toolbox essentials?

evilmonkee

Hi eveyone,

This is my first post in this forum so I hope i'm in the right place!

I'm about to move out of my apartment and into my first house/home.
As my apartment was managed I never had much use for tools (my contract stipulated any changes to the apartment were not allowed and pretty much anything more than changing a lightbulb was to be done by the management company not the tenant)

Now I have my own home and would like to have some tools for the usual things that come up. Any large items or power tools for specific jobs can be borrowed from my Dad but he lives almost two hours away so I would like to have a small/medium sized kit myself for the odd jobs that come up.

I'm looking for advice or recommendations on what basic tools I should stock my toolkit with?

So far I have written (apologies if some of the names are not the official ones but I hope you know what I mean):

Claw hammer
screwdrivers (flathead + phillips)
assorted screws, nails, nuts, bolts, washers
the plastic things for when you put screws in the wall (name?)
insulating/electrical tape
phase tester
measuring tape
adjustable wrench
pliers
spirit level
torch

Joey the lips

Drill
Sandpaper


and if all else fails remember

Silicone , Masking tape, Duct tape and cable ties will provide a temp fix to everything.

harry21

I know some of these are not really for you 'toolkit' but the following are handy to just name the first couple into my head:

paint brush
shovel
glue
hand saw

I was in your position about 4 years ago. Best thing to do is just buy them as you need them.

zinzan

evilmonkee wrote: »

Hi eveyone,

the plastic things for when you put screws in the wall (name?)

Wallplugs (or Rawlplugs (tm))

If you are going into plasterboard only you are better off with either the metal screw in plugs or the metal ones that expand behind the plasterboard.

Buford T Justice

Build as you go OP. When you're doing you're first job, get what you need, and borrow the expensive bits. It won't take too long before you've built up what you need.


Oh, and a Stanley knife and a scraper.

gregers85

A builders business card at the ready

Just kidding!!!

antiskeptic

evilmonkee wrote: »

Claw hammer
screwdrivers (flathead + phillips)
assorted screws, nails, nuts, bolts, washers
the plastic things for when you put screws in the wall (name?)
insulating/electrical tape
phase tester
measuring tape
adjustable wrench
pliers
spirit level
torch

- tube of Tec7 and a cartridge gun. Sticks everything to everything just about

- a tube of Loctite (for everything else)

- pipe grips. It's like a very strong hand - with far bigger span than a adjustable wrench

- some 13A fuses

- radiator key

- panel pins (nails yes, but great for hanging lightweight pictures and clocks without making mess of your platerwork)

- set of allen keys: hard to work around them if you haven't got them

- stanley knife (by Stanley)

evilmonkee

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate all the advice and some of the recommendations are things which I feel would be a great addition to my toolbox.

I do intend to build my larger toolset as necessary but I am not usually home from work before the shops close so having a few basics on hand would put my mind at rest.

Drake66

Vise-Grips

Feardorca

evilmonkee wrote: »

Hi eveyone,

This is my first post in this forum so I hope i'm in the right place!

I'm about to move out of my apartment and into my first house/home.
As my apartment was managed I never had much use for tools (my contract stipulated any changes to the apartment were not allowed and pretty much anything more than changing a lightbulb was to be done by the management company not the tenant)

Now I have my own home and would like to have some tools for the usual things that come up. Any large items or power tools for specific jobs can be borrowed from my Dad but he lives almost two hours away so I would like to have a small/medium sized kit myself for the odd jobs that come up.

I'm looking for advice or recommendations on what basic tools I should stock my toolkit with?

So far I have written (apologies if some of the names are not the official ones but I hope you know what I mean):

Claw hammer
screwdrivers (flathead + phillips)
assorted screws, nails, nuts, bolts, washers
the plastic things for when you put screws in the wall (name?)
insulating/electrical tape
phase tester
measuring tape
adjustable wrench
pliers
spirit level
torch

Won't fit in the Tool Box but you need a Work Mate ? it's a folding stow- away work bench with clamping ability. Very very useful. Good Luck

Feardorca

Feardorca wrote: »

Won't fit in the Tool Box but you need a Work Mate ? it's a folding stow- away work bench with clamping ability. Very very useful. Good Luck

Rawlplugs, the plastic inserts, also very useful a miners type lamp that goes on your forehead, great for attic stuff.

ronan45

Love my wire strippers

Adjustable wrench too,

jack of all

I would recommend a 1/4" socket set- Halfords have a very useful set that regularly sells on special at around €20. I bought one of these as an emergency toolkit for the car last year and have found it to be indispensable around the house as it comes with some hex, torx, philips and pozi drive bits and a driver in addition to the actual sockets. In addition I would suggest a junior hacksaw, a file (3 square profile), a vise grips, a mains drill with hammer action, a small set of drill bits, one good 3/4" wood chisel, hardpoint handsaw, PVA wood glue and combination pliers. Avoid those boxed "household" toolkits- in my honest opinion they are very poor quality and frustrating to use as a result. Buy what you need as you go along and aim for middle budget tools, look after them and you'll have them for years.

mick121

a small but decent hammer action drill.this should also have a switch for non hammer to drill wood.if it has a slow start trigger the drill can be used as a screwdriver as well.in this case get selection of screwdriver tips and a MAGNETIC holder.happy days.

