first tool box

[Carguy99]

Ok I need some help. Being the tool junkie I am when someone asks me my opinion or needs help with a tool purchase I am able to give, what I think, is sound unbiased advice. But this one stumped me and I feel unsure if I am missing something and I am looking for some suggestions.
My oldest 20 is away at college, this year he moved out of the dorms and has his first apartment. I would like to put together a small (this is my problem) tool box for him. If he wanted a big toolbox this would be easy give him one of everything. I have plenty.
Ok here some information,
not a tool guy (takes after his mom)
knows how to use them (I tried)
no car old Bike
Plays guitar really well
Into computers he can solder and use a meter
Moved into an old building
Here is what I have so far: razor knife extra blades, putty knife 4”& 1”, adj wrench 8”, duct tape, elect tape, white grease, wd40, slip pliers, channel lock, pipe wrench, wire strippers & cutter, assorted screwdrivers including micro set, tape measure, hammer, tin snip set, t50 stapler, & assorted stapes, bullet level, C clamp, DVOM small soldering iron & solder, organizer with assortment of screws and nails, small corded drill with small set of bits, Allen wrench key std. (and that other kind), torx bit key.
I feel like I’m missing stuff. Maybe it just me.

 

[metaleltr]

Sockets and wrenches
for sockets go 3/8" drive 3/8-3/4 and 10mm-19mm go with similar sizes for wrenches.

 

[magova1104]

Maybe a 1/4 drive metric socket set, a T handle socket driver (great for working on bikes), a magnetic tray (for holding screws when working on cars/bikes), a wire terminal crimpers (Klein) and a forehead LED lamp.

 

[USMCdodge]

would a rubber mallet be "going overboard?" I use mine all the time.

 

[nine4gmc]

I have had a a couple pair of these around as long as I can remember and they come in handy more than you would know. Some guys will not even consider a pair of scissors but these are a must for EVERYONE:
http://www.google.com/products/cata...sa=X&ei=DHHAT5zjN6bI2AWaptRr&ved=0CO0BEPICMAk

since he is also into soldering, I would get a small "helping hands" type vise. other than that, you seem to have a good looking list.

 

[magova1104]

A knee mat. They are great when working on bikes! http://www.toolsource.com/the-mat-knee-pad-p-90319.html?sourceid=googleps

 

[Carguy99]

Sockets and wrenches
for sockets go 3/8" drive 3/8-3/4 and 10mm-19mm go with similar sizes for wrenches.[/QUOTE]

Maybe a 1/4 drive metric socket set, a T handle socket driver (great for working on bikes), a magnetic tray (for holding screws when working on cars/bikes), a wire terminal crimpers (Klein) and a forehead LED lamp.[/QUOTE]

This is one of the problems Im having 1\4? 3\8? maybe 1\2? needs some deeps too open ends? NEEDS stubbys too? now NEEDS a bigger box?... being a tool junky... saying No. Im thinking keeping it simple.Sockets if you had to pick one 1\4 3\8??

would a rubber mallet be "going overboard?" I use mine all the time.[/QUOTE]

I agree rubber mallet, hell no no such thing as overboard <grin>
although, Air tools and a small compressor that could be. on the other hand kids an artsy type may want a small air brush???

I have had a a couple pair of these around as long as I can remember and they come in handy more than you would know. Some guys will not even consider a pair of scissors but these are a must for EVERYONE:

good idea Im sure he has one but maybe a heavy pair?? i got a couple of those


since he is also into soldering, I would get a small "helping hands" type vise. other than that, you seem to have a good looking list.[/QUOTE]

Good idea I have several

A knee mat. They are great when working on bikes!

let him use a pizza box he's got young knees


thank you all, great ideas all keep them coming.

 

[Mavawreck]

Volt meter? Didn't see it mentioned, apologies if so.

Small saw of some sort.
I carry one like this:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_198280-930-...7_?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

and one like this

http://www.lowes.com/pd_111670-930-...7_?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

Regular hack saw may not be a bad investment instead of the hand hack saw.

I second the socket set. Maybe a 1/4 and 3/8? or a good small combo set.

I have a small plier set in my travel bag, older 4 piece set from Northern tool that is similar to this:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200518211_200518211

Nail punches are nice to have!

Stud finder - for hanging pictures at the very least.

Small set of metric and standard combination wrenches.

A good, medium duty drop cord!

A small cats-paw or similar style pry bar.

