General home kit

[Sleipnir]

So my sister is getting married in May and I wanted to get my future brother in law a small set of tools to get him started and wanted to cover a few items since I don't think he has any tools but I know he either thinks he's handy or would like to become pretty handy.

Some of the tools I think I should get him are like a hammer, adjustable wrenches, pliers, screw driver set, and a level.

With that in mind, what brands stick out to you as 'go for'? I would rather keep the set around $100 to be honest and I'd rather get him quality of a quantity of tools that would need to be replaced, but value is important.

So far, I'm leaning towards husky for a few of those products and a 16 oz estwing claw hammer.

All feedback is appreciated!

 

[ddawg16]

Unless he is a real 'handy man', I doubt he would know the difference in brands.

Go to Harbor Freight...

 

[jakemac]

These are the only tools I would ever allow my Lump-in-Law to use.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-Handy-Helper-s-Workbench-Play-Set-836800/204500837#

 

[rick carpenter]

No matter what brand/level of tool you get him, why don't you also offer two weekend projects with you in exchange for three with him?

 

[nicksnothereman]

So my sister is getting married in May and I wanted to get my future brother in law a small set of tools to get him started and wanted to cover a few items since I don't think he has any tools but I know he either thinks he's handy or would like to become pretty handy.

Some of the tools I think I should get him are like a hammer, adjustable wrenches, pliers, screw driver set, and a level.

With that in mind, what brands stick out to you as 'go for'? I would rather keep the set around $100 to be honest and I'd rather get him quality of a quantity of tools that would need to be replaced, but value is important.

So far, I'm leaning towards husky for a few of those products and a 16 oz estwing claw hammer.

All feedback is appreciated!

Not a bad choice but most hand tools you can buy better than husky at retail. Pittsburgh pro and kobalt (taiwanese) are generally better in quality...if you mean hand tools. Most homeowners don't really need a whole lot of mechanics tools though. Probably better to get things like needlenose pliers, groove joint, screwdrivers, etc. (general use stuff)

Definitely get a good one piece hammer if in your price range. There are a bunch of them at retail; most aren't "****" even the bostitch.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Unless he is a real 'handy man', I doubt he would know the difference in brands.

Go to Harbor Freight...

I don't think they got harbor freight stores in the north east...

But...the pittsburgh pro stuff is very good. Low risk high reward in my opinion.

 

[Sleipnir]

I don't think they got harbor freight stores in the north east...

But...the pittsburgh pro stuff is very good. Low risk high reward in my opinion.

I got one in my town. I'll give them a look when I get the gift

 

[JimDon]

Here's what I'd do -- go to the Harry Epstein website. Look thru their closeout roster. Pick a bunch of stuff like a folding rule, hammer, pliers, nailset, ball peen hammer, square, level, needle nose, tin snip, etc. etc. etc. All really high quality USA made tools. Great service from these folks, great tools and great prices. Better yet, call them up and ask them for some help and advice. Just remember, you will have to pay for shipping, but I find it is not that bad, especially when you get the quality of the tools they have there. Let us know how you come out.
Cheers,
Jim Don
PS. Tell Jori that Garage Journal sent ya!

 

[longlivepunk]

Instead of a screwdriver set, maybe a Picquic screwdriver? I have had one since I was 18, and I won't let anyone else touch it. I have a couple full screwdriver sets, but use it more than anything.

http://www.picquic.com/

As for the other tools, anything with a lifetime warranty.

 

[92integra]

harbor freight gets my vote you could get him a bunch of stuff for under 50 bucks and see if u uses any after that maybe look to get him some quality stuff.... those picquic screw drivers are awesome Ive been using the stubby for some time now its one of my favorite screw drivers

 

[Alex in Canada]

Instead of a screwdriver set, maybe a Picquic screwdriver? I have had one since I was 18, and I won't let anyone else touch it. I have a couple full screwdriver sets, but use it more than anything.

http://www.picquic.com/

As for the other tools, anything with a lifetime warranty.

They're great screwdrivers. Made in Canada too.

 

[Sleipnir]

Here's what I'd do -- go to the Harry Epstein website. Look thru their closeout roster. Pick a bunch of stuff like a folding rule, hammer, pliers, nailset, ball peen hammer, square, level, needle nose, tin snip, etc. etc. etc. All really high quality USA made tools. Great service from these folks, great tools and great prices. Better yet, call them up and ask them for some help and advice. Just remember, you will have to pay for shipping, but I find it is not that bad, especially when you get the quality of the tools they have there. Let us know how you come out.
Cheers,
Jim Don
PS. Tell Jori that Garage Journal sent ya!

Oh I like this idea.. Plus I can sneak myself some stuff

Instead of a screwdriver set, maybe a Picquic screwdriver? I have had one since I was 18, and I won't let anyone else touch it. I have a couple full screwdriver sets, but use it more than anything.

http://www.picquic.com/

As for the other tools, anything with a lifetime warranty.

Are these things way better quality than the craftsman variant? My dad has had one made by craftsman for I think twenty years? I find it to be more of a PITA with the bits getting stuck and the thing not aligning correctly

 

[theoldwizard1]

I concur with Harbor Freight for your source. You can get a lot, admittedly not the BEST quality, for very little. Next step up would be Crfatsman, but the quality is not that much better and the price is a lot more.

