Workshop equipment
Tool cabinets and trolleys, workbenches, lifts and jacks, fasteners and cleaning. For a lift or jack check the load rating and lift height. On the shelf: Geko, Laser Tools, Högert and YATO.
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Workshop essentials to start with
How to choose workshop equipment
Choose a jack with some margin: although you usually lift one end at a time, its capacity should be at least three quarters of the car's gross weight. A 2-3 t trolley jack suits most cars, an SUV or a van needs 3 t or more. For a low car, check the jack's lowest height too.
A jack is for lifting, not for holding. Before you go under the car, rest it on axle stands on firm, level ground. Stands are sold in pairs, so check whether the capacity is given for the pair or for one stand. Place the stands under the lifting points the carmaker shows.
When choosing a tool trolley or cabinet, measure the space it will stand in and your longest tools. A trolley with tools is ready to work at once, an empty one suits you when you already have the tools. Drawers on ball bearing runners and wheels with brakes make everyday work easier.
Frequently asked questions
Check the gross weight on the car's registration certificate. As you usually lift one end at a time, a jack rated for at least three quarters of the gross weight is enough. For a passenger car that is usually 2-3 t.
No. The jack's valve can give way over time or the car can shift. Always rest the car on axle stands on firm, level ground and put wheel chocks against the wheels.
A trolley jack is low and stable, fits under the car and is easy to move around the workshop. A bottle jack is small and lifts a lot but needs a higher lifting point, so it suits SUVs, vans and trucks better.