Keep a fresh blade in the utility knife! They are cheap and in bulk packs for reason!
Chris
· 10 months ago
You could always use the old two-tool setup: Duct Tape and WD-40.
If it moves, and it shouldn't, use Duct Tape. If it doesn't move, and it should, use WD-40.
Jason Polak
· 10 months ago
I think it's a good idea to have a good screwdriver set with a bunch of different bits. Also make sure you get a few screwdrivers for those really tiny screws in case you have to open up any electronic devices (e.g. for replacing batteries).
Also another tool I've found very useful is a crowbar. It can be used for taking out nails and if you live in a cold place like Canada, smashing ice. Nothing can smash ice like a crowbar. For instance we had a lot of ice on our walkway and my crowbar made quick work of it.
Also good is a pair of bolt-cutters. They don't have to be large ones but if you need to cut, say a screw in half, then they come in handy.
Alex V
· 10 months ago
A keyless chuck is another important feature on a drill/driver. You can never lose the key, and you can hold it and use the motor to really speed the process up.
Also, safety glasses.
Desi Quintans
· 10 months ago
These items aren't actually in the toolbox, but are absolutely essential: a solid workbench and a strong vice. If you're trying to work on your wobbly dining table or the floor, you're basically wasting energy.
Dave Dominguez
· 10 months ago
Any suggestions for the toolbox itself?
C MacLeod
· 10 months ago
I agree with Chris, WD-40 is essential.
Beat Attitude
· 10 months ago
pinched by needle-nose pliers...ouchy!
Great list. I don't have the locking pliers, but have felt their absense once or twice. My own DIY experience brings up the following:
A toolbox is handy for moving from job to job, but nothing beats having your tools hanging up against a wall so you can find what you're looking for without rummaging in amongst sharp items with your precious wee digits.
I'd suggest that getting a very good, expensive set of screwdrivers (flat head and phillips head) is the best investment. It's a lifelong purchase.
Also handy is a set of "funny head" screwdrivers e.g. star head for opening electrical devices and allan keys (get good quality again, or they will just blunt and become useless). Usually best to have a multi-changing head set for the one "socket" handle, but again, buy quality and it will last. Be aware though that with quality tools, overtorquing can be an issue, so make sure it doesn't become a battle between your muscle and the tolerance of the material you're screwing into!
And what about those "telescopic" magnetic screwdrivers, with an aerial that comes out with a magnetic end, to pick up those screws you dropped into the workings ? Very handy indeed. Saves you from having to turn a washing machine upside down to shake it :)
Cordless drill: definitely, especially for jobs with lots of screwing to do. But for drilling into stone, a £30/ $50 corded drill does a better job than anything but the most expensive cordless ones, I think.
Other useful stuff for your DIY cupboard... Extension cable plug. Workbench for cutting wood. Electric jigsaw cutter: much easier than using a hand-saw. Head-torch (as used by cyclists) to really see what you're doing, hands-free. It can also be worth having a digital camera if you're working on things like wiring, to take a note of exactly how things were before you pulled it all out! Gaffa tape, as someone mentioned. Ball of string. A big box of screws and rawlplugs, compartmentalised. Washers of various sizes. A compartment box for spare nails, screws, bits and bobs etc... Sandpaper of various coarseness. (also, a wood block to wrap it round) Paint scraper. Chisel. Cloth Dustcover. Decorators caulk and silicone sealant, with applicator gun. A rubber hammer/mallet can be useful for jobs where a hammer is too hard, but a shoulder or fist is too soft. Knee pads for working on the floor for extended periods. Oh yeah, a pencil. Keep it behind your ear. Very manly.
Also, protective goggles, gloves and a dust mask. It's not about keeping your skin soft, it's about stopping rusty nails going into your flesh, shards of metal into your eyes, and asbestos into your lungs.
Finally, if you're screwing anything into anything, have your cordless drill handy to make a small guide hole. The number of "screwdriver through fingertip" accidents that happen because people are trying to screw in a screw with the screw tip anchored only by their finger and thumb, is frightening.
Additionally, the manly man should be aware of various things around his home, such as where the mains water cutoff valve is, where the fusebox is (and what fuses control what!) that "clockwise = closed" for water pipes etc...
A few hundred bucks and you've got all the above stuff, ready for almost any simple DIY task.
Richard Band
· 10 months ago
The only thing I would add is a small tube of petroleum jelly for the basic list. You can use your pencil to clean electrical contacts and put a thin film of jelly to keep it from corroding again in place of dialectic grease, or as lubricant on doors and other things which squeak. My favorite is edge of a paint can lid. The lid seals air tight, but the jelly keeps the paint from drying out and sealing the lid to the can.
By the way Brett, thanks so very much for this blog. It has been very entertaining to read and share while deployed.
Ryan Duff
· 10 months ago
Do yourself a favor and get a magnetic drill bit holder for the cordless drill as well. It gives you a bit more length and its a heck of a lot easier to change out than tightening a little bit in the chuck as shown in the above picture. They cost like $5 and its worth every penny.
Mr.A
· 10 months ago
I never cease to be amazed by the amount of my male friends that can barely use a screwdriver, let alone tell you what a phillips is....
Essential reading for those that don't know, this is at the very pinacle of manliness in my book. So much so that i've linked your article..
Having a mains indicator screwdriver is also essential. never try to turn screws with it, but if you are unsure whether a piece of metal is live or not, it can save a great deal of pain. Literally.
Stuart Gray
· 10 months ago
I forgot I have a blog as well... :)
Mr.A
· 10 months ago
Vise Grip (locking) Pliers
we call these mole grips...
dave
· 10 months ago
I think it would help to be aware that screws, phillips or flat, come in sizes. There are #1,#2 and #3 size screws and screw drivers. More than any, the #2 is used, particularly in phillips. Also, a nice pair of channel-lock pliers in three sizes will see a lot of action. I have long been a huge fan of Craftsmen tools and their tool boxes. For most homes, a twenty inch tool box with a tray is perfect for tools with room to hold a couple of boxes of screws and nails. I like the compact hand saw such as the Stanley Shark. Happy Homework guys!
Matt
· 10 months ago
Are those vise grips engraved?
Paul
· 10 months ago
My dad started buying me a couple tools a year when I was a kid. I'd get them on my birthday and at Christmas. As a kid they never seemed like great gifts, but I'm so thankful that I have them now. I've started doing the same for my son and he thinks it's really cool.
