Posted: 10/17/2009 11:59:39 AM EDT
| Every man should have a basic set of tools. I'm graduating college next spring and currently live in a townhouse, yet I have no tools. The family asked me what I wanted for christmas, and this was the only logical thing I could come up with to ask for. So what tools does one need. Probably spend about 350 between my dad and grandparents. |
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Claw hammer. Ball Peen hammer.
Set of chisels. Set of screw drivers. Set of sockets w/ driver and extensions. Wrenches (standard/metric/allen/torx/etc) for the car and stuff around the house. Double check you water lines to the sinks and toilet, and make sure you have a wrench to fix them if they need replacing. Channellock pliers. Strap wrench. Drill bits up to 1/2" for wood and metal, double up on the smaller bits as they break a lot. Nail set. Straight edge, folding ruler, and tape. Torpedo level. Pry bar - a variety of sizes for a variety of work. Duct tape. Gorilla glue. Bailing wire. Epoxy for common household materials. Clamps. ––––––––––––––- That should cover you're basic needs very well. I don't think those 100pc tool kits being sold are that great a deal because they have a lot of sizes that you'll never use, and not enough of the stuff that you'll use, break, lose or need two of to get the job done. I also don't recommend buying new unless you absolutely have to. There are tons of auctions and estate sales where you can get great tools for a fraction of the new price. If you're not into home remodeling and the like, try to minimize your tool selection to only the sizes that you need. No sense in getting metric wrenches if you don't have a metric car or the like. Comprende? |
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Quoted: Claw hammer. Ball Peen hammer. Rip hammer, ball peen really not that useful for most people, tack hammer. Set of chisels. Keep em sharp, so add a wet stone to the list Set of screw drivers. check Set of sockets w/ driver and extensions. 1/4" and 3/8" drive Wrenches (standard/metric/allen/torx/etc) for the car and stuff around the house. Torx with the screwdrivers. double up on 7/16"-5/8" Double check you water lines to the sinks and toilet, and make sure you have a wrench to fix them if they need replacing. Pipe wrench 14" best for most DIY stuff Channellock pliers. Check Strap wrench. Check Drill bits up to 1/2" for wood and metal, double up on the smaller bits as they break a lot. Check Nail set. Check Straight edge, folding ruler, and tape. Add a square of some sort Torpedo level. Pry bar - a variety of sizes for a variety of work. Duct tape. Gorilla glue. Bailing wire. Epoxy for common household materials. Clamps. ––––––––––––––- That should cover you're basic needs very well. I don't think those 100pc tool kits being sold are that great a deal because they have a lot of sizes that you'll never use, and not enough of the stuff that you'll use, break, lose or need two of to get the job done. I also don't recommend buying new unless you absolutely have to. There are tons of auctions and estate sales where you can get great tools for a fraction of the new price. If you're not into home remodeling and the like, try to minimize your tool selection to only the sizes that you need. No sense in getting metric wrenches if you don't have a metric car or the like. Comprende? Adjustable "cresent" wrenches 6"-10" Utility Knife. Putty Knife Nut drivers Multi meter Electrical tape Teflon tape Vise grip type pliers |
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You should have a good cordless drill as well. I know you said handtools but it is important for everyone to have a drill. The Impact drivers they sell these days are really nice and the way to go IMO The quick fit chuck is good for switching between say a phillips head and a counter sink in no time and the torque on them is really good |
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You should have a good cordless drill as well. I know you said handtools but it is important for everyone to have a drill. The Impact drivers they sell these days are really nice and the way to go IMO The quick fit chuck is good for switching between say a phillips head and a counter sink in no time and the torque on them is really good Yup. My 18V impact get's a lot of use. |
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Add a set of punches to that list A good set of punches and an AWL, Maybe a flatbar? And a pair of long nose plyers. A quick change ratcheting screw driver that holds extra bits in the handle!!! Which includes like 3 different phillips heads, 3 flat, a #2, and some security bits. I use mine more often than carrying around a flat and phillips. Good starter set. |
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My list:
Claw hammer, Regular pliers, Channel locks, Diagonal cutters, Needle nose pliers (heavy duty), 6", 10" and large adjustable wrenches, Screw drivers - phillips and flat, Allen wrenches, Torx wrenches, Hand saw, Tape measure (1" X 25'), Ratchet set in SAE and metric, normal and deep, If you are going to buy power tools: 1/2" chuck electric drill (not a hammer drill), 7 1/4" circular saw, battery-powered screwdriver (medium size, not a monster), Get a decent tool box to put the hand tools in. I think this is where you start. Buy quality not quantity, name brands with a long warranty, not Harbor Freight. There are a million specialty tools. Buy them when you need them. |
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Lots of good advice here.
