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Never fails, but it always seems my tools are scattered all over the house and garage whenever I need them. Got me to thinking about organizing a set of tools that I'd set aside just in case of an emergency. Here's what I've come up with thus far but would welcome input and suggestions. Keep in mind this list is strictly hand tools and not power tools of any kind.



1) Screwdriver set

2) Hammer.

3) Set of adjustable wrenches

4) Socket Set

5) Pliers(regular & needle nose)

6) Channel locks

7) Measuring tape

8) Level

9) Box Cutter

10) Saws(wood saw, hacksaw & drywall)

11) Stud finder

12) Speed square

14) Tape(duct, electrical, masking & Teflon)

15) Multimeter

16) Voltage detector

17) Monkey Wrench

18) Pry Bar

19) Wire cutter/strippers

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I'd add a shovel or two.

ETA: Maybe a set of not so commonly used screw head drivers.

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Those are all tools everyone has, or should have.

How about a hand drill?

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Chainsaw
Splitting axe as well as a chopping axe.
Shovels (spades etc as well as snow shovels), a hoe, garden rakes.

It's probably a good idea to have a small stock of caulks and construction adhesives, maybe even Great Stuff or some kind of canned insulator too. They don't last forever but I'm sure you could find uses in the first years.
If I had the money I'd buy a case of Liquid wrench or PB too.


FWIW, I would try and accumulate AT LEAST 2 of everything listed in this thread so far. Starting with striking tools like hammers, axes and shovels. Then start doubling up the others.




ar-ak - Hand drill is a MUST. I have one but obviously don't choose to use it over my power tools, I would have never even thought to mention it haha. (I basically forget its there) Good thinking!

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I have a chainsaw, but if shtf, I cant see it being useful because it would draw too much attention near me.  

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It's obviously all situational, and depending on what S is hitting the fan, none of these tools may be useful. I mean, if its winter and the ground is frozen, what the hell am I gonna do with a shovel (besides break it), and if the bolt is seized, what do I need a wrench for.

However, after the power outage we had up here in CT (snowstorm in Oct), a chainsaw was one of the most useful and valuable single items anyone in my area could have had. (With exception to a wood stove or generator) If I didn't have a chainsaw, I wouldn't have gotten home the next day. Its been 4 weeks and I still can't go outside without hearing them roaring in the distance. It wasn't TEOTWAWKI, but if you ask me, the S definitely HTF.


I will say, if I have to bug out, chainsaw is one of the first things I will be throwing in the bed of my truck. Nothing will stop you in your tracks like a 10,000 lb tree across the road, and nothing will get that tree out of your way like a chainsaw.



FWIW, I try not to envision scenarios, like to say "I can't see it being useful because . . . ". Who's to say you won't want to draw attention, you know what I mean? Just keep in mind that the SHTF probably won't be whatever your "planning" on or imagining. I certainly didn't see a week of no power coming from a little snow in Oct.

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Never fails, but it always seems my tools are scattered all over the house and garage whenever I need them.  Got me to thinking about organizing a set of tools that I'd set aside just in case of an emergency.  Here's what I've come up with thus far but would welcome input and suggestions.  Keep in mind this list is strictly hand tools and not power tools of any kind.

1)   Screwdriver set
2)   Hammer.
3)   Set of adjustable wrenches
4)   Socket Set
5)   Pliers(regular & needle nose)
6)   Channel locks
7)   Measuring tape
8)   Level
9)   Box Cutter
10) Saws(wood saw, hacksaw & drywall)
11) Stud finder
12) Speed square
14) Tape(duct, electrical, masking & Teflon)
15) Multimeter
16) Voltage detector
17) Monkey Wrench
18) Pry Bar
19) Wire cutter/strippers

Items suggested and added by other users
20) Bolt cutter
21) Shovel(minimum 3 spade scoop and combination,  At least if  you plan on gardening)
22) Axe (figure out what you want an axe for and get the right type.  Not all axes do different jobs better)
23) Maul
24) Bow saw (2 one small one large)
25) Sledge hammer(several in different weights for different jobs)
26) Broom
27) Files/rasps/sureform tool
28) Tap and die set
29) Punch set
30) Two person cross cut saw
31) Plumbing tools(fuel cyl, flux, fittings, solder and plumbers putty)
32) Hand drill(AKA brace)
33) Allen & torx wrenches
34) Misc/non standard screwdriver set
35) Chisels

The Necessities:

Hammer- One of the most basic of tools, I would recommend a framing hammer.  This hammer has straight "rip" claws and is larger than most home owners
                seem to buy.  These hammers tend to be very sturdy fairly heavy and are made to drive and pull large nails easily.

Hand Saw- These tools are another basic and absolute necessity.  Most of the sawing you do in framing is cutting the wood to length and as such what
                you're looking for is a crosscut saw.  These saws are designed to cut across the grain of a piece of wood.(Rip saws cut with the grain)  Good saws
                can be crazy expensive but a simple Stanley saw will do just fine for starters.

Level- You need a level at least 4 feet long to even begin to be able to use it to frame with.  Most guys who make their living at this stuff spend a lot of money
               on their levels and usually have several some much longer than 4'.  But a 4' aluminum level will serve the purpose.  Stay away from the wood levels
               for our purposes, they're more expensive and more susceptible to poor storage or poor conditions.

Chalk Line- Some guys call these a chalk box, they are used to mark long straight lines on your project.  A simple plastic chalk box will do the job, you need to get
               powdered chalk to fill the box and coat the string before you can use it.