I think I'd add: C-Clamps Bar Clamps Hack saw variety of pliers, not just needle nose Alan wrench set
C. J.
· 10 months ago
A set of utility chisels. Great for prying, paring and wasting also great lest you be tempted to do any of those tasks with a a flat screwdriver, tsk tsk
Merlin
· 10 months ago
please, please, please: learn the difference between phillips screws and posidrive screws. . . and then use the correct screwdriver for the screw. Almost without exception, stripping out the heads of screws is caused by using the wrong type of screwdriver.
Tom
· 10 months ago
If I may add a few thing, a good multi-bit screw driver set is necessary. If you don't have different sized bits you'll strip the screw heads. Especially if they're phillips. Every man should also have a decent drill bit set. You can pick up a nice one for 14 bucks with most sizes you'll ever need. As for brand, I recommend Craftsman for most Joes our there. They're reliable, affordable, and guaranteed. I also never leave home without my folding Husky utility knife.
Tom
· 10 months ago
Oh, and I agree with Beat Attitude...Buy a Saber/Jig saw. And a Reciprocating/"Sawzall" is great for any demolition work. Also, if you're going to have a hand saw, a miter box is a necessity.
For bike repairs, there are two additional tools that will take care of 95% of tune-ups. A small multi-tool specifically for bikes (I use the Hexus, made by Topeak) and a triangle wrench (tri-tool) with 8, 9, and 10 mm sockets. I carry these with me on my bike whenever I go out for a long ride, along with a mini crescent wrench and a patch kit. Besides these tools, I also recommend a bottle of tri-flow lubricant for cables and some speed degreaser for cleaning and oiling parts, and the biggest hand pump that'll fit on your bike.
Mr.A
· 10 months ago
re: bike rapairs. I carry a mini monkey wrench, an inner tube and a can of compressed air...
John vG
· 10 months ago
How about a Roberston screwdriver? I'm surprised they aren't more common (square head). In Canada we use them for all sorts of work from aggressive outdoor deck screws with special anti-corrosive coatings designed for pressure treated lumber, to small-parts fasteners. They're self centering and stay put on the screwdriver for one-handed work.
A good old C-clamp is a great thing to have kicking around (or a more modern version). The hard part is remembering to use it before your work slips around.
Jeb
· 10 months ago
Great list, and good suggestions from above.
After years of home projects and moonlight construction/electrics/plumbing, I'd say duct tape, WD-40 should be on the list of essentials, likewise the goggles, gloves and mask.
Slightly further down, some sort of petroleum jelly (for keeping things clean) and graphite lubricant (a surprising number of uses, for example, unsticking car door locks.)
But the most essential of all things to throw in your tool box? First Aid kit. If you've ever spent 10 hours with two fingers wrapped in paper towels and duct tape, you know how essential gauze, and antibacterial, and proper bandages are.
lou
· 10 months ago
a rubber mallet is key
Mark Rough
· 10 months ago
Only things I would add would be a regular pair of pliers and a couple clamps.
Nesagwa
· 10 months ago
Make sure you get a 0 and 00 phillips and flat on top of the 3, 2 and 1 size. Youll need them for any electronics or eyeglass repair.
Also, for the socket wrench. Make sure you buy an imperial and a metric set. Im sure many of us have run into the situation where something calls for both (especially in Japanese cars where they seem to mix and match between the two standards without any apparent reason.)
Zyxthior
· 10 months ago
Great list, can't disagree with anything on it, but like and above poster already mentioned, safety glasses are very very important.
No matter how many tools you have, the project you start to work on you will suddenly realize that you don't have THAT specific tool that you need....I've been building my workshop/garage for 4 years now and it's always the case...
Oh....I need that specific tool.....
Ned Van Nostrand
· 10 months ago
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but every man's tool box should include a pair of channel locks. They are more versatile than a crescent wrench and come in handy both in the house and the car.
W. Claspy
· 10 months ago
One comment on the hand saw- and a more general comment on edge tools.
Edge tools will do more harm than good (and cause a lot of frustration and injuries) if they are not properly sharp. For chisels, this means understanding how to put an edge on the blade. It doesn't matter what method you use- oil stones, water stones, sandpaper-on-glass, just pick one, learn it well and use it.
Hand saws- 90% of currently available new, mass produced hand saws are junk. Uncomfortable handles, cheap steel, and dull when new. One way to beat this rap is to buy a vintage saw. Ebay is not a bad source. Then you can either learn to sharpen the saw yourself (a bit steeper learning curve than chisels, but not impossible) or send it out to someone who specializes in sharpening saws. Sawing with a properly sharpened hand saw is a treat!
Chester Baldwin
· 10 months ago
That's a very good list of tools.
Even though you have vise grips and needle nose pliers listed already, I don't think any tool box is complete without a pair of just plain old pliers, for applications that are too big for needle noses, and too small for vise grips. Also, although, they aren't always absolutely necessary, a good pair of channel lock pliers come in very handy at times.
I really enjoyed the article.
Thanks.
Michael
· 10 months ago
I would include a flashlight, a magnet, and a pair of safety goggles.
So many simple jobs turned complicated when I dropped a bolt or nut and could get them with out a magnet. Being able to see what you are doing is essential as well. Sawdust in your eyes is no fun either, not to mention a waste of time.
Andrew
· 10 months ago
For a similar post, check out "10 Tools Every Man Should Have" from June on Primer Magazine.
Kris
· 10 months ago
Instead of two separate screwdrivers, get a 4 in 1 set which has 2 sizes of Phillips and 2 sizes of slotted screwdrivers in one handle.
You have to have some ChannelLock pliers because sooner or later you're going to need to do some plumbing. A 6" and 12" set do well.
Also a set of Allen (hex head) wrenches for all the setscrews you will need to turn. You can get them attached to a ring like you keep your car keys on.
Along with the cordless drill, you need a set of drill bits (to drill pilot holes for your screws) and driver bits (to drive the screws).
A pair of diagonal cutters - not only for electrical work, but for cutting wire ties and those annoying metal rings they put around bags of ice.
Last comment - Craftsman makes good quality hand tools, but Lowes & Home Depot also have their own house brands that have a lifetime warranty. Check the label before you buy.
Greg
· 10 months ago
I would be remiss if I did not mention the advantages of a framing hammer versus a plain claw hammer.
A claw hammer has a curved pry bar (the claw) on the back, which is useful for getting a nail out of a board, and that's about it. A framing hammer, however, has a flatter claw which not only can remove nails (without mangling them) but can pry art two boards easily, making them 1000 times more useful for any sort of demolition.
Also, if your patching a roof and happen to slip, the flat claw of a framing hammer can be used as a hook to catch yourself.
