What would make the ideal Leatherman for the car mechanic?

PeteyV · **on:** October 21, 2024, 05:06:44 PM

I've been daydreaming about what would make my leatherman even more useful for around the garage... Some ideas come to mind like a 10mm or flashlight. What do you guys think?

Rich_SD · **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2024, 06:09:43 PM

Welcome to

I keep a Surge with a bit kit and ratchet driver in my car. I love the idea of having the Surge handy for emergency car repairs, just like what inspired the original Leatherman; however, for me it's just far more practical to have a small toolkit in the back/trunk.

grouch · **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2024, 12:15:30 AM

I think the crunch and any other leatherman would make a great combo. Or a leatherman and a knipex plier wrench. Having two tools will make it a lot easier to remove bolts that aren't listening when you tell them the first time

Farmer X · **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2024, 01:20:30 AM

I work in a garage, and I do more oil changes on Detroit fleet vehicles than I figured I would. My work carry is an ST300. For the most part, it gets used when I'm a little pressed for time and/or don't have a tool in my box that's suitable for the task at hand. That's especially true of the pliers.

I agree with Rich: dedicated tools are generally a better bet. But the Leatherman is invaluable for those cases when you forget a tool of discover a fastener that you didn't account for (especially if you have to get under the car).

I don't know what you mean by a 10mm; maybe the ratchet kit? That could be a great addition to a Leatherman. A standard bit driver could be a great addition, too. Flashlights built into multis have never really impressed me. I believe a dedicated flashlight is a better option.

Hope I've been at least somewhat helpful, and welcome aboard!

genevabuck · **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2024, 02:05:02 AM

I literally destroyed an OG Wave when I did a complete restoration of my 68 Mustang. It saved me a lot of trips to the tool box.

Grand_Banana · **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2024, 03:34:28 AM

Quote from: genevabuck on October 22, 2024, 02:05:02 AM

I literally destroyed an OG Wave when I did a complete restoration of my 68 Mustang. It saved me a lot of trips to the tool box.

Don’t suppose you happen to have pics of the mustang? And/or the wave

IMR4198 · **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2024, 03:42:27 AM

I assumed he meant a 10mm automatic. I can hardly think of anything that would be more unhandy when you are working on a car. Nothing but in the way. A flashlight will come in handy from time to time. Best wishes. G

Crunchie64 · **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2024, 04:44:32 AM

I second the idea above for a Crunch plus another, and agree that dedicated tools are always the way to go in an ideal world.

I know it’s blasphemy to say so in the Leatherman forum, but the Gerber Dual Force is worth a look too. Plier jaws that open wider than any other multitool I’ve used, long handles for plenty of leverage, and a long 1/4” bit driver.

PeteyV · **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2024, 04:16:25 PM

Thanks for the wisdom and the welcome!

Rich_SD · **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2024, 04:22:14 PM

Quote from: IMR4198 on October 22, 2024, 03:42:27 AM

I assumed he meant a 10mm automatic. I can hardly think of anything that would be more unhandy when you are working on a car.

Farmer X · **Reply #10 on:** October 23, 2024, 01:26:05 AM

In this post, I talked at some length about what ST300 tools I use while at work. It does have its limitations, particularly in tight spaces (which oftentimes have me using the tool with one handle open and the other closed). Yet it is also very capable.

ThundahBeagle · **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2024, 03:13:17 AM

We must ask ourselves what is the origin story of the first Leatherman? Emergency repairs on cars throughout a road trip in Europe. So the answer is really right there. The PST

And since this is MTO...you need TWO Leatherman PST's...one to hold the dang thing you are working on and the other to screw the second part to the first part.

I do like the idea of a 10 mm socket, pretty standard car and truck battery hold down nut and bolt. Maybe a couple of the most widely used hex heads. Some fvkkin tool that will unhook that electrical harness plug slider so I can quit getting frustrated and breaking them.

I am also a big fan of the Surge. Has everything. I often keep it center console of my truck. Of course I have a hundred piece Craftsman (USA) tool set, but that Surge in the console is some extra piece of mind.