Non-multi tools everyone should own

[ironraven]

Just like the topic says.

One of the eager young space cases I work with was trying to borrow a hammer to do something this weekend. I was a little surprised, to say the least, but this is also a young man who apparently doesn't know how to use anything more complicated in the kitchen than a toaster or microwave. To which I can only say "sigh", then pointed out that Home Depot and Walmart are less than a mile away and decent hammer can be had for 20 dollars and one that works for about 5.

But this got me to thinking. What tools SHOULD a man own. Not a tradesman, just someone who has a competent, general education who is not making his living by his tools. It should be capable of handling basic automotive and home repair. I'm thinking that the first two items should be without argument, and not actually part of the kit. A quality multitool and a decent flashlight. The others though, could have room for debate.

For example, I think  a cordless drill, 12V and of good manufacture, should be part of this core tool kit. But that is the only power tool and the flashlight I think are must haves that aren't human powered. I'm going to toss up my list, but I want everyone's feedback. I know we've talked about this in the past, but I want people's opinions.

-A carpenter's hammer, 16oz
-Prybar
-tape measure
-drill w/ a set of bits
-Screwdrivers,#2 Ph and 1/4" straight, 4" or 6" long
        #1 ph and 3/16" straight, 4" long
        #0ph and 1/8" straight, 2"
        generic set of "precision" screwdrivers (we all know the type)
        Canadians should at Roberston drivers
-set of allen and torx wrenches
-6" and 4" adjustable wrenches
-Metric and SAE wrenches, combination recommended but open ended will serve
-Socket set, 1/4" and 3/8" sizes, with a spinner handle, adaptor for drill
-Basic driver bit set, 1/4" bit adapter for the socket/spinner and drill
-Hacksaw
-handsaw suitable for wood and plastic- honestly, a pruning saw would probably work. A handle to hold a saber saw could replace both this and the hacksaw
-tape measure
-blunt nosed pliers (can use the multi for the needle nose)
-dykes
-vice grips
-plug-in receptacle tester
-Duct tape, electricians tape
-spare flashlight and batteries, a headlight would be better
-Box, bag or bucket

If you don't carry the multi and light, then they should be someplace handy.       

I think my list is maybe basic-plus than basic. So what are other people's thoughts?

[jaya_man]

A couple that first comes to mind:

Knipex Mini 5"
Knipex Cobra 6"




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[smiller43147]

Pretty good list (got tape measure on there twice).
Won't get any arguments from me.
I've been collecting tools for a lot of years, got 3 or 4 of each of the ones on your list, can't have too many of the basics. 
Keep some in the garage, some in the basement, the junk drawer in the kitchen, and each car.

[ironraven]

The Knipex is probably a bit pricey, but the best in class. I'm thinking "good enough" tools for this, upgraded at wish and experince.

But yes, a pair of channellocks or a second pair of vice grips would make sense.

And a utility knife! For cutting stuff too icky to put a good knife to.

[eddie1115]

Great thread!  I'm trying to think of things I've had to get out of my car when fixing things and friends'/family's houses. 

I would add to the list:

-level (I'm partial to my 24" version, but any cheapo one would work)

-wd40, and sandpaper (more consumables than tools, but since duct tape was on the list...)

And for basic auto maintenance:

-jack, jack stands, lug wrench

-oil filter wrench and drip pan

[kaput]

But, what about...















An AWL 

[kaput]

Miscellaneous or bonus items would be electrical tape and painters tape. Also zip ties.

[ColoSwiss]

Good pair of scissors.

Also I'd emphasize a good quality tote bag. Most tool boxes nowadays are plastic and crap.

[Aloha]

Good list.  I've always like the idea to buy as you need.  Add to the list a Dremil. Quite a versatile tool IMO.

 

[Gerhard Gerber]

Few years ago I finally bought a toolbox and consolidated all my tools in one container.
When I bought my previous car it was already 16 years old ('96 RAV4), I'd been watching too much Wheeler Dealers so I really got into doing minor maintenance, de-Japanesing it (grey import), and later servicing it myself.
This drove me to fill out my tools where necessary.

I have 90% of what on your list, and a few other odds and ends.

Often wonder how I got along without it.  Simple.  Borrowed from Dad 

[aurabattler]

I think it depends on where you live...  In my hometown,  nobody needs to drive.  I mean, nobody needs to drive unless he wants to.  Therefore, any automobile repairing kits are not must have items for an average guy.  Also,  its too easy here to hire somebody to do the non-emergency home matters,  we don't need any heavy tools here for non-emergency matters.  All we need are something that is essential for emergency situation like fixing the shower at midnight for example. So, a multi and a flashlight will be good enough for basic needs at home. For going out, I will take at least a small knife which can be useful in a lot of situation.  For a normal day of an average guy  like me,  I don't even need a flashlight unless I go hiking.  Nowhere is going to be so dark that I would need a flashlight.  Our nights are just bright like noon all the time.

