Edition #35 of Threaded was all about making a tool wall that’s efficient and pleasant to work from. As promised, it’s now time to share the specific tools that I have on my wall – something that feels oddly like revealing my life's secrets.
Given my preference for using a board over a more interchangeable pegboard, the tools that make the wall typically have to shine above and be something that I think will last the long haul. Some of these tools have remained my top choice for more than a decade, while others may be relatively new additions that have quickly proven themselves to be a better, or at least, a more efficient method for achieving a common task.
If the vast array of colours and brands wasn't already a giveaway, it’s worth noting that I have no affiliation with any brand. And while 20 years ago I loved the aesthetic that a whole wall of blue tools offered, these days I’ll always pick function over form (or uniform). For me, no single brand does everything the best, and I feel the selection of tools on my wall is a strong indicator of that.
Now, this isn’t intended to be used as a list for getting started or building out a workshop. There are many tools I’d rank as more important that are not listed here due to them being stashed away, and so I’d encourage you to check out my previous lists of 12 tools to start with and the further 12 more tools for building an intermediate tool kit.
Complete tool list
The following list is just about everything kept on the couple sheets of Marine Ply, a collection that has accumulated over the past two decades of taking tool purchasing quite seriously. Of course there are more tools required to fix modern bikes, and not everything in this list is as commonly used as some of the things missing. For example, I use a shock pump, vernier calipers, and chain wear gauge far more frequently than I do the seventh 5 mm hex tool on the wall. Anywho, on with the show!
The contents of this list (which includes product names/numbers) are only viewable by members of Escape Collective – as it’s only through subscriptions that I’m compensated for my time in sharing such information. Also, I feel like this information is too valuable to just give away given how this collection has been purposefully curated over the years by trying and comparing just about everything there is. If you’re a pro mechanic then please remember that there are special rates available to gain you access to the Threaded series that I believe will make you a better, or at least more efficient mechanic.
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