Tyler
· 10 months ago
DIdn't know I'd need it 'til I had it, but having some form of prybar that isn't as damn curvy as a claw hammer has proven amazingly useful. I don't go anywhere without my atwood anymore, but there are far cheaper equivalents out there.
Adam
· 10 months ago
I'll try not to duplicate any of the comments, but here's what I'd add, especially when a lot of your work is done on cars:
You'll need a bigger socket set, my 64 piece husky one is great, comes with 3 wrenches, a few extentions, and a very valuable spark plug socket.
Zip ties? Very useful and easy to throw in there.
A breaker bar for those stubborn/rusty bolts.
A can of WD-40 and/or PB Blaster.
A rubber mallet.
Extra skin for your knuckles, or just get some decent work gloves.
David
· 10 months ago
Great post. There are a lot of men out there today who have no tools and/or no idea how to use them.
If you happen to live in Canada, like I do, then you will definitely need to add a set of Robertson screwdrivers to your list. These have a square head and come in five colour-coded sizes:#00 = orange #0 = yellow, #1 = green, #2 = red, #3 - black (if you are an electrician, you'll call these #4, 6, 8, and 10, respectively). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertson_screwdriver. Don't bother getting a #00 or #3 -- you'll probably never use them.
jurisnaturalist
· 10 months ago
Block plane and Carpenter's square. A Leatherman will often handle, 70% of screwdriver and plier / wirecutting tasks, if bulk is an issue.
Kevin
· 10 months ago
Definitely a chisel, hex wrenches, bit of caulk, prybar and I always had a small box w/ dividers in it holding spare screws, nuts, bolts, washers, wire nuts, etc...
John Crabtree
· 10 months ago
I see someone's already mentioned regular pliers, but I'll go ahead and toss in my 2cents. For tightening garden and washing machine hoses, a pair of regular (slip-joint) pliers are the best. I'd also strongly agree with the Channel-Locks. I've used mine for opening tight jars in the kitchen and other uses.
Great article! Thanks.
Beat Attitude
· 10 months ago
Who would have known that men could talk so excitedly about tools for so long :) LOL especially me!
Colin
· 10 months ago
Don't forget the 12 or 16oz insulated coffee mug (plastic or steel) and directions to the coffee shop. ;->
In place of the cordless drill I'd go with a cordless impact wrench. It'll easily drive a 4-in lag bolt into whatever and drill holes (if you have a drill-bit holder for it).
Dom Parker
· 10 months ago
Comment from the UK!!! Big thumbs up for both duct tape and WD40 but what about a good quality multi-tool? I invested c.£80 in a Leatherman about 10 years ago and find it indispensible. Also, angle grinder anyone?? I'd find more use for that than a cross cut saw.
Eric
· 10 months ago
Having not read previous comments and at the risk of repeating some of those before me here are 2:
Duct tape Stud finder
emersunn
· 10 months ago
Great list.
I would replace the cordless drill with 2 things - a cordless screwdriver and a "corded" drill. Why? You can get both for the same price of a cordless drill, the cordless screwdriver is a huge timesaver, the "corded" drill will always have power when you need it, and less battery maintenance/replacement cost.
Plus you can drill and screw without changing bits - huge timesaver.
Also if you cut an allen wrench and chuck it into your drill, you can assemble Ikea in about 1/4 the time.
Tyler @ Building Camelot
· 10 months ago
...and if you have kids, you must own a pair of wire cutters. The packaging for baby and kid's toys is amazingly secure and damn difficult to get through unless you have a pair of wire cutters handy.
Jarrett
· 10 months ago
A Leatherman multi-tool. Try the Wave or the Blast. I'm a GM at a brewpub and I find daily uses for a multi-tool. And maybe a pencil.
Liam Strain
· 10 months ago
The Stanley #1 Odd-job. - It’s an inside mitre and try square, a depth gauge, a scribing tool for arcs and circles, a T-square, a depth marking scribe (for marking out mortises), a plumb level, and a 6″ maple, brass-edged rule.
Use to be a hammer, a saw and an Odd-job was all you needed to build anything.
That and a couple rolls of Gaffer's tape. :D
Bill
· 10 months ago
If you work like MacGyver, you can get it down to: - Victorinox Swiss Army Knife - roll of duct tape - watch - paper clip - string, wire, or line - matches - small flashlight
The rest you just find along the way.
OneCitizenSpeaking
· 10 months ago
The two most essential tools to add to your toolbox is a heavyduty rubber covered flashlight -- double "C" or double "D" cells -- preferably LED and a small chisel to keep you from using your flatblade screwdriver as a combination prybar and chisel. My chisel is 1/2 inches wide and 6 inches long. Indispensible.
While rather uncommon, I also have 1 set of screw extractors and a nut-splitter in my kit for times when WD-40 just doesn't do the job.
One additional tip: most of the quality tools (SnapOn, Craftsman, etc) come with a lifetime replacement guarantee -- which makes your quality tool purchase just that more attractive.
I would like to see you add another segment regarding where to put your tools: box, bag, pail?
William White
· 10 months ago
Your list is right for about 1965 but things have changed a lot since then. No one uses those crappy old stanley utility knives any more. Can you say Olfa cutter? Stanley wonderbars are critical, the 6" and 12", For god sake get a hammer with a steel shaft. A good nail set, a 1/4" and 3/4" chissel, A 10" shelf level, a multi bit screw driver that changes bits on the fly and has removable bits that can fit into the cordless drill, Sears 19volt is the best for the buck right now. A good sawzall, circular and jig saw, palm sander and cord reel, mitre square and you are good for most small jobs. The vice grips are of course a given.
If you want to step up, air tools are very cheap now, electric hand plane, chop saw and table saw. Get the light cheap ones the good ones don't travel well and are really only for builders. Always have a good 1/2" hammer drill available as the cordless stuff always goes dead on the second last screw and keep everything razor sharp, dull tools are dangerous and hard to work with.
30 years in Renovation
William White
Manbearpig
· 10 months ago
Actually, that is not a picture of a crescent wrench, but of an adjustable wrench made by Craftsmen. To be a true Crescent wrench it would have to be made by Crescent.
Santa
· 10 months ago
A good work of advice is once good solid tools are acquired, always remember who you lend stuff out to. I'm had stuff borrowed, stolen, & never returned over the years and they can be expensive to replace.
mark
· 10 months ago
this is the gayest post ever. should be called the best housewife toolbox.
Adam Snider
· 10 months ago
I can't believe that guys don't have a basic toolbox stocked with these sorts of tools. Honestly, I think that even women should have a tool box with at least a hammer and some screwdrivers if they live alone. Independence and the ability to do minor repairs around the house is important for everyone---regardless of gender.
