The Daddy will you fix my....Tool Kit

[hdv32]

We live over six hours away from our two adult daughters. While visiting I'm always asked if I can fix something and more often than not I don't have the tools I need to do it easily. When I know what I'll be working on I was always gathering what tools I might need into a small bag and normally forgot something. Unfortunately, neither of them have much more than basic tools on hand.

The things I tend to do are hanging ceiling fans and lights or light fixtures; changing faucets, unclogging drains, fixing Barbie Jeeps for the granddaughters, painting or flooring etc etc etc.....

After the holidays I decided to put together a bag to handle most things except painting and heavy carpentry.

Please take a look at what I have put together and let me know what I need to add or can eliminate. And yes, I took this as an opportunity to buy a few new tools.

Electrical Tools
Plug tester, Multi tester, Non contact voltage tester
Channelock lineman pliers
Channelock needle nose pliers
Channelock diagonal
Multi purpose wire strippers


General Hand Tools
Sockets - Makita 1/4” socket sets - metric & SAE, 1/4” breaker bar, 1/4” extensions, 1/4” flex ratchet
8” Crescent wrench
Ball end hex key sets - metric & SAE
Pliers - Knipex Cobra 8 inch water pump pliers, Knipex 8 inch pliers wrench and 10 inch Doyle “cobra” water pump pliers
Precision screwdriver
Klein 11 in 1 multi screwdriver
Klein 6 in 1 stubby screwdriver
Demo screwdriver
Vice grips - 6 inch needle nose and 7” standard
Combination double box end wrenches - metric & SAE
8 ounce hammer

Drill and Driver Tools
Milwaukee 1/4” impact driver
Railer Bit holders with both 1 inch and 2 inch bits selection
Countersink bit
Stepped drill bit
Malco impact / nut driver quick change handle
1/4 inch ratcheting bit wrench
1/4” impact drill bits - up to 3/8”

Measuring & Marking Tools
Center punch
Swanson speed square & small combination square
Fascap 16 foot tape measure & Bosch laser tape measure
Empire 9” level
Sharpie, Mechanical carpenter pencil

Cutting & Scraping Tools
Titan blade holder - uses metal, plastic and razor blades
Folding multi saw - uses t shank jigsaw, hacksaw and sawzall blades
Disposable large and small box cutters
Pocket Knife


Miscellaneous Tools
Small metal file and 4 way wood rasp
Hanson stud finder
Small pry bar
Paint can opener
Magnetic pickup tool
Cleaning brushes
8 ounce hammer
Wood chisel
2' metal putty knife
Pick & hook set
Chisel - 1/2 inch
Nail punches
Punch / alignment tool
Rechargeable flashlight
Pony 2 inch spring clamp


Large Consumable Items
Small spray bottle for Simple Green
WD 40 3 ounce can
Small roll of Gorilla duct tape
Masking tape
Teflon tape
Electrical tape
Shop rags and microfiber cloths
Thin mechanics gloves
Disposable gloves

Small Consumable Items
Wago wire connectors
Screws
Roll of soft wire
2 part epoxy - small tubes
Small picture hanging assortment
Superglue
Zip ties
Crimp on electrical connectors
Wire nuts
Lighter for shrinking shrink wrap
Shrink wrap

And the bag


I've got thick skin, please let me know what I'm missing or what I need to leave home.
Thanks

 

[ratflinger]

Take away their Man Cards until they learn how to fix simple ****. You failed to teach them when they were at home, so now you have to teach them at their home. And they can buy the damned tools!

 

[Beauregard]

I always like some toy tools for the granddaughters to help.

https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Take-Along-Wooden-Construction/dp/B00005RF5D/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[nadogail]

Your "Adult Children" should have their own tool kits.

I was invited to a Bar Mitzvah, and my gift to the young man, who declared "I am a man" at the ceremony was a Kit of tools; so he can do "Manley" things.

 

[hdv32]

Your "Adult Children" should have their own tool kits.

I was invited to a Bar Mitzvah, and my gift to the young man, who declared "I am a man" at the ceremony was a Kit of tools, so he can do "Manley" things.

One of the son in laws is actually quite handy and has an okay collection of tools, if you can find them.
On the other hand, the second son in law has few tools and no interest in anything mechanical or the desire to learn. My daughter can do much more than him.

 

[TnClimber]

Another 10mm socket.

