Must have tools

In My Humble Opinion
21

::: Looks over thread so far:::
Lot’s of good suggestions, let me add and modify a few
Shop Vac Buy a small one. A big one is a freaking bitch to move around when you are working, and you have to have a big spot to store it. The small ones have pretty much the same power as the big ones, just a smaller container.

Ladder Buy a GOOD ladder. Cheap ladders are dangerous. I bought one of these this year, and wished that I had gotten one years ago.

Hand tools A set of screwdrivers, at least three flat blades of different sizes, and two Phillips (P1 and P2). A four in one screwdriver like this is real cheap, and very handy.
A magnetic bit screwdriver with bit storage in the handle, similar to this one is also very handy.
Interchangeable bit screwdrivers are a nice addition to a screwdriver set, not a replacement.

Hammer Get a good Straight claw hammer. 16 ounces is fine. I suggest you stay away from a hammer with a solid steel shaft like an Estwing, they are very hard on your arm and elbow. Stick with either wood, or fiberglass. While we are on the same subject, a Wonder bar is very handy to remove nails, or wood trim, or whatever.

Level Get a torpedo level. If you get more serious into this you might want a 24" level to go with, but for most homeowner stuff a torpedo level is probably enough. A magnetic base on the level is a nice addition.

Electrical Tester One of these will tell you if a wire is open, and will test GFI circuits.

Power tools You can go about 7 kinds of crazy here. If you are starting out, The Home Depot sells a 18 Volt Ryobi kit for under $100 dollars. You will need bits for said drill. A combo kit like this will fit the bill nicely.

On preview, about storage. Again lots of options. You can buy 5 gallon plastic buckets and an organizer like this one to store stuff.

22

I second the headlamp, which is great for doing all kinds of work, and also good for letting you sit around and read in the dark–say, in a movie theatre between screenings. (Yes, I am that kind of geek.) It’s also good for hiking or sea kayaking when you get caught out late; small enough to tuck into a pocket, and very handy. I like the Petzl line.

A selection of simple hand tools–the two standard types of screwdrivers in four sizes, an Allen wrench set, a couple pairs of needle-nose pliers, some bulldogs, a couple of crescent wrenches, a utility knife, and a hacksaw will do for starters. I’d get a cordless drill rather than a cordless screwdriver, 'cause the latter is more generally useful than the former, but then I tend to buy something slightly better that what I actually need 'cause it usually ends up coming in handy later.

You don’t say what kind of projects you’re going to tackle (and congratulations, by the way, on the purchase, though I guess this means that you’re not running off to Japan and teaching ESL) but you’ll just buy specific tools on a project-by-project basis. What I generally do is see if I can do the job with what I have, and then if it’s something that either I need a specialized tool to do at all (say, a hole saw, a wood planer, or whatever) or I find it’s something I’m going to be doing repeatedly, I’ll go ahead and spring for the necessary tools. Doing a job right, once, ends up being a lot cheaper in the long run than doing it half-assed over and over again.

A few of cautions: be careful about power tools. Preferably you should get someone who knows what they’re about to show you how to use it correctly, particularly saws, belt sanders, and routers, all of which can be very dangerous in ways that may not be entirely obvious the first time you use them. (It’s obvious that you need to control the tool, but you also need to secure the workpiece so it doesn’t fly out in some random direction.) Some community colleges have short courses on power tool use, and I think I’ve seen seminar-type things put on by chain hardware stores specifically for women using tools, so they don’t have to put up with a condescending dude “explaining” how to use them. Wear the correct safety gear consistently. And as Kevbo astutely notes, a good, secure later is an excellent investment in safety. Without it, you’ll be tempted to do stupid things just to reach those last few inches, and that’s how people get hurt.

One more thing; stay away from electricity until you’ve read and understood safety and proper wiring techniques. It seems like the easiest thing in the world to replace a light switch, and I know you’re one of those smarty-pants ingunieer-types, until you switch the ground and the neutral, and next thing you know you have an accident waiting to happen. If you are going to do any wiring, shut off the circuit at the breaker and then test it before touching anything. (There’s this cool little plug-in tester I found at Home Depot a while back which decyphers which lines are seeing what.) [thread=401991]Here[/thread]'s a good thread on DIY electrical work in which some of the hazards and mitigations are explained; in particular, the posts by Rick and engineering_comp_geek are very useful.

Feel free to e-mail me (the old address, not the one listed in my contact information here) if you need any advice. And good luck with the home ownership adventure.

Stranger

23

A heavy duty, long extension cord. You will need it for the shop vac, the power tools, the Christmas lights, the leaf blower…

Along with the ladder, this is one place NOT to skimp. You can’t save enough money on a cheap extension cord vs a good one, to make it worth while going cheap.

