Washing Machine Tools

Screwdrivers

• A 4-in-1 screwdriver usually includes flat-head and Phillips-head drivers in one tool. Flat-head drivers are useful when hooking up washing machines to water and drain lines. Phillips-head drivers are suited to cross-slotted screw heads found on washing machines. Some machines may use star-shaped heads instead. Those machines require special "Torx" drivers that are available at your local hardware store. Some screwdrivers have magnetized tips that make it easier to guide screws into holes and keep screws from dropping when you remove them.

Wrenches

• Wrenches grip and turn nuts, bolts, caps and plugs. Several types are available, but the ones you’re most likely to need when working on your washing machine are an adjustable wrench and a socket/ratchet wrench. A set of metric wrenches is helpful because most imported products use metric specifications. Adjustable wrenches can be locking or non-locking. The locking style allows you to lock the jaws in a holding position so they don’t slip. Tightening nuts is faster and easier with a socket wrench, especially when you’re working at an awkward angle. Ratchet wrenches are a type of socket wrench with a reversing mechanism that makes it easier to tighten or loosen fasteners in confined areas.

Pliers

• Several types of pliers are necessary when working on washing machines, including slip joint, solid joint and hose clamp pliers. Slip joint pliers have a joint that adjusts to the size of the object that it’s holding. Some slip joint pliers may also lock on an object, leaving your hands free to do some other job. Locking pliers can also serve as an adjustable wrench. Solid joint pliers have a fixed joint that isn’t adjustable. Hose clamp pliers are a special type of pliers used to remove hose clamps.

Meters

• Meters are used for troubleshooting washing machine problems. A continuity test meter will help you detect electrical faults. A megohmmeter or “megger” meter tests for earth continuity and insulation leaks that can blow fuses. Minimum testing involves ensuring there’s a good electrical path between the earth pin on the plug and the metal on the casing of the washing machine. In addition, you need to ensure that the outlet the washing machine is plugged into is properly grounded.