Lets talk tools

[Vehemence]

Flashlight, duct tape, hammer, and screwdriver. Really just duct tape though.

 

[JDMnAR1]

To the above add:

pipe wrench (suitable for plumbing fixtures, etc)
multimeter

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: kevbot
Almost everything I can think of has been mentioned. Do you have a lawn mower? A cheap angle grinder with some 80 - 120 grit sandpaper will do wonders for the blade as well for many other unexpected maintenance jobs.

no, I do need to purchase a lawn mower. This is a townhouse so we dont have much to cut in the front. The backyard is not fenced, so I think I will have a little lawn to cut back there

 

[DrPizza]

Personally, if you're not going to use it much, I'd opt for a corded drill vs. a cordless drill, and pick up an extension cord. Those cordless drills have a way of being left of the charger after the wife uses it, and 2 months later when you want it, the battery is dead. The corded drills are often a bit cheaper. I think I have 3 cordless drills & 1 corded, and the corded one gets just as much use as the others. I used to have a heavy duty drill that got a lot more use than the others, but it "vanished." - I wish I knew what happened to it.

Also, not necessarily a dremel as someone mentioned above, but there are a couple of knock-off brands that are similar. Sometimes around the holidays, you can find a kit with a billion attachments in it for a really good price (I got just such a kit at B.J.'s at christmas time 2 years ago) It's far from the most used tool, but every time I've used it, it was worth its weight in gold. Most recently, the bezel on the front of my fish/depth finder was crazed - it was useless during the day. If I didn't have that tool, I'd have spent a couple hundred dollars replacing that depth finder & never would have considered an attempted repair. I managed to cut through the face without going into the LCD, remove the front face, and custom cut a replacement all with that little tool. It's now better than when I first purchased it (used). There are tons of questionable repairs that owning such a tool changes your perspective on.

Other tools in addition to what's been mentioned - depending on your comfort level:
electrical tester
pipe wrenches (depending on the type of plumbing & gas lines in the house)
If you have kids and a wife willing to touch tools, the best way to purchase screwdrivers is to find the cheap ones at a hardward store - 50 cents or a dollar each, and buy about a half dozen each of slotted, #2 phillips, and #1 phillips.
I'd suggest 3 dozen of each, but that simply delays how long until the other household members will wait until they search for where the screwdrivers are put away. Sure, they may start in a tool box, but someone will leave it out and someone else will just toss it into the closest drawer. I'm convinced that drawers eat them, else they spontaneously vaporize after a length of time out of the tool box. I purchase another dozen or so about every other year.

Socket wrench set - you don't need the quality of craftsman, or the even better quality of snap-on, but stay away from the $10 sets. Some of the auto parts stores have decent sets for cheap. I believe Autozone (or Parts America?) carries Snap-on's generic brand. Excellent quality for cheap.

Cheap level - do it right the first time. If you have to drill 2 holes or pound 2 nails for a picture, hang a curtain rod, etc., it's much better to be absolutely sure it's level the first time, rather than eyeball it and discover you're off by only 1/4" later, but a noticeable 1/4".

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: rivan

I disagree with portions of your list. A quality ($200+) cloak is a must-have for home improvement. While invisible, drywall has no idea where you're attacking from, so you automatically get +2 to spackle.

mine was a gift from a young british kid, so it's so short that my feet always show.

-2 to detect before attack roll.

 

[RightIsWrong]

If you are going to dabble in auto as well as home, an absolute must have is a set of open/box end wrenches. I found this out last night trying to change a water pump.

If you are talking just about home use below is a list of what I use pretty frequently:

- stud finder
- levels (multiple sizes come in handy. I have a 8", 24" and 48")
- screwdrivers
- vise grips (small and "regular" sizes)
- pliers/channel locks
- socket set (SAE & Metric - should also include deep well sockets and extensions)
- hammers (regular and rubber mallet)
- hex key set
- tape measure
- wire cutters/strippers
- cordless drill (pay a little extra here to get at least a 19.2V and get a spare battery)
- needle nose pliers
- saws (drywall, miter, etc.)
- nut driver set
- scrapers
- sander (belt & B&D Mouse)

 

[DrPizza]

The vice grips for for after you round off the nut when trying to use a cheap set of wrenches

 

[rivan]

A couple other (non-tool) staples to have on hand:

? Teflon tape; used to help water supply fittings
? Plumber's putty; used to seat/seal sink drains
? Electrical tape
? Duct tape
? Small ass't of wire nuts of various sizes
? A small selection of adhesives - superglue, wood glue and rubber cement (your choice on others)

 

[NatePo717]

Originally posted by: herm0016
first aid kit!

flesh light.

I don't want to know...

 

[OpenThirdEye]

On the same lines of this thread...are there any tool sets that anybody would recommend? If it doesn't have EVERYTHING in it, that's fine...but I'd like to get a set started myself. I've been looking at a set from Craftsman...a smaller Kobalt tool kit...and this one from Black & Decker.

Thoughts?

 

[Baked]

Shotgun is a must for taking out that UPS driver who's pissing on your tree.

 

[Renob]

Woot thought I would jump in and jack this thread, just got a call from sears saying my saw was ready for pickup

Table Saw

I have found that buying cheap tools for me is a waste, and just cost me more in the long run, but I taken on projects like full room remodel, taking the room down to the studs! and starting over

My next big project will be my office, not taking it down to the studs but will be building built in cusom cabinets and desk.

My biggest tip to you is dont be afraid to go down the do it yourself road, there are great DIY books out there that can walk you through just about anything.

 

[rezinn]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
This is a new house, so we won't have anything to fix,

Ha.

 

[Renob]

This is a new house, so we won't have anything to fix

Yet!!! lol and DIY is not just about fixing, its also about changing and upgrading.

Time to add some value to that house.

 

[Elganja]

http://www.tylertool.com/n40dr400sexp2.html, pretty expensive but covers a lot of the small things.

A good socket set, screwdriver set and corded drill are a must too IMHO.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Just buy tools as projects come up that need them.

The one tool I bought as a luxury that has ended up being my favorite tool in my workshop is an impact driver. Even a low voltage one will drive lag bolts straight into wood without pilot holes. They're insane the amount of torque they produce, yet the impact motion also protects the screw head from getting stripped.

Nobody ever regrets paying too much for a tool. Better ones last longer and are more comfortable to use.

 

[Gand1]

Umm... none of you guys mentioned spackle tools and spackle! God knows how many holes you are gonna put in the walls before your wife finds the right height for that picture!!!

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: OpenThirdEye
On the same lines of this thread...are there any tool sets that anybody would recommend? If it doesn't have EVERYTHING in it, that's fine...but I'd like to get a set started myself. I've been looking at a set from Craftsman...a smaller Kobalt tool kit...and this one from Black & Decker.

Thoughts?

honestly, i just got the cheapest one from the local costco/bj's/sam's wholesale club. it has served me well for years.

boxcutter, hex/allen wrenches, ratchet set, wrench set, 6 bit screwdriver, eyeglass screwdrivers, adjustable wrench