[Etherealicer]

Ok, I obviously live in a different world

Just to put things into perspective. I wear glasses for 33 years now. Commonly, I wear the same glasses for about 5+ years. Not once in those 33 years did my glasses need repair.
The house my parents built is 37 years old. They changed the heating for economical reasons about 5 years ago. and they changed the flooring on the upper floor. No other repairs where needed.

So, that is what you need, here in Switzerland.

Hammer, to put a nail into the wall (and that is truly the extend of the use for a hammer)
Adjustable wrench (mostly to get the diffuser (what is this called in English???) out of your faucette to remove chalk (The Jura mountainrange is all chalk, so our water has lots of it)
Drill, to put together furniture
Large powerful drill with hammer function to make holes into your wall (we build in concrete) if you want to put something heavy on your walls (Ok, you can also rent one of these)
Set of screwdrivers (And it better be PB100)
Allen set

Things you missed out
Broom
Lawn mower
Snow shovel
Whole lot of gardening tools
Steam cleaner for your windows
High pressure cleaner for your parking space

Things you don't really need here in Switzerland.
- Prybar, I only ever used one to help a friend tear out the wood on the walls, but these days almost no house has this anymore
- Any kind of Saw... I used one when I build my furniture or a new cage for the hamster.

[sLaughterMed]

I like the idea, but honestly, I think you guys are overestimating the average person's DIY abilities. This is a list for everyone, right? I know quite a few people (engineers and engineering students even!) who wouldn't even know what kind of oil to put into their car, much less where it comes out (this is why quick change places are so popular). I don't even own a hammer drill, and I do quite a lot of home and auto maintenance. and a Steam cleaner for windows? what ever happened to Windex and a paper towel?

This is what I think of for tools everyone needs:

https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Precision-DT9706-General-39-Piece/dp/B000E20HWA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1486149086&sr=8-10&keywords=tool+set
 
It includes:

Hammer,
Hex Keys
Tape Measure
bit screwdriver w/ bit kit
blunt nose pliers
precision screwdrivers (phillips and flathead, for opening battery compartments)
decent scissor/shears
1/4" bit adapter for drill
snap off knife

I think the only things I would add would be:
Duct Tape
Spackle (for small drywall holes)
Spackle knife
needle nose pliers
cordless drill w/ battery and charger
Small picture hanger set, and a box of nails
Small screw & molly set
Wirestripper w/ wirecutter
WD-40 (for squeaky hinges)

The hardest DIY work most will do is change an interior doorknob, or tighten a bolt under the sink. Hanging pictures and decorations, tightening furniture screws, patching drywall holes, and assembling IKEA furniture probably done by most households (but not everyone).

[Mr. Whippy]

Multimeter or at least a test light.

It's a safety thing first (make sure there's no live current in a wire) and it allows the repair of SO many things for next to nothing (like dryers).  Before youtube, it could be daunting but you can watch a video on how to properly test just about anything.

[Smashie]

+1 on the multimeter

I had to look up 'Dykes' though, I can't say on this forum what that word means in the UK 

[Grant Lamontagne]

It means that here too- I meant on this side of the ocean, not here on MTO....where it means side cutters....

Def

[WoodsDuck]

Multimeter or at least a test light.

It's a safety thing first (make sure there's no live current in a wire) and it allows the repair of SO many things for next to nothing (like dryers).  Before youtube, it could be daunting but you can watch a video on how to properly test just about anything.

A multimeter was my first thought too, because I've needed one more times in my life than I'd have expected. It's very nice to have if you're a DIY type, and Harbor Freight occasionally sends out "free with any purchase" coupons for theirs.
I do recommend educating yourself on the use of the meter before jumping in though. There are a lot of settings to be aware of.

[Poncho65]

The basic list I guess would be different for everyone and depends on where you live and if you live in a house, apt, condo or other I was given by my parents before I moved out, a good set of ratchets and sockets along with a few other basic tools (other than my set of masonry tools that I already had) and I still have those plus many many more tools I have enough stuff to build a house now but I have the room and a lot of the know-how of how to use these tools now But it was a lot of trial and error and questions to begin with from pros in certain fields I was very glad to have that basic set to start out with and if it is possible all parents should send there children out in the world with a basic set plus the knowledge on how to use them Of course I know that this isn't always practical as some of the parents don't know how to do things like this either

Good thread

[Etherealicer]

I like the idea, but honestly, I think you guys are overestimating the average person's DIY abilities. This is a list for everyone, right? I know quite a few people (engineers and engineering students even!) who wouldn't even know what kind of oil to put into their car, much less where it comes out (this is why quick change places are so popular). I don't even own a hammer drill, and I do quite a lot of home and auto maintenance. and a Steam cleaner for windows? what ever happened to Windex and a paper towel?

I was of course a bit joking. Although the steam cleaners and high pressure cleaners are quite popular around here, as are all kinds of cleaning machines and stuff that keeps everything tidy (lawnmower robots, vacuum robot). We like it clean and tidy here

I agree that the averages DIY abilites are limited.
I do own a hammer drill (hey, I like putting screws in my wall ), but I mostly mentioned it to show the difference in needs that might be. Its not common here either to own one, because most people never put a screw in a wall.

I think most people here are good with
- small tools for fixing a bike (that is about the only mechanical thing people really do themselves)
- gardening tools (if you are into that)
- also hammer and spirit level (it has to be straight!), although that is so rarely needed that borrowing from a neighbor/friend/family is a good option.

Things you don't need
- multimeter / electrician gear (all the cables are in the wall, so the only time you get even close to electrical wires is when installing a lamp and then you simply switch the fuse off)
- plumbing gear (the plumbing is in the wall, we have no idea how to do it, probably less hassle to get a speSmurfpillst)
- wrenches, spanners, screwdrivers etc. (most people never use any of them, and it is probably for the better).
- welding gear (there is nothing to weld)
- any powered saw

[Tomcat_81]

I once helped a friend of mine to move into her new students apartment. My job was to carry the heavy stiff and install new lights- the former inhabitant had taken everything with him, even the covers of the light switches. All fuses out, check. All I had was my Vic spirit which was fine, because it has that small but longish flathead which goes into all terminal strips. I had almost finished, only one room to go, when I got a strange feeling about the room and used a lightbulb to check the cable. Flash.
Turns out that room hadn't originally been part of the apartment, but a later acquisition from the next apartment. Still sharing the fuses with the other flat.
Since then, I love the small thingy shown below.

But I mean, people get so much disencouraged from using their own tools - all you need today is a credit card 
Tomcat, unzapped.

Oh, and an axe. Just because ;-)
 

[Gareth]

Can I add a good joiner's/carpenter's set square?  Everyone needs to know what a right angle is at some point.

[The Lone Wanderer]

My Dad and Grandpa always have fully stocked garages with tools to cover the bases. I know electrical, plumbing and framing thanks to my Dad. I also know auto mechanics, Dad taught me that, worked in the industry for 6 years, now I don't, that's a long story. Anyways I didn't see anyone mention jumper cables, a must here in cold climates.

My Dad and I built a storage cabinet for my Jeep, fits my toolbox, Craftsman mechanic's tool kit, jumper cables, tow strap, extra fluids plus a few extras. Always be prepared while motoring!

[gregpost]

If you own a home, you need a wet/dry vac. That thing is a must.

[ToolJoe]

I think a pair of electricians scissors are worth their weight in gold. I keep pairs in the garage, kitchen drawer and also in my car toolkit.

[Ron Who]

I only need gardening tools around the house, everything that needs to be done inside gets done by the owner. Apart from that, a few tools for bicycle maintenance as I don't have a car and don't need one.

[Mike 56]

Not a basic tool but it is my most used tool a battery powered impact. once you have one there is no going back.

Mike   

[hiraethus]

Whatever you need, buy a cheap one first time round.  If you use it lots or break it, buy a good one to replace it.  If you don't use it, you've not lost much.

[dks]

a multimeter can be used to check batteries (AA etc or even car batteries), for checks on the car (e.g. alternator, continuity in circuits), to help with the repair of small electrical devices etc.

[Fortytwo]

Whatever you need, buy a cheap one first time round.  If you use it lots or break it, buy a good one to replace it.  If you don't use it, you've not lost much.

I agree with this, you wouldn't often be in the situation that you need to buy an entire set of tools and know what you need.

There are some basic tools where I would go for something a little better than the cheapest alternative. A decent set of bits and a ratcheting driver since the cheap ones tend to break quickly. Maybe a set of screwdrivers in the most common sizes to have the reach. I'm not talking about the really expensive alternatives here mind, Wera etcetera, just something where someone has gone through the trouble of putting a trademark on it.

[plowjockey1]

I would just add a set of those mini screw drivers, handy for spectacles, cameras etc.

Also a loupe/magnifying glass could be useful.

I'm farming so I could go on and on about all the tools I'd need, but I'll stop with these 3;
a lump hammer
a cold chisel
and a vice grip.