5 Essential tools for a new home owner -

[Kurt4440]

Buy a pink lawnmower for the bride.

 

[Garcky]

It all depends on what they already have. Unless you know that, you're very likely to buy duplicates they don't actually need.

As someone pointed out, a gift card for Lowe's or Home Depot is probably the best DIY gift you can give. Everyone needs something different, and it's unlikely that you'll guess what that something might be.

Best tool gift I ever got was a snow pusher that was 36" wide. A friend of my wife gave us that, since I had never lived in a snow state before. It got used frequently for the next 10 years. I bought my own snowblower and other stuff.

 

[gba2331]

I used to give a book on basic homeowner skills (such as painting, drywall, electrical, etc) and offer my help if they needed it (nobody ever took me up on it).

I guess my first question would be whether they’re even interested in doing their own work. In my social circle I seem to be the only GJ/DIY type besides my dad, most others seem to prefer to hire things out (sad IMO…..)

 

[Houdini5150]

Good pliers/channel locks

Duct Tape

good zip ties

Laser Level

good tape measure

blue locktite

 

[Davefr]

#1 - Studfinder
#2 - Level (bubble style not electronic)
#3 - Multimeter
#4 - Swanson speed square
#5 - Cordless drill/driver/bit set

#6- Would be a gift card for HD, Lowes or Ace H/W

 

[mike93lx]

Stud finder is a good one. A magnet and knowing how a wall is built is a good, cheaper alternative, if needed

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I really like the original intent of the thread. Still more good ones have been added.

You guys that are suggesting gift cards know that money is going straight to flower pots, Joanna Gaines paint and home decor right? That would defeat the purpose of the what the OP is trying to accomplish. Groom gifts either benefit the household or go with the groom in the event of, well ya know.

 

[inliner311]

I would talk to your son and see how handy each one of his friends are first before buying them stuff. Most of my friends aren't handy and won't even attempt to try to do easy stuff. They might do yardwork but they will pay someone to do basic stuff inside the house. I use to try to encourage them to try do things and help them but most of the time it was just me wasting my time because it just reenforced that they were in over their head.

You might end up buying them stuff they will never touch and just sell at garage sale or throw away when spring cleaning. I would steer clear of cordless power tools because by time they might actually use it, the battery might be toast from sitting.

I'd also make sure they are planning on buying a house vs a condo. If they getting a townhouse or condo, they won't have room to keep some of the stuff people are suggesting. Air compressor or tool chest might be too big to store.

 

[Jacko264]

I think

It all depends on what they already have. Unless you know that, you're very likely to buy duplicates they don't actually need.

As someone pointed out, a gift card for Lowe's or Home Depot is probably the best DIY gift you can give. Everyone needs something different, and it's unlikely that you'll guess what that something might be

I think this is a great idea giving gift cards so they can go and get what they want and need
to make a lovely home together
Graham

 

[mike93lx]

I think

I think this is a great idea giving gift cards so they can go and get what they want and need
to make a lovely home together
Graham

Doesn't really help someone that doesn't know what tools are needed to maintain a home.

I'd much rather give some thoughtful gifts with a receipt.

 

[Garcky]

I really like the original intent of the thread. Still more good ones have been added.

You guys that are suggesting gift cards know that money is going straight to flower pots, Joanna Gaines paint and home decor right? That would defeat the purpose of the what the OP is trying to accomplish. Groom gifts either benefit the household or go with the groom in the event of, well ya know.

Yeah, maybe. Or maybe not. It all ends up the same, though, doesn't it? Not that many people are buying houses in their 20s these days, so it's likely that the people who are have already acquired some tools. Unless the person is a family member, it's unlikely to know exactly what is already on hand. That's why the gift cards are a good idea. Maybe the exact thing the new homeowner needs is an oscillating multi tool. Maybe he already has the other stuff you might have thought of. You just don't know, really.

 

[Jacko264]

Ok how about a electric sander sand paper assortment of paint brushes and paint
A screwdriver set A hammer or two big and small
electric planner / ppe wear / box of plasters
spanner’s of all sizes / various wood chisels / a crow bar
garden tools
Graham

 

[Davefr]

Ok how about a electric sander sand paper assortment of paint brushes and paint
A screwdriver set A hammer or two big and small
electric planner / ppe wear / box of plasters
spanner’s of all sizes / various wood chisels / a crow bar
garden tools
Graham

PPE is always a good idea. Most newbie homeowners ignore that aspect:

Safety glasses
Hearing protectors
Knee Pads
First aid kit
Splinter tweezers
Wide beam LED Headlamp
Gloves - Chemical and work
Smoke and CO detectors for garage/shop
Half face respirator and some dust masks

 

[m6z]

A first aid kit would be handy.