Maybe a ball pien hammer?

And have you considered tool bags instead of tool boxes? I have like 7 empty small tool boxes that I used to use and two tool bags. For what I do, the bags are much more useful.

I keep the stuff that I use often - the screw drivers, pliers, electrical tape, meter, socket set, allen wrenches, razor knife, drill bits, screw bits, and combination wrenches in a smaller, open top bag like this. I think I paid $19.00 for it at Lowes. Similar to this but cheaper.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200493538_200493538

Then I have another zippered bag that I keep everything else in that I either carry or shove in the other open bag depending on what I need. Once again, I got a pretty cheap Husky brand one that works fine. One that has some small pockets on the outside is helpful.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200493548_200493548

May consider things you can do to make organization easier. Molded socket set boxes are bulky! I ditched mine for small socket rails. Easy to grab, less space, easy to see when one is missing. Fun thing is that if he responds well to this, it could be something to add onto in the future. So you don't necessarily have to fill it up now! I started my bag with a $400.00 investment from Lowes one day when I was sick of my crews jacking all my good tools and not having what I needed. Now I have two bags that could easily go in the field with me, over to a friend's house, or out to the parking lot to work on the car.

 

[Mavawreck]

Also something to consider if you aren't already, cruise craigslist in your area. There are always people moving and selling their home tool kits.

Something like this might be quite the deal for someone starting out:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/3038771549.html

 

[Vvmvbb]

Vice grips. Inexpensive machinist square. A file or two. A 3/4" wide wood chisel. Maybe a 1/2" too.
I'd go with a cordless drill instead of corded. And with a torque setting for assembling Ikea stuff.

 

[Carguy99]

Vice grips!!! **** how could I forget vice grips, you cant fix anything without them.
Drop cord ..check
Hack saw & short wood saw.. check
Inexpensive machinist square. How about a speed square instead?
A file or two ..Check flat and round
A 3/4" wide wood chisel not sure, If I did, I would have to include a chisel and make sure he knows the difference
Ok socket set ( not any good ones) and a set of wrenches ill go thought my junk box
My thinking on corded / cordless question: He would use it so infrequently he would need to charge it every time he used it. Bad for the batteries. Plus, $$
I’m trying to assemble this with out buying more tools<gasp>. Also I would like to keep it to ONE small box. That is the difficult part. I have three kids so ill need to do this several more times. Im also thinking he will eventually buy his own place I can get him more later.. bigger box.. power tools ect. There is always Christmas.

 

[woody 73]

This might sound funny but I will give it a shot, when I had my fist small apartment the doors would squeak real loud, sure a screwdrive and a hammer worked but I always wished I had a pin punch instead of beating on that old screwdriver!

So One can of household oil.
one small hammer.
one pin punch or screwdriver.

You say he has a bike so I would look into a small kit for working on his bike.

Duct tape.
vise gripes.
Flashlight.
Gloves.

pick up a small steel crow bar under 12inches great for opening those old windows!

Then everytime you visit him take him down to the local hardware store and see what he wants!

 

[elevator joe]

Throw in a good first aid kit for good measure just in case there always handy.

 

[e30bradley]

for the bike:
Good chain lube. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N22FWG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
patch kit
tire levers
spare tube
small frame/backpack pump

 

[magova1104]

A knee mat. They are great when working on bikes!

let him use a pizza box he's got young knees


thank you all, great ideas all keep them coming.[/QUOTE]


Can we eat the pizza?

 

[frostys]

For a saw, try this:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1290076

Mine takes Sawzall blades that fit in the handle, so it's switchable from coarse wood, to fine wood, to a hacksaw.

I'd go with the 3/8 sockets instead of the 1/4. For smaller sizes, a bit set that has sockets/nut drivers would work just as well as the 1/4.

I'd prefer a combination square if I only had one.

Other than that, your list looks pretty good.

 

[astrodoggie3000]

What exactly are you going to use a wood saw for living in an apartment? I've also never used a pipe wrench a day in my life...Knipex pliers have about made those obsolete.

 

[Carguy99]

ok, i think I have it, thanks guys. Tool box seems full to me. One thing included not mentioned here.... paint brushes couple a cheep ones. this was harder than I thought. not what to include but what not to. again thank you all.

as a side benefit gave some of my unloved unused tools a new home and when he calls me to fix something I can do it over the phone... with my feel up.. and a beer