As for not getting a hammer with a wooden handle...I can't bring myself to do it. There's something appealing about a wooden handle that gets worn and polished from use over the years. My father's hammer is not a special hammer in any particular way, but the fact that the handle shows that is a tool that has been used and has served it's owner well for decades gives it a real nostalgic quality. I hope that my own hammer will one day tell a similar tale.
Dr. Badwrench
· 10 months ago
Let us not forget:
A set of metric and standard allen wrenches, and Torx, too A half-round file (and knowing how to properly use one, push only, no back-and-forth) Wire cutters Channellocks or "water pump" pliers Pipe wrench BFH (Big F***ing Hammer) Propane or butane torch
Just a side-note, I may have read this wrong, but this article said to me "basic tools for around-the-house stuff or emergencies", not "let's build an addition onto the house, rewire the kitchen and put in a third bathroom". I keep basic stuff at my place, pretty much as described in the article, plus a few other hand things, and basic wrenches and sockets, etc. I don't need my full roll-away, service cart, shop equipment, and welding gear at the house. That is what the shop is for.
I am a mechanic by profession and could go on at length on why everyone needs a 135 amp MIG welder and oxyacetylene torch setup at home so they can do this or that, but I know not everyone has the ability, need or desire to do so. Not everyone needs a sawzall or block plane or even a circular saw to do basic around-the-house repairs. Think simple. Think "everyman", like what would Jimmy Stewart need?
Nathan
· 10 months ago
These are things every one has in there tool box. Except maybe the drill.
Steve Maslin
· 10 months ago
This is Rubish, If you live in a community with people you don't need to own a tool kit per male. Living in community is a manly thing, sharing what you own etc, The art of manliness has gone down hill. Most of the blogs don't help me one bit and are just trivial like this one.
Mike
· 10 months ago
Bicycle spoke key.
Ozzy
· 10 months ago
Craftsman tools have gotten worse over the past 5 years or so. Used to be, if you broke one, you walked into a Sears and walked out with a new one. Now, they don't do that anymore. Might just be our local (WV) stores, but...
Drake
· 10 months ago
I'd go with a rip hammer instead. The only real difference is that you have less leverage pulling out stubborn nails, but you can use the claw in in more situations.
oracle989
· 10 months ago
Can't forget these, and if they have been mentioned before this comment, then I concur with that mention, and I know a few of them at least have: -hack saw -C clamp -a set of good, heavy work gloves -PENCIL!!!! -T-square, or if you can't fit that, at least a good metal ruler that will keep it's edge -at least some bandages of assorted sizes -good pair of lineman's pliers -scissors -a bit of twine -DUCT TAPE -If you'll be doing much lawn work at all, a bow saw -not in the box, but a dedicated and sturdy workbench -bar clamps -that one tool you saw in the store and thought "Meh, I'll never use that..." -Dremel -wire strippers -a pen light, if nothing more substantial -if you intend to do much at all with wood, a circular saw will be your best friend, and a jig saw just may come in a close second
To Mr. Maslin in the comment above mine, saying that owing your own tools is useless would be akin to saying that you need not own a TV or a car, because you can borrow someone else's. Rather than being the community parasite, why not be a bit self-reliant and have your own set?
Alex S
· 10 months ago
I don't recommend doing electrical work without knowing what your doing, by any means, but wire cutters and strippers are essential for me. If working in an old building, a multimeter is also essential to avoid killing yourself in case of a faulty breaker.
You may also want tools such as a coaxial compression tool (NOT a crimper - crimped ends on coax are not weatherproof) and specialized stripper for coax cable to install cable or satellite hookups, as well as a crimper for Ethernet and phone cables (for networking and phone connections).
On that note, they're not tools, but I like to have plenty of bulk coax and cat5 cable around in case I'm stricken with the desire to move around my home theater and home office, as well as the correct ends for each of those cables. Making your own cables is significantly cheaper than buying them, although Ethernet and phone cables do take a bit of practice to get right. A short stretch of coax cable is also very convenient for electrical testing, as its got tons of insulation and the copper core is stiff enough to insert into terminals or whatever you may be doing.
Chris H
· 10 months ago
Ahhh the Canadian in me feels a bit of pain whenever screwdrivers are mentioned. For although Philip's invention is an improvement over the old flathead design, nothing beats a Robertson. No need for magnetic bits in Canada. Good old Robertson screw stays right on the end of your driver all by itself.
Greg
· 10 months ago
I'll never forget the day that my father took me to Sears for my first set of tools. I always had a small toolset growing up, but when I was moving out to go to university he took me to get my "tools for life." Years later, and now in a foreign country, I still have those tools and use them daily. My set even includes the same claw hammer that my father used when I was growing up. I hope to pass them along to my sons when they are ready to head out on their own. Good tools never let you down.
Bobtrumpet
· 10 months ago
My comments:
Hammer - Unless you are a professional carpenter where you're pounding nails for a living year after year, the wood handle will be more comforatble and last just as long as a synthetic handle.
Crescent Wrench - "Crescent" is a brand name. The tool is actually an adjustable wrench. Crescent is one of the better brands, though.
Cordless Drill - while nice for light work, anything heavy really requires a corded model. When the battreies on my 12V cordless finally died, and I couldn't get new ones, I just went back to the corded model. It takes little more time to find an outlet, but you'll always have the power you need. Plus, the NiCd/NiMH batteries used just don't last as well in high current-draw applications with constant drain-and-charge cycles. Not sure about the new Li-Ion batteries in cordless tools, but they cost out the wazoo in comparison.
Curt Weil
· 10 months ago
Some pretty good comments. I have two sets of tools: my workshop and a green plastic box about 18" X 6" X 8" high, which I keep in my kitchen. In it is an assortment of screws, nails, cup-hooks, etc.in a divider-box and spice jar, some electricians tape, a multi-screwdriver, small hammer, small torpedo level, regular pliers, small needle-nose pliers, some very small screwdrivers, both Phillips and straight, a small tape-measure, etc. Sure beats going out to the workshop when my wife wants a plate-holder hung.
John G
· 10 months ago
Good list. One minor correction, though. You list needle nose pliers but picture a set of long nose pliers. You should have a pair of long nose pliers in your tool box. Needle nose pliers are not a bad addition, but if you don't have both, you should choose the sturdier long nose variety (as pictured) that also usually include a wire cutter feature. Needle nose pliers usually do not have a wire cutter.
Evan Coglizer
· 10 months ago
Allen Wrenches are a definite must Also a good dripless caulk gun And a speed square for any form of carpentry
RagPicker
· 10 months ago
My lovely wife has more tools than that in her own tool box. So does my 10 year old son.