I know that's something I didn't think about until it was needed..

 

[P0234]

Ladder is a good one. One of those simple home repair books. Maybe some common yard tools. The rest depends on the person. A drain snake might be exciting to one, insulting to another.

 

[bb29510]

7/16 wrench and the yellow nut driver

 

[silkman]

Since its a wedding gift you're talking about (and depending on budget / how close you are with the family) I'd recommend a nice assortment of knipex's. Matching type, eg blue red comfort handles or red yellow VDE.

Pliers wrench
Cobra
The trio of needle nose / pliers / cutters

But thats AFTER you know they're at least part handy with DIY. I know guys who can't change a light bulb.

 

[gleman]

I think

I think this is a great idea giving gift cards so they can go and get what they want and need
to make a lovely home together
Graham

As a former young person, they don't know what they need.

I'm sure they know what they want.

 

[rallenc]

If they have a house........Jackson wheelbarrow with solid tires.

If not, Snap On Ratcheting Screwdriver (try to get a PB55 plastic case for it) with bit set. Little pricey but something they will have for years

 

[Odd-job]

If they already have the basics, the risk of duplicating is high. Granted having some duplicates of some things is not a bad thing. Would your son be able to advise on the holes in their tool lineups?

 

[Shadowdog500]

I’d save the homeowner tools as a housewarming gift. The one thing that most young couples need is money.

I looked on “the knot” website and most of the wedding gifts they recommend would quickly wind up in the attic or the trash.

If he works on his own car get him a pressure bleeder. It will save the bride a lot of pedal pumping over the years.

 

[jmj]

One of the Gorilla platforms at Home Depot. I have both, adjustable and non. When I was renovating my house the adjustable was invaluable, now that everything is finished, I lean towards the lighter version. Both also make a great makeshift bench or small table.

 

[woody 73]

A six pack of beer, cold beer.
Duct tape.
WD-40.
Credit Card.
Screwdrivers.
Hammer.
Putty Knife.
A good Flash light.
Gloves.
Work boots.
Work pants.
Tape ruler; Stanley fatmax.
Small level.
Square pencils.
Carpenter Square.
A good beer, not the cheap kind!
A credit card with a high amount on it.
Did I say lots of duct tape.
I am sure I am forgetting something, but the cold beer and the credit card is for paying the contractors...

 

[diernosaj]

$230

1. WD40 / gorilla duct tape
$25

WD-40 14.4 oz. EZ-REACH, Classic Formula, Multi-Purpose Lubricant Spray with 8 in. Flexible Straw 490191 - The Home Depot

WD-40 Multi-Use Product protects metal from rust and corrosion, penetrates stuck parts, displaces moisture and lubricates almost anything. The WD-40 EZ-REACH Flexible Smart Straw features an attached 8-inch flexible straw that bends and keeps its shape to get into hard-to-reach places. The WD-40...

www.homedepot.com

Gorilla 30 yd Black Duct Tape 106718 - The Home Depot

Get your indoor patching and repair projects done easily and effectively by using this Gorilla Clear Repair Tape. Offers durability.

www.homedepot.com

2. Snapon 47ACF pliers
$60

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

3. Snapon SSDMR4B multi screwdriver
$80

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

4. Milwaukee billet magnetic torpedo level / 25ft tape measure
$40

Milwaukee 7 in. Billet Torpedo Level with 25 ft. Compact Auto Lock Tape Measure 48-22-5107-48-22-6825 - The Home Depot

Milwaukee Billet Torpedo Level delivers the utmost in readability and visibility to support easy, convenient readings during construction.

www.homedepot.com

5. Estwing hammer
$25

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000224VG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

PS. Bonus gift - Put everything in a Milk crate.

 

[inliner311]

I’d save the homeowner tools as a housewarming gift. The one thing that most young couples need is money.

I looked on “the knot” website and most of the wedding gifts they recommend would quickly wind up in the attic or the trash.

If he works on his own car get him a pressure bleeder. It will save the bride a lot of pedal pumping over the years.

Also stores will give a discount on thing that weren't bought off their wedding registry so if you give money, they can always go buy the things they really wanted or needed from the registry for less.

Truly I'm not sure I'd want someone else buying me tools unless they were picking it off of a list I made. People have their preferred brands for tools and have so many different perceptive levels of quality with tools. Even some of my friends that I've wrench with for years, I wouldn't know what they lacked in their tool set. Only way I'd feel comfortable buying something for one of them is if they either borrowed or was using something I had and expressed how much they liked it.

 

[matthew]

Just like the household items, often it’s not a matter of getting the basics, but of setting them up with things worth having. Lots of people already have ikea wine glasses, but that doesn’t mean good crystal won’t be cherished.

