Bertram Hill
All of the information on this site has been gathered from personal experience. The information is given in good faith but any reader is advised to make their own considered judgement or to seek specialist advice as to the accuracy or otherwise of any statements made before making use of this information.
Tools That I should have Purchased Years Ago
Over the years having struggled with many awkward jobs it is a joy to discover a tool that does the job with ease. In addition to the standard spanners socket sets drivers etc. there are many tools that make maintenance so much more pleasant. These are some of the tools that I wished I had purchased years ago:
Brake maintenance 
Bleeding Brakes is a most apt name for a rather tedious task.
Having tried various methods including: my better half pushing the brake pedal; various one way valve devices and the system whereby air from a tyre is used to push fluid from the master cylinder. I have found them all lacking in some respect. The fluid drainer illustrated has made a tedious task a pleasure. A few pumps on the handle generates a vacuum in the cylinder, the nozzle is attached to each brake nipple in turn and sucks the fluid through the system from the master cylinder. The tap on the hose gives a degree of control. Even the most awkward vehicle has been bled with ease. The device is also invaluable for draining the oil from those gearbox's and axles without drain plugs, an increasing trend these days. A temperature sensor failed in the water reservoir of my Griffith. To remove the sensor would normally have meant draining about 6 litres of coolant, probably to waste. This device enabled the coolant to be removed and saved for re-use, and best of all no mess all over the garage floor.
Supplier: Motor Factors
Brake Shoe Retaining springs can be the most awkward things to remove and replace, these special pliers enable the most difficult springs to be released with ease. The cylindrical end to one handle can also be used to release those fiddly sprung washers that are sometimes used to retain the shoes to the backplate.
Supplier: Sealey or through Motor Factors
Renewing brake pads requires that the caliper pistons be retracted to allow space for the new pads, this can be a most trying experience without the proper tool. This device completes the task in seconds.
Supplier: Sealey or through Motor Factors
Hose Clamps are essential if the brake caliper has to be removed from its flexible hose but the fluid retained. Two types are available the larger ones that clamp the hose between the arms with a retaining clip and the smaller compression ones that are tightened with the knurled nut. I prefer the latter as they tend to minimise deformation of the hoses but both types are useful if access is limited.
A remarkabe tool So simple but so effective.
A powerful magnet fixed to a metre of flexible nylon.
Ideal for withdrawing cam followers from an engine, for retrieving steel objects dropped in the engine I even used it to recover a screwdriver that fell into a drain.
Small Hyperdermic Syringe
Ideal for squirting easing fluid onto a precise area or when filled with grease to inject into ball joint boots
Supplier: Ask your friendly GP or Vet for a couple they only cost pennies.
Starting a car with a flat battery Batteries always seem to fail in the middle of winter usually during a storm but a starter/charger powered from the 240 volt ac mains never fails. Capable of delivering the full starting current, it has always got me going. One of the most useful and well used items I own. In addition they also act as a heavy duty battery charger. Available in a range of sizes to suit all vehicles.
Removing Oil Filters is rarely an easy task and having tried several removers including chains, the type with jagged teeth and the strap kind illustrated I have found this type to be the most efficient. It is tightened by a 1/2" socket set ratchet handle.
Bullet and snap connectors can be a nuisance to join.
The tool illustrated takes seconds to make a perfect job.
A Stethoscope is invaluable for identifying mechanical engine noises. Water pump bearings, noisy tappets etc. can be located with ease.
Slide Hammer Kit
The Slide Hammer kit has transformed many awkward jobs into a routine procedure. Rusted split pins can be a real pain to extract requiring not only brute force with a pin punch but also usually the need to be drilled out as well. The mole wrench attachment enables the split pin to be grasped firmly, a couple of pulls on the slide hammer and the job done!
Removing oil seals is accomplished with ease, no more fiddling with screw drivers etc. just fix the two or three jaw puller onto the shaft, locate in the seal and again a few pulls on the hammer withdraws the seal without damage to the locating recess. The screw thread attachment (on the left) is described as a dent puller but makes short work of removing those awkward hub grease caps ( as used on triumph TR's and many other classics). Just screw into the hole on the grease cap and usually one slide of the hammer is enough to remove it cleanly. No more dents in the cap from frustrating blows with a hammer and cold chisel. Supplier: Machine Mart
Exhaust Cutting tool and Expander
Perhaps not as well used as some of the previous tools but still most useful especially if you fabricate your own exhaust systems. The cutter enables chopping of even hot exhausts where hacsaw access would be awkard. The expander operated by a spanner eases tight tube just enough to slot in silencer etc.
Drill Bit Sharpener
Accurate sharpening of drill bits has always been one of those skills that I have found difficult to master. Ensuring that both chisel edges of the drill point are sharpened to the same degree using the off-hand grinder method has always presented problems. Having tried various amateur devices without much success I came across an American device, the Darex DrillDoctor . There are various models in their range but I purchased the 750X that handles drills up to 3/4" drills. A versatile device that enables you to alter the cutting angle, handles masonry drills and even left hand drills with an attachment. The price differential between the UK and the US is almost unbelievable. I managed to purchase the sharpener plus two spare grinding wheels for about half the UK price and that included carriage!
The only drawback is that the US model is 110 volt.
As I already owned a 110 volt transformer for portable tools this was not a problem. The sharpener has proved excellent in use and sharpens small drills in seconds, larger ones over 1/2" take a little longer. Note: The American 110 volt version must have a 240/110 volt transformer for use in the UK
Supplier:Surf the web for US tool shops