But then, I'm a Master Plumber with a tool fetish. What can I say?
Mike M.
· 10 months ago
+1 on Craftsman tools. Very good no-questions replacement policy. And get a second set of Vise-Grips. They are good for too many things. And toss in a tube of superglue.
Greg Throne
· 10 months ago
hey Ozzie--
I know what happened to that most excellent Sears Craftsman warranty. It used to cover their power tools as well. Then the low-life types started buying brokent Craftsman Power tools at garage sales, etc and...you guessed it! Took them to Sears and exchanged them for brand new tools, which were then sold out of their car trunks. Next week, repeat. And that, my friend, was happening 20 years ago. No wonder the warranty disappeared.
OneCitizenSpeaking
· 10 months ago
I couldn't resist passing this along to fellow tool lovers who want to see how crazy our government really is.
Here is the link to a 21-page PDF document which explains the difference between a screw and a bolt. It is from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and was reviewed as recently at January 28, 2008.
"What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Distinguishing Bolts from Screws -- AN INFORMED COMPLIANCE PUBLICATION
My dad always has one tool that seemed to work for a lot of things. It was a metal pipe with concrete in one end. It was tough enough to knock down anything that needed knocking down and the "open" end could be used as a cheater in situations where you need leverage. A great to to have laying around.
Greg Throne
· 10 months ago
Per OneCitizenSpeaking's comment on the US Gov't document. That one ain't too bad. The problem with the document is that the writer had to assume zero technical knowledge on the part of the reader/user. The document also is a customs inspection manual, so there's probably a few dozen pages of federal law specifying what tariff to apply to a threaded stud versus a carriage bolt versus a wood screw. It's not just the government. I have a 100 page manual for a five-year old cell phone...that includes a wallet card with more instructions for voicemail & texting!
Scordo.com
· 10 months ago
Love the theme!
I posted a similar"Tools Every Homeowner Should Own Series" a few months back, here's part 1 and part 2:
This post is needed. It is amazing how many men DO NOT have any tools and don't know how to use them. I could add 5 or 6 tools but as a starter, a good pair of wire cutters( or dikes) is something overlooked but needed. I do agree that quality tools are worth their weight in gold but, a crappy Chinese screwdriver beats a butter knife any day. My wife and I agreed sometime ago to give a complete tool kit (with toolbox) as a wedding gift in place of a toaster or some other gift they will get 10 of.
Jones
· 10 months ago
yeah, this speaks to me, my grandfather was a pack rat, almost as much as my great grand father. when the one passed on and the other packed up his old shop, we seperated all the tools, and made 5 or 6 complete tool sets out of them.
now some of these ive seen in the comments, but they deserve special mention
robertson screwdriver
wd-40
the crowbar is a nice idea, but im a fan of the 18- lb wrecking bar, if a hammer cant do it, the wrecking bar certainly can
a box of 40 timbits, my neighbour and my dad would always send me to tim hortons for one saturday morning, and we would eat them all through the day while they worked on things and i 'helped'
Robert Heffern
· 10 months ago
Wheres the Duct tape, towel and WD-40?
hubs
· 10 months ago
...and a roll of duct tape. duh.
Ali Attarwalla
· 10 months ago
A set of Alan wrenches seems like one of the things I use the most. But my favorite tool of everything is ....
The vertical turret milling machine. Seriously, I love this thing. I can make almost anything accurately with it. The only problem is the price.
Ray Noble
· 10 months ago
One needs a PENCIL in every toolbox
jeff
· 10 months ago
You missed the most important tool, even before a claw hammer any man should have a GOOD pocket knife. I'm amazed at how few people carry them any more. When I forget mine, I have trouble getting through the day. -jeff
Daniel
· 10 months ago
Great list. These are all essential. I also get a lot of use out of wire cutters. I know you can use needle nose pliers and vise grips for that, but sometimes you just need a good pair of wire cutters. Also a crow bar for heavier prying. You mentioned a flat head could be used for light prying, but for heavy a crow bar would come in very handy.
Daniel
· 10 months ago
Oh, I forgot... It also pays to have a good supply of miscellaneous screws and nails. You never know when you might need them. I don't know how many times I have needed just one screw or nail and had to make a trip to the store because I couldn't find the right one. I now keep a small container of random screws and nails. I can usually find the right one for any last minute fix.
ed
· 10 months ago
Re: Claw Hammers You recommend synthetic handles and a poster suggests a steel one, but be advised; wood handled hammers offer the best shock absorption of the three. For a long job, all of that impact being transferred to you wrist, forearm and elbow can be fatiguing.
Ben
· 10 months ago
You guys do realize that Craftsman makes all their tools in China now don't you? Also, Stanley as well as a number of other "classic" American tool and knife companies (Buck Brothers, Mac, Porter Cable, Gerber, etc...) make a bunch of their tools in China as well. When buying new tools (regardless of what tool), check the packaging to see where it's made. Though these Chinese tools are supposedly made to the company's specifications, they still don't match up to the quality of the old tools these companies made years ago. For a hammer, buy an Estwing. For a saw, buy a Disston or Crown (if going for Western style saws). For sockets and wrenches buy tools made by Armstrong tools (Snap-On, some Mac, S&K, and a few other companies). If you have a sawzall, use Lennox blades. For a circular saw, buy Freud blades. For chisels on a budget, buy Marples Blue Chip or Narex bevel chisels. Regardless, tools made in the US, Europe, or Japan will outlast and outperform at least 95% of tools made in China, India, or Mexico. Most new power tools these are made in China these days, so if you're buying them, stick with tools that are UL Listed. Companies have to meet higher quality standards to get UL Listed, so you're less likely to buy a tool that will die in less than a year. Don't use a keyless chuck on your drill (corded or cordless) if you can avoid it unless you are using it as an overgrown screwdriver. A keyless chuck can't get the same grip on drill bits that a keyed chuck is capable of and you are highly likely to have your bits spin in the chuck and get damaged. You can always tape the chuck to the cord of your drill to prevent losing it and always remember to tighten the chuck using two holes to ensure a tight grip. There's a lot more that can be done, but these are the major things I've learned in my 28 years of life. I'm sure some of the older, wiser readers have a great deal more that they could suggest.
Ryan
· 10 months ago
A pair of needle-nose pliers are a better non-specific tool for removing a broken bulb than a screwdriver.
After making sure the power is off, insert the needle nose pliers and spread the jaws so each side is putting pressure on the sides of the broken bulb's "cup". Slowly turn until the cup starts coming out.