Sparkpea

tech7

Buford T Justice

ronan45 wrote: »

Love my wire strippers

You mean a snips?

mfceiling

Wd 40 - when it won't move and you want it to move

Duct tape - when it moves and you don't want it to move

paddy147

Electrical insulation tape,so many uses for the stuff.

littlemis

A power screwdriver,you'd be suprised how handy this and a jig saw can be,a tape measure,spirit level and a pencil.and they don't they dont have to be expensive ones either.:)

john t

cordless drill, step laddder, screw driver, u can do lots ..

North West

Hi Take a look in the Argos catalogue. Good tool sets of all description. Good for getting started. No need running here and there for bits,Great selection and sturdy.Reasonably priced as well.
NW

Paul.C

miniature screw driver set, quick repair kit for burst water pipes, A key for your gas mains(this is very important), long nose pliers or a leatherman. Insulated screwdriver set(if you ever have to deal with live stuff).

Basically you will build to it over time. The main thing you need to do is ensure you know how to turn things off in an emergency. Like the mains water feed(under kitchen sink and outside in garden), radiator water feed, gas feed, attic tank feed etc. If you have keychain labels then label your pipes in the hot press for fast identity. If your electricity board is not marked then label each breaker. Usually the lights are top rail on1.5 twin&earth and sockets are second rail 2.5 twin and earth. Know how to turn off gas.

If you do this then your emergencies are covered. For everything else, you can buy as you need it.

oh and a crowbar is handy too.

chuck eastwood

Tea bag's, small bottle of red sauce and a decent stanley knife. I spent thousands on tool's but i'm more in the engineering side of things then when i moved into my house and started doing it up i found i need a whole new tool box. aldi etc had some great cheap bit's and piece's for general house work. But i do have an expensive et of sparks screwdrivers a decent multi meter and wire snip's/wirestripper. A must for any serious DIYer

prospect

C'Mon people, this is 2011, the first items you should have in your kit are:

A hard hat,
Safety Goggles,
A Hi-Vis jacket,
Gloves,
A Dust mask,
Steel toe capped boots,
A risk assessment,
A method statement
and
A Safety Statement.

Magic Beans

A couple of ring spanners 8,10,11,13 will do for a start. Adjustable spanners don't always fit in restricted space.

A half-decent multi-meter is very useful.

A first-aid kit. Seriously...

brightspark

prospect wrote: »

C'Mon people, this is 2011, the first items you should have in your kit are:

A hard hat,
Safety Goggles,
A Hi-Vis jacket,
Gloves,
A Dust mask,
Steel toe capped boots,
A risk assessment,
A method statement
and
A Safety Statement.

Ok I know you were joking but the goggles, dust mask, gloves and at least decent shoes (i.e. not sandles) should be considered essential.

Considering how many accidents happen with lawnmowers etc. I'm surprised that I haven't heard of serious injuries caused by inexperienced people using the equipment now cheaply available from Aldi & Lidl.

jugger

and a [EMAIL="f#@k"]f#@k[/EMAIL] it tool this is a tool you throw across the room and shout [EMAIL="f#@k"]f#@k[/EMAIL] it when ever something does badly wrong....a first aid kit is usually needed shortly afterwards

evilmonkee

I think my toolbox is going to be much larger than anticipated!!!

Sparkpea

evilmonkee wrote: »

I think my toolbox is going to be much larger than anticipated!!!

A mobile phone to call a professional when it all goes pete tong

antiskeptic

Magic Beans wrote: »

A couple of ring spanners 8,10,11,13 will do for a start. Adjustable spanners don't always fit in restricted space.

A half-decent multi-meter is very useful.

A first-aid kit. Seriously...

An 11 spanner? In all my years I can honestly say I've not used one. Not even once.

fergal.b

A pencil you can never find one when you need one.:D

antiskeptic

evilmonkee wrote: »

I think my toolbox is going to be much larger than anticipated!!!

That's the nature of 'em. There's nothing like the right tool for the job

Merch

chuck eastwood wrote: »

Tea bag's, small bottle of red sauce and a decent stanley knife. I spent thousands on tool's but i'm more in the engineering side of things then when i moved into my house and started doing it up i found i need a whole new tool box. aldi etc had some great cheap bit's and piece's for general house work. But i do have an expensive et of sparks screwdrivers a decent multi meter and wire snip's/wirestripper. A must for any serious DIYer

I have not a bad word to say about Aldi/lidl tools, for the price, I've found them quite ok, even good. Ok, they dont come close to real good stuff, but for the once off/intermittant/rare use, they are quite good. Have gotten allsorts inexpensively there, this comes from someone that has a few snap on/bluetool/teng among others in my scattered tools. There are certain things I would prefer to have quality stuff but mostly they are quite ok, the items you mentioned I'd agree, I dont think any cheap snips will keep their edge anyway, but I got a tin snips there and it does the job fine,among many other things.

brightspark wrote: »

Ok I know you were joking but the goggles, dust mask, gloves and at least decent shoes (i.e. not sandles) should be considered essential.

