I'm going to be closing on my first house shortly and I won't be able to move my shop tools for quite some time, so I'm looking for not only a list of hand tools (a short list, I hope) and where you suggest I buy them from...I'll be remodeling a 1959 built house, and I only want what will fit in a portable handyman style toolbox...I also prefer American made tools...so, let's hear what you think...
Handyman tool kit suggestions?
- Thread starter Ruiner
- Start date
off the top of my head....
-hammer - estwing
-crescent wrenches, 8in, 10in
-set of screwdrivers, craftsman or klein (or pratt-read but im biased there...)
-water pump pliers, 2 sizes medium and large, channellock
-linemans pliers, klein or channellock
-flat pry bar
-utility knife
-drywall saw
-putty knives and scraper
-miter box and backsaw if youre doing any trim and dont have a mitersaw
-set of nail sets
-eye protection, gloves, dustmask, ear protection
-'tick tracer' non contact voltage detector
-GFI receptacle tester
-work light(s), extension cords
-stud finder
-chisels, plane if needed for what youre doing
-basin wrench if youre replacing faucets
-3lb sledge hammer
-pair of pipe wrenches
-hacksaw
there is a ton of specialty items you may need depending on what youre doing. grout saw, tile cutter, plumbing tools (torch, solder, flux, wire brushes, abrasive cloth, teflon tape, pipe dope) , electrical tools, etc, etc
-hammer - estwing
-crescent wrenches, 8in, 10in
-set of screwdrivers, craftsman or klein (or pratt-read but im biased there...)
-water pump pliers, 2 sizes medium and large, channellock
-linemans pliers, klein or channellock
-flat pry bar
-utility knife
-drywall saw
-putty knives and scraper
-miter box and backsaw if youre doing any trim and dont have a mitersaw
-set of nail sets
-eye protection, gloves, dustmask, ear protection
-'tick tracer' non contact voltage detector
-GFI receptacle tester
-work light(s), extension cords
-stud finder
-chisels, plane if needed for what youre doing
-basin wrench if youre replacing faucets
-3lb sledge hammer
-pair of pipe wrenches
-hacksaw
there is a ton of specialty items you may need depending on what youre doing. grout saw, tile cutter, plumbing tools (torch, solder, flux, wire brushes, abrasive cloth, teflon tape, pipe dope) , electrical tools, etc, etc
localandbitter
Member
- Joined
- May 27, 2009
- Messages
- 8
Don't forget vicegrips/your locking plier brand of choice
Richard Givan
Well-known member
Excellent start. I will suggest a few possible additions:
-workbench--a B&D Workmate if you don't want to take the time to knock out something bigger, more stable and permanent. At least a big old table and some large c-clamps. You've got to hold stuff down while you work on it.
-25' steel tape, the fatter the better so you can extend it farther
-combination square or a speed square, possibly a framing square
-2' level, maybe a 4' one too. Alternately, one of those new laser levels.
-chalk line
-cheap compass for scribing irregular trim joints
-needle-nose pliers
-make sure the channellocks are 1 1/2" or bigger to use on sink trap nuts
-wire ripper for romex to get to the inside and . . .
-stripper for the wires inside the romex
-set of hex wrenches in SAE
-medium file and four-in-hand rasp
-flashlight, or even better, an led headlight
-medium-size cold chisel
-smallish cross-cut handsaw
-#12 50' extension cord
-a socket set and ratchet
I know you asked about hand tools, but I can't overstate the value of a good portable drill/driver. Have two batteries so one can be charging while the other one works. Bring good driver bits and a large assortment of screws. Drywall screws are cheap and useful, get some deck screws for outside usage. Square drive are best.
