Essential DIY tools

positivenote

Hi all,
after years of borrowing from friends and relatives ive decide to invest in some decent tools for the usual DIY stuff at home. Just looking for advice on what are the essential tools I need. So far im thinking:
Decent set of screwdrivers
Combi drill and impact driver (seen a decent Erbauer twin set for about 180euro)
https://www.screwfix.ie/p/erbauer-eid18-li-ecd18-li-2-18v-2-0ah-li-ion-ext-brushless-cordless-twin-pack/542FV?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2uH-BRCCARIsAEeef3lt_daE6Jj1zPw-SeI8PGIkj7LDR41_Vxzyw7920FI2UP_yeCtQyA8aAiFZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
A socket set

anything else? What about raw plugs /screws etc
thanks in advance

greasepalm

The list will be endless,will you be sawing ,sanding,grinding,hammering,safety gear etc.

walshtipp

screwdriver set
pliers standard and long nose
side cutters
hammer
chisel
spanner set
allen key set
wood saw
hack saw

combi drill
angle grinder

red 6mm rawlplugs
chipboard screws
masonry drill bits
wood drill bits
hss drill bits

positivenote

walshtipp wrote: »

screwdriver set
pliers standard and long nose
side cutters
hammer
chisel
spanner set
allen key set
wood saw
hack saw

combi drill
angle grinder

red 6mm rawlplugs
chipboard screws
masonry drill bits
wood drill bits
hss drill bits

Thanks... thankfully a lot of the list I already have, drill bits etc...

positivenote

greasepalm wrote: »

The list will be endless,will you be sawing ,sanding,grinding,hammering,safety gear etc.

Drilling, sawing, hammering etc... no major jobs.most I’ve done is lay lamanet floogg egg in hand a bit of decking

jack of all

It's been done to death already, but what the hell I love tools and don't mind sharing my tuppence worth! The old adage: "Buy the best you can afford" is definitely to be borne in mind here. I've bought plenty of cheap/ poor quality tools over the last 20+ years but I've got rid of most of them and foused my attention on getting better quality tools, not always new as vintage or quality secondhand can be great value if you know how to clean them up or fine tune them.

For most general work the following will get you started:

The obvious- you will need hammers- claw, mid sized ball pein and a lump/ club hammer plus a mallet (combination soft and hard faced from Thor is a great choice)

A decent sharp hardpoint saw at under €20, a hacksaw with decent blades (Bahco, Stanley, Irwin are all ok), those small Jap style pull saws are very useful too (Irwin and Stanley do a reasonably priced option).

A quality set of screwdrivers, both long and stubby versions in Pozi, Phillips and flat head will last a long time if not abused.

A decent pliers, pincers and side cutters, a needle nose pliers is useful too.

A small wrecking bar or pry bar.

A awl, a decent utility knife.

Marking and measuring tools- a combination square (spend some money here as a decent one will last you a lifetime and more), sliding bevel, a marking guage (a basic beech version is not expensive from Draper). A couple of decent steel tape measure, a 12" steel rule. two quality spirit levels- large and small.

Some decent chisels- a basic 3 piece set from Irwin or Stanley can be got for about € but buy a good Norton oil stone and make a decent box for it. Watch Youtube and learn how to sharpen your tools.

Two planes - a No. 4 bench plane and a block plane. Vintage is better here but the smaller block planes from Stanley (made in Mexico I believe) can be cheap and made to work well if you have patience and some metalworking ability.

A decent 1/4 or 3/8" drive socket set is worth having plus a handful of the most common spanner sizes.

A few speedclamps/ one-handed type clamps are essential for the person working on their own- the third hand. Of course it's well known that you never have enough clamps!

A selection of hand files, a scraper and filing knife, nail set, drift or punch.

Plumbers grips, vise grips and adjustable wrench.

Hex and possibly torx keys. A couple of cold chisels, a bolster.

And the list goes on and on. Other speciality tools that are used less often can be acquired as the need arises. I haven't mentioned powertools, a decent drill driver or combi drill will do a lot of work. I'd rather spend money on a decent hand tool kit first, before lashing out on powertools. Have fun!

positivenote

jack of all wrote: »

It's been done to death already, but what the hell I love tools and don't mind sharing my tuppence worth! The old adage: "Buy the best you can afford" is definitely to be borne in mind here. I've bought plenty of cheap/ poor quality tools over the last 20+ years but I've got rid of most of them and foused my attention on getting better quality tools, not always new as vintage or quality secondhand can be great value if you know how to clean them up or fine tune them.

For most general work the following will get you started:

The obvious- you will need hammers- claw, mid sized ball pein and a lump/ club hammer plus a mallet (combination soft and hard faced from Thor is a great choice)

A decent sharp hardpoint saw at under €20, a hacksaw with decent blades (Bahco, Stanley, Irwin are all ok), those small Jap style pull saws are very useful too (Irwin and Stanley do a reasonably priced option).

A quality set of screwdrivers, both long and stubby versions in Pozi, Phillips and flat head will last a long time if not abused.

