strengths, but diversity also is s valuable. Cheers from Canada!

If you're not using "torque wrenches", you are not much of a mechanic.

Always enjoy your videos keep it up thank you so much as always