Ken
· 10 months ago
Cordless tools are great, but I go extended periods between uses and I don't really have a good place to keep the chargers going. I also wonder about batteries on chargers for extended periods, such as months. Since this is my situation I really prefer corded power tools, a good heavy duty extention cord and I am set.
Victor
· 10 months ago
Lots of great ideas here, and I'd like to add that I have four different toolboxes: My bicycle repair box, as I do my own maintenance and have built up bikes; My plumbing box; My everything-else box. Yes, this does mean some redundancy, and it also means every now and then I go to the fourth box: The Wall, where the most commonly-used tools are kept. Okay, so it's not exactly a toolbox, but tools are stored there. While the previous owners of this house did some pretty hideous things to the basement, the one thing they did do that was a blessing in disguise was use pegboard for the walls. My little workshop has tools hanging in one place, and it's absolutely great.
One additional tool: I don't leave the house without my Swiss Army knife--the Huntsman.
David
· 10 months ago
To summarize the article and comments: if you're a young man with no tools, on a tight budget, there are about 50 tools/supplies you must have. And don't skimp; buy the good stuff.
Anyone else see the dilemma? I agree with most everyone's suggestions, but they can't all be had on a tight budget. Even if you buy them one at a time / as needed, it won't be long before you need them all.
One solution is to start out buying your tools used. There are plenty of good quality tools that can be had for pennies on the dollar at yard sales, estate sales, used-tool-stores, craigslist, etc. They're often better than new cheap tools, and the re-use is better for the environment. Finding the right used tools does take more time, but hey, most young people have more time than money, right?
Tool Guru
· 9 months ago
I agree with every single one of your selections. There are a lot of great sales right now on these tools online. Do some searching and you should be able to find most of these tools at low prices. Thanks for the entertaining article!
Cara
· 9 months ago
I would say this is a great basic list but that a pry bar should definitely be added. The claw on the back of the hammer can get some things but not all. Everything else I would mention has already been listed. Excellent stuff.
Kevster
· 9 months ago
I find I need a Robertson screwdriver way more often than a Phillips or slotted screwdriver. Probably because I live in Canada, and Robertson screws are generally the default.
In fact, when I DO need a Phillips, it annoys me. The screws don't stay on the tip, they strip easier, they require more torque... A Phillips pales in comparison to a Robertson.
Kevster
· 9 months ago
When my wife and her brother and sister were teenagers, one year their father got each of them a nice solid toolbox and one or two tools. Then for each subsequent birthday or xmas they each got another tool. By the time they moved out, they each had a well-stocked toolbox to help them on their way.
Jamie
· 9 months ago
This is all very good advice but I would have to say a multi-meter and a small soldering iron has helped me more than you can believe, I've repaired remote controls, speakers, DVD players etc. and I'm no sparky but the tools and google can help very well
Sashkela
· 9 months ago
Can I translate your article into Russian and published on my blog?
All Comments
If it moves, and it shouldn't, use Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move, and it should, use WD-40.
Also another tool I've found very useful is a crowbar. It can be used for taking out nails and if you live in a cold place like Canada, smashing ice. Nothing can smash ice like a crowbar. For instance we had a lot of ice on our walkway and my crowbar made quick work of it.
Also good is a pair of bolt-cutters. They don't have to be large ones but if you need to cut, say a screw in half, then they come in handy.
Also, safety glasses.
Great list. I don't have the locking pliers, but have felt their absense once or twice. My own DIY experience brings up the following:
A toolbox is handy for moving from job to job, but nothing beats having your tools hanging up against a wall so you can find what you're looking for without rummaging in amongst sharp items with your precious wee digits.
I'd suggest that getting a very good, expensive set of screwdrivers (flat head and phillips head) is the best investment. It's a lifelong purchase.
Also handy is a set of "funny head" screwdrivers e.g. star head for opening electrical devices and allan keys (get good quality again, or they will just blunt and become useless). Usually best to have a multi-changing head set for the one "socket" handle, but again, buy quality and it will last. Be aware though that with quality tools, overtorquing can be an issue, so make sure it doesn't become a battle between your muscle and the tolerance of the material you're screwing into!
And what about those "telescopic" magnetic screwdrivers, with an aerial that comes out with a magnetic end, to pick up those screws you dropped into the workings ? Very handy indeed. Saves you from having to turn a washing machine upside down to shake it :)
Cordless drill: definitely, especially for jobs with lots of screwing to do. But for drilling into stone, a £30/ $50 corded drill does a better job than anything but the most expensive cordless ones, I think.
Other useful stuff for your DIY cupboard...
Extension cable plug.
Workbench for cutting wood.
Electric jigsaw cutter: much easier than using a hand-saw.
Head-torch (as used by cyclists) to really see what you're doing, hands-free.
It can also be worth having a digital camera if you're working on things like wiring, to take a note of exactly how things were before you pulled it all out!
Gaffa tape, as someone mentioned.
Ball of string.
A big box of screws and rawlplugs, compartmentalised.
Washers of various sizes.
A compartment box for spare nails, screws, bits and bobs etc...
Sandpaper of various coarseness. (also, a wood block to wrap it round)
Paint scraper.
Chisel.
Cloth Dustcover.
Decorators caulk and silicone sealant, with applicator gun.
A rubber hammer/mallet can be useful for jobs where a hammer is too hard, but a shoulder or fist is too soft.
Knee pads for working on the floor for extended periods.
Oh yeah, a pencil. Keep it behind your ear. Very manly.
Also, protective goggles, gloves and a dust mask. It's not about keeping your skin soft, it's about stopping rusty nails going into your flesh, shards of metal into your eyes, and asbestos into your lungs.
Finally, if you're screwing anything into anything, have your cordless drill handy to make a small guide hole. The number of "screwdriver through fingertip" accidents that happen because people are trying to screw in a screw with the screw tip anchored only by their finger and thumb, is frightening.
Additionally, the manly man should be aware of various things around his home, such as where the mains water cutoff valve is, where the fusebox is (and what fuses control what!) that "clockwise = closed" for water pipes etc...
A few hundred bucks and you've got all the above stuff, ready for almost any simple DIY task.
By the way Brett, thanks so very much for this blog. It has been very entertaining to read and share while deployed.
Essential reading for those that don't know, this is at the very pinacle of manliness in my book. So much so that i've linked your article..
http://meester-a.blogspot.com/2009/02/in-your-t...
we call these mole grips...
I think I'd add:
C-Clamps
Bar Clamps
Hack saw
variety of pliers, not just needle nose
Alan wrench set
http://srtgray-advice.blogspot.com
Besides these tools, I also recommend a bottle of tri-flow lubricant for cables and some speed degreaser for cleaning and oiling parts, and the biggest hand pump that'll fit on your bike.
