Tools every man should own

[Quantum673]

A few more as I think about it.
Pry Bar set.
Hex Head Wrenches. 1 - SAE 1 - Metric (Seems more and more stuff uses these now)
Cordless Impact driver.
A jump box. The one I have and like best is a combo box with Jump Start and Air Compressor plus has an inverter built in.
Roto Zip or similar (couple zip bits on hand comes in real handy)

 

[finelyshedded]

I have pretty much everything listed above but the lift,welder,cutting torch,sawsall, air compressor,spud bar and a few smaller items. I'm getting the compressor and sawsall and most importantly that spud bar soon though. Our dad had a spud bar which we used all the time for busting up and prying out rock when digging out fence post holes. I sure wish I had one and I'm done wishing...ickle:

 

[giles]

If you keep a real close eye out during the holidays, Sears runs their bigger tool boxes on some pretty crazy sales. I scored my 42" grip latch a couple years ago for less than $100 for the top and bottom. No joke, by the time is was all subtracted, even the sales guy was pissed because I bought the only one. I bought my 27 gallon belt drive compressor the same day, but it wasn't on sale. I honestly almost felt bad.


With everything listed, if your going to spend money on tools, make sure they are quality. Otherwise they will just take up space. Nothing will piss you off more than a cheap drill bit or a screwdriver that explodes when you tap it with a hammer. Or a pry bar that just flexes when you try and pry…rounded out philip heads…jack that bleeds out or doesn't drop slowly…cheap ratchet that breaks your knuckles...all things that a very hard to throw away until they piss you off enough that you throw them threw your garage door!

 

[Beentown]

Drill driver with a bit/drill set
Hammer
Tape measure
Complete screw driver set (common and Phillips)
Circular saw
Set of wrecking bars
Level
Speed square
Utility knife
Wrenches including pipe wrenches.
Bench with a decent vise.

Above is a good kit to get most homeowners through.

After having the above and planning on building more yourself I would get into a compound mitre saw, jig saw and a sawzall.

 

[bowhunter1023]

Great idea for a thread and lots of great suggestions. Beener really hit the homeowner list on the head.

I was raised by a man with most every tool one should ever need in normal circumstances. He never had a welder or cutting torches, but I have two uncles who do, so we know where to go when we need those. Dad's philosophy was always "have the right tool for the job" and if he had a job that needed a specialty tool, he'd buy it if he felt it would pay off over the course of that job. He bought a Paslode back in '96 before some contractors even had them. So I learned the value of the right tool for the job at a very early age. I've been very fortunate to acquire several hand-me-downs also from a jig saw, band saw, circular saw, heavy duty hammer drill, and a few more valuable tools. During my time building fence, houses and doing electrical work, I bought myself several high quality hand tools including Estwing hammers, Swanson speed square, 18V Dewalt cordless kit with drill/circular saw/sawzall, and several Channellock products. Hands down, my Dewalt cordless drill is the one tool I use the most.

Where I lack right now is a vise and a compound mitre saw. I am putting a vise in my building here in the next few weeks and will have a mitre saw before much longer. I am in the process of cleaning out my garage so I can turn the back half in to a shop and that saw will pay for itself while I build the work bench and shelves. I'm very fortunate to get a bonus twice a year and my summer bonus will pay for the saw and most of the materials to do my garage. Looking forward to a fun project!

 

[dante322]

I saw an add last week. Menards has a compound mitre saw on sale for $139.00. Don't remember the brand, but I don't think it was a no name.

Second beeners suggestion of a level. Get a couple different sizes too. Not a bad idea to check them for true reading every now and then. Just lay them on a surface and them flip them around to make sure they read the same from both sides. Just replaced my 4 foot over the weekend because it was not reading true.

 

[dante322]

Just went back and checked that add. Hitachi compound mitre saw at menards $129.00 sale good through sunday.

 

[Quantum673]

Jig saw is on my list of needs. For some reason mine always disappear. Not sure if I lend them out and forget who had it or what. I have lost 2 over the last 10 years. Now time to get another one.

 

[MK111]

Watch Craigslist and The Trading Post if one is in your area.

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

Well, with all these tools & the work that will be done, you better make sure you have a good shop vac.

 

[Fullbore]

Don't know if it was mentioned but a descent floor jack comes in handy?!
My number 1 is my work benches w/ vise.
An assortment of crescent wrenches and of course screwdrivers.
Duct tape is a must!
Lots of great tools listed here in this thread!

 

[Huckleberry Finn]

Turned into a good thread! Lots of great suggestions. Some things I have thought of and others are new. I do have more than I listed. Slowly adding. Good stuff!

 

[JOHNROHIO]

Truck, need a truck!

Or I guess a Subaru with a Peta sticker on the back will do.

 

[jagermeister]

Auctions are my favorite place for finding tools. Seems like there's usually a few decent deals to be found. Assorted sockets and other little things are always found at auctions.

 

["J"]

Safety wire and safety wife pliers..... A few will understand these two items..... They bail you out in an emergency.....

 

[CJD3]

Maybe I missed it but;

A Dremel. I don't use it every day BUT...
For example, a while back I had to replace the guts of the toilet tank. Old brass fixtures would have been a bitch to cut by hand w/ a small saw.

I have found with even a small selection of cutters, stones and drill/cutting bits, my Dremel has been a big help over the years.

 

[Archertl]

Safety wire and safety wife pliers..... A few will understand these two items..... They bail you out in an emergency.....

what use have you found for safety wire and safety wire pliers? I have a few pairs and a few spools of .032 wire. Unless you did something odd like replace all the nuts on your tundra so you could wire them i dont see much use for them. Do you have one of those practice boards now that you are retired and whip it out to give yourself some sort of aircraft maintainer hard on.

 

[hickslawns]

Auctions are my favorite place for finding tools. Seems like there's usually a few decent deals to be found. Assorted sockets and other little things are always found at auctions.

Auctions I would agree can be a great place to buy. I add one caveat to this: Do your homework prior to attending. If it is listing specific items you are interested in (a miter box for example) then you need to know the price of new. I have seen many people bid on a 20yr old item and pay more than new price for it. If it is a spud bar, you are good. If it is log chains, you are good. Some of the older items are of higher quality. Just saying, very often you will find items bid higher than new price or within a few dollars of new price. An old floor jack can look good and clean as if it has never been used. That doesn't mean it works. It might go up and down, but until you put weight on it and find out it doesn't hold, you won't know. Why bid $50-60 on a used floor jack when a new one could be bought for a touch more? Anything Craftsman at garage sales or auctions are gold. You can always get them replaced free. This is for hand tools only. Don't try to take a used Craftsman drill or saw back for warranty. Ratchet, sockets, etc., you are good.

 

["J"]

what use have you found for safety wire and safety wire pliers? I have a few pairs and a few spools of .032 wire. Unless you did something odd like replace all the nuts on your tundra so you could wire them i dont see much use for them. Do you have one of those practice boards now that you are retired and whip it out to give yourself some sort of aircraft maintainer hard on.

Use your imagination youngin.... Heat shroud around cat converter making nois? Tighten it us with some .032 plastic guard cracked, safety wire it up.... Bring out your inner hiilrodisms..... Lots of use for them in the old too box when working on machinery.....

You're starting too think like a pointy head..... Need too get off of them cushy 17's and get on some real aircraft lol....

 

[CJD3]

Safety wire and safety wife pliers..... A few will understand these two items..... They bail you out in an emergency.....

I just assumed it was for when they get way outa control. rotflmao