Tools for Home

[shawndp]

So I am moving in a week to a townhouse and have been thinking I should have some tools at home to fix basic stuff arouund the house and put Ikea stuff together and all that. I'm thinking of getting a 27" 11 drawer International from Costco or the 26" 16 drawer Harbor Freight type due to space constraints. What are your fav tools to have around the house? And what are the ones you wish you had grabbed to get you out of a bind? Thanks!

 

[ocloc24]

Honestly for a townhouse most likely any major projects will be handled by a landlord, you'll just need a few basics to start out.

Claw hammer
Adjustable wrench
Allen wrenches(SAE&Met)
3/8" tatchet
3/8" SAE&Met. sockets
Cheap multimeter(HF gives free ones that will suffice for basic tests on outlets, etc)
Tongue & Groove pliers(channellocks)
Needle Nose Pliers
Basic screwdriver set
Pipe wrench(8" or 12")

That should cover most of what you'd run into. You can always get more if you want to start doing more in depth projects or working on your car. Hope that helps

 

[gdocktor3]

I could probably build anything from Ikea with a butter knife and pair of pliers.

This list could go on forever, but realistically, if you're not going to be doing automotive repairs, carpentry/plumbing/electrical repairs, etc, I would grab one of those 150 piece tool kits from Husky or Crescent and then add on the few items that aren't included like hammer, channellocks, adjustable wrench, etc. Plus, those "kits" are big sellers around the holidays and you can find them cheap.

 

[jonesg]

That toolkit is better than the $15 one I got from sprawlmart 10 yrs ago and I do almost everything on the car with it, plus impacts and breaker bar.

 

[pgray007]

I’d also get a small, handheld toolbox or bag with some of the basics outlined above, since lots of your home projects will be “on site” like hanging/fixing blinds, hanging stuff, basics plumbing versus things you can move down to the garage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[creativecars]

So I am moving in a week to a townhouse and have been thinking I should have some tools at home to fix basic stuff arouund the house and put Ikea stuff together and all that. I'm thinking of getting a 26" 16 drawer Harbor Freight type due to space constraints. What are your fav tools to have around the house? And what are the ones you wish you had grabbed to get you out of a bind? Thanks!

While you are at Harbor Freight pick up the 301 pc tool set. It will have most every socket you will need... and a place to put it. With Ikea stuff the Allen/Torx sockets make life much easier. The best thing about this set is that there are no missed sizes in hex sockets, in some of the lesser sets there are skipped sizes. Also included in the set are screwdrivers, pliers, bigger torx. You will still need a hammer or two and a full set of wrenches (about 10 in this set).

 

[doubleot]

I could probably build anything from Ikea with a butter knife and pair of pliers.

This list could go on forever, but realistically, if you're not going to be doing automotive repairs, carpentry/plumbing/electrical repairs, etc, I would grab one of those 150 piece tool kits from Husky or Crescent and then add on the few items that aren't included like hammer, channellocks, adjustable wrench, etc. Plus, those "kits" are big sellers around the holidays and you can find them cheap.

I've had two of these crescent tool sets. I love them! One is for the junk yard one got put into my tool box and I use them all the time.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[shawndp]

Thanks everyone for the advice... A few questions - on sockets - is 3/8 the size to have and do you see SAE or just metric? And the same with wrenches? I ask because I have "extras" at work.

 

[PureLeaf]

Thanks everyone for the advice... A few questions - on sockets - is 3/8 the size to have and do you see SAE or just metric? And the same with wrenches? I ask because I have "extras" at work.

house stuff where you'll be using a socket and ratchet, 3/8ths or 1/4 will be the form factor you'll want. None of it us going to be high torque or large sized where 1/2 drive is needed.

House type stuff (IE Plumbing) will be SAE. The only time you might see metric would be European furniture? An adjustable wrench would cover just about all of it too....

 

[creativecars]

Thanks everyone for the advice... A few questions - on sockets - is 3/8 the size to have and do you see SAE or just metric? And the same with wrenches? I ask because I have "extras" at work.

I like to have both because you never know who, what, when or where something was made or fixed. Mowers, bicycles, sinks, cabinets etc... And just because it had metric/sae fasteners when it was built does not mean someone has not 'fixed' it and put back what they wanted.

3/8" used to be the goto, but since everything has gotten smaller I use a lot of 1/4" too. Again I would want 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2, but that is just me.

 

[Voi]

I would also recommend a basic drill and impact driver kit. I would get a 1/4" and 3/8" hex to square adapters for use with sockets. I use mine an awful lot. I have assembled furniture with drills and hex keys I cut down to fit in the chuck since I don't have hex sockets.

Normally I recommend picking out a drill/driver set based on other tools that run on the battery platform. Since you won't have yard work and not a lot of need for other cordless tools then maybe focus on lights and things like USB battery adapters.

I got a USB battery charger adapter for with some special promotional deal. I ended up using it so much I ordered a second. And I've been impressed with cordless lights from many of the tool companies.

 

[shawndp]

I would also recommend a basic drill and impact driver kit. I would get a 1/4" and 3/8" hex to square adapters for use with sockets. I use mine an awful lot. I have assembled furniture with drills and hex keys I cut down to fit in the chuck since I don't have hex sockets.

