5 Essential tools for a new home owner -

[ChevyEFI]

I am not as good with the homeowner tool stuff.
But when a friend's car went missing along with the tools in the trunk.

I picked him up an organizer I liked (Stanley bought the now-discontinued design) and filled it with duplicates, and stuff I knew would fit his car(s.) Stuff that would absolutely get used.

Take what this thread gives you, pick out classic stuff that will get used (I would take a single cushion grip PH #2 and a straight over an obnoxious set)

Gift cards and "complete sets" are soon forgotten. If you DIY like I think you DIY, your thoughts and the end gift will be remembered.

A double fold/collapsible ladder would be great to me, but unusable by some who couldn't handle the weight. Go easy.

 

[HannibalLecter]

I think in these situations better to cover the real basics, not the things we think are basic. For example, most people wouldn't know what to do with a vice, or a power washer even. Nor a polymeter.

I'd go;
1. KTC or Halder soft face / hard face hammer
2.BMI vario tape measure 5m
3.BMI wooden lever
4.knipex Combination pliers
5.knipex pliers wrench
6.knipex or olfa utility knive
7.vessel ball grip Phillips, pozi and flathead screwdrivers
8.Facom nano socket and ratchet set
9.hultafors marking pencil
10.toyo st 350 toolbox

 

[Aileron]

As a wedding present I'd stick with the toasters or cash, most kids nowdays don't know what most of these tools are or do, nor do they want to. Thats why the smart phone was invented, to call someone else.
On edit for some reason after I read a few posts , I thought this was about wedding gifts, not housewarming. still would stick with the basics.

 

[jonesg]

you get nowhere thinking small, what you don't crave you wont seek.
Start with a mig/tig welder, add a car lift, the little stuff will find its own way.

 

[M635_Guy]

The key pieces of the starter-tool kit I put together for the first spawn to leave the nest were:

• A good set of screwdrivers (good in the homeowner sense) - I chose the Doyle Heavy Duty set, and added the matching Demolition pair.
• A Milwaukee M12 Surge impact driver - I absolutely love this tool, personally I think this is far better as a single all-around tool than a drill, but that's a whole thread...
• A set of hex-bits and a set of hex-based drill bits (Ryobi, mainly because they were on sale)
• A set of metric and SAE hex wrenches (Bondhus)
• A decent tape measure (can't recall - probably FatMax)
• A basic set of pliers - I picked up the Quinn set when I got the screwdrivers
• A level. (can't recall which, but on the smaller end since the whole kit fit in a couple small tool bags)
• A 1/4" rachet and a set of sockets. (I'd probably put the Icon bit ratchet set in there if I was doing it today, along with the sockets)
• A stud finder (something from Amazon)
• A speed square
• A decent hammer
• A cheap set of picks (HF)

I can't remember what else, but it's a start.

 

[bb29510]

maybe not a ladder but i do use my three foot step stool a lot, from paint cans off the shelf, changing light bulb and even getting in the bed of my pickup. Im old

 

[fishwatcher]

A Milwaukee M12 Surge impact driver - I absolutely love this tool, personally I think this is far better as a single all-around tool than a drill, but that's a whole thread...

Is there a good thread on this?

I have an old dual source Skil 12v drill that’s easily 15 years old. It doesn’t have enough guts for anything more than basuc drilling/fastening. I tried my contractor’s M12 1/4” hex Fuel impact driver and am convinced I need one.


I wonder if a combo pack with the Surge Fuel impact driver and a variation of their drills would be useful.. or would the 1/4” impact wrench would be sufficient for household needs.

 

[dscheidt]

Is there a good thread on this?

I have an old dual source Skil 12v drill that’s easily 15 years old. It doesn’t have enough guts for some basic drilling. I tried my contractor’s M12 1/4” hex Fuel impact wrench and am convinced I need one.


I wonder if a combo pack with the Surge Fuel impact wrench and a variation of their drills would be useful.. or would the 1/4” impact wrench would be sufficient for household needs.

I'm firmly in the 'if you have to have just one, you want a drill' camp. A drill can do anything an impact driver can; the reverse is not true. impact drivers do not drill holes, except with special bits. An impact is much better at driving screws for construction, but if you have just one of these, this is probably not what you're doing with it. you're hanging pictures, assembling furniture (for which a clutch on a drill is vastly superior than an impact driver, especialliy in the hands of someone who doesn't use tools...), and stuff like that.

but this is garage journal, buy both. the milwaukee 3497-22 m12 fuel kit is a great kit for people without huge tool collections, or a first step for those who don't yet have huge tool collections.

