Tool Kit

What constitutes a basic home handyman tool kit?

I agree with tinman, but I’d add a few things such as:

Small level
Combination square
Allen wrenches, both English and Metric
Torx (Star) wrenches because they are increasingly being used in electronic and automotive
applications since they are much harder to strip, especially in the smaller sizes than the old
fashioned Allen wrenches
25′ tape Measure
Socket set, both English and Metric
Small pry bar
Small and large Crescent wrenches
Slip joint pliers (Channel Locks)
A couple pairs of Vise Grips
Putty knife
Utility knife
Stud finder (not the most expensive kind, but a less complicated model because I’ve had
contractors tell me that they tend to give false readings where the $10 homeowner versions are just fine)
Non-marring dead blow mallet (the kind with lead shot in the non black rubber head so it applies force to whatever you are striking rather than bouncing off of it)
A couple of Mag-lite flashlights
Small air compressor for tires, athletic equipment, and toys
Digital tire gauge
WD-40, 3 in 1 oil, decent quality duct tape, electrical tape, plumber’s tape, and Armor-All
Set of jeweler’s screwdrivers for eyeglasses and opening locked bedroom and bathroom doors
A couple of plungers (one stays under the sink so it only gets used there and in the tub)
Tool box to put it all in so your kids know where to put things, though they seldom will

Other stuff that may be nice to have some day:
Nail Sets
Wood Chisels
Metal files
Folding sawhorses (the plastic kind hold a lot of weight, but don’t weigh much themselves)
Power tools – jig saw, circular saw, reciprocating saw, hammer drill, angle grinder, sanders, router
Wire strippers and coaxial cable tools
Ladders – 6′ step ladder and an extension ladder for cleaning gutters and putting up decorations
Medium size sledge hammer for pounding in garden stakes, etc.
Sharpening stones, preferably diamond because they are impossible for a homeowner to wear out
and don’t require any lubrication. It makes keeping your kitchen knives sharp very easy.
Wire brushes and fine (0000) steel wool for cleaning and polishing

What you don’t need:
Laser level (unless you pay big money for a professional model, they simply are not as accurate as
a decent quality spirit level)
Roto Zip because even though they have effective infomercials, no one really needs one. I’ve been
a professional tradesman for a long time and have never owned or needed one, though I have
watched the TV programs for their entertainment value

A note about quality: you don’t need a box full of expensive, Snap-On tools, but what you have should be decent quality and well cared for. Home Depot’s Husky, Lowe’s Kobalt, Sear’s Craftsman, and Stanley Toolworks all are lifetime guaranteed, feel good in the hand, won’t fail when you need them, and will last a homeowner forever. Cheap tools are often not the right size, difficult to use, prone to failure at inopportune times, and frequently cost more than good ones do. Keep an eye out for sales at the big box stores as there are often great deals to be had, especially if you don’t need something right away. Avoid anything from Harbor Freight unless it is for something that you truly only need to use once, though they do have very cheap tools.

Remember, every project is an excuse to get new tools.

I’m not sure why this appears with such weird spacing, but the program won’t let me edit it or change the way it looks on the final version. It is correct until I click Submit, sorry.

Custom Foam Tool Kit

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