 

[The Cobbler]

I think you've made a great contribution. anything else needed, send them to the store to get it

 

[woody 73]

Man, a tough crowd tonight....

Flashlights you can never have enough light for old eyesight., I also like the toy suggestion for the Grandchildren.
I picked up a set of 5 drill/tap from HD, the cost will set you back about $36.00 and some change plus tax but those darn things have made life easier for me. I will look for a link.

Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE SAE Steel Drill Tap Set (5-Piece) 48-89-4874 - The Home Depot

Offer a durable and versatile addition to your jobsite with the selection of this exclusive Milwaukee 720 SHOCKWAVE SAE Steel Drill Tap Set.

www.homedepot.com

 

[hdv32]

Man, a tough crowd tonight....

Flashlights you can never have enough light for old eyesight., I also like the toy suggestion for the Grandchildren.
I picked up a set of 5 drill/tap from HD, the cost will set you back about $36.00 and some change plus tax but those darn things have made life easier for me. I will look for a link.

Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE SAE Steel Drill Tap Set (5-Piece) 48-89-4874 - The Home Depot

Offer a durable and versatile addition to your jobsite with the selection of this exclusive Milwaukee 720 SHOCKWAVE SAE Steel Drill Tap Set.

www.homedepot.com

I've got an ICON light in there, but have my eye on a Klein work light I like. Thanks for the lead on the taps, I probably don't need for them, but I can see where they would be very handy and easy.

 

[RAS61]

Replace the WD40 with a can of Silicone spray. WD40 becomes sticky/gummy over time, is actually a bad idea for locks and any confined mechanical space. I'd also include a simple drain snake (stick with barbs) for hair; only costs a couple bucks but very small and handy, especially for girls with longer hair. And what about some glue? Gorilla/expanding, wood, JB Weld? Otherwise looks pretty good

 

[engineer2]

Good selection for household tools!
Do they need car tools?
Jumper cables or a lithium jump pack (except those require recharging now and then.)
Battery powered tire inflator.
Whatever tools are needed to change the car's battery.
Most auto parts stores will read codes andr install light bulbs for free.

 

[Meursault74]

You've got waaay too much in there

I saw these 3 items there, so you're covered

 

[RAS61]

Good selection for household tools!
Do they need car tools?
Jumper cables or a lithium jump pack (except those require recharging now and then.)
Battery powered tire inflator.
Whatever tools are needed to change the car's battery.
Most auto parts stores will read codes andr install light bulbs for free.

I make sure all my cars, including the ones the kids drive like my daughter at college, have a tire gauge in the glove box. I also make sure they learn how to use it - seems simply but you'd be surprised at the learning curve of a disinterested young adult!

 

[AC-WC]

I was always grateful when my father in law came over to help with things on the house. Either I was with him on the project or my wife was. I have learned a ton of things about house repairs and what NOT to do from him. He's 80 now and not able to do much anymore so now I'm paying it back by helping him with things when I can.

 

[bcradio]

I am very impressed you fit all of that in one tote! Looks like a good comprehensive selection of tools to me!
How heavy is it?

 

[engineer2]

...you'd be surprised at the learning curve of a disinterested young adult!

Yup! Daughter was shown how to inflate tires and shown what the low tire symbol was. Drove home from college with the low tire light on even though she had an inflator with her. "I didn't know what the light meant!" So I made her inflate all the tires in freezing weather and told her I'd be reminding her to check tires every month or so.

 

[RAS61]

Yup! Daughter was shown how to inflate tires and shown what the low tire symbol was. Drove home from college with the low tire light on even though she had an inflator with her. "I didn't know what the light meant!" So I made her inflate all the tires in freezing weather and told her I'd be reminding her to check tires every month or so.

Mine is too afraid of getting stuck with a flat to drive with the tire light on. Happened before Christmas when cold temp drops lowered the pressure and she was getting ready to come home. She didn't like the harder to read stick gauge in the car so went out and bought a good dial gauge and topped it off at the gas station - score one for Dad and tough love!

 

[hdv32]

I am very impressed you fit all of that in one tote! Looks like a good comprehensive selection of tools to me!
How heavy is it?

Bag and all came in at 30.5 lbs. I would love to get it to 25, but it’s manageable since I’m not carrying it around everyday.

 

[dchawk81]

One of the son in laws is actually quite handy and has an okay collection of tools, if you can find them.
On the other hand, the second son in law has few tools and no interest in anything mechanical or the desire to learn. My daughter can do much more than him.