 

[M635_Guy]

Is there a good thread on this?

I have to think there is. I vaguely recall this discussion somewhere here at some point, though I don't remember if it was a dedicated thread or a tangent (kinda like this one).

 

[M635_Guy]

A drill can do anything an impact driver can; the reverse is not true.

That was probably true 10+ years ago, but these days the tools are better. And smarter.

impact drivers do not drill holes, except with special bits. An impact is much better at driving screws for construction, but if you have just one of these, this is probably not what you're doing with it. you're hanging pictures, assembling furniture (for which a clutch on a drill is vastly superior than an impact driver, especialliy in the hands of someone who doesn't use tools...), and stuff like that.

The "special bits" aren't all that special any more, and while I wouldn't want to try building fine furniture or doing any 'precision' drilling, it does just fine in general duty. I've done all kinds of drilling with my Surge (building a workbench, installing shelves, swapping out hinges in my kitchen, etc. etc,), and it has been flawless.

A drill clutch is a "stupid" mechanism that is just doing what it is set to. My Surge in Mode 1 (and to some extent in Mode 2 with a light/medium trigger) seems to understand how much progress it is making and adjusts accordingly, which makes breaking screws or overdriving a non-issue. It's pretty quiet and smooth too.

A Drill is a better drill, and a driver is a better driver. But a drill is only OK at driving at best (and garbage at worst) where a modern driver is very-decent as a general-duty drill.

 

[mogandave]

I've had a Makita cordless hammer-drill, drill, driver for a few years and it's a great driver. I also have a similar impact, and I much prefer the drill-driver over the impact for as a driver.

 

[fishwatcher]

the milwaukee 3497-22 m12 fuel kit is a great kit for people without huge tool collections, or a first step for those who don't yet have huge tool collections.

This looks like a combo kit that includes hammer drill. Is a hammer drill a good all around drill? I was thinking the regular drill would be better for me. I’m not going to be drilling into cement. I also see they have a 4 in 1 or a right angle drill. The second drill is what I’m wondering, which would be most versatile if I don’t only get the 1/4” hex driver.

 

[fishwatcher]

The "special bits" aren't all that special any more, and while I wouldn't want to try building fine furniture or doing any 'precision' drilling, it does just fine in general duty. I've done all kinds of drilling with my Surge (building a workbench, installing shelves, swapping out hinges in my kitchen, etc. etc,), and it has been flawless.

This is what I heard from my contractor. Even though he’s got a lot of different tools, he uses the 1/4” hex impact driver primarily.

 

[Toold_up]

12 gauge shotgun and 00 buck.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/mossberg-maverick-88-security-pump-action-shotgun

 

[VolvoRyan]

I vote gift-card to HD for the groom. The guys get short-changed through all this.

Problem with "essential tools" is that it depends on the house that you buy. Some houses need a very different suite of tools. A multi-meter is up there.... but most tools people listed here aren't even close to my list of essentials. Some I don't even own..... and I had to DIY a furnace install. Tin snips? For what? How 'bout Malco Turbo Shears?

-Ryan

 

[rancherbill]

Most/all of these guys will be buying a home in the very near future so I'm compiling a list of garage/tool stuff I have now but I didn't have when i bought my first house 40+ years ago. I don't have a "shop" - I have 3 tool closets off my carport.

Really?

A simple renter tool kit that has a hammer a small assortment of wrenches etc.

May some painting tools and a ladder or stool.

You have no idea what they are buying and whether it needs renovation, or whether they have money for renos etc.

 

[dscheidt]

This looks like a combo kit that includes hammer drill. Is a hammer drill a good all around drill? I was thinking the regular drill would be better for me. I’m not going to be drilling into cement. I also see they have a 4 in 1 or a right angle drill. The second drill is what I’m wondering, which would be most versatile if I don’t only get the 1/4” hex driver.

hammer drills work fine as regular drills. You just turn the hammer mode off, and they act like a normal drill. I am not sure if the current milwaukee line up includes an m12 fuel non-hammer drill, and the non fuel m12 isn't as good (and doesn't have a 1/2 chuck capacity, either.).

