"Tripper" (tripe46)
07/07/2020 at 12:53 • Filed to: None
2
37|
"Tripper" (tripe46)
07/07/2020 at 12:53 • Filed to: None | 2
| 37 |
Through some fault of my own I have been tasked with creating a toolkit for my in-laws lake house. My mother is the “handy” parent. Her tools were not that nice and mostly incomplete thanks to yours truly... A few years ago I put together what I thought was a good “homeowner” tool box/kit for my mother as a birthday gift. She LOVES it. Other family and friends have asked me to do something similar or asked for the list of tools.
Current Workbench Setup
The problem is that I spent a lot of time curating the perfect set for my mother in particular. I also spent a lot of money on specialty tools that I knew she would appreciate (one of those little 90 degree hex bit adapters, a good multi-meter, Klein wire tools, and one of those gimmicky WORX drill/drivers. Ya know the one where the head flips so you can keep your drill bit and driver bit on at the same time.
I have done this for each of our offices at work so that I don’t have to deal with 2.5 shitty screwdrivers and one wrench that fits nothing when I travel to our other locations.
I have kits for each car, a kit for the bikes, a kit for the shed, and what I call my “grab and go kit” which is a small tool bag that has EVERYTHING you might need for any small/medium job. All of my nice tools stay on/in the workbench (they really only get used for car things)
What I want to do is come up with a set list that is the basis for any tool kit. From there I will add/subtract items for that kit’s specific purpose. In order to get the base list, I took a look at all of the kits to see what items are “staples” (in every kit no matter what).
Here is what I have so far:
Pliers (regular, pipe, needle nose, vice grips, needle nose vise grips)
Wire stripper, flush cuts, heavy duty wire snipper
Wrenches crescent and socket - basic set (will not include really big or really small bits but should include hex bit adapters and extensions) and I guess an adjustable...
Allen sets, torx set, hexbit set (Hexbits can do it all but not fit everywhere so best to have both.
Level, tape measure
Some kind of saw
Hammer/mallet
Pencils and sharpies
Decent duct tape, Super 33+ electrical tape, JB weld, Gorilla Epoxy, super glue, paracord
razor knife(s)
Driver set or multi driver, small precision driver set
Zipties, drywall anchors, drywall screws
Small cordless drill/driver and bits
Nice to have/application specific additions:
Multi Meter
Wire connectors/fuses
Tire patch kit/air pump
First aid kit
90 degree hex bit adapter
Square
pry bars
pick set
Penetrating oil, carb cleaner, 3 in 1 oil, silicone, rubbing alcohol, goo gone, loctite.
I have found !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! if I’m/you’re ok with HF quality tools. That kit covers most of the basics and while the tools aren’t great the wrenches etc are at least proper spec. One could definitely get away with that kit plus a drill and a socket set.
Regarding socket sets I generally go with !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! The price is right and it has just about everything you need unless you’re working on a vehicle. I’ll choose a complete socket set for any kit that will see frequent use on vehicles.
Regarding a drill. I have been fortunate enough to be gifted pretty much the entire line of DeWalt’s top shelf over the last few years, so I have not gone drill shopping in a long time. I just found !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Looks super NP for a brushless 20v drill w a metal chuck.
This is a drill
Not sure if I’m going to spring for this or donate my old 12v drill.
So Oppo, what did I miss in my basic list, or what do I have on there that makes you think “what the fuck do you need that for?”
DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 13:01 |
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Channel locks. I can’t live without about 6 pairs floating around
Boxer_4
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 13:06 |
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I look forward to reading the responses. My mother has been asking for something like this, and I’d love to see if I’m missing anything personally. Most of my stuff is geared to working on Subarus at this point!
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Tripper
> DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
07/07/2020 at 13:10 |
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So what are actually called channel locks, I’m calling a pipe wrench here lol. So I did have one pair on the list but a set makes the most sense. The pair I have are too big for almost every job.
Snuze: Needs another Swede
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 13:14 |
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Klein 9" side cutting lineman’s pliers, and that’s it. If you can’t fix it with Kleins, it ain’t fixable !
Okay, but really, the Kleins, dikes (side cutters?, I dunno, sometimes I only know trade names for stuff) , needle nose (ideally small and large), a pair of West Virginia Do-Alls (Channellocks). I don’t think of Vise Grips as a necessity, but a nice to have.
As for wrenches, an all-16th’s is also handy to have, because sometimes you need 2 wrenches of the same size and can’t get a socket on something.
Speaking of, I love those Home Depot stubby kits. I keep one in each of my cars and give them as gifts to friends. It’s saved my butt more than once.
Along with a level and tape measure I’d include a speed square (roofers square). It’s super handy.
For a saw, I’d get a standard 7-1/4" circular saw. You can do a lot with it. I’d also maybe throw in a cheap hacksaw (see below).
I’d also get a cheap Dremel, even the little Harbor Freight one, for odd small tasks.