Wait they're MARRIED?

I could almost sympathize if they were single girly girls. Make their husbands learn or pay someone by saying no. Geez.

I'm not trying to come across as a **** but that's ridiculous to me.

You should be able to visit just to visit, not to work.

 

[RAS61]

Wait they're MARRIED?

I could almost sympathize if they were single girly girls. Make their husbands learn or pay someone by saying no. Geez.

I'm not trying to come across as a **** but that's ridiculous to me.

You should be able to visit just to visit, not to work.

You have a point, we're talking about simple fixes, not adjusting the timing on a '69 Camaro. They have access to the internet and Youtube, and like my daughter monitoring her own tire pressure, they'll figure it out if they have to. You must really love your son-in-law

 

[dchawk81]

You have a point, we're talking about simple fixes, not adjusting the timing on a '69 Camaro. They have access to the internet and Youtube, and like my daughter monitoring her own tire pressure, they'll figure it out if they have to. You must really love your son-in-law

I mean I could see if he insisted on fixing **** and wouldn't take no for an answer (my dad did that a couple times), but being asked every time he visits is just cheap, lazy, and dependent when they should be the opposite as homeowners/a married couple.

Maybe I'm crazy. I dunno. But when my dad visits I'd rather just sit and relax and have coffee or beer or go for lunch or something, even if there's obviously a bunch of stuff to do. It's my stuff to do.

I'd feel extremely emasculated if I needed him to do everything, and even worse if I had a wife and had to have her father do everything to my house.

 

[ZRX61]

Wait they're MARRIED?

I could almost sympathize if they were single girly girls. Make their husbands learn or pay someone by saying no. Geez.

I'm not trying to come across as a **** but that's ridiculous to me.

You should be able to visit just to visit, not to work.

That.

 

[AA/FC]

I'd say you have a great setup in the bag right now. No need to add anything else until you run across a situation where you need something that isn't already in the bag..... Then go to the local store and buy the tool(s) you need for that job. Add to the bag only as you need.

I don't blame you for helping your adult daughters..... that's what dad's do.

 

[RAS61]

I mean I could see if he insisted on fixing **** and wouldn't take no for an answer (my dad did that a couple times), but being asked every time he visits is just cheap, lazy, and dependent when they should be the opposite as homeowners/a married couple.

Maybe I'm crazy. I dunno. But when my dad visits I'd rather just sit and relax and have coffee or beer or go for lunch or something, even if there's obviously a bunch of stuff to do. It's my stuff to do.

I'd feel extremely emasculated if I needed him to do everything, and even worse if I had a wife and had to have her father do everything to my house.

My sister's husband is like that, if he even owned a screwdriver he wouldn't know which end to hold. I've done a few things for them out of sympathy, but most of the time I offer he declines, I think mostly out of embarrassment. His disinterest also has a lot to do with manual labor being beneath his elite self.

Actually all my brothers-in-law (4 total) fail for one reason or another - one too lazy, one disinterested, and two disinterested and elite. It is what it is

 

[bpwoodworking]

Then once you're beyond elite, then you're back to enjoying manual labor and you build a machine shop in your backyard shop. It comes full circle.

 

[bb29510]

i keep my bags for the task not the tool, so one bag for plumbing, one for electrical, one for wood, one for mason etc. so if i had all my bags i have duplicate tools, but everything i need to wire a house is in one bag. so the electrical are heavy with kleins, but i dont need kleins for automotive or wood

 

[cweidert03]

My uncle plans on having a todo list every time he goes to visit either of my cousins, he isn’t the type of guy that likes to just sit. So I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that this dad is feeling “used”

 

[dchawk81]

I'd say you have a great setup in the bag right now. No need to add anything else until you run across a situation where you need something that isn't already in the bag..... Then go to the local store and buy the tool(s) you need for that job. Add to the bag only as you need.

I don't blame you for helping your adult daughters..... that's what dad's do.

I don't criticize OP, I criticize the man buns he has to call "son."

 

[RAS61]

My uncle plans on having a todo list every time he goes to visit either of my cousins, he isn’t the type of guy that likes to just sit. So I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that this dad is feeling “used”

I ask my daughter what if anything needs fixing before visiting her at college so I can bring the right tools - auto, appliance repair, etc. She's actually getting better, installed window blinds by herself when she moved in and did it without a drill for pilot holes, did say her wrists hurt after though

 

[KenB]

Impressive kit! I’d add a few more fasteners: some nails, nuts and bolts in a few sizes. Self-tappers, too.

