bczygan
Well-known member
The ULTIMATE MINIMALIST Tool Set.........is ALWAYS one tool better, and one tool more than you have.
Ultimate Minimalist Hand Tool Set
- Thread starter Zinc2005
- Start date
No such thing as a minimalist tool set.If you try to get by with something like a pliers wrench or adjustable for nuts and bolts sooner or later you'll run into a clearance issue.They are good for some places but you will need combination wrenches and sockets also.The less stuff with you think you can get by with the more you will be running to the store to get it.
steveo3002
Well-known member
pliers wrench is great and is the tool i would choose if i just had to have one , it would cover alot of situations , but i cant imagine having to do all my repairs with one
kinda depends what youre doing , if its a bolt on the side of a barn then yes it will work great , if you want to take apart a car then alot of fasteners will be hidden enough that you cant swing a pliers wrench in there
as for size - again what are you doing with it ? some fixes there wont be enough room to get the large size in there and for big jobs the small one wont do
kinda depends what youre doing , if its a bolt on the side of a barn then yes it will work great , if you want to take apart a car then alot of fasteners will be hidden enough that you cant swing a pliers wrench in there
as for size - again what are you doing with it ? some fixes there wont be enough room to get the large size in there and for big jobs the small one wont do
MattVette89
Well-known member
When I think of a minimalist tool set...I think of one of those pink plastic cases that a girl has in her first apartment.
If you own a home or plan on working on it regularly, you will find the need to buy tools as you go along.
You didn't say what you are planning on doing, your budget, or why it needs to be minimalist (ie, lack of space). Do you really need top of the line tools to use as an average homeowner a few times a year?
Multi-tasking tools are fine in some cases, but don't always work in every situation. You can have vise grips that work great, but when you need a basin wrench to fix the sink...well, you need a basin wrench.
Personally I would find a nice used toolbox on Craigslist and start filling it up as you go.
Matthew
If you own a home or plan on working on it regularly, you will find the need to buy tools as you go along.
You didn't say what you are planning on doing, your budget, or why it needs to be minimalist (ie, lack of space). Do you really need top of the line tools to use as an average homeowner a few times a year?
Multi-tasking tools are fine in some cases, but don't always work in every situation. You can have vise grips that work great, but when you need a basin wrench to fix the sink...well, you need a basin wrench.
Personally I would find a nice used toolbox on Craigslist and start filling it up as you go.
Matthew
TOOLFREEQ
Well-known member
Needle nose vice grips, knipex alligator pliers, slip joint pliers, needle nose pliers with cutter, lineman pliers, and dykes. As far as brand, you cant go wrong with klein or channel lock.
OTHER TOOLS depending on the type of work you do most often
chalk line, wood chisels 1/4 up to 1 1/4, large file, tin snips or heavy duty type of cutters small prybar, claw hammer
OTHER TOOLS depending on the type of work you do most often
chalk line, wood chisels 1/4 up to 1 1/4, large file, tin snips or heavy duty type of cutters small prybar, claw hammer
If you have the $money just buy one of these.
http://www.jdindustrialsupply.com/gedore-tool-all-purpose-tool-kit-us-kit-380ap.html
Its as compact as is reasonable/realistic for any general toolset, IMHO.
If you are never going to leave the house, then maybe something different.
http://www.jdindustrialsupply.com/gedore-tool-all-purpose-tool-kit-us-kit-380ap.html
Its as compact as is reasonable/realistic for any general toolset, IMHO.
If you are never going to leave the house, then maybe something different.
crewchief888
Well-known member
i'd toss in a larger set of channellocks as well...
Some of the ideas of what is minimal here are bigger than my decked out ideal. Six pliers of various styles is not minimal. Useful, yes but.....
I tend to think that replacing a pipe wrench and a regular pliers with one good Channelock type pliers that does both jobs fits my idea. One double duty tool that weighs half of both.
I have supplied 5 ladies with those basic tool kits that are a hammer, 6" adjustable, pliers two screwdrivers and a cutter. My wife augmented her kit with compu related stuff and her sis added more home repair stuff for electrical and wall patching.
Other than the pink toolbox it is really a good base for what most people will ever need. Even me when not at work.
The op needs to fill us in a bit on the level of repairs he does or every response is equally invalid. Anything from the 'basic' 2,000 pc GJ socket set with 37 types of ratchets to a 2-in-1 screwdriver and a dogbone wrench.
I tend to think that replacing a pipe wrench and a regular pliers with one good Channelock type pliers that does both jobs fits my idea. One double duty tool that weighs half of both.