 

[AEAdam]

This thread just reinforces what a failure I am as a father. My adult kids fix nothing. My junk drawer has a mixture of snap on screwdrivers, KNIPEX pliers, etc which they generally borrow, mis-use, then lose and are indignant when asked about where my “special screwdrivers” are. (I have a ratcheting screwdriver and a set of the mini instincts they use as pry bars).

What I’ve missed in this really old thread is what you think our kids need tools for. No way my kids are fixing cars. They don’t check their oil. If they buy a TV set, there’s some assembly required and they need screwdrivers. Definitely not sockets.

None of mine are homeowners. When that day comes, I would think screwdrivers, big pliers for plumbing drains (cobras?), and Allen wrenches for ikea furniture would be pretty much it. I think every homeowner should own an electrical tester, not necessarily a meter. Handy people need a hammer, a pair of dykes, and a drill or impactor.

Levels? Sockets? You guys are better parents than I was.

 

[mogandave]

This thread just reinforces what a failure I am as a father. My adult kids fix nothing. My junk drawer has a mixture of snap on screwdrivers, KNIPEX pliers, etc which they generally borrow, mis-use, then lose and are indignant when asked about where my “special screwdrivers” are. (I have a ratcheting screwdriver and a set of the mini instincts they use as pry bars).

What I’ve missed in this really old thread is what you think our kids need tools for. No way my kids are fixing cars. They don’t check their oil. If they buy a TV set, there’s some assembly required and they need screwdrivers. Definitely not sockets.

None of mine are homeowners. When that day comes, I would think screwdrivers, big pliers for plumbing drains (cobras?), and Allen wrenches for ikea furniture would be pretty much it. I think every homeowner should own an electrical tester, not necessarily a meter. Handy people need a hammer, a pair of dykes, and a drill or impactor.

Levels? Sockets? You guys are better parents than I was.

Are they generally happy and self-supporting?

 

[M635_Guy]

This thread just reinforces what a failure I am as a father. My adult kids fix nothing. My junk drawer has a mixture of snap on screwdrivers, KNIPEX pliers, etc which they generally borrow, mis-use, then lose and are indignant when asked about where my “special screwdrivers” are. (I have a ratcheting screwdriver and a set of the mini instincts they use as pry bars)

This is exactly why I have a 'family kit' in our laundry room. It used to be a small tool chest, but they complained it was all the way in the garage, and I noticed they really only used a few screwdrivers, a hammer and the tape measure, so those all came inside to a cabinet above the dryer, I sold the toolbox to a buddy and reclaimed the space in my garage.

I kept the garage tool boxes locked after several lost/damaged/misused episodes, and now everyone leaves those tools alone unless they ask. My middle spawn has recently been doing things that needed some tools, a heat gun and were better done at a workbench. I took him in the garage, showed him where the things he needed were and told him he was free to use the workbench and the tools as long as he put them away when he was done and asked him to be careful about my old car/etc. (my garage is pretty cramped). I didn't make a big deal about it, but got the vibe he thought it was. He's been fine, though he clearly doesn't have the OCD thing of having it all straight/etc. I can live with that.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

For power tools starting out for home projects I highly recommend a corded circular saw 7 1/4 and 18v corded drill driver. I completed all sorts of home improvements and repairs for the 1st 5 years of owning a home and with the right blades and drill bits you can cut and fasten anything even concrete and pavers. Then added the miter saw, jig saw, reciprocal saw, table saw, angle grinder, impact drivers, oscillating multitool, etc. As for car maintenance basic tool sets from Sears since I buy new vehicles requiring basic maintenance. Highly recommend learning how to maintain and repair a home including yard as well as vehicles not just a home or just vehicles. This has really helped our family.

 

[jonesg]

I vote gift-card to HD for the groom. The guys get short-changed through all this.

Problem with "essential tools" is that it depends on the house that you buy. Some houses need a very different suite of tools. A multi-meter is up there.... but most tools people listed here aren't even close to my list of essentials. Some I don't even own..... and I had to DIY a furnace install. Tin snips? For what? How 'bout Malco Turbo Shears?

-Ryan

howsabout a plasma cutter, mig welder, 12k lb car hoist, 20 ton press and southbend lathe.