To expound upon some of it....I would definately get a cordless drill before a corded one. There are many out there but I have used Black and Decker Firestorm stuff now for quite a few years. Go with 18 volt if you go with the B&D. It's not the top of the line but with your intended useage, you don't need the top of the line. I would buy a lot of the stuff listed above first. Here's a couple more future purchases (we love spending other people's money on tools!!....hell I love spending my money on tools!!) Air compressor. I would buy an oil lubed one (stay away from oil free). Look at the type that stands upright because they fit into smaller areas. Harbor Freight in their US General line makes an inexpensive one what will last for household use. I had a cheap chinese made compressor and used it for about 7 years before buying a 60 gallon one. It still worked well and I gave it away to my brother in law. You will be amazed at the many uses for compressed air. Once you have one, you'll never want to be without one. I paid $150 for the cheap one and it's still going strong. I recommend a 20 gallon size for general household use. You need a circular saw. Lots of good ones out there. Pretty much whatever brand you decide will work well. Check Lowes or Home Depot. Cordless is nice if you don't use it a whole lot. As far as brands that I recommend, for screwdrivers and socket sets, I recommend Craftsman and Kobalt. If you look at their hand tools and compare them, you'll notice that they are made by the same manufacturer. Same warranty so whichever you prefer. Both aren't the top of the line but they'll work well and have a lifetime warranty. I like Craftsman but stay away from their power tools like drills and stuff like that. There are better for the money. For power tools for a homeowner, I own quite a few Black and Decker Firestorm. NOT the kind you buy in Walmart but the kind you find at Lowes. They aren't the top of the line but not bad. Dewalt is a step up (but also owned by B&D). Porter Cable are good but I think they might be dropping a little in quality compared to before. Still good though. Milwalkee is still arguably one of the best. But, you're going to pay for it. Ridgid from Home Depot gets a lot of good reviews and their cordless drills have one of the best warranties (lifetime including batteries). I have not owned any Ridgid but they do seem to be well made. |
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I forgot, you'll also need a set of open end wrenches (SAE and metric). You really need those more than a rachet set.
I disagree about buying battery powered tools first. I cannot tell you how many times batteries have let me down. They run out of juice, they aren't charged when you need them, the battery totally dies and needs to be replaced ($$$),... Get corded tools first. Working at home and around the house, you will always be close to an AC power outlet. P.S. - get a heavy duty, 100 foot long extension cord that has heavy gage of copper. |
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and maybe a small magnetic dish to hold bolts and nuts as you take something apart.
Totally forgot this one tidbit. I use mine so much I don't even think about it anymore. Great little aid to prevent lost stuff!! I'd say that no shop is complete without it. Drill? I thought that was a given, but I was assuming..... Definitely have to have a drill. A miter box and backsaw wouldn't be a bad investment either. What about car tools? |
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and maybe a small magnetic dish to hold bolts and nuts as you take something apart.
Totally forgot this one tidbit. I use mine so much I don't even think about it anymore. Great little aid to prevent lost stuff!! I'd say that no shop is complete without it. Drill? I thought that was a given, but I was assuming..... Definitely have to have a drill. A miter box and backsaw wouldn't be a bad investment either. What about car tools? If you're thinking on doing car repair their isn't much you can't do with typical metric/SAE set of sockets and wrenches. If you're getting a extension cord, don't go below 14w/ground, and i wouldn't get any smaller than 50' with a multi plug on the end. This being if you turn a circuit off in one part of your house you can run power from another circuir up to 50 ft. away, up or down stairs, and if you have a house that you can't throw a break and use a circuit elsewhere then i doubt you'd be posting here lol. EVERY man NEEDS a decent sized bench vice!!!!! |
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Here is what I would recommend. If funds become an issue prioritize the first few items off each section on the list.