I have supplied 5 ladies with those basic tool kits that are a hammer, 6" adjustable, pliers two screwdrivers and a cutter. My wife augmented her kit with compu related stuff and her sis added more home repair stuff for electrical and wall patching.
Other than the pink toolbox it is really a good base for what most people will ever need. Even me when not at work.
The op needs to fill us in a bit on the level of repairs he does or every response is equally invalid. Anything from the 'basic' 2,000 pc GJ socket set with 37 types of ratchets to a 2-in-1 screwdriver and a dogbone wrench.
Cato
Well-known member
The point is not the price, but the tool-list, the layout, and the transporter. That's a proper tooolkit that fits in a very small space
The wrong tools will do the job, maybe, but will likely damage stuff and the cost and hassle of dealing with that is not a minimalist solution.
Companies like Were and Wiha and PB Swiss also do a lot of functional tools in compact layouts, and frankly an m12 kit is a great supplement in a small footprint for doing "real work".
So I'd look at some of those as well. But really I don't think a proper minimalist owns only what he is carrying. That's usually an illusion.
A minimalist is always carrying the right tool for the job, no more no less. And to do that, the closet, the garage, and the warehouse is usually full of stuff
kctyphoon
Banned
Honestly , If you need tool kit ideas, I'd look at the home tools kits sold in stores and just re-create that with your premium tools.. i think what you need to do is decide on a tool box, or tool bag that you find to you liking, and then let that size determine what goes into the kit.. there is no getting away from a small socket set if you ask me. it makes absolutely no sense to put a kit together and then grab a socket set the first time a nut and bolt are involved..
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kctyphoon
Banned
just curious what everyone uses lineman pliers for? and why you feel they need to be a necessary item in a small tool kit.. im a lineman myself, and i use diagonal cutters alot more then those pliers.. so can anyone tell me what you use lineman pliers to do, that you cant do with just about ANY other type of plier, cause i have no idea..
diagonal cutters, channel locks, and regular slip joint pliers can do 95% of basic hand tool needs.. if it were me, for a home tool set, id get rid of the 3 differnent types of vise grips in favor of a $20 husky universal pass through socket set.. throw in a 10-1 screwdriver, a ulitlity knife, hammer, and electrical tape.. thats a "BASIC", minimal tool kit - meaning in a pinch, ONE of those things should be able to be (mis)used to get you by, and can all fit into a very small canvas tool bag like from "rothco" or harbor freight.. its a tiny tool set, and non of those tools are a repeat of each other, but together they can be combined to do just about anything you need to..
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My hope was that by including Lineman pliers I could exclude diagonal cutters and slipjoint pliers.
I really appreciate everyone's comments and am in the process of preparing a list of items I think I will be purchasing which I will share with the forum.
To further clarify what I am trying to accomplish: I basically want to be able to throw everything into a tool bag that I can transport relatively easily but still be able to tackle a fairly wide range of projects.
About me/how I will use this set: I am fairly handy although I do not work on cars. This last year I basically gutted and refinished a home I purchased. Through this process I really improvised with some cheaply made, non optimal tools. I got the job done but decided I want to acquire a nice set of the essentials so that the next time I go to do a big project I have basically everything I need. What I am trying to avoid is acquiring many more tools than I actually need. I don't want to fill a garage with 14 pairs of pliers just because I have the space when I really only needed 2.
Maybe minimalism was the wrong term. Maybe what I meant was pragmatism with a minimalist bent..
I really appreciate everyone's comments and am in the process of preparing a list of items I think I will be purchasing which I will share with the forum.
To further clarify what I am trying to accomplish: I basically want to be able to throw everything into a tool bag that I can transport relatively easily but still be able to tackle a fairly wide range of projects.
About me/how I will use this set: I am fairly handy although I do not work on cars. This last year I basically gutted and refinished a home I purchased. Through this process I really improvised with some cheaply made, non optimal tools. I got the job done but decided I want to acquire a nice set of the essentials so that the next time I go to do a big project I have basically everything I need. What I am trying to avoid is acquiring many more tools than I actually need. I don't want to fill a garage with 14 pairs of pliers just because I have the space when I really only needed 2.
Maybe minimalism was the wrong term. Maybe what I meant was pragmatism with a minimalist bent..
kctyphoon
Banned
well this list is about to get ALOT bigger..
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
I was more curious what wood chisels are possibly going to solve?
In a "pinch", the knife is going to do the job 99% of the time.
awdblazer
Well-known member
Yeah, I tried this one... it was a bit looser than I like because there were so many joints. I opted for the Klein 5 in 1 which doesn't have the square or torx bits but has one fewer piece on the shaft and results in a tighter feel.
kctyphoon
Banned
now thats not bad at all..