A decent pliers, pincers and side cutters, a needle nose pliers is useful too.

A small wrecking bar or pry bar.

A awl, a decent utility knife.

Marking and measuring tools- a combination square (spend some money here as a decent one will last you a lifetime and more), sliding bevel, a marking guage (a basic beech version is not expensive from Draper). A couple of decent steel tape measure, a 12" steel rule. two quality spirit levels- large and small.

Some decent chisels- a basic 3 piece set from Irwin or Stanley can be got for about € but buy a good Norton oil stone and make a decent box for it. Watch Youtube and learn how to sharpen your tools.

Two planes - a No. 4 bench plane and a block plane. Vintage is better here but the smaller block planes from Stanley (made in Mexico I believe) can be cheap and made to work well if you have patience and some metalworking ability.

A decent 1/4 or 3/8" drive socket set is worth having plus a handful of the most common spanner sizes.

A few speedclamps/ one-handed type clamps are essential for the person working on their own- the third hand. Of course it's well known that you never have enough clamps!

A selection of hand files, a scraper and filing knife, nail set, drift or punch.

Plumbers grips, vise grips and adjustable wrench.

Hex and possibly torx keys. A couple of cold chisels, a bolster.

And the list goes on and on. Other speciality tools that are used less often can be acquired as the need arises. I haven't mentioned powertools, a decent drill driver or combi drill will do a lot of work. I'd rather spend money on a decent hand tool kit first, before lashing out on powertools. Have fun!

Thanks very much, so much info there... I’ll start by marking off what I have already.
As a side note is the drill driver linked in the original post appropriate?
Thanks s as gain

Idbatterim

Get a flat iron crow bar and nearly the biggest essential, a multitool. They are a god send !!! Circular saw nice to have.

Turbulent Bill

I'd buy the tools you borrowed most frequently (as you'll likely need them again), then pick up anything else as you need them for particular jobs. Buy good quality stuff as mentioned above.

I don't see the logic in buying random tools just in case you might need them. They'll gather dust, and you'll be more likely to bodge them for jobs they're not intended for.

Besides, tool buying is one of life's pleasures, better to extend it over time!

GreeBo

Clamps!
You can never have too many clamps.
C, G, F, peg, quick release.. Get em all.

Also get a wet/dry shopvac
A small square and a large t square
A small level and a larger level

Some hole saws
A vice grips or two
A socket set with ratchet and extensions and spark plug head
A hydraulic jack
Plastic backed drop cloths
Pipe wrench
At least 3 sizes of adjustable spanners
A metric spanner set with ratchet heads
A workbench if you have space. If you do also get a vice and bench grinder
2+ saw horses

Oh and get plenty of tool boxes, don't cheap out or the handles will break off at inopportune times
A chop saw
A hop up (or make one with all your new tools!)

Stigura

positivenote wrote: »

Hi all,
after years of borrowing from friends and relatives .....

I long since adopted a simple policy: If I need to borrow a tool, once, to do a simple job? Fine. And thank you kindly for the short loan.

I'll hand it back with a fresh what ever disposable part I used, where ever possible. Angle Grinder? New disc. What ever.

If I find myself wanting your tool Again? No. Not happening. Am I not a Man? I'll go out and Buy my Own tool. End of.

Next stage is schit like; 'I cut / or will cut a fair bit of plank. Do I punch a hand saw all week, after my day job? Or, do I buy a power saw and laugh maniacally as I just press that button and slide effortlessly through, in seconds?

What's your time and effort worth, to you?

guitarhappy

A heavy duty bench vise, a pair of saw horses, a couple heavy duty extension cords, and a decent beer cooler.

jack of all

positivenote wrote: »

Thanks very much, so much info there... I’ll start by marking off what I have already.
As a side note is the drill driver linked in the original post appropriate?
Thanks s as gain

There's nothing wrong with that offer, but the batteries are only 2Ah, I'd prefer at least 3 or 4Ah, but they would be fine for occasional non-intensive use.

Frogeye

WD40 and Duct tape. See attached flow chart

awec

Jaysus lads he's looking for some kit to do DIY bits in the house, not kit out a workshop! Angle grinders and planes, come on like!

Hammer
drill driver
screwdrivers
tape measure
spirit level
saw
stanley knife

This will do you for most common DIY tasks. Most of it will be cheap as chips in Woodies, drill driver is the only thing worth spending a bit more on.

Hermy

awec wrote: »

This will do you for most common DIY tasks. Most of it will be cheap as chips in Woodies, drill driver is the only thing worth spending a bit more on.

A lot of stuff is anything but cheap in Woodies in my experience.

jack of all

Woodies would be the last place I'd visit if I need to buy any tools and then only if it was a Sunday, everywhere else was in lockdown and I had money to burn! Even if you don't want to purchase online your local builder's merchant will have most of the basics at a fair price.