Mr.Nutcase
Well-known member
Dont forget snap on/
-B-
Well-known member
portable GFI
screw drivers a mufti is fine here
putty chisel
3" putty knife
wiggy
safety glasses
masks
staple gun
screw drivers a mufti is fine here
putty chisel
3" putty knife
wiggy
safety glasses
masks
staple gun
Yeah, I'm looking more for a short list of simple tools in a carry style handyman box to keep under the sink...and I'm not seeing a lot of recommendations for brands...I'll surely pick up a channel lock set, what other American made hand tool brands are available? And don't bother mentioning Snap On, I'm putting money into my house, and not putting money into overpriced tools...
speed bump
Well-known member
If you think you are going to remodel a house with just a set of tools that fit under the kitchen sink I hope that house has an industrial sized kitchen. Then again maybe you just mean play handyman like they do on TV?
However for handyman stuff I would say to go with:
One of those 200 or so piece sets from Sears that covers your sockets wrenches and such.
While you are there pick up 10 or so piece screwdriver set, the 4 piece pliers set and 20 oz Craftsman claw hammer.
Then pick up a circular saw (HD has the 7 1/4" makita worm drive for $100 right now),
probably a corded drill unless you plan on using it a lot then you can go cordless Ryobi is plenty high end for this kind of stuff and make sure you also pick up one of those drill bit assortments
an 8" and 14" Ridgid pipe wrench (get them when you go to HD) and a 6" and 10" Crescent wrench (Crescent brand will work just fine for these again at HD).
A tape measure I like Lufkins or the 25' Stanleys but you could also pick one up at sears. Along these lines you are probably also going to want a framing square.
A hack saw, cross cut saw and a sheet rock saw
AC voltage detector, Multimeter, and outlet fault detector brand doesn't matter to much for this.
A couple of 50' extension cords.
Flashlights
At this point it barely fits under the kitchen sink so quit being some kind of nut and poney up to get the tools to build a real garage.
However for handyman stuff I would say to go with:
One of those 200 or so piece sets from Sears that covers your sockets wrenches and such.
While you are there pick up 10 or so piece screwdriver set, the 4 piece pliers set and 20 oz Craftsman claw hammer.
Then pick up a circular saw (HD has the 7 1/4" makita worm drive for $100 right now),
probably a corded drill unless you plan on using it a lot then you can go cordless Ryobi is plenty high end for this kind of stuff and make sure you also pick up one of those drill bit assortments
an 8" and 14" Ridgid pipe wrench (get them when you go to HD) and a 6" and 10" Crescent wrench (Crescent brand will work just fine for these again at HD).
A tape measure I like Lufkins or the 25' Stanleys but you could also pick one up at sears. Along these lines you are probably also going to want a framing square.
A hack saw, cross cut saw and a sheet rock saw
AC voltage detector, Multimeter, and outlet fault detector brand doesn't matter to much for this.
A couple of 50' extension cords.
Flashlights
At this point it barely fits under the kitchen sink so quit being some kind of nut and poney up to get the tools to build a real garage.
Nobody has anything else to add? Doesn't anyone buy American made stuff anymore? So far my list includes Channel Locks, Irwin Screwdrivers and an Estwing Claw Hammer...are Ridgid pipe wrenches made in the US? What about Crescent adjustable wrenches? And Stanley tools, where are they made these days? Speak up and list some other brands that are made in the USA...
I was in your shoes 8 months ago, Ruiner. I bought a 1960 house and always had a 15" plano box stocked and handy, but also a box full of plumbing tools for the sink and toilet replacements. My screwdrivers were pratt-read, pliers were channelock, Eswing hammers, USA made torpedo level, c-man wrench set, marker, pencil, Bosch litheon driver and bits, utility knife, tape measure, assortment of nails and screws, outlet tester, AC current detector, wire strippers, and probably a bunch of other stuff.
Most important - advil and some beer
Good luck - remember that home ownership is a marathon not a sprint!
Most important - advil and some beer
Good luck - remember that home ownership is a marathon not a sprint!I was in your shoes 8 months ago, Ruiner. I bought a 1960 house and always had a 15" plano box stocked and handy, but also a box full of plumbing tools for the sink and toilet replacements. My screwdrivers were pratt-read, pliers were channelock, Eswing hammers, USA made torpedo level, c-man wrench set, marker, pencil, Bosch litheon driver and bits, utility knife, tape measure, assortment of nails and screws, outlet tester, AC current detector, wire strippers, and probably a bunch of other stuff.