Your list of adhesives/ fasteners is on point, but I’d also grab a couple boxes of DeckMate screws - I find the ones I use most are 1-5/8", 2-1/2" and 3 or 3-1/2".
One other life saver is get some Shark plumbing fittings - the end caps, in 1/2", 3/4" and 1" sizes. That way if a pipe ever ruptures they can cut off the water, use the hack saw to cut the pipe back , put the Shark cap on it, and then restore water service until a more permanent fix can be made.
A cheap multi-meter is great, as are the yellow handle Ideal skinners. (If you can’t tell, I used to work construction and am partial to certain tools/brands ).
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 13:16 |
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Pipe wrench. Also handy but not a requirement. I have an enormous one and it gets used more as a prybar than as a wrench.
I believe the technical name for Channellocks is “slip joint pliers”. But its like how a Kleenex is a “facial tissue. ” People just use the trade name.
benjrblant
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 13:26 |
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I’ve found the Knipex pliers wrench to be (IMO) superior to a set of channel locks AND a crescent wrench. I’ve all but replaced my channel locks and adjustable pliers with them.
If you’re including some wire strippers, maybe a small box of crimp connectors and wire nuts such as this ?
Everything else on your basic list looks good. I think that’s about what the general homeowner who isn’t too tool savvy should have.
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Tripper
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/07/2020 at 13:29 |
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So I have a lot of Klien tools including the 9" side cut pliers but I have to admit, I don’t think I have given that pair of pliers more than a test click. The needle nose pliers and small gauge wire strippers I use all the time.
Channel locks are in there I just called them a pipe wrench instead lol
“As for wrenches, an all-16th’s is also handy to have, because sometimes you need 2 wrenches of the same size and can’t get a socket on something.”
What do ya mean by “all-16th’s”?
Got my first stubby kit as a gift from my best friend! It has saved me 100 times!
Speed square is on my list of nice to haves but, you’re right it ought to be in every kit.
Great call on the deckmate screws. I keep them in, but not in any of the kits.
Shark fittings turned me into a plumber, haha. I legit installed a new shower faucet with like $90 in fittings. Cannot wait to see the guys face when they pull out the shower. The plumber I called gave me the same advice “cut and cap the pipe so you can turn the water back on” I asked him if I could use the fittings to install a new one. He said “yeah but it will be expensive/dumb”. Say no more!
I tossed in my cheap multi meter as I have a super nice Blue Point one from my tech school days.
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Tripper
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/07/2020 at 13:30 |
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Great if you have to bonk someone too!
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/86c68a1d-33d9-4c63-aae8-8c12fa6669a9
Future next gen S2000 owner
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 13:30 |
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I would add a drywall knife and a hand saw. Somethings are better, faster done with hand tools than an electric one.
Grindintosecond
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 13:30 |
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I have a drill/impact driver set from Rigid. I am always using it around the house and on the workbench....always. especially driving screws into walls/studs it’s been priceless and charges the battery packs very fast. It’s probably the one thing i would buy first, then screw drivers and the rest you listed. .
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Tripper
> benjrblant
07/07/2020 at 13:31 |
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Oh baby those pliers look sexy. Not cheap but I must have a set for my bench.
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Tripper
> Future next gen S2000 owner
07/07/2020 at 13:32 |
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Great call. I used to always carry a drywall saw, but stopped after I stopped hanging so many TV’s
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Tripper
> Grindintosecond
07/07/2020 at 13:33 |
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Yeah every set has to have some kind of drill driver. What did you drop on the Rigid?
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Grindintosecond
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 13:38 |
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Its $120 at HD now. Got mine afew years ago. It’s been worth it.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 13:41 |
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Klie ns are fantastic tools. I have their 9" pliers, a pair of dikes, and a whole set of their screwdrivers. They are my “nice” screw drivers and I really only use them for electrical work. I have a set of Craftsman screw drivers I use for everything else (automotive work, hitting, prying, chiseling, etc.). For some reason I like the Ideal strippers better, but any of them work fine.
All-16th’s is an adjustable wrench. Again, I had a dumb and forgot the real name, so I went with the trade name . I almost forgot, there should already be on in the Stubby set.
it will be expensive/dumb”. Say no more!
Me plumbing in a nutshell! Although what’s great about Sharks is they let you transition between copper and PVC. So what I tend to do, when I need to, is use a Shark joint to transition from copper to PVC, then do as much as I can in PVC because it’s so much easier to work with, and super cheap.
A crowbar is often handy for many things. Also maybe include some painters tape or masking tape.
These kinds of lists are always really hard because it’s so easy to just keep adding tools.
I think the obvious answer is a CNC mill/lathe combo and one of those propane forge/furnaces so you make any tool you need on demand!
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 14:01 |
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A good adjustable wrench.
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Tripper
> Grindintosecond
07/07/2020 at 14:11 |
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Man that is a great little set, perfect size for the lake house too. $120 is tough to swallow for a “lake house set” however there is a chance that they never get used which is why I’m considering including my 12V dewalt drill.
