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I'm new to trying my hand at small engine repair and I'm always lookin for multi-purpose tools.

I stopped at a hardware store that had the Arnold Multi-Tool the previous visit I was there but, they were all gone and they said they're not available any longer. So, I picked up an Oregon Top Saw tool for working on chainsaws and other small engines.

I then went home and jumped onto EBay and picked up two of the Arnold tools for under $15-18 shipped.

After using the TopSaw tool a couple of times, it frustrated me how cheaply it was built and is now in the bottom of my tool box. One of the main problems was being able to switch between the two sizes of sockets on that wrench. You have to take a screw out, flip the socket around and fit the screw back in the tool to hold it in place. Well, there are also 4 washers you have to line up to put in between the tool sides and the socket. Good luck with that..

The Arnold Multi-Tool has a bit of a different layout. It has two sockets but, also has two more sockets that sit inside the larger sockets.. They stick out a little past the end of the larger sockets but, when you go to use one, if the inner socket is too small, it pushes into the larger socket and allows you to use it instead. Basically, you have 4 deeo well sockets in the space of two sockets. The inner sockets are also spring loaded and once you're done using the larger socket, the smaller one comes back out. Genius, pure genius..

The other bits are the same as the the TopSaw tool except they don't have the chain tool (Which I haven't begun to figure out how to use) but, instead, they have a tapered spark plug gapper, like a blade with increasing thickness.

I now carry the Arnold tool in my side pocket of my carpenter jeans. There's a pocket made for some kind of carpentry tool that's just the right size to hold that tool. I put a short lanyard on the end of the tool (Where it has a small carabiner to hang from whatever you want to hang it from. The lanyard hangs out of my pocket and makes it super easy to grab the tool.

Another smaller tool I have is called a tip cleaner they use for cleaning propane tips. It must have a dozen small rods in there and those little rods are great for cleaning those small holes in carbs. Each of those rods also have a section about 1/4 to 3/8" up the shaft that is rough like possibly a file would be.

The tool itself has all the bits in one side and a cover that folds over them and keeps them all inside and not getting bent up.

Ohh, I also use an extending magnet pickup tool for picking those little carb parts up off my shop floor that tend to fly out at the most opportune moments. If you see something fly out, try and see the direction it goes in and watch where it lands.. Trying to catch them in mid air is pretty much a futile attempt and will probably cause you to lose the screw or another important part that was being used to hold that part in.

Example would be when you're going into the float areas of a very small chainsaw carb.. You loosen the screw that holds the little pin and the float adjustment flapper thing.. There's a microscopic spring under that rascal that can spring out and fly like a bald eagle on a salmon run.. Believe me, I've seen it.. It's about 1/4" long and smaller in diameter than the springs in ball point pins. You'll usually see this spring launch when you're trying to put it all back together right before you tighten that screw..

Does anyone else have any nifty tools they use on a daily basis they can't live without??

Digital Multimeter Voltmeter I would be lost without it for electrical work.

I looking at the Arnold Multi-Tool . It looks like it would be a handy tool when I am at the customers home just checking over the job and that way I wouldn't need a small tool box with me. The only thing missing is a pliers.

DC Shunt , Multi meter, Spark Tester, Computer, Internet connection, Tachometer, sparkplug socket, compressor
and the list can go on and on and on and on.....:laughing:

A set of craftsman mm size from 8to 18 is probably the most used tool I have.. after that is probably needle nose vice grips but ya when you get into a job the amount of tools you use is astonishing... I have a rule for myself after every project I put all tools away. Even if I get done with one mower and am going to slap another one immediately after I find its best to start with a clean table.

With all the fancy tools and gimics people come up with the neatest little tool for me is the simplest tool I found and carry is my little Crescent wrench, it's only 2 inches long but it has saved me more times than I can count.:smile:

reynoldston said:

I looking at the Arnold Multi-Tool . It looks like it would be a handy tool when I am at the customers home just checking over the job and that way I wouldn't need a small tool box with me. The only thing missing is a pliers.

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Exactly, the Arnold Multi-Tool definitely goes with me on customer visits. I also have one hanging from the shelf next to my bench.

Many years ago I always used to carry a very small pair of Craftsman Channel Lock pliers in my pocket. Might try and find a pair of those to add to my visiting kit.

I picked up a three drawer small Craftsman tool box at a yard sale yesterday. I was also able to pick up about 8 deepwell sockets, a ratchet, breaker bar, 12" long extension, a pair of tie-wire pliers, and a couple of other bits as well as a 4" wide roll of heavy duty nylon webbing. All for $10.. Love me some yard sales.. I'm thinking of making some belt pouches with the webbing. I've got about 35' of it so should be able to make a couple of specialty holsters

I'm thinking about making up a decent tool box with the Craftsman box and should be able to carry some universal parts int he top bin for onsite repairs. I can keep this in the back of my pickup truck until I get my step van outfitted and set up for a full blown shop.