Carpentry: Hammer, 20 oz claw hammer, rip/framing style claws. You don't need anything more than 20 oz, but you DO need one with a long handle and good balance. I recommend the orange handled Craftsman withOUT the wafflehead face. If you frame houses for a living like I used to wafflehead has its place, but even then the ridges flatten out eventually. Tape measure - 25 or 30 foot is fine Hand saw - just get a circular saw, a couple of blades, and something long and straight to use as a guide. See below. Small level - 1 foot or so Utility knife - quick change is nice, but make sure it is SECURE. The style that sets the blade at an angle to the handle are nice too. Flat bar - something will have to be pried Cats paw - to remove the nails you just put in with your new hammer Carpenter's square/Rafter Square (6 inch)/Chalk line with blue (washable - red is permanent) chalk/chisels and mallet/plumb bob - as you have need Saw Horses - Either make or buy but make sure you have the ability to put a piece of thick plywood or 1x4 or 2/4 or something on top so you have a replacable surface that you can just cut over / through by 1/8 or 1/4 inch or so. I found the store ones were way too low for my 6'3" height so I made a set of tall sawhorses. Yard / Garden Shovel - look for the one with the strongest handle where it meets the blade (not necessarily fiberglass) Rake - rock rakes don't work that well for leaves. Get a leaf rake Hand pruning shears Snow shovel - probably not required in VA but here in MI I won't buy anything without a STEEL BLADE. Period. Garden hose and spray nozzle Hatchet/axe/sledge - as you have need. Metal working Screwdriver set - Get a beater set with a lifetime warranty. Move up to precision screwdrivers when you have the need. Socket set - 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive, both shallow and deep, inch and metric. Get at least a 3 inch and 6 inch extension for each size also. Wrench set - inch and metric. I really like the thinness of Proto tools compared to the current generation of fat Craftsman variety. Drill index - Good HSS bits are better than crummy titanium bits. Give serious thought to getting your drill index from PTS or Granger or similar rather than Sears or Lowes. 1-16 to 3/8 and 7/16 and 1/2 with 3/8 shafts to fit your 3/8 drill chuck. (QTY 2) 4 or 5 inch C clamps - add sizes as you need to. Pliers set - a couple of needlenose, a heavy lineman's pliers, channel lock pliers Benchtop vise Adjustable wrenches - obtain as you have need Vise Grips - 2 or 3 in various sizes as you have need pipe wrenches - when you have need get two. They work in pairs. Chisels/Files/punches/ball peen hammer/acetylene torch (get the real thing, not the dinky propane tank sized one)/other stuff for your socket set like crows foot set or torx bit set/anvil/etc - as you have need Electrical Side snips Wire cutters / strippers. Don't get the crummy combo do all in one tool. I have found it WELL worth the extra couple of dollars to get professional quality (Klein brand is good) electrical tools. Mulitmeter Power tools Extension cord - 25 foot min, 15 amps min. Drill - if you only have one, corded is fine. Variable speed is a must. I would get two corded drills - one high speed for carpentry and one HEAVY DUTY low speed for metal and concrete before I got a cordless, but that's only my opinion. Circular saw - 13 amp Makita with a coarse general purpose blade and a finer tooth finish blade. You DO NOT want a circular saw with a safety push button that you must engage with your thumb simultaneously with the trigger finger button to turn it on. Utility light/trouble light - it makes the job much easier when you can see what you are going to destroy. Air compressor - a small one pancake style or similar is fine for the homeowner. Automotive Hydraulic Jack heavy duty jackstands. a 4 way lug wrench jumper cables Toolboxes / workbenches / garage to store all the stuff 
All that said, you live in a townhouse. Close neighbors and probably not a lot of room to build furniture or rebuild an engine. I'd start with basics - sockets, screwdrivers, wrenches, hammer, drill and bits, pliers. Maybe a workbench and vise if you have room. |
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for an easy idea, i'd get a craftsman mechanics tool set from sears. they'll probably have some ridiculous sale after thanksgiving anyways. lifetime warranty (as long as you dont lose the parts that is). i keep mine int he back of my truck. if i were to do it myself, i'd try to buy 6 point socket sets instead of the 12pt sockets that come in the craftsmen mechanic tool box.
ETA: this is from a DIY car work perspective. |
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Skil saw
Jig saw Drill Saw horses Hand tools are realtively cheap compared to these items. Buy decent stuff, so you wont be replacing again soon. I have a rule at my house, and I have a shit ton of tools, All projects justify a "NEW TOOL" weither it be something as simple as a 5 dollar item or 50 dollar item. Congrats on the new house. |
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Walk through Sears, look at tools, get an idea. they have "kits" that are far cheaper and higher quality than you will find trying to get the same tools on your own.