Normally I recommend picking out a drill/driver set based on other tools that run on the battery platform. Since you won't have yard work and not a lot of need for other cordless tools then maybe focus on lights and things like USB battery adapters.

I got a USB battery charger adapter for with some special promotional deal. I ended up using it so much I ordered a second. And I've been impressed with cordless lights from many of the tool companies.

This is absolutely true - I bought a Dewalt 12v drill / impact/ saw set as well as those adapters. They make doing up Ikea stuff much easier!

@ Pureleaf & Creativecars - thanks! I always had a suspicion that there was some trade using SAE because of all the stuff floating around. I wish I hadn't tossed all those SAE sockets away...

 

[crewchief888]

ratcheting magnetic screwdriver and bits
small claw hammer
needlenose pliers
dykes
wire stripper
24" level
8 or 10" adjustable
channellock 420 or 430
misc nails, screws and picture hanging devices


takes care of most of the "little" things that pop up around here

thats whats in the wifes little toolbag up stairs

 

[Voi]

This is absolutely true - I bought a Dewalt 12v drill / impact/ saw set as well as those adapters. They make doing up Ikea stuff much easier!

Perfect. I'd see if Dewalt makes a 12V oscillating tool and pick it up in bare tool form. That's another homeowner handy tool. Maybe some lights tool.

Dewalt also has that gyroscopic screwdriver but I don't believe it's available in the 12V platform.

 

[shteii01]

Interesting thing about Ikea. A lot of their stuff uses PoziDriv screws. You can use Philips in those, but usually will end up buggering the heads because it does not fit exactly right. So. If you are serious about Ikea, get PoziDriv screw driver. KC Tool has a sale on Felo tools right now, get 50 USD worth of stuff and shipping is free.

While you are at KC Tool, get Wiha 26 in 1 multi bit screwdriver for 20 USD. That pretty much will cover just about all the screws you will ever run into. Slotted, Philips, PoziDriv, Robertson, some Hex and some Torx.
The bad thing about this Wiha is that bit holder makes the end bulky and hard to get into tight spaces, that is why I will still get dedicated PZ screwdriver even though I already have the Wiha.

 

[tym]

Don't forget a 25' or 50' tape measure.

 

[larry_g]

Stud finder.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[shawndp]

Perfect. I'd see if Dewalt makes a 12V oscillating tool and pick it up in bare tool form. That's another homeowner handy tool. Maybe some lights tool.

Dewalt also has that gyroscopic screwdriver but I don't believe it's available in the 12V platform.

I have seen that multi-tool in M12 format (I used to use M12 at work) never knew what it was for. Thanks! I think I have the M12 screwdriver as well (interior use at work, so not too banged up)

Interesting thing about Ikea. A lot of their stuff uses PoziDriv screws. You can use Philips in those, but usually will end up buggering the heads because it does not fit exactly right. So. If you are serious about Ikea, get PoziDriv screw driver. KC Tool has a sale on Felo tools right now, get 50 USD worth of stuff and shipping is free.

While you are at KC Tool, get Wiha 26 in 1 multi bit screwdriver for 20 USD. That pretty much will cover just about all the screws you will ever run into. Slotted, Philips, PoziDriv, Robertson, some Hex and some Torx.
The bad thing about this Wiha is that bit holder makes the end bulky and hard to get into tight spaces, that is why I will still get dedicated PZ screwdriver even though I already have the Wiha.

Interestingly, I just stumbled on KC Tool the other day and was toying with the idea of screwdrivers (I have a few too many already, but you can never have too many). I found out about Pozi the hard way (stripped screws) so I took a couple of bits that came in a set home. Do you suggest the Felo screwdrivers? I was eyeing the Witte and Wera ones too...

Don't forget a 25' or 50' tape measure.

Excellent! Thanks!

Does the townhouse have a basement? Will you have space for a workbench and 26” stack?

If not, I would go with a handbox, or two, and well chosen tools.

Basement and I should have just enough to get a 26 / 27 in there and stack vertically... sadly, no place for a bench (but then I don't have any bench-worthy home project yet).

Stud finder.

lg
no neat sig line

Excellent! I hadn't thought of that. Any personal favourite? Thanks

 

[DGersic]

Some kind of portable/foldable workbench like a Workmate. They’re not great workbenches, but it beats using the kitchen table.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[shteii01]

Interestingly, I just stumbled on KC Tool the other day and was toying with the idea of screwdrivers (I have a few too many already, but you can never have too many). I found out about Pozi the hard way (stripped screws) so I took a couple of bits that came in a set home. Do you suggest the Felo screwdrivers? I was eyeing the Witte and Wera ones too...

All three are pretty much on the same level. Which means paying extra for a brand that is not on sale is pointless. Also, some noted that Wera soft handles get this "sticky" feel after a while, but I doubt in home use you will actually run into that.

 

[mogandave]

My dad bought about ten Craftsman drill-motors at a Sears Outlet back in the '70s. Gave them for wedding presents over the next few years. They got a lot of laughs at the receptions, and a lot of thanks over the years...