24

Thanks for the kind words Stranger. My post that you should pay attention to is #25.
About my previous post it seems that the Home Despot took everyone of my links and put them to a search page. Nice going dipshits.
OK, so Let’s try my previous post with links that work.
The ladder link not being from HD is good.
Four in one screwdriver
Magnetic bit screwdriver
Straight claw hammer
Wonder Bar
Torpedo level
Electrical tester I think this is the one Stranger was talking about.
Ryobi power tools (cheaper at your local big box)
Drill bit set
You will also need a good tape measure. Here is a reasonably priced one.
On shop vacs, buy this one not this one. You can carry the first one in one hand. Good luck with the big one.

25

Well I am far from proficient when it comes to DIY projects but I hope it does seem like sacrilege to suggest a fully loaded Swiss army knife.

We have an assortment of tools in a chest in the basement which includes everything from a stubby-handle screwdriver to a jumbo sized pipe wrench but more times than not, we reach for the Swiss army knife that is kept -of all places- in the bread basket on top of the microwave.

With that we have three functional screwdrivers, a little pair of scissors, a file and a little rod with a hook on the end to name but a few of the extensions. There are also several blades one of which has a dual-edged set of very tough, very sharp teeth and the set of tweezers is perfect for removing splinters. Admittedly I haven’t found much need for the little magnifying glass and I only use the pen to see if it still writes but I get more mileage out of my trusty Swiss army knife than the other tools combined.

26

I couldn’t agree more.

I have thousands of dollars of tools in my basement, but I have said over and over to everyone who cared to listen that the one single most important and handy tool in my basement is my DeWalt cordless drill.

It was well worth it to spend the $$$ for a good one since I have been reaching for it for everything for close to ten years now.

27

I think that goes without saying. I have tragically lost three Swiss Army knives in the past year (one confiscated by airport security). Every time I go right back out and buy another one within a day because I don’t like being without one at all. I carry mine on me at all times. I like Victorinox exclusively and tend towards the mid-sized models like the Tinker. They are some fine tools.

28

Thanks for all the tips, everyone. The whole idea of owning a house is both intimidating and exciting. Number one on my list is a quality cordless drill and the thread we had about them a month or two ago was very helpful. I’m thinking my first purchases past that will be a good ladder, good utility knife, and a screwdriver set. I took stock of my tools this evening and realized I have a small level, a set of standard wrenches, and a 12’ measuring tape. I also have an enormous pipe wrench I must have forgotten to return to someone. :dubious:

The house I’m buying is in a great location but it’s tiny and was built in 1925 so I expect things will need fixin’ (although the inspection went well considerin’). My immediate plans are to mostly paint although I’m looking into hiring someone to add a window and an extra door. (boy, the websites make window installation look so easy but I’m thinking that’s probably not a beginnerish type project). I also plan to replace the through-wall AC units, fix some sheathing around the water heater, and paint the kitchen cabinets. I do have good friends who have a lot of good power tools I can borrow as needed (the tools and the friends). (BTW, I’ve got a while to plan this stuff out, I’m closing the end of the month but I won’t be moving until June as there’s a current tennant.)

No need to worry, I have an extremely healthy fear of electricity (and power tools for that matter). I’m really, really cautious around electricity…

Yeah, I’m above the JET age limit and my job’s going so well I decided to refocus some. The house is the new project now. :slight_smile:

29

The first thing I had to do when I got my house - for like 3 nights straight - was put up window treatments in every room, which in most rooms included blinds AND curtain rods.

So my first most important tools were:
Cordless screwdriver/drill
25’ measuring tape
Level
Scratch awl (for pre-tapping screw holes)
Claw hammer (see above)
Pencil

Anything else, can wait until you need it I think.

A note on cordless drills - if you’re a woman, or anyone with not-so-much upper-body strength, make sure you get a drill you can comfortably hold over your head with one hand. It may not have the most horsepower but you’ll be happier with it to hang up curtain rods, pictures and shelves if you can handle it.

You might even want to get something like this little Black & Decker driver for window treatments and pictures, and a heavier cordless (or even corded) with more HP to keep in the garage - for things that don’t need to be done above your head.

As others said - try before you buy.

Consider the above weight advice for hammers, too. There are a lot of weights of hammer.

Although my dad’s new credo is “never use nails” - after 30 years of homeownership and having to remove & replace nails, he’s 100% a screw guy now. I only have one hammer but I never use it inside.

30

Further to the above post - aside from the absolute basics (a good screwdriver set, a hammer, measuring tape, some pliers or multigrips) don’t buy anything until you actually, really really need it (I’m thinking mostly about power tools here, but other large items like ladders too). Even then, if it’s a one-off or short term need, rent it. Don’t clutter your house and life up with stuff you don’t actually need.

There are figures around at the moment saying the average household power tool is actually used for only 10 minutes during its life before being got rid of. Even if that figure is hugely out, there’s an awful lot of waste out there. Every device you buy is one you have to look after, and it’s all too easy to let it get out of hand and clog up your life.

This friend of mine moved to the US and immediately started to fill up his house and garage with stuff. Every tool he wanted he bought, they were all so cheap. He had 3 different welders, torque wrenches, air-powered bits everywhere. Eventually you could hardly get out of his car, he had to park it exactly in the right spot or you couldn’t open the door. I used to think having the right tool to hand was a wonderful thing, now I think it’s a sign of a cluttered life.