BrokenArrows

positivenote wrote: »

Drilling, sawing, hammering etc... no major jobs.most I’ve done is lay lamanet floogg egg in hand a bit of decking

I dont miss the time i had to lay lamanet floogg egg in hand!

mick121

positivenote wrote: »

Drilling, sawing, hammering etc... no major jobs.most I’ve done is lay lamanet floogg egg in hand a bit of decking

A decent jigsaw and buy decent blades
Hammer drill (sds) and good quality bits

cletus

Essential tools are the tools you need for the job at hand. Buy tools as the need arises, and you'll soon put together a good collection

AnRothar

I love these threads.

Most of us would like a shed equipped with enough tools to put Tim the toolman to shame.
Rarely does reality enter the equation.

What do you intend to do with the tools?
For example a good mains powered hammer drill to put up curtain poles can be gotten for around €50.
This will do anyone who doesn't live is a macmansion.

Bits are disposable, screwdrivers are disposable, screws are definitely disposable.
What I mean here is that it's false economy to keep reusing certain things.

There is a massive difference between what a "tradesman" would need and what an occasional "diyer" would need.

Buy tools as the need arises,

Mostly agree with this but with conditions.
For example around 10 years ago I caught an electric chainsaw.
I used it to chop down a hedge and split around 10 sleepers for around the garden.
Cost about €70/80 at the time.
Never used it since, nor needed to. Gave it away last year.
I viewed this purchase as "disposable" at the time as I knew what I wanted it for.
This was not a "dewalt" moment. Spent enough to get a tool that would do the job without breaking the bank.

Buy the best you need for the intended purpose.

So what if it takes a little while longer.

Discodog

cletus wrote: »

Essential tools are the tools you need for the job at hand. Buy tools as the need arises, and you'll soon put together a good collection

Plus buy good quality & look after them. I am still using tools I bought 30 years ago

jack of all

Discodog wrote: »

Plus buy good quality & look after them. I am still using tools I bought 30 years ago

That's nothing, I'm still using some tools that belonged to my grandfather and great grandfather! Buy once cry once. 😊

jmreire

On a slightly different note, does anyone have the telephone nr for the Screwfix store in Ballysimon, Limerick? Their website only gives a UK Nr,,,,,and it keeps putting you on hold , (but with frequent apologies.!!! ).... It also gives you their eircodes and address details.. not no comtact Nrs...

greasepalm

Its on Google.
https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=screwfix+limerick&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

jmreire

greasepalm wrote: »

Its on Google.
https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=screwfix+limerick&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Yes, I had already tried that one, several times without success, what I was actually looking for was the Nr for the Screwfix store, Ballysimon, Limerick. If anyone has contacted them?

jmreire

greasepalm wrote: »

Its on Google.
https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=screwfix+limerick&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Yes. I struck lucky with 1800 832 777 this morning...Its a centralised system, and once I gave my reference Nr, she had all the information on the computer, and I got the problem sorted.

Conall Cernach

jack of all wrote: »

That's nothing, I'm still using some tools that belonged to my grandfather and great grandfather! Buy once cry once. 😊

I'm a bit like yourself in that I've inherited tools from my father who was a joiner and my grandfather who was a plumber. I was using my grandfather's footprints to change a tap earlier.

The Continental Op

I must have about 200 Imperial and Whitworth sized spanners I inherited from my father - not altogether that useful

RandomViewer

Vice grips and monkey wrench
Dirty big hammer

Speedline

The first thing you should buy is eye protection. Eyes can't be replaced.

And then buy tools as you need them.

cletus

Speedline wrote: »

The first thing you should buy is eye protection. Eyes can't be replaced.

And then buy tools as you need them.

I make sure I always have my safety squints...

jmreire

The Continental Op wrote: »

I must have about 200 Imperial and Whitworth sized spanners I inherited from my father - not altogether that useful

Hold on to them....with the brexiteers wanting to wind back the clock to pre EU days, or even further, they could be back in fashion again....:cool:

Speedline

cletus wrote: »

I make sure I always have my safety squints...

I've had chunks of cutting discs break and hit me in the face. I wear glasses anyway but still.

Those full clear face shields a lot of people were wearing early in the pandemic are ideal, if they are good quality ones.

The Continental Op

RandomViewer wrote: »

Vice grips and monkey wrench
Dirty big hammer

Spot the farmer

The Continental Op

jmreire wrote: »

Hold on to them....with the brexiteers wanting to wind back the clock to pre EU days, or even further, they could be back in fashion again....:cool:

Trouble is I have at least another 100 Imperial and Whitworth spanners myself

I have two toolboxes dedicated to old spanners, box spanners, sockets and Allen keys I'll probably never use again.

Used to have a lot of them for working on Briggs and Stratton engines but even the Americans or at least the Chinese companies that supply them have gone metric.

greasepalm

The Continental Op wrote: »

Trouble is I have at least another 100 Imperial and Whitworth spanners myself

I have two toolboxes dedicated to old spanners, box spanners, sockets and Allen keys I'll probably never use again.

Used to have a lot of them for working on Briggs and Stratton engines but even the Americans or at least the Chinese companies that supply them have gone metric.

What you need is a Morris Minor:D