A good old C-clamp is a great thing to have kicking around (or a more modern version). The hard part is remembering to use it before your work slips around.
After years of home projects and moonlight construction/electrics/plumbing, I'd say duct tape, WD-40 should be on the list of essentials, likewise the goggles, gloves and mask.
Slightly further down, some sort of petroleum jelly (for keeping things clean) and graphite lubricant (a surprising number of uses, for example, unsticking car door locks.)
But the most essential of all things to throw in your tool box? First Aid kit. If you've ever spent 10 hours with two fingers wrapped in paper towels and duct tape, you know how essential gauze, and antibacterial, and proper bandages are.
Also, for the socket wrench. Make sure you buy an imperial and a metric set. Im sure many of us have run into the situation where something calls for both (especially in Japanese cars where they seem to mix and match between the two standards without any apparent reason.)
No matter how many tools you have, the project you start to work on you will suddenly realize that you don't have THAT specific tool that you need....I've been building my workshop/garage for 4 years now and it's always the case...
Oh....I need that specific tool.....
Edge tools will do more harm than good (and cause a lot of frustration and injuries) if they are not properly sharp. For chisels, this means understanding how to put an edge on the blade. It doesn't matter what method you use- oil stones, water stones, sandpaper-on-glass, just pick one, learn it well and use it.
Hand saws- 90% of currently available new, mass produced hand saws are junk. Uncomfortable handles, cheap steel, and dull when new. One way to beat this rap is to buy a vintage saw. Ebay is not a bad source. Then you can either learn to sharpen the saw yourself (a bit steeper learning curve than chisels, but not impossible) or send it out to someone who specializes in sharpening saws. Sawing with a properly sharpened hand saw is a treat!
Even though you have vise grips and needle nose pliers listed already, I don't think any tool box is complete without a pair of just plain old pliers, for applications that are too big for needle noses, and too small for vise grips. Also, although, they aren't always absolutely necessary, a good pair of channel lock pliers come in very handy at times.
I really enjoyed the article.
Thanks.
So many simple jobs turned complicated when I dropped a bolt or nut and could get them with out a magnet. Being able to see what you are doing is essential as well. Sawdust in your eyes is no fun either, not to mention a waste of time.
You have to have some ChannelLock pliers because sooner or later you're going to need to do some plumbing. A 6" and 12" set do well.
Also a set of Allen (hex head) wrenches for all the setscrews you will need to turn. You can get them attached to a ring like you keep your car keys on.
Along with the cordless drill, you need a set of drill bits (to drill pilot holes for your screws) and driver bits (to drive the screws).
A pair of diagonal cutters - not only for electrical work, but for cutting wire ties and those annoying metal rings they put around bags of ice.
Last comment - Craftsman makes good quality hand tools, but Lowes & Home Depot also have their own house brands that have a lifetime warranty. Check the label before you buy.
A claw hammer has a curved pry bar (the claw) on the back, which is useful for getting a nail out of a board, and that's about it. A framing hammer, however, has a flatter claw which not only can remove nails (without mangling them) but can pry art two boards easily, making them 1000 times more useful for any sort of demolition.
Also, if your patching a roof and happen to slip, the flat claw of a framing hammer can be used as a hook to catch yourself.
You'll need a bigger socket set, my 64 piece husky one is great, comes with 3 wrenches, a few extentions, and a very valuable spark plug socket.
Zip ties? Very useful and easy to throw in there.
A breaker bar for those stubborn/rusty bolts.
A can of WD-40 and/or PB Blaster.
A rubber mallet.
Extra skin for your knuckles, or just get some decent work gloves.
If you happen to live in Canada, like I do, then you will definitely need to add a set of Robertson screwdrivers to your list. These have a square head and come in five colour-coded sizes:#00 = orange #0 = yellow, #1 = green, #2 = red, #3 - black (if you are an electrician, you'll call these #4, 6, 8, and 10, respectively). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertson_screwdriver. Don't bother getting a #00 or #3 -- you'll probably never use them.
A Leatherman will often handle, 70% of screwdriver and plier / wirecutting tasks, if bulk is an issue.
Great article! Thanks.
LOL especially me!
In place of the cordless drill I'd go with a cordless impact wrench. It'll easily drive a 4-in lag bolt into whatever and drill holes (if you have a drill-bit holder for it).
Duct tape
Stud finder
I would replace the cordless drill with 2 things - a cordless screwdriver and a "corded" drill. Why? You can get both for the same price of a cordless drill, the cordless screwdriver is a huge timesaver, the "corded" drill will always have power when you need it, and less battery maintenance/replacement cost.
Plus you can drill and screw without changing bits - huge timesaver.
Also if you cut an allen wrench and chuck it into your drill, you can assemble Ikea in about 1/4 the time.
Use to be a hammer, a saw and an Odd-job was all you needed to build anything.
That and a couple rolls of Gaffer's tape. :D
- Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
- roll of duct tape
- watch
- paper clip
- string, wire, or line
- matches
- small flashlight
The rest you just find along the way.
While rather uncommon, I also have 1 set of screw extractors and a nut-splitter in my kit for times when WD-40 just doesn't do the job.
One additional tip: most of the quality tools (SnapOn, Craftsman, etc) come with a lifetime replacement guarantee -- which makes your quality tool purchase just that more attractive.
I would like to see you add another segment regarding where to put your tools: box, bag, pail?
If you want to step up, air tools are very cheap now, electric hand plane, chop saw and table saw. Get the light cheap ones the good ones don't travel well and are really only for builders. Always have a good 1/2" hammer drill available as the cordless stuff always goes dead on the second last screw and keep everything razor sharp, dull tools are dangerous and hard to work with.
30 years in Renovation
William White
As for not getting a hammer with a wooden handle...I can't bring myself to do it. There's something appealing about a wooden handle that gets worn and polished from use over the years. My father's hammer is not a special hammer in any particular way, but the fact that the handle shows that is a tool that has been used and has served it's owner well for decades gives it a real nostalgic quality. I hope that my own hammer will one day tell a similar tale.
A set of metric and standard allen wrenches, and Torx, too
A half-round file (and knowing how to properly use one, push only, no back-and-forth)
Wire cutters
Channellocks or "water pump" pliers
Pipe wrench
BFH (Big F***ing Hammer)
Propane or butane torch
Just a side-note, I may have read this wrong, but this article said to me "basic tools for around-the-house stuff or emergencies", not "let's build an addition onto the house, rewire the kitchen and put in a third bathroom". I keep basic stuff at my place, pretty much as described in the article, plus a few other hand things, and basic wrenches and sockets, etc. I don't need my full roll-away, service cart, shop equipment, and welding gear at the house. That is what the shop is for.