Ken

 

[dchawk81]

I ask my daughter what if anything needs fixing before visiting her at college so I can bring the right tools - auto, appliance repair, etc. She's actually getting better, installed window blinds by herself when she moved in and did it without a drill for pilot holes, did say her wrists hurt after though

Being in college, I get it. She's not even going to have room for much in the way of tools, and she's probably not in long term housing.

Her wrists hurt because you haven't introduced her to the glory that is Milwaukee Fuel. kudos for doing it at all really. Is she single?

Although if she installed blinds manually without pilot holes, she's probably more manly than I am.

 

[gleman]

Then once you're beyond elite, then you're back to enjoying manual labor and you build a machine shop in your backyard shop. It comes full circle.

Fine Woodworking Magazine agrees!

 

[RAS61]

Being in college, I get it. She's not even going to have room for much in the way of tools, and she's probably not in long term housing.

Her wrists hurt because you haven't introduced her to the glory that is Milwaukee Fuel. kudos for doing it at all really. Is she single?

Although if she installed blinds manually without pilot holes, she's probably more manly than I am.

Yeah, it's an off campus apartment, we get to do it all over again this summer when she graduates and starts her job in MD.

Heck, I don't even have a lot of Milwaukee Fuel tools, too cheap! She is single, and more independent and capable than my 24 y/o son (good kid but definitely falls into the "disinterested" category). She dumped her boyfriend a while back because he was too wimpy and a Momma's boy, so beware! I should start putting together a tool kit for her when she does start out on her own

 

[dchawk81]

Yeah, it's an off campus apartment, we get to do it all over again this summer when she graduates and starts her job in MD.

Heck, I don't even have a lot of Milwaukee Fuel tools, too cheap! She is single, and more independent and capable than my 24 y/o son (good kid but definitely falls into the "disinterested" category). She dumped her boyfriend a while back because he was too wimpy and a Momma's boy, so beware! I should start putting together a tool kit for her when she does start out on her own

Make sure it's pink just to piss her off.

I would anyways.

I may or may not be manly enough. I work on my semi truck myself but use power tools when possible.

 

[Steve_P]

Excellent toolkit for travel repairs- very thorough. Maybe I missed it, but I'd suggest an expanded 1/4 bit set with a "full" set of torx bits and hex bits to use in the multi screwdriver, and maybe even a 1/4" drive bit socket for the ratchet. The reason I say this is I was visiting a friend and the handle was about to fall off her frying pan. She does have a modest tool kit, but no torx bits. I do see that you have a few torx bits... You can get a lot of typical "this is loose" or "need to install a new...." with just a thorough bit set and driver.

 

[Iluvbeer]

If it were me, I would just ask them if they have a planned project for you on your arrival that way you don't have to drag a bunch of unneeded tools around... Seems far easier this way....

 

[tool_scrounge]

Many years ago I put together tool boxes with basic used but quality tools for each of the relatives. Not as extensive as your list, but adequate. I still pull tools out of the tool boxes to fix stuff at their houses. Not because they ask me to fix them, but I usually have some time on my hands and the broken things look sad. But the relatives are always very grateful so that is nice.

 

[bwringer]

Looks good to me; very complete, perhaps over-complete, but that's a matter of taste.

One factor when putting together things like this is the distance to the nearest Home Depot or similar. I put together a kit for my Mom's house miles outside a remote village knowing that the nearest home store was a 30-40 minute journey, so I wanted to cover a lot of home-type situations. But I didn't need to cover any car stuff, at least nothing more extensive than the tool kit I always have on hand in my car or motorcycle.

If I were putting together a kit for someone who lived five minutes from supplies and tools, then it could be a lot more basic.



Anyway, from the contents of this kit, I assume your daughter lives someplace you can only reach by helicopter...

 

[niget2002]

I'd replace the impact driver with a drill/driver combo. I'm not sure how good of a drill the impact is.

Maybe I missed it, but is there a stud finder?

Also, the bag is great, but for something that's going to live at someone else's house, I'd have picked one without any outside pockets. Get one that everything can go inside and be zipped up. Less likely of something falling out as the owners of the house keep moving the bag from shelf to shelf as it's always in 'their' way.

 

[KSJeff]

I'd probably add a carpet knife and some blades. In addition, I'd probably upgrade the level to 24". Other than that, looks good to me.