# Must have tools **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 15, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086 "2007-01-15T17:19:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/1 "2007-01-15T17:19:00Z")
Ok, barring any unforeseen happenings, I’ve just bought a house :eek: (I close at the end of the month). I plan to do a lot of the maintenance/fix-ups myself and I used to be fairly handy but I’ve spent years living in apartments so I don’t have many tools. What do y’all think are essential tools for the homeowner to have? I currently have a really crappy drill I need to replace, a hammer, and a random collection of screwdrivers. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/2 "2007-01-15T17:28:02Z")
Wood chisels, wire cutters, needle nose pliers. Oh yeah, vise grip pliers. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/3 "2007-01-15T17:48:04Z")
Buy a cheap contractor’s table saw. The Makita one is reasonably cheap, has a powerful motor, and a fence that was conceived as a practical joke on the American consumer. You probably need a circular saw, too. Buy a decent cordless drill. You’ll also need, in no particular order, a prybar, channel-lock pliers, a couple of heavy-duty extension cords, a ladder, side-cutting pliers, a block plane, chisels, whetstones, a grinding wheel, a coping saw, a chopsaw, putty knives, drywall taping knives, a couple decent utility knives with a lifetime supply of replacement blades, a Sawzall, a set of box wrenches, nailsets, and a patridge in a pear tree. If you’re doing plumbing and electrical work as well, you’ll need more tools and a second mortgage. ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/4 "2007-01-15T17:50:44Z")
My dad got me a knock off version similar to this when I bought my house. [http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV\_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=00930541000&cat=Hand+Tools,+General+Purpose&subcat=Home+Owner+Tool+Sets&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1](http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=00930541000&cat=Hand+Tools,+General+Purpose&subcat=Home+Owner+Tool+Sets&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1) I already had quite a few tools but this was so handy I found I used it all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/5 "2007-01-15T17:54:45Z")
No idea on tools - I am definitely not a do-it-yourselfer. But wanted to stop in and wish you luck and joy in your new home. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/6 "2007-01-15T18:06:29Z")
Take a look around for computer toolkits. The stuff in there is good for repairing a lot of little things around the house. Above and beyond that, you can never go wrong with sets of screwdrivers and pliers. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/7 "2007-01-15T18:09:35Z")
As someone that has been restoring a house for almost 6 years, a good cordless drill with screwdriver attachments and lots of bits get the most use by far. I don’t know how much land you have, but I use my chainsaw(saws now) more than I ever dreamed. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/8 "2007-01-15T18:11:07Z")
A sander if your going to refinish much wood. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/9 "2007-01-15T18:16:01Z")
Oh, plus a tape measure and a hacksaw. I’m sure I’ll think of more later. ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/10 "2007-01-15T18:22:59Z")
Essentials that you might not think of immediately: Cordless powerdrill and screwdriver, reciprocating saw, putty knives, adjustable/crescent wrench, safety glasses, rubber mallet, and a short fold-up stepladder. And you can never have too many flashlights. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/11 "2007-01-15T18:28:28Z")
Just do what everyone else does. When you see something that needs addressing, evaluate what tools you need and go out and buy. Trust me. you’ll eventually be spending thousands of dollars and saving much more. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/12 "2007-01-15T18:34:22Z")
Full agreement with with everyone else said, with these additions: **The Home Depot Home Repair Guide**. Even if you know exactly what you’re doing, the book still has plenty of “Oh…never thought of _that_” tips. **High-quality painting tools**. Never, ever, evereverever buy a “Four brushes for 10 bucks” package – they’re utter shit, and that’ll be reflected in your results. Spend the 20 bucks for a nice Purdy brush, and as long as you take care of it, you’ll never need to buy another paint brush. A good brush makes cutting in trim and corners a breeze. Oh, and when you replace your crappy drill, make sure you get one that has more than one battery. Nothing like having to take a three-hour break in your project because you have to wait for your only battery to recharge (unless you _want_ the break, that is). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/13 "2007-01-15T18:34:56Z")
Just do what everyone else does. When you see something that needs addressing, evaluate what tools you need and go out and buy. Trust me. you’ll eventually be spending thousands of dollars and saving much more. ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/14 "2007-01-15T18:38:24Z")