Besides a regular pliers, get him an arc-joint (generic "Channellock") pliers, a locking pliers (generic "Vice Grips") and a needle nose. You might want to include a side cutter ("dykes") and a linesmen pliers. A 1/4" drive socket set, SAE and metric, with a hand spinner handle is also good idea.

Get at least 2 sizes of adjustable wrenches.

Hammer and nail sets.

If your trust him, get him a digital multi-meter. Always good for checking if your AA's have anything left !

A roll/box of blue paper shop towels, or splurge and get him a bag of "red rags" !

 

[justanengineer]

I don't think they got harbor freight stores in the north east...

Depends on the area, but IME its like anywhere else, you might have to travel a few hours but theyre "relatively" close. I went to my first one in NY ~20 years ago.

 

[d.mcfarland]

If a married man doesn't have tools already, he has little to no motivation to use them. I wouldn't go overboard and get things that he will likely never use.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If a married man doesn't have tools already, he has little to no motivation to use them. I wouldn't go overboard and get things that he will likely never use.

Agree. But you can buy a lot of stuff at HF for less than $50 !

At least then if you are visiting you can show him how to change a light switch or shim a door hinge because he has a screwdriver.

 

[53 hemi]

http://m.searsoutlet.com/52-pc-Homeowner-Tool-Set/d/product_details.jsp?pid=24449&mode=seeAll

 

[Givl Reggin]

Go to Harbor Freight...

Frankly, I'd be pretty insulted if I received tools from there - Even if I don't know squat about tool brands, I can tell quality from China made junk blindfolded!

Stanley would be a better choice, still maybe not getting away from China made tools, but at least you have a well know brand that has quite a history behind them. Everybody know the name Stanley from their claw hammers.

Craftsman (& Kobalt) would be my 1st recommendation if they we still USA made... but, now not so much.

Husky is still pretty bottom of the barrel stuff, maybe they have improved their offerings lately, but they along with Great Neck & Buffalo used to be the Harbor Freight of tools, before there was a Harbor Freight.

In all honesty, if I couldn't give a quality item that would satisfy me, I would just rather give cash.

 

[longlivepunk]

Are these things way better quality than the craftsman variant? My dad has had one made by craftsman for I think twenty years? I find it to be more of a PITA with the bits getting stuck and the thing not aligning correctly

Nope, these drivers are amazing. Almost every tradesman here will have at least one in his toolbox. Get yourself one if you order one for him, you'll buy another I guarantee. As for getting him garbage from HF (which in Canada would be the equivalent of Princess Auto) You said you aren't sure if he actually is handy at all or not, if he is and you get him garbage it'd almost make YOU look bad. I'd rather receive a few decent items than a lot of garbage. Besides, half the time poor quality tools make the job harder rather than easier.

I gave my brother a small socket set a while back and some screwdrivers. It's enough for him to get into trouble around his house (and then he has to call me and have me over for a beer to fix it!) some adjustable wrenches as has been said, some pliers as has also been said, maybe allen keys if he likes bicycles... But make them half decent at least if you ask me.

 

[Jere]

HF best bang for the buck by far. Make sure you go through and actually buy the stuff and not go with a gift card. There is enough non tool items to burn through a $100 with out too much effort

For a tool box I would get a pouch that goes over those 5 gallon buckets. Corded drill, drill bit set, crow bar, hammer/hatchet, 6 in one screw driver, standard and metric sockets, strap wrench, ear plugs, safety glasses, rubber coated cloth gloves, needle nose pliers, needle nose vise grips, free tape measure, and free flashlight. Then just load up on cheap little useful things until you made you limit if not already there.

 

[stonesfan68]

You can get Channellock brand pliers- a three piece set that includes a tongue & groove, slip joint and needle nose. Snap-On or Klein makes an all-in-one screwdriver that would be good for a beginner. An Eastwing hammer can be had for fairly cheap. Harry Epstein's has a lot of these things in stock. The other alternative is to get Kobalt tools. It is hard to beat the ease of the warranty, and the tools are a good value.

I wouldn't give anyone that I was going to have a (hopefully) long term relationship with anything from Harbor Freight. I'd give him decent quality tools and not worry so much about the number of tools.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Sleipnir]

You can get Channellock brand pliers- a three piece set that includes a tongue & groove, slip joint and needle nose. Snap-On or Klein makes an all-in-one screwdriver that would be good for a beginner. An Eastwing hammer can be had for fairly cheap. Harry Epstein's has a lot of these things in stock. The other alternative is to get Kobalt tools. It is hard to beat the ease of the warranty, and the tools are a good value.

I wouldn't give anyone that I was going to have a (hopefully) long term relationship with anything from Harbor Freight. I'd give him decent quality tools and not worry so much about the number of tools.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I think this is how I feel I should go, as per funds allow which will probably be the channellocks, klein all in one and a good hammer. I got a toolbox I can give him so I just wanted to put a few good quality items.

I just made the thread to get a feeler for whats out there