I am a mechanic by profession and could go on at length on why everyone needs a 135 amp MIG welder and oxyacetylene torch setup at home so they can do this or that, but I know not everyone has the ability, need or desire to do so. Not everyone needs a sawzall or block plane or even a circular saw to do basic around-the-house repairs. Think simple. Think "everyman", like what would Jimmy Stewart need?
-hack saw
-C clamp
-a set of good, heavy work gloves
-PENCIL!!!!
-T-square, or if you can't fit that, at least a good metal ruler that will keep it's edge
-at least some bandages of assorted sizes
-good pair of lineman's pliers
-scissors
-a bit of twine
-DUCT TAPE
-If you'll be doing much lawn work at all, a bow saw
-not in the box, but a dedicated and sturdy workbench
-bar clamps
-that one tool you saw in the store and thought "Meh, I'll never use that..."
-Dremel
-wire strippers
-a pen light, if nothing more substantial
-if you intend to do much at all with wood, a circular saw will be your best friend, and a jig saw just may come in a close second
To Mr. Maslin in the comment above mine, saying that owing your own tools is useless would be akin to saying that you need not own a TV or a car, because you can borrow someone else's. Rather than being the community parasite, why not be a bit self-reliant and have your own set?
You may also want tools such as a coaxial compression tool (NOT a crimper - crimped ends on coax are not weatherproof) and specialized stripper for coax cable to install cable or satellite hookups, as well as a crimper for Ethernet and phone cables (for networking and phone connections).
On that note, they're not tools, but I like to have plenty of bulk coax and cat5 cable around in case I'm stricken with the desire to move around my home theater and home office, as well as the correct ends for each of those cables. Making your own cables is significantly cheaper than buying them, although Ethernet and phone cables do take a bit of practice to get right. A short stretch of coax cable is also very convenient for electrical testing, as its got tons of insulation and the copper core is stiff enough to insert into terminals or whatever you may be doing.
Hammer - Unless you are a professional carpenter where you're pounding nails for a living year after year, the wood handle will be more comforatble and last just as long as a synthetic handle.
Crescent Wrench - "Crescent" is a brand name. The tool is actually an adjustable wrench. Crescent is one of the better brands, though.
Cordless Drill - while nice for light work, anything heavy really requires a corded model. When the battreies on my 12V cordless finally died, and I couldn't get new ones, I just went back to the corded model. It takes little more time to find an outlet, but you'll always have the power you need. Plus, the NiCd/NiMH batteries used just don't last as well in high current-draw applications with constant drain-and-charge cycles. Not sure about the new Li-Ion batteries in cordless tools, but they cost out the wazoo in comparison.
Sure beats going out to the workshop when my wife wants a plate-holder hung.
Also a good dripless caulk gun
And a speed square for any form of carpentry
But then, I'm a Master Plumber with a tool fetish. What can I say?
And get a second set of Vise-Grips. They are good for too many things.
And toss in a tube of superglue.
I know what happened to that most excellent Sears Craftsman warranty. It used to cover their power tools as well. Then the low-life types started buying brokent Craftsman Power tools at garage sales, etc and...you guessed it! Took them to Sears and exchanged them for brand new tools, which were then sold out of their car trunks. Next week, repeat. And that, my friend, was happening 20 years ago. No wonder the warranty disappeared.
Here is the link to a 21-page PDF document which explains the difference between a screw and a bolt. It is from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and was reviewed as recently at January 28, 2008.
"What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Distinguishing Bolts from Screws -- AN INFORMED COMPLIANCE PUBLICATION
It is available at : http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/legal...
Happy reading!
I posted a similar"Tools Every Homeowner Should Own Series" a few months back, here's part 1 and part 2:
http://www.scordo.com/blog/2008/10/a-practical-...
http://www.scordo.com/blog/2008/10/a-practical-...
Best,
Vince from Scordo.com
I do agree that quality tools are worth their weight in gold but, a crappy Chinese screwdriver beats a butter knife any day.
My wife and I agreed sometime ago to give a complete tool kit (with toolbox) as a wedding gift in place of a toaster or some other gift they will get 10 of.
now some of these ive seen in the comments, but they deserve special mention
robertson screwdriver
wd-40
the crowbar is a nice idea, but im a fan of the 18- lb wrecking bar, if a hammer cant do it, the wrecking bar certainly can
a box of 40 timbits, my neighbour and my dad would always send me to tim hortons for one saturday morning, and we would eat them all through the day while they worked on things and i 'helped'
http://www.emachinetool.com/used/catalog/vertic...
The vertical turret milling machine. Seriously, I love this thing. I can make almost anything accurately with it. The only problem is the price.
-jeff
You recommend synthetic handles and a poster suggests a steel one, but be advised; wood handled hammers offer the best shock absorption of the three. For a long job, all of that impact being transferred to you wrist, forearm and elbow can be fatiguing.
After making sure the power is off, insert the needle nose pliers and spread the jaws so each side is putting pressure on the sides of the broken bulb's "cup". Slowly turn until the cup starts coming out.
Since this is my situation I really prefer corded power tools, a good heavy duty extention cord and I am set.
My bicycle repair box, as I do my own maintenance and have built up bikes;
My plumbing box;
My everything-else box. Yes, this does mean some redundancy, and it also means every now and then I go to the fourth box:
The Wall, where the most commonly-used tools are kept. Okay, so it's not exactly a toolbox, but tools are stored there. While the previous owners of this house did some pretty hideous things to the basement, the one thing they did do that was a blessing in disguise was use pegboard for the walls. My little workshop has tools hanging in one place, and it's absolutely great.
One additional tool: I don't leave the house without my Swiss Army knife--the Huntsman.
Anyone else see the dilemma? I agree with most everyone's suggestions, but they can't all be had on a tight budget. Even if you buy them one at a time / as needed, it won't be long before you need them all.
One solution is to start out buying your tools used. There are plenty of good quality tools that can be had for pennies on the dollar at yard sales, estate sales, used-tool-stores, craigslist, etc. They're often better than new cheap tools, and the re-use is better for the environment. Finding the right used tools does take more time, but hey, most young people have more time than money, right?
The claw on the back of the hammer can get some things but not all.
Everything else I would mention has already been listed.
Excellent stuff.
In fact, when I DO need a Phillips, it annoys me. The screws don't stay on the tip, they strip easier, they require more torque... A Phillips pales in comparison to a Robertson.