Also walmart has some good stuff, stick to tool sets w/ a recognizable name like: stanley, channel lock, crescent. avoid tools w/ names like "nakkigimi", "wangdangdoodle" or "fred's tools and stuff" and you should be good. If the name on the tool sounds like it comes from a country w/ a questionable human rights record, avoid it. i dont think too much of harbor freight unless its a one time tool use and youre broke or desperate. BTW, i think 350.00 is a lot to spend on tools if thats not your occupation. there are home tool kits for 100.00 and socket/ end wrench kits for 70.00 and pliers, dikes, channel lock type kits for 40.00 try going small and buying what you need when you need it. Theres no magic to having tools that makes you know how to use them. ask yourself "do I work on things now, do i need these things now and not have them". |
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Skil saw Jig saw Drill Saw horses Hand tools are realtively cheap compared to these items. Buy decent stuff, so you wont be replacing again soon. I have a rule at my house, and I have a shit ton of tools, All projects justify a "NEW TOOL" weither it be something as simple as a 5 dollar item or 50 dollar item. Congrats on the new house. I like the way you think!! I don't have that as an official rule but it is an unofficial rule in my house!!! |
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Skil saw Jig saw Drill Saw horses Hand tools are realtively cheap compared to these items. Buy decent stuff, so you wont be replacing again soon. I have a rule at my house, and I have a shit ton of tools, All projects justify a "NEW TOOL" weither it be something as simple as a 5 dollar item or 50 dollar item. Congrats on the new house. I like the way you think!! I don't have that as an official rule but it is an unofficial rule in my house!!! Yep, I know I have OCD! Tool whore, mag whore, ammo whore LOL!
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for an easy idea, i'd get a craftsman mechanics tool set from sears. they'll probably have some ridiculous sale after thanksgiving anyways. lifetime warranty (as long as you dont lose the parts that is). i keep mine int he back of my truck. if i were to do it myself, i'd try to buy 6 point socket sets instead of the 12pt sockets that come in the craftsmen mechanic tool box. ETA: this is from a DIY car work perspective. The majority of my wrenches, socket sets, pliers, screwdrivers, and some other hand tools are Craftsmen simply because I don't wrench for a living (anymore) and if a tool fails, their warranty is iron-clad. I've only had to replace, under warranty, a couple of ratchets and some pin punches due to my abuse of them. I still have some chrome plated chisels I bought in a set over 30 yrs ago that have taken alot of use/abuse and only needed a touch-up with a bastard file. I have a set of Craftsman 3/8 and 1/2 inch socket set, ratchet, speeder, t-handle, slider handle, extensions, etc, from my grandfather that have to be at least 50 years old and other than surface rust from no chrome plating or other treatment are still very functional tools. I do have some Mac specialty tools from when I did work in a truck shop in my younger days. This time of year, up to Xmas, is when you will find the best deals on Craftsman tools. You would be hard pressed to find a better deal through-out the year, and no I have never worked for Sears or K-Mart. Sears Black Friday Ad |
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Walk through Sears, look at tools, get an idea. they have "kits" that are far cheaper and higher quality than you will find trying to get the same tools on your own. Also walmart has some good stuff, stick to tool sets w/ a recognizable name like: stanley, channel lock, crescent. avoid tools w/ names like "nakkigimi", "wangdangdoodle" or "fred's tools and stuff" and you should be good. If the name on the tool sounds like it comes from a country w/ a questionable human rights record, avoid it. i dont think too much of harbor freight unless its a one time tool use and youre broke or desperate. BTW, i think 350.00 is a lot to spend on tools if thats not your occupation. there are home tool kits for 100.00 and socket/ end wrench kits for 70.00 and pliers, dikes, channel lock type kits for 40.00 try going small and buying what you need when you need it. Theres no magic to having tools that makes you know how to use them. ask yourself "do I work on things now, do i need these things now and not have them". Reference the above in red...I agree but only to a point. I have owned a few Harbor Freight tools and some are pretty decent. Their jacks and engine hoists are pretty decent and quite a bit cheaper than professional ones. Their US General line of tools are pretty decent as well. I own a number of US General tools and I've been happy with each one. No problems noted and they seem to be pretty robust. Might not buy them if I was working a vehicles professionally but for part time use, they are pretty nice. I also own one of their Pittsburg brand socket sets. They are really not bad quality at all. Over time, I've been replacing them with Craftsman but have been happy with them in the mean time. I also only buy air hoses there. They sell a pretty good Goodyear hose that is the best hose that I've bought from anywhere. With Harbor Freight, look at what you are buying and decide. Some of their stuff is complete junk, some is ok, and some is really pretty good. |