My brother bought me a bit ratchet some years ago for my birthday. He bought a good one because of how often I use it and how much I loved my cheap bit ratchet. Yeah, maybe could have got something I don’t have, but I don’t think he could have done better.

A few superior quality basics, even if duplicate, will be prized and be favourites forever. An Estwing leather handle hammer. A pair of 250mm Knipex Cobras. Channellock (Irega) 8WCB adjustable wrench. Vessel or Wera screwdrivers.

 

[Coach James]

OP, you wrote that you think they already have basic sets of tools, which could mean any variety of tools. Given that, I would be inclined to give them a gift card for Lowes/HD/Amazon and suggest they get whatever tools they find a need for.

Coach

 

[Jacko264]

From reading though most of the posts it seams the presents are aimed at the man so maybe
a good present would be love and help fixing up the house / Garage / garden that way it’s for the loving couple and you could maybe help money wise as life goes on .
And Good and prosperous healthy life to them and family
I will stop know I’m getting sloppy
Graham

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Bought existing home almost 30 years ago with no tools. Bought a corded drill, hammer, hand saw, screwdriver flathead, Phillips, adjustable wrench, shovel. Bought more tools to tackle annual DIY home projects shortly afterwards.

 

[redragoon]

I bought my friend an Estwing hammer for his wedding. Not too expensive, solid steel, lasts forever.

I stay away from anything with batteries since it will eventually get replaced, but a multimeter is a great option.

The best advice I've seen for buying gifts is to find something they use/will use and buy a nicer version than what they have. Most people won't get themselves a fancy hammer, but a good one lasts a lifetime.

 

[rust in the eye]

Tools will depend on the inclination and ability of the recipient. A comprehensive set of tools is wasted on the guy who'd rather call a service man or has no mechanical aptitude. I once bought a set of expensive tool truck screwdrivers from a guy who was using them to poke holes in drywall.
I've pared my own household tools down from a 3 dr. tool chest to a small tote containing: Eleven in one and mini screwdrivers, slip joint, groove joint pliers and needle nose pliers. An adjustable wrench, a few open end wrenches and hex keys. A hammer, tape measure and torpedo level, shears, utility knife, flashlight and receptacle tester. Light oil and WD40, zip ties and several types of tape. Enough to hang a picture, fix a faucet, change a switch or receptacle, quiet a squeaky hinge and assemble most household things that factories no longer do.
Really want to do these guys a favor? Buy them a good 4' ladder

 

[2Rocky]

My cousin gave me a Craftsman toolset in the 90's that was a great start.
When it comes down to the majority of things you have to do to a house when you move in :
Hang pictures
Clean drains/Jtraps, adjust bathtub popup drains
reattach loose trim
patch holes in Drywall, paint and retexture
Tighten hoses on Washer, attach vent on dryer
adjust sliding door tracks
Hang window dressings (blinds and curtains)

 

[CoogarXR]

A basic homeowner tool kit, I would think would start with:

-Tape Measure
-Hammer
-Screwdriver set (or bit driver set)
-Level
-Stud finder
-Jig Saw + Blades (I recommend a jig saw if they have never used a power saw. It's slow and not all that dangerous, but you can do most jobs with it. I wouldn't give a circular saw to somebody who hasn't used one)
-Medium-size corded drill (as they get more handy, they could upgrade to a cordless platform if necessary)
-Adjustable wrench
-Pipe wrench
-Simple multimeter (and show them how to use it)
-Dykes
-Wire Stripper
-Utility knife + blades
-Small assortment of chisels/scrapers

 

[four.cycle]

 

[Kscardsfan]

I give everyone a Klein 11 in 1 for a wedding or house warming gift. It covers all the basic needs for most of these kids, as well as all the crappy pressed cardboard ikea furniture they’re inevitably going to buy. Plus it’s the ideal kitchen drawer tool when paired with a small hammer.

 

[bb29510]

most valuable tool i have

a five gallon bucket

 

[housewolf]

Ladder is a good one. One of those simple home repair books. Maybe some common yard tools. The rest depends on the person. A drain snake might be exciting to one, insulting to another.

Yeah, I can’t get past ladder(s) not being #1 on any list. Good safe ladders too. If you can’t safely access the work, what tools you need. I understand not all work is elevated but we all know eventually something will be. You can’t even put up Christmas lights without a ladder

 

[dffay]

A minimal set (good brand so it’s expandable) of 18-20volt power tools. Dril, Driver, Sander maybe but definitely a Reciprocating Saw. Super handy for demolition or builds and the aggressive blades are good for yard bush/small tree pruning.

 

[Sumboodie]

Big checkbook, advil, tums, patience, and low expectations.

 

[Just_Steve]

Please add a hammer holder to the list.