Great question! 1. Set of screwdrivers 3 or 4 Phillips and common of different sizes. Usually on sale for $10 - $12. 2. Plug in electrical tester $20 or so. You’ll be amazed how many times you find yourself wondering if something is broken and it’s the plug or circuit that’s blown a fuse. 3. Hammer and visegrips $20 or so. 4. Wrenches - a set of adjustable wrenches - one small, one larger. Again, probably $20. on sale. 5. Cordless drill - a good cordless drill and set of assorted bits. Try before you buy! Most of the ones under $50. are cheap junk. Don’t waste your money or your time. Get one that’s comfortable in your hand and has enough power. As far as a **repair kit** , that’s where I would stop. You’ll need to acquire other things but the priority is determined by what breaks first. Now, if you get into **remodeling,** that’s where we need to know the size of your wallet! Tools are fun but good tools aren’t cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/15 "2007-01-15T18:59:47Z")
Resign yourself to spending way more than you want to on a ladder. The expensive ones are much safer and more stable than the cheap ones. Same as with most tools, but when a ladder craps out injury is much more likely than when the motor in a cheap drill burns out. Resign yourself to the fact that at first every single freaking job will require at least 4 trips to the Hardware Store/Home Center. Took me almost 10 years to get to the point where about half the time I can now do stuff with only one trip. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/16 "2007-01-15T19:41:41Z")
A wire hanger that can be unwound and nearly straightened. I keep one hanging unseen on a pipe leading to the hot water tank. Useful for pulling hair tribbles out of slow shower drains, hooking fluff balls out of the dryer vent to the outside, de-clogging vacuum cleaners, etc. Sure, all the other stuff is good too, but this one’s handy _and_ cheap! ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/17 "2007-01-15T20:01:40Z")
Oh, and a shop vac. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/18 "2007-01-15T20:12:10Z")
A level. Something I really like is the Black & Decker Pivot Plus. It’s a small $25 cordless screwdriver, smaller and more handy than regular cordless drills are. I use it all the time, though I still need manual drivers for some tight spaces or delicate things. It does some drilling, but only really light stuff, bascially screw-holes in drywall and wood. ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/19 "2007-01-15T20:52:18Z")
Congratulations on the house! I have no tool recommendations; I rely on the kindness of friends to bail me out. They seem to have a ton of tools, and we seem to have used most of them at some point in doing some of the things around the house that need doing. (It’s a constant amazement to me; I’ll point out something that should be done, and he’ll say, “Okay, I’ll bring my \_\_\_\_\_\_ over next time.” Where do you keep all those tools??) I suppose the one thing I wish I had that I don’t is a cordless screwdriver. I’d probably use that a lot. The one tool I have that gets the most use (if you can call it a tool) is a headlamp flashlight. That thing is awesome because you don’t have to waste a hand to hold the light where you need it. Enjoy your new house! ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2007, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086/20 "2007-01-15T21:55:35Z")
Sears often has sets of tools on sale - If you can wait, look for sets like 15 Craftsman screwdrivers for $18, or 4 pair of pliers (needle-nose, slip-joint, cutters and “channel-lock” style) for $30 - these are current ad prices. Avoid their “Companion” brand unless you’re truly pinching pennies. Add to that a decent claw hammer, a couple adjustable wrenches, a level and a hand saw, (a $15-20 “toolbox” saw will do nearly everything you need other than cut fenceposts or crown molding) and you’ll be geared up for probably 97% of the repairs you’ll encounter inside the house that aren’t plumbing or electrical. Storage: I have separate toolboxes for plumbing (tubing cutter, propane torch…), electrical (crimpers, strippers, circuit testers, breaker finders…), and communications stuff (line tester, buttset, punchdown tool…) Keep in mind that these are specialized things that I’ve picked up as needed, rather than going bonkers at the tool store all at once. The rest of my hand tools live in a 5-foot tall “rollaway” mechanic’s chest. I’ve been accumulating tools for the past 25 years or so - you probably won’t have such extravgant needs at first. Unless, of course, you want to be known as the person everyone in the neighborhood can go to if they need to borrow weird things like Robertson screwdrivers, GFCI testers or basin wrenches. 😃 A good ladder (or two or three) is a must. Unless you’re really skinny, avoid the cheap “Homeowner” or Class 3 ladders. My ladders are all Class 1 or 1A Industrial, and it’s worth the extra bucks so you’re not swaying around at the top of a flimsy ladder. A word or two about Sears… Yes, their tools may cost a bit more, but their Craftsman line is almost entirely guaranteed forever (there are one or two odd exclusions here and there, but you’ll only need to buy a screwdriver once) and I’ve never regretted buying their hand tools. I’m still using my grandfather’s Craftsman hammer with its original handle. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-have-tools/388086.md?page=2)