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Tripper
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
07/07/2020 at 14:13 |
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Avoid them like the plague but will will pick up a pair of vise grips far earlier than I should... Who makes one that you like?
Ready for an adventure!
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 14:15 |
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This is a drill. For what? Tornadoes? Atom bombs? Foods? Active shooter? LOL FILL US IN BAHAHAHAHAHHAAAaaaa...
Taylor Martin
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 14:32 |
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Saved this so I can poke through it when I’m putting together my own tool kit... in other words, I’ll be stealing this setup from you further down the road.
CalzoneGolem
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 14:56 |
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I’d move a prybar into the must have and add one of the painters 5 in 1 tools
You can do all kinds of stuff with one of these.
Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 14:57 |
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I’d also add: Clamps, I have a c-clamp and a few smaller trigger clamps, Punches and chisel set, scraper/thin wedge, files: big and small, shop rags and towels. If more car maintenance, oil filter cup adapter or filter wrench, drip pan and oil container, jack and stands, different sized torque wrenches.
Also IMO penetrating oil isn’t an option but a must.
Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 14:58 |
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Those are both fine tools used appropriately.
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Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 15:00 |
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Channel lock?
But for the basics, nothing compares to Ikea’s Fixa toolkit:
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Tripper
> Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com
07/07/2020 at 15:01 |
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I have clamps on my nice to haves but neglected to include it here. Totally forgot about shop towels and microfibers!
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Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 15:01 |
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I’d argue that a drill/driver is a waste of money because when the person who never uses tools goes to use it, the battery will be dead and they won’t know how to use it well.
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Tripper
> Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/07/2020 at 15:02 |
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I actually have channel locks on there, I just called it a pipe wrench lol. That is a great deal for $10
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Tripper
> Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/07/2020 at 15:04 |
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Yeah I meant that it’s essential for all of MY kits. I can’t give up my corded drill, but will get another for the lakehouse. ope, just thought of another ...decent extension cord!
just-a-scratch
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 15:10 |
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If I had only one hammer, I hope it would be a rip hammer. A 16oz head is a good general purpose size, though a 20-24 oz can do a lot more if you don’t mind the weight. Avoid metal handles. Wood and fiberglass are good IMO.
Flat pry bars are useful in more ways than I can think of. I have several pry bars. The 14" long flat one gets almost all the use.
Crescent brand has been a go-to for adjustable wrenches in the past. I don’t know much about their current stuff, but guessing it’s not too bad.
A few files can be so very useful. A mill bastard, round, and triangular will get a lot of things done. Coupl e those with a wire brush to keep them clean.
I don’t think I’ve every really needed a pick set, but maybe I’m just not recognizing their uses.
A few punches can be very useful, especially a centerpunch. Keep your drills from moving when starting a hole in hard material. Get stuck pins out. et cetera
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Tripper
> just-a-scratch
07/07/2020 at 15:15 |
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Great additions. I work with a lot of small stuff/electronics. I use pics for detaching cables, pulling things off of circuit boards etc...
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just-a-scratch
> CalzoneGolem
07/07/2020 at 15:15 |
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I have that exact tool also. The name is worn off and the flat edge has been sharpened with a file several times. quite useful.
gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 15:22 |
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I would move the penetrating oil/spray grease up to needed
Zaphod's Heart of Gold
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 15:26 |
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What do you need this tool kit to do? From your list it’s a little bit of everything but not enough to get far into any particular area.
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Tripper
> gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
07/07/2020 at 15:27 |
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You are the second oppo to suggest that and I agree, it has been moved. I plan to update this post by Friday as that is when I plan to have it firmed up.
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Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 15:42 |
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I may have skimmed too much. I visited my beloved niece in Taos two years ago who had just bought a house and I went to Walmart and bought a cheap soft-sided tool bag, hammer, pliers, screw drivers, all from the bins at the Walmart. I think I spent around $30 all together. Short of a cordless drill, I just asked myself what basic tools I’d want to find in the house if I were to try to fix something for her. I am also partial to those old school egg beater drills...
If I know I’m coming to fix things, I pack my own kit.
glemon
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 17:03 |
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On the “some kind of saw” I have a small hacksaw in my portable kit, since it will cut wood and other softer materials, but a wood saw or drywall type blade won’t do very good on metal. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-10-in-Extra-Fine-Cut-Hack-Saw/1057097?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-tol-_-google-_-lia-_-216-_-handsaws-_-1057097-_-0&store_code=1184&placeholder=null&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwupD4BRD4ARIsABJMmZ-LhzhZQqCv2vXyro44VMqMma_cML_cTo3jVDYnpe0rqXs4fa4I4TYaAvnYEALw_wcB
Also would put silicone on the must list, not optional list, glue, gasket maker, sealer, all in one little tube.
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If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Tripper
07/07/2020 at 18:09 |
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I have this Lobtex one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00762IKB6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_G9mbFbVQT79KK
It’s lightweight and incredibly high quality. As a bonus, it comes in cool JDM packaging that you’ll never want to take it out of.