A good air compressor, with a long handled blow tip for blowing out the dust and dirt, a good socket and wrench set, and a big oil drain tub for when it comes time to drain the hyd. fluid. Oh yea, a pair of the mechanics gloves that they sell at Sears-they sure save the knuckles when the wrench slips.
A bundle of cheap cotton jersey gloves. They let me be even more abusive of my hands than without. After they start to wear out I cut the fingertips off so I get protection while still having finger grip. Saves me a lot of serious lacerations on my hands, especially the backs. DO NOT wear gloves when using drills or around running rotary equipment. Don't ask, but I got lucky, no injury, just a wakeup call.
Here is what I could not live without... My service Truck /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Truck is equipped with welder/gen. set, 70cfm under hood Air compressor, complete assortment of hand tools, and a lincoln electric grease gun.
This is good. My birthday is coming and now I have some real-world justification handy for the wife. Mmmmm, more tools. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif