Hello.
Husband has recently found an interest in fixing things around the house.
Birthday is very soon and would like to suprise him with a tool box and tools.
What are your must haves for a tool box that dont specialise in a specific trade?
So far have bought a measuring tape, washers, spanner and a few screw drivers.
and wd40
.
yep if you want it to move, wd40, if you want it to stop duck tape!
'duck' tape?
Roll* …. how embarrassing
Hey now, no kink shaming.
Hey now, no kink shaming.
Probably the most interesting/bizarre thing found when doing hotel cleaning.
A massive role of duct tape just sitting there on bed, nothing else, just giant roll of duct tape. Normal roll about 5cm wide, this was about 20cm wide. Lol.
@[Deactivated]: Ha! Did you find any duct tape adhesive residue on/around the bed or rest of the room? (but makes sense - wider duct tape, less chance of injuries from it because any force applied is to a wider area…)
Also works for the glovebox
Spirit level is a must, I also like my speed square, impact driver and something to cut things with I. E. Circular saw, mitre saw etc
Cable ties
and lube
user name not quite checking out
it pays to be prepared, just sayin'
a decent pipe wrench for changing garden taps etc
a spirit level
a cordless drill
thread tape, duct tape, electrical tape
decent torch
*duck tape ;D
Chainsaw. Every toolbox needs a chainsaw
In all seriousness though, I'd say the following are essentials:
Hammer
Multi-bit screwdriver
Tape measure
Shifter (Adjustable wrench)
Pliers
Cordless drill if your budget extends
Screwdrivers (phillips head and flat head), hammer, mallet, chisels, square, glue, clamps.
Maybe get him some entry level power tools?
GLUE, I didn't even think of that, I have so many specific glues, its not funny.
A torch is also very useful.
Edit: as in a flashlight.
Nah, make it a blowtorch
Best way to light a ciggie lol
A serious tool box would have:
2 types of hammer, one claw, one rubber.
A big assortment of screwdrivers, the Sidchrome set in own toolbox is best.
Metric and imperial spanners, open end & ring other end, probably about 10 of differing sizes.
Metric & imperial sockets, with ratchet drive, 1/8" for small jobs, 1/4" for automotive etc.
All types of pliers, heavy duty, long nose, really long nose, bent, with wire cutters.
You specified a tool box but this is a heavy tool box and is something I lug around for
auto use mainly, not for around the house.
For around the house a different tool box or tray with all the things mentioned already.
Cordless drill (Ryobi with 2 batteries is best so far)
All sorts of drill bits and screwdriver bits
Good wrench & WD40 for seized pipes
Rolls of differing tape
Tape measure
And my favourite tool for work was a head torch, coz it always seemed to be dark and/or
didn't have a free hand.
I'll add to this one since it mostly resembles my own toolbox. Apart from screw drivers, I probably use pliers the most - bend things into shape, hold hot things, cut chicken wire, pull pins out. Not sure if it counts as a tool, but a sturdy folding ladder is also something I can't do without.
I think a good toolbag and/or box is also pretty important to organise the tools. I have one of those tactix compartment cases to store my spare screws, nails, bolts, nuts, hooks etc etc.
Except no one needs imperial anything
Perhaps you mean 1/4" for small jobs and 1/2" for automotive?
3/8 drive is a sweet spot for most things. Small enough for most applications, but strong enough for most applications.
Sorry for a noob question.
What does this size means?
A stanley knife with some spare blades is also very handy and a must have imo.
A small 10-15cm metal ruler is also quite useful for tight to reach places where a tape measure is overkill/impractical.
Whats the washers you bought already? Tap washers?
Definitely need thread tape then.
Yes tap washers. Tape? Swaped cracked for non cracked and I didnt use tape. Will anything happen if I just leave it as is?
If you're not finding any leakage then it's fine… The thread tape just makes it easier/quicker to make a worry free job. That being said, I always use mine.
Definitely use thread tape or you may find leaks afterward.
Sorry but you are so wrong on this one.
Do NOT use thread tape on tap spindles. It'll cause the spindle to seize in the wall and you could damage the breech trying to get them out next time. Use body washers (the red fibrous rings) and make sure all tape is removed from the thread. Also when you put your spindles back in, make sue the tap is turned all the way on, otherwise the spindle will seal on the seat and may look fine but every time you open the tap, it'll pour water into the wall and you won't know about it until the cupboard on the other side of the wall is completely rotten and smelly. You'd be surprised how many people mess things up big time trying to save a buck on a plumber.
The question is, does he do a good job?
Youtube tutorials, trial and error.
So a professional?
YouTube tutorials make you a professional. So yes
Ratchet and sockets plus extensions, open ended and ring spanners, shifters, pipe wrench, torque wrenches, screwdrivers, chisels wood and cold, tape measures, micrometer, verniers, spirit levels, hand saws, hammers, anvil, lathe, forge, block and tackle, engine crane, breaker bar, pliers all different kinds, multigrips, table saw, impact drivers, ugga dugga, power saws, crow bars, welders, oxy acetylene, drill press, band saw, soldering kits, angle grinders, tin snips, vices, clamps, saw horses, tongs, gloves, faceshields, ppe, hoist, multimeter, mill, dremel, holesaws, drills, routers, sanders, biscuit joiners, forstner bits, speed square, pipe bender.
I know there's a lot more, but that's a taste of what I use regularly, then you start to get the tools that you use once or twice for specialist jobs only.
Tool Box
anvil, lathe, forge, drill press, mill
You must be bloody strong to carry those around, that's gotta be over a tonne.
ToolBox = Metaphorical (presumably)
A proper set of screwdrivers. Bunnings have several sets, Stanley for about $50, Trojan for about $30, Craftright for under $20. I know which brand I'd prefer :-)
A claw hammer.
A set of pliers, Bunnings have a few sets for around $30.
A shifter or two, may come in pliers sets.
A 5m or 8m tape measure.
A cordless drill, drill bits and screwdriver bits. May not be needed at first, and may cost lot of money. Perhaps a cheap one from Supercheap Auto, or even Aldi. Bunnings have a cheap brand too.
A socket set. Big money for a good set, though.
Most of these things go on sale regularly, but never when you want to buy them.
Band-aids.
Ambulance cover insurance!
Tools are subjective to the job, there is also a huge difference in price points and quality. Quality tools will last a lifetime, cheap crap will last a few jobs. Buy once cry once.
I would suggest popping into total tools and picking up https://www.totaltools.com.au/112-piece-cantilever-tool-kit or something similar in a reputable brand. It will get him started with the basics and he can build on it over the years. Although the price seems to have gone up, it was only a year or so ago I bought a similar sidchrome set for my son, it had a few more tools and was only $299
That box is impressive and neat. Thanks.
Agree about tools being subjective. Have looked up suggested tools and the price variance is big.
The price variance is big, but so is the quality variance.
I spend every day on the tools, cheap stuff doesn't cut it for long. And often is not accurate. Saws that don't cut straight don't make good furniture, cheap power tools burn out.
For hand tools, if you stick to the big brands with a lifetime guarantee you should be fine.
Sidchrome, king chrome etc. There are better brands and any ethusiast will call me out on suggest midrange brands, but you need to draw the line on price point somewhere. There are cheaper bunnings brands but they do not have the lifespan you will get from the better gear.
For power tools, I use Milwaukee, but that's a case of keeping everything the same brand so batteries are interchangeable etc. Dewalt, Makita, bosch are all reputable.
I read somewhere (probably here) that for your first set, buy a cheap one. If it breaks, means that you use it often and time to upgrade. If not, means you're not using it enough and bought the right one
That's smart. Until you need it and it snaps, wasting your day.
@Kangal: Better to occasionally need an extra trip to the shops than wasting all your money on expensive tools for no reason, IMO.
e.g. let's say you want a socket set to do some infrequent simple maintenance task. You could buy a $10 no-brand and do the job no worries. You could also spend $255 on a Wera set which will be orgasmically delightful to use, and absolutely positively never break.
If you only do the task once a year you'd be better off buying the $10 one and a case of beer each time to drown your sorrows about not having a rubberised grip, IMO. (If you use a tool every day, yes, buy the good one first)
Windex
LED torch which straps to your head so it's hands-free. Soldering iron with some solder. A nice big pack of rags.
If I received a pack of rags for my birthday from my other half I'd file for divorce.
Hammer drill and a set of drills, prefably metric.
Impact driver and bits, and conversion to 3/8 socket.
Ratchet and 3/8 socket set.
Screw driver set.
Multimeter.
Hammer.
Measuring tape.
Pencil.
Combination level square.
2 quick grip vices.
Circular saw.
Jab saw.
Hand saw.
Adjustable wrench.
Diagonal cutter, combination plier and needle nose plier
Safety glasses, gloves, utility belt.
Esky with beer.
This is a really good list.
Probably the only other things I'd add would be an angle grinder, with a diamond blade, and a stainless blade, if the OP's other half is planning on doing some tiling.
I use a score and snap tile cutter for that. Much quicker.
You're toolbox must be huge if it can fit an esky with beer in it!
If it won't fit an Esky with beer, what's the point?
2 quick grip vices.
You will never have enough. I have something like 12 and I still wish I had more.
I hear what you're saying.
I recently discovered Bessey and I think I need a few thousand dollars worth :(
Good start. For basic kit I'd add head torch (AA or AAA not button battery), long nose and regular pliers, shifting spanner/s and a hammer.
Tools and WD40.
The tools that I use the most often would be a tape measure, pencil, steel ruler, adjustable crescent wrench, and screwdrivers.
Are there any projects or jobs that you think he wants to do in the future? For instance, is he wanting to do some painting, some tiling, change some tap washers etc?
