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Junkdrawer Dog
Well-known member
Made the same move in 2018. Retired > moved > downsized > found new hobbies. Still need a toolkit though cos stuff happens! Took a 20 inch carry box and curated my own kit. One socket strip each of SAE and metric. Sizes? You know what you'll likely need so you decide. Small collection of wrenches, both SAE and metric. These go in Klein pouches. A selection of Channellocks and adjustable wrenches. Allen wrenches, SAE and metric. Hammers! One each, rip claw, ball pien, and soft faced. Couple of files, some punches and chisels, Electrician pliers and needle nose. A selection of screwdrivers. A circuit checker or small meter. Inspection mirror. 12V cordless drill and drill bits. I'm sure there are a few more items rattling around in there. Anyway...it all fits in a 20 inch Plano box and lives out by the water heater until I need it. To me, it's more fun to roll your own, so to speak.
nadogail
Well-known member
Choose your tools as carefully as you would a Spouse. What works for me my not be your preference.
Beware of those kits that inflate the number of tools included because they have loaded you up with lots of Allen Wrenches and soft steel drill bits.
Beware of those kits that inflate the number of tools included because they have loaded you up with lots of Allen Wrenches and soft steel drill bits.
MovingAlong
Well-known member
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- Aug 17, 2013
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- 1,193
Wait to buy just the tools you need as you need them. Might not need 90% of what is in a kit. Cost will probably be less too. More per tool but less overall..
I would do something like this as well. Part of my thinking is a purchased set is never likely to have all the things you want and what isn't included may not have a nice home in the case. I also don't think the cases are very space efficient.
My first socket set was a pretty good choice for me but it lacked a few things and I've since added some additional "must haves".
I must have a torx set. I must have a 14mm 3/8 deep (the original didn't). I would really like to have a 1/4 and 3/8 roto head ratchet. 1" extensions are rare but sometimes just the right length. My set had a useless selection of wrenches. While I don't need ratcheting wrenches they are nice. I was more than just a single bit driver for a screwdriver.
Pulling from my existing tools I'm sure I could make a hand carry set that I would like far more than any reasonable off the shelf kit.
Warning: those 20" Craftsman rally style boxes can get really heavy!
Garcky
Well-known member
In about 2002, I downsized my toolset pretty dramatically. I went from a triple bank tool storage unit to a black and yellow Stanley 25" rolling cabinet and top chest. I did that for a lot of the same reasons you're talking about. But, I did it by picking and choosing from the tools I had, and moving them into the smaller storage solution. I did it in stages, trying to come up with a toolset that would meet all of my anticipated needs. I waffled back and forth a lot on individual tools, moving things back and forth between the two storage systems until 2004, when we moved from California to Minnesota.
Then, I had a "Man Sale" in my driveway. Power tools, stationary tools, lawn equipment, and more went out on the driveway and got sold. I also sold a lot of other stuff I didn't want or didn't have space in the used 24' uHaul truck I bought to make the move. In one way, it made me sad. In another way, I was relieved. After we moved, I found that I didn't really miss any of the things I had gotten rid of, really. I was doing a lot less work on things, so it really didn't matter. Also, I found that any work I did, I had the tools I needed. If I didn't, I bought new ones, as needed. We moved again in 2021, but that Stanley tool storage system went with me on that move.
Stelzer
Well-known member
Buying new is fun and all, but the fact that you're downsizing tells me you already have most of the tools you need, correct? If so, are you not interested in just picking what you know you'll need out of those tools and relocating them into a smaller vessel? New kits will undoubtedly contain stuff you personally won't need, which is counterproductive when downsizing. I don't know what you need, and I doubt others do as well. Just a thought.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
I know this is GJ, but don't overthink it. The 3-drawer Craftsman Versastack set would be perfect for this situaiton, IMO. You'll have 95% of your socket needs covered. You can add additional boxes inexpensively to house other tools (2-drawer unit for pliers and screwdrivers, shallow box for wrench roll, etc. and have a modular solution that doesn't take up much more floor space than a 5 gallon bucket.
I worked out of a similar setup for the better part of two years as I built out my garage. Very rarely did I have to go into my storage unit to pull out specific tools.
I worked out of a similar setup for the better part of two years as I built out my garage. Very rarely did I have to go into my storage unit to pull out specific tools.
It sounds like you have a year or two until you need to downsize? If so, keep a log of what tools you use in the next six months and start with that.
I’m not a big fan of the all in one tool sets. I’d prefer to buy a wrench set from someone I like, a socket set from someone else, screwdrivers that I like - whatever.
I’m not a big fan of the all in one tool sets. I’d prefer to buy a wrench set from someone I like, a socket set from someone else, screwdrivers that I like - whatever.
I'm going through something similar with what I take in the truck with me. It's tough to not take it all for fear of being caught out but it's also filling my truck up with things I haven't used in over 2 years, and probably never will. Lol.
I have everything laid out in the house as we speak, and I'm trying to recall what I actually have used. It doesn't seem to be that much.
