The 9 tools every DIY mechanic needs -- and why a 10mm socket isn't one of them

The article lays out nine core tools for DIY car repairs and argues that most work starts with the right combination of sockets and wrenches rather than single specialty items. It highlights a sockets-and-wrenches set as the foundation and mentions a long-running joke about needing “a 10mm socket,” while stressing the set is what enables most common jobs. It then describes a specific 300-piece Husky Mechanics Tool Set at $250 from Home Depot, alongside a 3/8-inch cordless ratchet—citing Milwaukee’s M12 option at $169 from Home Depot—for work in tight spaces. Other essentials include a telescoping inspection mirror, a telescoping magnetic pickup tool set capable of lifting up to 20 pounds, and the importance of a torque wrench because manufacturers specify exact torque values.