Considering how many accidents happen with lawnmowers etc. I'm surprised that I haven't heard of serious injuries caused by inexperienced people using the equipment now cheaply available from Aldi & Lidl.

I'd say that comes more from the person using them, as you say, you haven't heard much though
fingers crossed I haven't jinxed myself, have few bits in the toolbox. Still, i wont do a bit of DIY without safety glasses and if required steel toes, feel naked without them after years of using them, and the few times I didnt put me right back on track.

antiskeptic wrote: »

An 11 spanner? In all my years I can honestly say I've not used one. Not even once.

I've always found the 11, 13, 17 and 19 quite common 10/12 a bit alright and 14,15,16 not so much, 11, Id come across that myself.

docmol

A rubber mallet, also known as a persuader...

slowburner

A heat gun (lidl's one is excellent)

One of those profiled paint scrapers with the blade at right angles to the shaft.

chuck eastwood

With Merch on most of his points. Most of my own tools are Snap on teng or brit tool but thats just because i expect to still have them in 20 years and as far as pliers go I try to buy knipex as much as I can. There expensive but much higher quality carbon steel in them. I know I should wear safety boots but the place I'm in now is more to do with fiddly stuff than heavy pumps and motors. I also find method statements are great for oil spills if you use about 200 Of them it should soak most of it up

prospect

Oh, don't forget a stirring stick.

You have to have a stirring stick, and try keep it for as long as possible. Over time it'll triple in thickness with layers of paint.

ronan45

Unusual tool i got recently was a set of broken bolt extractors (Dont buy these they are only if you are working with machines etc every day) DIYer probably would never use them. Crikey they are great I use to bring machine parts with snapped of bolts to an Engineer to Extract. Now i can get the stud ends off in about 30 seconds sweet! My new favorite tool:D

jack of all

chuck eastwood wrote: »

I also find method statements are great for oil spills if you use about 200 Of them it should soak most of it up

Like that!:D

az2wp0sye65487

fergal.b wrote: »

A pencil you can never find one when you need one.:D

It's behind your ear!

looksee

I have never owned or needed a socket set, and while I can see how a ring spanner might be handy, I don't have any of those either. The OP is doing a bit of running repairs and hanging pictures, I doubt he/she is going to be repairing the boiler or fitting a kitchen.

The basic list is pretty good, I agree I would add a cheap hammer drill and a reasonably good electric screwdriver (ask for them for christmas!), but everything else can be got as needed.

A rechargable electric screwdriver is a blessing if you are putting together flatpack furniture. Try to find one that has a decent amount of power but is still reasonably light in your hand.

You are more likely to need decorating stuff in the short term than loads of tools. Yes, a stirring stick is vital, has to be flat, bits of dowel are no good

flanum

antiskeptic wrote: »

An 11 spanner? In all my years I can honestly say I've not used one. Not even once.

if you've ever worked on any american machinery, youll find a fairly common bolthead at 7/16... if you have no imperial tools... size 11 spanner is as good as youll get!

bakerbhoy

I POSTED THIS LIST BEFORE.
it may come in handy


TOOLS EXPLAINED

DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly painted project which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.

WIRE WHEEL: Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, 'Oh sh*t!'

ELECTRIC HAND DRILL: Normally used for spinning pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age.

SKILL SAW: A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.

PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

BELT SANDER: An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

MOLE-GRIPS: Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

OXYACETYLENE TORCH: Used almost entirely for setting various flammable objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub from which you are trying to remove a bearing race.

TABLE SAW: A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing a walls integrity.

HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering an automobile to the ground, after you have installed your new brake shoes, and trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.

BAND SAW: A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut perfectly good aluminum sheet metal into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.

TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST: A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.

PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER: Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.

STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER: A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws and also for butchering your palms.

PRY BAR: A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.

HOSE CUTTER: A tool used primarily for making hoses too short.

HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate those more expensive parts that are immediately adjacent to the object we are actually trying to hit.

UTILITY KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on their contents, such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund cheques, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while being worn.

F*CK-IT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling 'F*CK-IT' at the top of your lungs. It is also most often, the next tool that you will need.

Merch

Depending on a persons skill level (and no matter what that is, there is always something you can pick up from extra information, obviously a plasterer doesnt need that infor, but maybe some on basic electrical work) what I'd recommend to the OP or anyone really is (not that i actually keep them in my toolbox) a readers digest DIY book or any similar book on DIY/the topic you are preparing to do a job on, or get a book on a specific topic from the library. If its not wholly transferable information (like the readers digest, which seems to have UK specific information), its mostly comparable and at the least a good start.

No point going getting all the tools, then go in all guns blazing and then find (realise/it begins to dawn on you after you have drilled/sawed/cut something) there is something necessary/preparatory work that can be easily explained in a paragraph or two.

Stained Class

antiskeptic wrote: »

An 11 spanner? In all my years I can honestly say I've not used one. Not even once.

Comes in handy when you try changing your car battery sometimes.