Every engineer has to face a situation where they are expected to “fix” stuff. Irrespective of your discipline, and line of expertise, you will be called upon by friends, family, etc. to make broken things work. While we can probably never fix this mindset, having the right set of tools might still come in handy. We have compiled a list of 10 must-have tools for every engineer. Hope you find it useful!
1. Adjustable Wrench:
Ah, the trusted wrench. Is there anything which this tool can’t do? Using a wrench, you can turn nuts, bolts or pipes of any size as it gives you the sufficient torque to twist open and turn anything. Adjustable Wrench is best for portability and convenience, enabling you to set a broad range of nuts and bolts with a single tool.
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2. Pipe Wrench:
While it may not be versatile, it is still crucial in fixing those leaky pipes and water body accidents. It can hold a pipe and fittings. Moreover, its rigid body along with the forceful teeth are perfect to hang on to round surfaces.
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3. Bow Saw:
The bow saw is essential for any wood-cutting application. It’s ribbon-thin steel blade teeth in a steel frame are a lot safer than a chain saw. It is useful for applications such as removing tree branches while standing on a ladder.
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4. Side-Cutting Pliers:
These pliers, such as side cutters, linesman pliers or electrician’s pliers have heavy jaws and shears which are best suited for cutting electrical wires. The High Leverage models can even clamp metal together and cut nails and bolts.
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5. Snips:
This handy tool can be used to cut sheet steel, copper, and aluminum. Even if you are not into metalwork, this instrument may still be used to cut through rubber, thick cardboard and plastic. Some expensive models use color-coded handles (red, green and yellow respectively) and are specifically designed for left curves, right curves or straight cuts.
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6. Drill:
A cordless drill is a perfect combination of speed, power, and portability; a must have for any hole-creating applications. It can be used to drill holes for nails or to tighten a screw. Combine the drill with bits of all sizes, and you can achieve any task without hassle.
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7. Tape Rule:
A measuring tape is a must-have for almost any kind of job requiring measurement. This spring-loaded compact device can be used to measure several feet of models and lengths. It is essential for any home construction jobs.
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8. Multimeter:
This versatile tool is used to measure the voltage and resistance (ohms) of your device, to analyze its performance and working. Moreover, it can measure current flow (amperage), and most of the modern versions can also detect whether a circuit is complete or not.
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9. Utility Knife:
A utility knife can be utilized for cutting through drywall, slicing strings and duct tape and sharpening carpenter’s pencils. It also has great blade storage and also comes in advanced designs having swing-out blade loading.
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10. Extension Ladder:
These ladders can range in length from 16 to 40 feet and are essential to reach high rising projects safely. While buying a ladder, always buy one which is at least 7 feet longer than the height you need to reach so that it doesn’t come off short while you are doing your project.
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Do you know any other useful tools that you think we should add to this list? Comment below!