I go to home repair jobs most days with just a small 10" tool bag. It does 80% of what I need to do, so I can go back to the car/truck and get anything else I need.
In my bag you'll find:
Medium sized slip joint pliers (10" or so)
10" Vise Grips
16oz Claw or Framing hammer (or maybe a Dead-On Annihilator if I know it's all demo)
4-in-1 Screwdriver
Tape Measure
Pencil
Small folding wood saw
Cell phone (for the flashlight and for taking pics)
Razor blade lock-back pocket knife
Gloves
That's about it!
***EDIT***
Oh, I forgot the most important tool! A flat bar/wonder bar. I don't think I've EVER done a job where I didn't use the living hell out of my flat bar! It's just 100% essential!
In my bag you'll find:
Medium sized slip joint pliers (10" or so)
10" Vise Grips
16oz Claw or Framing hammer (or maybe a Dead-On Annihilator if I know it's all demo)
4-in-1 Screwdriver
Tape Measure
Pencil
Small folding wood saw
Cell phone (for the flashlight and for taking pics)
Razor blade lock-back pocket knife
Gloves
That's about it!
***EDIT***
Oh, I forgot the most important tool! A flat bar/wonder bar. I don't think I've EVER done a job where I didn't use the living hell out of my flat bar! It's just 100% essential!
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Ok then, we have a few parameters.
Plumbing, what type of tubing determines the tools needed. Black iron pipe and PEX won't be sharing many tools. Then balance that against what your limit is before calling the experts. I have a beer case full of stuff for PVC and copper. Mostly bought used and dirt cheap. Old guys practically give their stuff away after they realize they won't need it anymore. Some will need a refurbish before use.
Electrical, basic pliers and screwdriver stuff until the drywall is cut. Saw, knife and spatula at the least.
After that drilling studs for new runs or calling the experts?
Carpentry, saw, hammer and measuring devices as a base. A drill is useful too. This can be endless when it gets fun.
Maintainence, drain snake, painting stuff, cleaning supplies. You should have most of this already. Just fill in holes where needed.
Basic tools to put stuff together or take it apart depending on what you have. Could be anything really, most homeowners really don't have much but still get it done. Crossover stuff from the other areas is great here. Why buy twice? It all fits in a small drawer for me.
This isn't speculation, this is really how most of my stuff is. It works for this house and our needs.
Plumbing, what type of tubing determines the tools needed. Black iron pipe and PEX won't be sharing many tools. Then balance that against what your limit is before calling the experts. I have a beer case full of stuff for PVC and copper. Mostly bought used and dirt cheap. Old guys practically give their stuff away after they realize they won't need it anymore. Some will need a refurbish before use.
Electrical, basic pliers and screwdriver stuff until the drywall is cut. Saw, knife and spatula at the least.
After that drilling studs for new runs or calling the experts?
Carpentry, saw, hammer and measuring devices as a base. A drill is useful too. This can be endless when it gets fun.
Maintainence, drain snake, painting stuff, cleaning supplies. You should have most of this already. Just fill in holes where needed.
Basic tools to put stuff together or take it apart depending on what you have. Could be anything really, most homeowners really don't have much but still get it done. Crossover stuff from the other areas is great here. Why buy twice? It all fits in a small drawer for me.
This isn't speculation, this is really how most of my stuff is. It works for this house and our needs.
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So if I plan on eventually getting an impact driver/drill do you see any reason to invest in a good Ratcheting Multi-Bit Driver? I was looking at a Snap On - I know I need to get some kind of bit set and driver to handle less frequently used bit types.. Planning to use a Klein 4 in 1 as my goto screwdriver since it will cover a majority of tasks and I am very comfortable with it.
Why would you get the klein and the snap-on? Id just buy the snap in and some bits, the handle stores the bits and your done. I would say you definitely need a regular screw driver in addition to a drill, a drill doesn't fit everywhere and it also doesn't have the finesse required for many small jobs.
I guess I just find the process of removing the cap and putting these one sided bits annoying. I always lose bits. The Klein is really simple to switch around and covers 90% of what I will need. Maybe I just need to get a simple bit holder and set of obscure bits to supplement the Klein and then move to a drill if I am doing a lot of screwing.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
For minimalist, the bit driver is the answer. Not individual drivers.
n8n
Well-known member
Agreed... for electrical I use Klein 11-in-1, for everything else a Craftsman ratcheting bit driver (snap-on knockoff)
The few times you need a 'real' screwdriver are for e.g. case screws that are recessed into deep holes, or not for screw turning duty at all, e.g. releasing self-adjusting drum brakes.
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