Most important - advil and some beer
how did you like the pratt-read screwdrivers?
sammerdog
Banned
^^^^^^^ -B- is 100% correct. Grab a pair of decent safety glasses (goggles if you already wear glasses) and USE THEM. A basic dust mask is better than no dust mask - USE ONE.
.....and grab some noise protection - ear muffs or plugs. The last suggestion comes from a guy who wears stupid hearing aids in his mid-40's.
It would **** to be a young guy, new house.... ....and blind, deaf, or riddled with lung cancer.
-B-
Well-known member
Too many years of construction and calls of can you help with / do this?
I have a big Rubbermaid box that is only for grab and go I just have to grab electric tools to supplement.
mickeyone
Well-known member
pliers : klein,channelock,knipex wrenches: SK craftsman Toptul,scrapers and putty knives ;Hyde, planes and utility knives :Stanley, ear muffs :Meltor, pipe wrenches :ridgid, multimeter : fluke or triplett,flashlight: surefire extension cords yellow jacket at HD sidewinder saw: milwaukee Cordless drill Bosch or Panasonic Bits :Hansen levels Exact or Johnson and small greenlee level ALL GOOD BRANDS
I got hearing and eye protection covered, I'm a machinist...I think I'll wind up with the Irwin wood handle screwdrivers, I've always liked those and they'd be appropriate for a '50's/'60's household...thanks for the suggestions guys, keep em coming...and remember, US made ONLY...
they still make screwdrivers dont they? I have a couple, theyre pretty good. From what I can remember, they made the first 4-in-1 screwdriver or they atleast were first to get them in all the hardware stores.
That would be a fun project to put together a 1960s period appropriate toolbox, like what someone would have used to build a project out of popular mechanics, fix the car, a leaky faucet, and install a new airconditioner all on a sunday
fordracing200
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2009
- Messages
- 629
sears has a 204pc tool set on sale from 199.99 down to 110.00, heck of a deal, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, the whole thing. Definitly worth 100 bucks, heck the ratchets on ebay go for 50...for some demented reason
Bolster
Well-known member
May I suggest a second "toolbox" stocked with hardware...mostly drywall screws of various sizes, but also roundheads, small flatheads, various headed & finish nails, molly screws, epoxy, duct tape, machine screws (including the type used to install outlets), lag bolts, wire, and so on. I would say my "hardware toolbox" got as much a workout as my house-refurb toolbox.
And FWIW, I could not do with less than two intermediate chests stacked (=6 drawers). That's the minimum I needed to complete much of any kinda work on my house projects. Not including all the power tools, of course, lined up against the wall.
My contractor and I disagreed on the #1 most important tool in housework. He said the cordless drill. I thought it was the putty knife. He was into making holes, and I was into filling them.
And FWIW, I could not do with less than two intermediate chests stacked (=6 drawers). That's the minimum I needed to complete much of any kinda work on my house projects. Not including all the power tools, of course, lined up against the wall.
My contractor and I disagreed on the #1 most important tool in housework. He said the cordless drill. I thought it was the putty knife. He was into making holes, and I was into filling them.
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Bolster
Well-known member
That would be a fun project to put together a 1960s period appropriate toolbox, like what someone would have used to build a project out of popular mechanics, fix the car, a leaky faucet, and install a new airconditioner all on a sunday
I like the idea of that, but other than buying actual vintage tools from that era, I don't see it happening...I may vary well find myself doing that someday though...
Take a look at some of the old Popular Mechanics magazines from the 50's (just Google...) Look at some of the ads for correspondence schools at the beginning of the magazine. "We give you all these tools to keep..."
Might give some ideas.
BTW, when did magazines move ads from the front to the back of the magazine?