I have everything laid out in the house as we speak, and I'm trying to recall what I actually have used. It doesn't seem to be that much.
tez929rr
Well-known member
I have this Gedore Red set in my truck. $197.95 on Amazon.
dhally
Active member
I would suggest buying a Harbor Freight/cheap set, then throwing away all the ones you won't need, including the case. It would take up a lot less space, and still be cost effective.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
I posted a bigger update in my thread here, but I'll throw some pictures down below. This was all TStak (same as VersaStack), but I decided to "roll my own" with regards to tools. Realistically, I don't think there is much you couldn't cover as far as basic mechanical work goes with this set, perhaps adding one-offs here and there.
It's GJ blasphemy, but for most people I even hesitate to recommend an air compressor these days. Those battery-powered inflators do an excellent job filling tires and the like.
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rancherbill
Well-known member
You don't need much. My house tools are in a pail with a bucket organizer. I have a set of Universal sockets, wrenches (3/8 to 5/8) and equiv metric, 3 pliers. screwdrivers, hex key metric and standard, utility knife, meter, hammer, saw, etc. The pail is nice because you can hold extensions etc.
You really don't need very much for house maintenance
finn
Well-known member
When we bought a winter property in the Southwest a few years ago, I bought an inexpensive $69 kit in a blow molded box. I don’t remember if it’s a Crescent or Gearwrench, but it does have gearwrench ratcheting combination wrenches, assorted sockets, and ratchets. I brought along an assortment of spare screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, hammers, and pliers that were extras in my Michigan shop, along with a cordless drill and small 12v Bosch driver and an orbital sander.
Quality of the set I bought is good enough, but the size spread is too limited for fasteners encountered in common household repairs, so a larger set like you linked.
I ended up buying scratch and dent Craftsman lower cabinet at Lowe’s, since I rapidly discovered that tools without a work surface are pretty useless, and later brought down a bench grinder and small (5”) Wilton vice.
I would recommend waiting until you actually make your move before selecting your kit.
Quality of the set I bought is good enough, but the size spread is too limited for fasteners encountered in common household repairs, so a larger set like you linked.
I ended up buying scratch and dent Craftsman lower cabinet at Lowe’s, since I rapidly discovered that tools without a work surface are pretty useless, and later brought down a bench grinder and small (5”) Wilton vice.
I would recommend waiting until you actually make your move before selecting your kit.
Zeke
Well-known member
I have a similar Lowe's Kobalt set in my truck. I added a dinky volt meter and some tape. First aid kit under the other backseat + straps and a couple ropes. I bought the Kobalt on sale for under $60 but it was a few years ago. The case latches lasted a month.I have this Gedore Red set in my truck. $197.95 on Amazon.
MarcSeattle
Well-known member
If I were living in an apartment/condo, I would get one of these or something like it. It has lots of room for a home tool kit but the dimensions are perfect to fit in the back of a closet behind the old jackets: 23"w x 16"d x 36"h.
Wheels to roll down stairs or out to the garage to work on the car or motorcycle, a detachable tool case on top for the small stuff or quick jobs, drawers in the middle, plus storage on bottom for a drill/driver and small saw, etc. It even has a slot next to the handle to hold a long level.
Not cheap, but it's Beta quality (Italy's equivalent of Snap-on). Usual price is over $400 but I saw Amazon had it a couple of weeks ago for $270 so a periodic check might pay off. Seven colors available.
Wheels to roll down stairs or out to the garage to work on the car or motorcycle, a detachable tool case on top for the small stuff or quick jobs, drawers in the middle, plus storage on bottom for a drill/driver and small saw, etc. It even has a slot next to the handle to hold a long level.
Not cheap, but it's Beta quality (Italy's equivalent of Snap-on). Usual price is over $400 but I saw Amazon had it a couple of weeks ago for $270 so a periodic check might pay off. Seven colors available.
I think about downsizing a lot. This is an interesting topic. A little bit scary… maybe it shouldn’t be, but it is.
I would like to start making the footprint of my tools smaller. Do I really need 6 combination squares? Do I really need a 48” Starrett scale? When was the last time I used a distributor wrench? I have so many tools that I wonder if I will ever need or use…
I know that if I did move into a condo… with a garage and mechanical room… I would totally try to Tetris as much as I could into the condo… but that isn’t a good answer.
I would like to start making the footprint of my tools smaller. Do I really need 6 combination squares? Do I really need a 48” Starrett scale? When was the last time I used a distributor wrench? I have so many tools that I wonder if I will ever need or use…
I know that if I did move into a condo… with a garage and mechanical room… I would totally try to Tetris as much as I could into the condo… but that isn’t a good answer.
Lol the scary part is the minute you get rid of something you never needed or seldom needed, you'll need again. As long as you keep it you don't seem to ever need it.
MarcSeattle
Well-known member
Lol the scary part is the minute you get rid of something you never needed or seldom needed, you'll need again. As long as you keep it you don't seem to ever need it.
One of the rare instances where Murphy's Law works for us. Just keep everything as a sort of insurance.