Ric said:

With all the fancy tools and gimics people come up with the neatest little tool for me is the simplest tool I found and carry is my little Crescent wrench, it's only 2 inches long but it has saved me more times than I can count.:smile:

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I had one of those removed from me prior to boarding a flight several years back, it was a key chain that came with a mastercraft socket set. Mine I'm pretty sure was more of a decoration and I bet it would have broken if I tried to use it, but rules are rules I guess.

a dime makes the best screwdriver,

I would say the best tool I have when looking at a repair at a persons home is my trailer. If it can't be fixed with very few tools and time it go's on the trailer to my shop. Any time I go to look at a repair job the trailer go's with me.

pugaltitude said:

DC Shunt , Multi meter, Spark Tester, Computer, Internet connection, Tachometer, sparkplug socket, compressor
and the list can go on and on and on and on.....:laughing:

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:thumbsup:
I'd like to have a tach but don't have enough use to justify the expense. $5 spark tester from autozone.
Hand tools... a good circlip pliers and gearwrenches. Love those gear wrenches for tight spots. Long curved needlenose.
My two favorites are my cordless impacts. The big Milwaukee saves time and effort... the little ryobi saves a lot of time overall... >2 seconds and the bolt is out.

yep, i would agree with gearwrenches being near the top of the list, I brought a set almost 20 years ago & use them almost every day :thumbsup:

Ultrasonic cleaner, multimeter, mityvac, spark tester(clip on & inline), compression tester, leakdown tester and other misc. tools.

Fuel line hose pliers. I got a set of 3 (sm, med, lg) at Harbor Freight. Good for keeping gas off your hands and for tight spots. They look like needle nose with the end bent 90 degrees and has an opening for the fuel line.

reynoldston said:

I would say the best tool I have when looking at a repair at a persons home is my trailer. If it can't be fixed with very few tools and time it go's on the trailer to my shop. Any time I go to look at a repair job the trailer go's with me.

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What size trailer are you hauling around? I've got a step van I'm workin on to convert into a mobile shop but, I doubt I can fit any riders in it.. Especially the size of that one in your avatar..

How long do you work on a motor onsite before you trailer it?

Do you charge for pickup and return and if so, how much??

Sorry for all the questions, still trying to get a handle on this business and decide whether it's worth it to make my van into a mobile shop.

Since originally posting this, I've made a few modifications to one of my Arnold Multi-Tools. I went to a parts store and bought a small hex bit set that were exactly like the tools on my Arnold.. Basically, they're looped around one one end and it fits over one of the screws that holds the tool together. Not it's got even more functionality..

Some other favorite tools that have made it onto my bench and my 'Go-Bag' are nut drivers. I've been picking them up at yard sales for $.50 a piece. I usually only use Craftsman tools but, these will work until I find some more at yard sales..

One major score at a sale was a box full of new in the box spark plugs. I picked up 35 plugs along with an ols spark plug cleaner tool for $15.00.

Hemostats seem to come in handy along with those 6-1 screwdrivers..

And lights, lots of lights on those arms that extend the light over to where you're working..

And finally, a magnetic pickup tool.. That way when I drop one of those cursed springs that hide under the float lever in a carb, I can sweep the tool and find it... and also to pick up the wrenches I drop... and the screws... and pretty much everything else that's metal on these motors..

my latest favorite tool is a Milwaukee tools 18 volt lithium-ion 1/2 inch drive impact gun also got the Milwaukee cordless drill with 1/2 inch chuck which uses the same battery
:thumbsup:

066 said:

my latest favorite tool is a Milwaukee tools 18 volt lithium-ion 1/2 inch drive impact gun also got the Milwaukee cordless drill with 1/2 inch chuck which uses the same battery
:thumbsup:

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How much was the impact gun? I'm thinking about getting one so I can take the blades off the mower, without having to use the air compressor

My Ram-Line BBW-4501 1911 barrel bushing wrench.

zmister11 said:

How much was the impact gun? I'm thinking about getting one so I can take the blades off the mower, without having to use the air compressor

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we got a combo kit for around NZ$700 that's for both drivers & 2 battery's, the benefit is no air compressor or air lines needed & take it anywhere

066 said:

we got a combo kit for around NZ$700 that's for both drivers & 2 battery's, the benefit is no air compressor or air lines needed & take it anywhere

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Yeah that's good. That's exactly why I want to get one