He's very ambiitious and wants to tear down the guest shower. Have convinced him to put up shleves first and do a few more smaller jobs.
If it’s mainly just demo, I’d say most folks would be capable, as long as they really take their time, being mindful that if you use saws, or recipro saws it’s easy to go through a water pipe. But I mean, using a brick/block splitter, a small sledge hammer and just plodding along it can be done, and in the end if it’s too much of a pain in the butt it’s easy enough to get someone to come in and finish off the job.
It’s awesome that he’s got plans and goals, but yeah I’d be prob leaving tiling, waterproofing, screening etc to a professional because there’s a lot to it that’s honestly just a pain in the ass to get exactly right. I’d personally rather pay someone to do it because it’s one of those hard to master things. But that’s just me.
I’d say tiling in a non-wet area, or a kitchen splash back, or say a living area floor, as long as the lines are set out right, the adhesive rows are well knocked over so that the tiles are set down and don’t become drummy, and using the right spacers, that’s something most people could do as long as just taking time to do it.
That’s just my thoughts. I’m sure other people will have different thoughts.
Can't believe no one's said Stanley/utility knife yet. I use mine all the time.
What do you use it for? Other than opening boxes I don't use mine often.
Cuttin' stuff!
Don’t forget the left handed screwdriver, a USB crimper, a few replacement bubbles for the spirit level and a small tin of tartan paint
checkered paint is a necessity
Edit: deleted.
Ask the staff at bunnings for a long weight and maybe some sky hooks.
Sky hooks are essential for any DIY enthusiast, don’t get caught out without them
Bunnings website arent listing any long weight and sky hooks. Is there another name for it? Is a long weight that big metal device to carry heavy items to/from different heights?
I'm so sorry, this is an old joke and now I feel bad that you fell for it :-( please forgive me.
If you had ever worked in a factory or warehouse you would have heard stories about how they send the new person to the storeroom and ask the store person for a long weight (or pronounced 'long wait') and the store person would tell them to wait there while they checked out back but never return and see how long they would wait for.
Sky hooks also don't exist as you cannot hook anything to the sky.
Sorry :-(
No harm done. One less thing to ask which isle its kept in :-)
Cheap digital calipers from ebay are pretty good for ~$5
What you see in bunnings, get a piece of it.
And you have the best gift
Bottle opener
Some great suggestions here. Based on my general home DIY and maintenance I suggest (or second) a cordless drill and impact driver, good quality screwdrivers, a good small torch, head torch, level, calipers, vice grips, good pocket knife, tape measure and pliers.
Then there's a bunch of other stuff that is really useful, but not used as regularly. Things like sockets, (power) saws, angle grinder, caulking gun, etc.
You've got birthday and Christmas presents sorted for a long time! I suggest starting with tools that are going to be more immediately useful. I.e. find out his plans, and look into the tools he will need for them. Most people will tell you they built their tool collection over many years as they needed things.
+1 for the vice grips, they are definitely something that you should get him
https://www.bunnings.com.au/irwin-vise-grip-pliers-set-2-pac…
Yep, exactly what I've got, and super useful!
If he is doing tap washers a reseater is a good investment. I have had taps continue to leak after putting new washers in. A quick hit with the reseater and good as new.
I find myself using my 300mm pry bar (wrecking bar) all the time around the house.
Also agree a stud finder is a good investment for hanging things or putting up shelves.
Google, YouTube
Why not a drilldriver and drillbits. Every handy man needs to drill holes, put up hooks, turn screws.
Various screwdrivers.
Socket wrench with bits.
Wrenches.
Allen keys.
Measuring tape.
Electrical tape.
Super glue.
Permanent marker.
Scissors.
Hammer.
Ruler.
Small saw (for cutting through plastic pipes).
Wire stripper.
Pliers.
Box for screws and nails, nuts and bolts.
Spirit level.
Defintely get liquid nails.
Most importantly go for fit for purpose. No point spending bucketloads on higher end tools when e.g. Ozito with 3 year warranty will do the job for the avg DIYer.
Imperial spanners and socket set…why?
Socket sets are 1/4 inch for household and 1/2 inch for automotive if you really want two sets.
LED headlamp that uses AA battery and water proof.
I always found myself in need of an extra hand to hold my LED torch when DIYing small fixes around the house alone.
Phone number of an emergency plumber and electrician - something my hubby could have used in his toolbox.
Don't buy too much, just start with a good box and a bunnings voucher. He'll take great joy wandering around Bunnings filling it with stuff he desperately 'needs for a job'…and somehow you will suddenly own every type of tool imaginable - including 6 hammers.
Edit to say - some nice work boots would go well with the tool box.
Defibrillator
One of everything.
Also note: jobs will get done quicker if he feels like he's suiting up for a special forces op.
All you need as a tool kit at home or abroad are…
Swiss Army knife
Chewing gum
Matchsticks
Paper clips
Birthday candles
Duct tape
All you need is a big hammer and a role of duct tape