It doesn't matter whether you're working on a motorcycle, a boat, a car or even an airplane, the basic hand tools you'll need in your tool box are the same. When purchasing hand tools, you'll find many brands with widely varying prices. Professional mechanics will, of course, recommend the more expensive brands but for doing repairs or periodic maintenance on your own vehicles the additional cost may be hard to justify.
You will find some tools that are quite inexpensive, but these should be avoided. The materials used in cheaper tools tend towards lesser quality. Tool failure can result in damage to your vehicle or even personal injury. My personal choice is Craftsman tools from Sears. The price is right. They are readily available at about any shopping mall and the Craftsman brand has a good warrantee.
The following list should cover most of your needs but as any tool junky will tell you, you can never have enough tools. You will always find occasions where a specialty tool is required. For wrenches and sockets, you will need to know whether your vehicle is metric or standard. Get both if you possibly can. If you don't, you may end up trying to use the wrong set when working on another vehicle.
Wrench set
Sometimes called "Combo" or "Boxed end/Open end" wrenches. These come in sets of different sizes. Get the largest set that fits within your budget.
Socket set
These come in sets of different sizes. Again, get the largest set you can reasonably afford. 3/8 drive is sufficient for most home use. Besides the ratchet driver, you'll need at least a 3 inch and a 6 inch extension, and a spark plug socket. These will normally come with the set. A 1/4 inch drive set is also quite useful.
Screwdriver set
At a minimum, get a small, medium, and large slotted screwdrivers, and a small and medium size Phillips. You may need a "Torx" screwdriver as well, but that depends upon your specific vehicle. Look for a set to save money.
Hex key set
Commonly called "Allen Wrenches". Look for the ball end type as they are more versatile.
Ball Peen Hammer
About 16 oz.
Plastic Tip Hammer
About 12 oz. Use to hammer on parts with minimal damage to the part.
Adjustable Wrench
One 6 inch, and one 12 inch
Pliers
Look for a set with several sizes and types. At a minimum, get a regular, a needle-nose, a Vise Grip* type, and a Channellock* type.
Wire cutters
This item may be included in the pliers set.
Wire strippers
Used to remove insulation from wires. This item may be included in the pliers set.
Chisel and punch set
Chisels are used to cut metal, and are sometimes the only way to remove a rusty nut. Punches are used to drive pins in or from a shaft.
Hack Saw
Like a chisel, a hack saw is used to cut metal and with vehcle maintenance you hope you never need to use it.
File
A small 6 inch and an 8-12 inch mill file is usually sufficient.
Tap and Die Set
This is usually a "nice-to-have", but is a very welcome addition to any tool set. You will use it to repair threads on nuts and bolts, and occasionally to cut new threads on blank stock.
Feeler gauge
This tool is a set of thin metal leaves of specific thickness. It is used to measure the clearance between two surfaces. It's useful for setting valve and spark plug gaps.
Dial Caliper
This allows precision measurement normally in a range of 0 to 6 inches. A micrometer is a better choice in some cases, but your first purchase should be the dial caliper.
Consult your owners manual to determine the range you'll need. Generally, one torque wrench in the inch pound range, and one in the foot pound range will meet your needs. Get the "clicker" type as they are easier to use than the type with a needle or bar.
Should you take this list to the store you may be in for a bit of sticker shock. Tool collections may be built in phases rather than all at once. This is preferable to puchasing tools of inferior quality. Tool purchases in most cases should be considered an investment. With proper care and cleaning, most tools will last the home user a lifetime.
*Note: Vise Grip and Channellock are registered trademark terms, but like the brand "Kleenex" are commonly recognized brands and when shopping you'll find most salespersons will kind of tool know what you're requesting.
