ez-duzit
Well-known member
Add a pipe wrench.
What tools for a 13 year old?
- Thread starter stanj
- Start date
Sigh... I've got a 16yo and I can tell you that metric allen wrenches, and the 15mm wrench are always left out (bicycle), and he leaves out tools for his skate board.
A set of the craftsman wrenches (both metric and standard) Plus a set of sockets and a ratchet (3/8" drive) will work to get him started along with a set of screw drivers and allen wrenches.
Without someone around to show him the proper way to use vise grips or adjustable wrenches he'll get the double wammy. (why are you using it backwards + why are you using that?) <- my dad to me.
Let's not forget a metal tool box that has a removable tray that he can sticker up with bicycle stickers.
A set of the craftsman wrenches (both metric and standard) Plus a set of sockets and a ratchet (3/8" drive) will work to get him started along with a set of screw drivers and allen wrenches.
Without someone around to show him the proper way to use vise grips or adjustable wrenches he'll get the double wammy. (why are you using it backwards + why are you using that?) <- my dad to me.
Let's not forget a metal tool box that has a removable tray that he can sticker up with bicycle stickers.
1SlowFormula
Well-known member
I will caveat this by saying I didn't read all pages before posting, but here is what I did/do for my 3 (yes, three) year old's tool's.
He and I have a standing "guy's trip to the tool store" every other weekend where he and I go to HF. They almost always have something on sale or freewith another purchase and so far he has:
--Small plastic toolbox
--3 measuring tapes (they are free most of the time, and we always seem to misplace one, lol)
--2 LED flashlights
--6 piece screwdriver set
--small claw hammer
--full (HF Cheepo) socket set
--some misc allen wrenchs that I had extras of
--my old 12v dewalt drill that I stopped useing after getting into 18v stuff
--misc drill and screw bits (yes I let my 3 year old use a drill to actually drill holes in things)
Between free items and sales I think we spent a whole $10 on everything, and it rerally makes him happy to have "his tools" when we are working on things, plus he stops "playing" with mine.
Beyond what my 3 year old has I would also include a few different size pliers (needle nose, channel locking, and etc.), maybe some wire strippers.
I know when I was 13, and also in a low income public assisted household, I was working summers in a gov assisted youth labor program and really knew how to handle tools. I think I got my first "Real" craftsman tools set when I was 14 or 15 and still have a lot of those tools.
So remember, there are 2 ways this could go, you can go cheep and give him a gift to use at 13 or go with a little more quality and get him a gift that he will treasure/use for years, but that is a gamble only you can make the decision on. For me I am going "cheep" for a 3 year old, but by the time he is 13 I would expect him to have much better tools, but I can also supervise him and know that he knows how to use and care for tools, you situation is different.
He and I have a standing "guy's trip to the tool store" every other weekend where he and I go to HF. They almost always have something on sale or freewith another purchase and so far he has:
--Small plastic toolbox
--3 measuring tapes (they are free most of the time, and we always seem to misplace one, lol)
--2 LED flashlights
--6 piece screwdriver set
--small claw hammer
--full (HF Cheepo) socket set
--some misc allen wrenchs that I had extras of
--my old 12v dewalt drill that I stopped useing after getting into 18v stuff
--misc drill and screw bits (yes I let my 3 year old use a drill to actually drill holes in things)
Between free items and sales I think we spent a whole $10 on everything, and it rerally makes him happy to have "his tools" when we are working on things, plus he stops "playing" with mine.
Beyond what my 3 year old has I would also include a few different size pliers (needle nose, channel locking, and etc.), maybe some wire strippers.
I know when I was 13, and also in a low income public assisted household, I was working summers in a gov assisted youth labor program and really knew how to handle tools. I think I got my first "Real" craftsman tools set when I was 14 or 15 and still have a lot of those tools.
So remember, there are 2 ways this could go, you can go cheep and give him a gift to use at 13 or go with a little more quality and get him a gift that he will treasure/use for years, but that is a gamble only you can make the decision on. For me I am going "cheep" for a 3 year old, but by the time he is 13 I would expect him to have much better tools, but I can also supervise him and know that he knows how to use and care for tools, you situation is different.
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And this is what I am struggling with. I am leaning toward Craftsman socket set and wrenches and going the cheapo route with some of the other things. My bride reminds me that I am not buying this for me, I am buying it for a 13 year old that I don't know how he will treat them.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
I would go with a 4 in 1 screwdriver rather than a set!!
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I'm willing to be the is going to use them and not abuse or leave all over the place. I bought my nephew one of the craftsman 255 or so piece sets when he was12 or 13. Also got him a craftsman 2pc rolling tool box. Filled it in with some pliers and some other odds and ends. His mom(brothers wife) was so mad at me because in her words didn't want him to be like his uncle(me). She had this dream of him going away to college and going into computers. Well he took auto mechanics in high school and then at the local tech school. He is now 24 and a master certified mechanic at a Kia dealer. Still has most of the tools I bought him 10 or more years ago. He is one of if not the best tech at his dealer. Has real troubleshooting skills. His mom is still annoyed he turned out like his uncle. He took care of the stuff I got him and I think this kid will too. When he was 13 he was basically the neighborhood bike mechanic.
928'er
Well-known member
13 year old girl?
(shamelessly stolen from Big Bang Theory - couldn't help myself.)
(shamelessly stolen from Big Bang Theory - couldn't help myself.)
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I disagree, I've had too many places where a 4 (or 6) in one would NOT access the fastener. Having one in addition to? Yes, but not to the exclusion of. (Which is EXACTLY why I recommended the 4 most common drivers.)