Square- I'm going to offer two options here, one is a simple framing square.  This tool is in reality anything but simple and will allow a skilled user to do some amazing
               things.  The other option is a speed square these look like a metal triangle with a bunch of numbers on them, they're almost as simple and even more
               amazing I'm going to recommend the speed square at this point with the caveat that you buy one with the book that explains their usage.  A speed square
               takes some practice and knowledge to master but can be used as a basic square until you learn the ins and outs.  The real secret to building is in the math
               and measurements.  These two tools and the other measuring tools are the real stock in trade of any framer or builder.

Tape Measure- Pretty self explanatory but I would suggest one that winds up with a crank instead of a spring.  They tend to be longer and there's less to go wrong
               so they tend to be more durable.  Although considering how cheap and useful they are I might buy one with a crank and several more of the spring loaded
               kind

Marking tools- You need something to write on the wood with.  I like pencils, nothing fancy just a good old #2.  The other tool that goes with this is a utility knife
               you can use it to sharpen the pencil or use the blade to mark a line in the wood.

The Make Life Easier Tools:(Still no electricity allowed)

Brace and Bits- A brace is one of those old timey drills that looks a little like a question mark.  You can pick these up fairly cheap on the used market.  They usually
               require bits with a square shank so you can't use normal drill bits in them if they do.  I have seen modern versions that don't take the square shanks but I've
               never tried one.  I would recommend finding screwdriver bits for these also as it's a lot faster than traditional screwdrivers.

Chisels- A small set of bench chisels is nice for removing that last little bit of wood.  For rough carpentry you don't need fancy Japanese ones just plain old Stanley's will
              work fine and not cost more than my first car.

Sledge- A bigger hammer to persuade difficult pieces into or out of place.

Pry bar- A wrecking bar, jimmy bar, or crow bar.  at least one large and one small these are invaluable on the demolition or clean up side of things.

Saw Horses- Technically maybe not a tool but a real backsaver.

Rip Saw- These tend to be harder to find and more expensive because no one uses them anymore.  They are a handsaw designed to cut with the grain of the wood.
              They look like a typical saw but the teeth are shaped and set a little differently.  This one definitely falls in the not necessary category but if you find
              one cheap in a 2ND hand store I'd grab it and pay someone to sharpen it.

Clamps- Working with hand saws makes a few of these a godsend, freeing your second hand up to help guide the tool on a precise cut.

Plumb Bob- This simple tool has been around at least since they built the pyramids. It is a weight on a string and is used to determine true vertical or "plumb".

The Materials and Supplies (Stuff to use those tools on)

Nails- Get a bunch they're fairly cheap right now.  Back in the colonial days nails were so valuable people used to burn down buildings they were no longer
               going to use just to be able to recover the nails from the ashes.  I would recommend picking up 16 penny (abbreviated 16D) framing nails, some 10d and
               some 8D.  Galvanized (to resist corrosion) might be a good idea also.  I've only mentioned nails used in framing wood to wood here but there are
               several other types out there and I'd personally pick up a supply of cut nails and finish nails also.

Screws- These are not typically used in framing but they do get used a lot in repair work so I'll mention them here.  Screws are great and have become the fastener
              of choice with the advent of the cordless drill.  When you buy screws for general use stay away from actual drywall screws, the metal is very brittle and
              not very strong or weather resistant.  I'd look for deck screws instead.

Sheet Goods- That's wood like plywood or OSB.  I'd recommend keeping some around if you've got the space.  7/16" (that's how thick it is) OSB is typically used on
               walls  (and roofs in more southerly climes), 3/4" is usually used on floors.  Most sheets are 4'x8' and these products are great for covering windows in those
               Storm  prone areas.

Lumber- This is the stuff that forms the skeleton of most homes. The sizes are nominal width and depth in inches followed by length.  For example a 2x4x8 (two by
              four by eight) is nominally 2 inches by 4 inches and eight feet long.  Again if you've got the space I'd keep some around with some of the more commonly
              used sizes being 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, and 2x10.  As far as length goes store the longest length you have the room for.  It's easy to cut a shorter piece if you need
              it but as the saying goes " I've cut it twice and it's still too short."

House Wrap-  This one may seem a little unusual but Tyvek brand housewrap is wonderful stuff for quickly repairing a hole in you're house so I'm going to mention it
               here.  It's not cheap but it's like having a 10' by 100' tarp that's light and nearly indestructible.  I'd keep a roll around just for it's compactness and general
               utility.  Make quick groundcloths, temporary shelters, tarps, etc.  this stuff rates up there with duct tape and WD-40.

Caulk and a Caulk Gun- Again not a true carpentry tool but with the repair possibilities in mind this is another one of those must have items.  Caulk is perishable and
                should be stored where it won't freeze.  Since you've got the gun already I'd get a couple of tubes of construction adhesive also.  Some of the new stuff
                is strong enough to make near permanent repairs.

     I'm sure I've probably missed something and hope you guys will chime in with more ideas.  I would love to see some one with more knowledge than I have make a
similar post for suggestions on a basic electrical kit, plumbing kit, mechanical kit, etc.  I hope this gets people to thinking about not just having shelter but maintaining
it.  In a survival scenario your home may well be the most important resource you have protecting not only your family but most of your other preparations.
It makes good sense to protect and preserve it just as you would any other asset.

     Sorry for the somewhat rambling nature of this post the scope kept growing as I wrote it.  I'd love to see a series of posts covering more aspects of maintaining the
preparations we make, not just our home but our vehicles weapons and other gear.  We put a lot of time effort and money into this lifestyle and good maintenance
is almost always cheaper than replacing something.

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Flesh Light

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Flesh Light

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There was a threa like this a few years back, I saved the only the text, so I can't give credit to the author.