Basic Tool set for New Homeowner

[Parrothead]

We actually have this and here's what I'd recommend. We call them kitchen tools

Tool box
Folding utility knife
Screwdriver set, making sure it includes a p3 and stubbies
Locking pliers 7"
8" adjustable wrench
10" groove joint pliers
Wire cutters
Slip joint pliers
Needle nose pliers
Socket set - 1/4 & 3/8 combo set. 6-18mm and 1/4-7/8. Can be mixed and use a 1/4 to 3/8 adapter
Pick set - small
Precision screwdriver set - recommend Husky
Bit holder screwdriver (Husky ratcheting is very nice)
Long hex bits - Harbor Freight (great for replacing door knobs)
Wire stripper - Harbor Freight
Tape measure - at least 12'
Hex drill bits
Allen wrenches - metric and sae
Claw hammer
Ball peen hammer
Non contact voltage tester
Outlet tester
Hand saw
Hack saw
Jab saw
Small bench vise or clamp on vise
9" level AND 24" level
Stud finder

And the biggest thing...Black and Decker Cordless Screwdriver. I have one and LOVE it. Model LI4000

Damn....

My house still has areas under construction and I get through basic repairs and upgrades with but a small quantity of tools. Water and light issues included.

...

These 'basic toolkit' threads never fail to get into extreme overkill for the actual talents of the intended user. He might want the SO truck parked in his driveway but he has no clue what most of it is for. Keep it simple and let the person grow to meet the challenge, or learn to call for help. They will know what or if they need more as time passes.

Take a look at my list, theres not nearly as much as it reads.

Pliers set (5pc)
screwdriver set (7pc)
Small socket set with ratchet (38pc)

That's the core of the kit and few other small misc. tools. It might surprise you to know that almost all of that fits in a 16" Keter toolbox from Walmart. The 24" level, vise (clamp or mounted) and saws do not. Mount the cordless screwdriver on the wall near a plug and have fun.

One more item to add...tubing cutter. With sharkbite connections almost anyone can fix a small problem or replace a piece of tubing.

I speak from the position of experience. I lived in apartments for a decade before getting my own house and didn't have any more tools than you see above for a long time. That kit is small enough to fit in a closet at most any apartment.

 

[dar24601]

UPDATE:

So I've finally got the kit together. Below are pics and description of what I got. In my OP the budget was $200 but since that time a buddy paid me back a loan I had given up on seeing so budget was "nudged" a bit upward. Also some of the items are extras from my collection.


Craftsman combo wrenches, hex keys, channellock plier set, bollmangrip lock pliers, wright 8" adj.


Williams 9 pc screwdriver set, set of hammers, wiha precision bit set, wiha regular and stubby bit screwdrivers, wiha bit set, craftsman micro screwdrivers, Enders 6 in 1


24" and 9" level, bahco hand saw, pry bar, 8" bear claw, utility knife, putty knife, scissors and scrapper.


Notepad and pens/markers, metal and wood ruler, tape measure, stud finder, GFCI and voltage tester, wd40, 3in1, picture hanging hardware, set of HF lights, zip ties and duct tape, rope and mechanics wire and teflon tape


Sk 1/4" socket set , thumb ratchet, spinner and 3/8 to 1/4 adapter


So to hold it all husky bucket organizer, utility tote and dewalt toughsystem ds300


Not pictured are safety glasses, gloves, ear plugs, how to home improvement book, and my old corded drill and bits should serve him well

 

[cherrybomb]

As he starts out,as we all have,he probably will be appreciative of your help.Any extras or do u have something you would now have the chance to upgrade.Your used would probably be better quality than new low priced.I would probably pick a brand of cordless,that you both agree on,and start him with a flash light,charger and battery.Then he has a solid base to expand on.A Megapro screwdriver and a level and tools to keep the appliances level.After that you build and enjoy your tools as you desire.

 

[Big Bob]

Unless bro is 7 ft tall he'll need a small step stool or modest sized step ladder for anything overhead. And, since this is indeed GJ most would suggest the very largest air compressor you can operate on single phase power!

 

[Rarified27]

^ A second vote for the step ladder and something else I can't live without are sliding bar clamps.

The quick grip kind are fine for any homeowner and one handed operation makes them super useful when you're already holding something together.

http://www.irwin.com/tools/brands/quick-grip

 

[jd_1138]

^ A second vote for the step ladder and something else I can't live without are sliding bar clamps.

The quick grip kind are fine for any homeowner and one handed operation makes them super useful when you're already holding something together.

http://www.irwin.com/tools/brands/quick-grip

Yep, a couple clamps will come in handy. Also they can act as spreaders if he needs to exert outward pressure on something. Also, may as well toss in a couple of c-clamps -- maybe a small and a medium one.

 

[dar24601]

Unless bro is 7 ft tall he'll need a small step stool or modest sized step ladder for anything overhead. And, since this is indeed GJ most would suggest the very largest air compressor you can operate on single phase power!

Close he's 6' 5" He already has a step stool and a small 4ft ladder. plus his In-laws are giving them an extension ladder.

^ A second vote for the step ladder and something else I can't live without are sliding bar clamps.

The quick grip kind are fine for any homeowner and one handed operation makes them super useful when you're already holding something together.

http://www.irwin.com/tools/brands/quick-grip

Yep, a couple clamps will come in handy. Also they can act as spreaders if he needs to exert outward pressure on something. Also, may as well toss in a couple of c-clamps -- maybe a small and a medium one.

I have a set of those clamps and they are great. Yeah clamps one of those things I kept debating about. Just figure they'll be first on list.

 

[Codejack]

something else I can't live without are sliding bar clamps.

I was just catching up on this thread and noticed that no one had mentioned clamps, although I was going to say C-clamps.

Other thoughts:

-Square! T- or otherwise.

-Shop towels; I get a box of 50 for $10 at Walmart.

-Mechanic's wire; some people use coathangers or bungee cords, but I've always liked good old bendy metal wire, and not just for cars. Pretty much anything you need to temporarily hang or restrain, this stuff will do. It wraps around nails quite well.

-Saw? This is kind of a tricky one, because it immediately becomes, "What kind of saw?" A hacksaw, though, is fairly general purpose, at least for light home repair.

-Cheap multimeter, or at least a fuse/outlet tester.

-The only thing I hesitate about dismissing a socket set over is lawnmower/trimmer repair/assembly (bicycles, some furniture, etc), even just changing a spark plug. On the other hand, the $15 kit from Harbor Freight will do for that kind of thing, or any other cheap tool kit with a ratchet and a spark plug socket.

 

[bulwnkle]

Good call on the Dewalt toolbox, in a pinch it can double as a small stool. May want to add some quality electrical dale and duct tape......sure there are cheap options for both out there but they cause more of a headache than the original problem.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Codejack]

This is a great toolbox/step stool:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002WN1S3G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm 250#, and I've been using that thing for 4 years, now. It's also loaded the $%@! up with tools:

Here's everything there laid out:

Take out the mechanic stuff (wrenches, sockets, oil filter wrench, etc), and that's a pretty good home-owner's tool kit. In fact, just looking at it...

-Wire stripper

-Electrical tape

-Monkey wrench; I know someone already said adjustable wrench, but you really need a decent-sized one for a lot of plumbing work.