Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Kai — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 16:25:37 -0000

Mash hammer and clamp along with WD-40 and duck tape safety glasses

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

sharad — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:53:50 -0000

Nice minimalistic list. Couple of additions, mentioned also in various posts:
1. A integrated line-tester cum screw driver set with interchangeable flat head, phillips and pointed bits. (The pointed bit is especially handy for making guide holes for wood screws)
2. Watchmakers screwdriver set, for the sometimes fine work. (not always macho)
3. Soldering iron with accessories (desoldering pump, wire and flux) - never know when the wire in child's toy comes loose. Or taking out the noisy piezo buzzer in the UPS
4. A good quality multimeter (with min/max settings), probably true-rms are the only accurate ones (Fluke 114) to also check for the voltage variations

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Kyl3 — Wed, 28 May 2014 21:22:08 -0000

Wd-40, ducktape, zip ties, volt meater, sae & metric wrenches (preferably ratcheting ended) and a leatherman

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Y_Whateley — Tue, 06 May 2014 02:09:18 -0000

Actually, I'll have to be the lone voice to say go ahead and get the cheap 100-piece Chinese tool set, if you don't already have your own tools. There's worse ways to start out, and it was the first thing I bought when I moved out on my own. Then, I paid attention to which tools I used most often, and traded the cheap stuff out for better-quality replacements, and gave the Chinese equivalents away as I replaced them. The Chinese stuff I've almost never used, I've still got around for those once-in-a-blue-moon jobs that don't require something fancier.

That said, the first thing to replace is the screwdrivers - I got a nice set of hand-made-in-the-USA traditional flat screwdrivers marketed to gunsmiths, and wouldn't use anything else for driving slot screws - there's no comparison for the cheap junk in this area, upgrade the flat screwdrivers fast.

Pliers were the next to get upgraded (the Chinese pliers are just too flimsy), and socket wrenches the third thing - socket wrenches get used a lot! Sets of Allen wrenches in English and Metric sizes were the fourth thing to get upgraded - I'm surprised how frequently those get used (especially in working with modern guns, assembling cheap furniture, disassembling electronics, etc.)

Most of the other cheap Chinese tools found in those clearance sale bargain packs are probably fine as-is, though for the sort of light-duty repair work you might do living alone in an apartment.

Something I use almost constantly is one of those ratcheting bit-driver kits, with a variety of screwdriver bits (hex, nut, phillips, square, and so on). Especially for the phillips bits. A dedicated high-quality phillips screwdriver is probably better for heavy-duty work, but for every-day repairs, the ratcheting driver and its bits are something I leave right on my desktop where it's easy to get to.

I've had more than one use for a good pin-vice: use it with heavy needles to make a light-duty awl to make holes in cloth, thin leather, or soft plastic; small drill bits to make holes in soft wood or drywall, hold small parts for delicate work, etc. It's inexpensive and doesn't take up much room, too.

A hacksaw is one of those things that I always

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Dianne — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 01:57:54 -0000

Nice list! But, what about a pencil? Nobody mentioned one?

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Charlie — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 11:47:14 -0000

Good list! This is pretty much how my tool collection started out. Beyond this I added more power tools, like a circular saw, miter saw, and even an angle grinder.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

James B. — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 14:30:00 -0000

I'm partial to a Dremel tool. That's the one item that I don't think I'd want missing from my tool box. Also, I would add metric Allen wrenches. I was a bit surprised by the mention of a utility knife, though.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Scott — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 03:46:04 -0000

The iPhone has a level app??? Not sure why I am surprised. There is an app for everything. Good to know though - thanks! I'll check it out.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

John — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:30:14 -0000

A good scribe for picking at things, lining up screw holes, and removing painted-on washers is something that has helped me for years.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

OWen — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 18:58:49 -0000

You are not a man unless you own a Sawzall.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Matt — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 06:08:36 -0000

What? No pocketknife? OK, I see the utility knife, but it's not the same. This list needs a good folding knife on it. I recommend one of these: http://www.kniferating.com/...

The only thing I use a utility knife for is cutting cardboard. I use a pocket knife for pretty much every other cutting task short of sawing.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Jakub — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 01:25:37 -0000

No mention of the humble awl. What a shame.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Declan Kreitmayer — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 06:45:13 -0000

It's just a nice idea about tool box. Your information is extremely well. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Minh Vu — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 07:10:37 -0000

Hi Brett, thanks for putting up this list. I totally agree with you on the Chinese made tools. At the end of the day, you get what you've paid for. I had some bad experience with them and they add up to be too expensive. Like some rich man said "I can't afford to pay for cheap - low quality- things"

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

David — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:43:00 -0000

trigger clamps to hold things (I have Irwin brand)
a half-round file(or set)
a torch (such as burnz-o-matic) when you need to get a ton of heat very fast in a very controllable way
a stack of various grits of sandpaper
A stapler
wood chisels
masonry chisel

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

j veenstra — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 23:47:58 -0000

Thanks for the info! Excellent ideas----will get my tools that are now scattered everywhere, into one toolbox / area.

Also, girls have toolboxes too!!!!!

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

lightnin' — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 07:22:14 -0000

bic lighter, good multitool, flashlight.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

SCRRR — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 18:10:36 -0000

wd40, ductape, a small hand whisk broom, sharpie or carpenters pencil

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Adam — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 16:23:41 -0000

Also, who needs multitools? Get yourself a badass, well made folding knife. I got myself a Cold Steel Recon 1 tanto blade that I carry with me everywhere I go. I use that for damn near everything. Hell, I use it as a little pry bar when needed.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Adam — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 16:21:17 -0000

The single most valuable tool? A prybar... get enough leverage and you can rotate Earth.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Chris H — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 03:38:55 -0000

I just bought a really nice rolling tool chest because my boxes of tools have finally got out of hand. I liked your article, but was wondering if there was any particular order to what drawer gets what tools?
Thanks!

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Troy — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 01:21:06 -0000

I keep a pair of mechanics gloves and foam knee pads in my tool kit and automobile just in case I need to change a tire. The gloves also protect my hands from my sander and helps with my grip on certain items.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Eli — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 05:19:16 -0000

No hacksaw and no bastard file? C'mon!

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

Mike — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:23:33 -0000

Did someone already say 'Junior Hacksaw'? A simple inexpensive tool that can sort a lot of problems. Get the old style bent metal type you have to spring the blade into, not the ones like a scaled down standard hacksaw.

Re: 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in His Toolbox

E.A. Burt — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 02:47:28 -0000

I'm a younger guy getting into the world and I got myself a Leatherman wave a little while ago to start off my tool collection as the flagship tool, along with a can of WD-40 and a roll of duct tape for a little ceremonial effect with a Stanley tool bag. It feels like officially entering manhood when you begin your tool collection. This list is a good help for my next targets. Thanks much Brett.