31

You know, unless I missed something, I think everyone missed a measuring tape as a recommended tool, but it’s indispensible. I’d go ahead and get a 25’ tape, which should be big enough for anything you’re going to do in the house short of major framing work. A builder’s square is another handy measuring tool; you don’t need a big one, but they are very useful for truing up things if you’re going to install anything like cabinets, true a doorframe, et cetera. And hang onto the pipe wrench; you never know when you’re going to need a counterweight. :wink:

You might think about a couple of Wonderbar-type prybars, too. I use these things all the time. (Of course, I also carry a 6" Cold Steel SRK knife in my toolkit, which totally freaks some people out, but despite my pretentions, I’m actually just a crass, beer-swilling male lunkhead (I’m swilling the Samuel Smith’s India Pale Ale right now, but I’ve been known to pound a PBR now and again) so I wouldn’t recommend following my example to a t.

Old houses do require maintenance, certainly, but so does new construction, and based upon the recent experiences of a few acquaintances, a building built in the last couple of decades is far more likely to have major undisclosed issues than a grand old dame of a house. Plus, I just like old construction, even the often painful plaster-and-lathe; it just feels more solid and has real character.

Window installation can be a real bear, and I concur with your decision to have someone else do it. I’ve done framing, roofing, drywall, electrical, a modest amount of plumbing, but I would leave window and siding installation to the experts.

And it’s good to have friends with powertools; just make sure you have cold beer once the work is done so that they keep coming back. :wink:

Good luck to you. Keep us apprised of how it’s going.

S

32

While I agree that you should not buy tools you don’t need, my new cordless drill got way more than 10 minutes use it’s very first day.
When I got the matching cordless circular saw, it only saw about 20 minutes use its first day. I am building a patio cover here shortly that should make up for that.

33

About those ladders…

I bought one of those fancy ones that looks like a letter “M” that folds in fifteen different ways, including straight. I’m happy with it for many situations, but it’s always a compromise. Besides, that, it’s heavy and awkward to unfold.

I ended up buying a standard 6’ painter’s ladder as well last year. That one was well worth it. Instead of flipping around the fancy quadruple-folding ladder and holding in catches and so on, I simply open the painter’s ladder and start painting. It even has a place to put my bucket, brushes, or tools. Its base is much wider than the multipurpose ladder, and it feels more stable.

If I had to work on my second-floor windows, I would probably use my multifolding ladder, but a true extension ladder with one of those wide steady-rest things at the top would be much better for the job.

34

Safety goggles/glasses. Trust me.

Oh, a good broom. Not the $5.99 walmart special, I mean a REAL good broom. And a powerful shop-vac.

35

Good, wide, ultra-heavy-duty-glue Velcro and scissors.

It’s great for hanging stuff that won’t get dragged on (pictures, mirrors, clock, but not cabinets) on tile. If you have several items that are the same size, you can redecorate just by taking the items themselves off (leaving the other side of the velcro on the wall) and changing the individual placement. If you ever leave and want to sell the house, you’ll be able to rip it off and clean the glue residue with alcohol.

36

I’m a big fan of having plug-in power tools rather than going exclusively cordless. I had one bad experience with a slightly underpowered cordless drill (at a friend’s house) that left me wishing I had brought my trusty $40 corded drill to help with the project. Cordless is convenient, and I’m going that direction myself, but only in addition to tools that plug in.

One tip about circular saws, make sure you get a good blade. I bought one last year and used the included blade, stupid thing wouldn’t cut plywood safely.

37

When I bought a house my brother bought me a wet dry vacuum. I thought it was dumb until I had my first flood (main drain got clogged). I immediately called him and thanked him.

38

A plug-in power tool is probably going to be a necessity if you’ll need to do any sort of significant drilling into masonry, whether it’s outdoors or indoors underneath layers of plaster. Cordless drills are not going to have enough oomph, especially the light ones that are meant to double as cordless screw drivers, and you risk burning out the battery (ask me how I know this). You’ll know whether this is an issue for you by tapping on the walls, because masonry under plaster sounds less hollow than drywall. Good drills are pricey, though, so if you’d only need one to hang a few pictures on the walls or put up curtain rods, just rent one for a day (you’ll still need to buy your own bits).

A stick-on laser level is also useful to have around. Make sure you buy some extra adhesive tabs at the same time, so you have them handy when you need them.

Most other basic stuff has been covered here, and then some. Gadget guys are going to tell you more than you ever need, you know? :wink: Personally, I keep several measuring tapes around, because I always seemed to be misplacing one or another.

As someone else mentioned earlier, I would hold off on going nutty with the power tools, unless your money is burning a hole in your pocket. Chances are good that with any given planned project you’ll have to buy materials or some random tool you don’t already have, anyway, so wait until there is a need.

Good luck in your new home!

39

Especially in an older house that may have settled some. If the walls aren’t plumb and you hang a towel bar exactly level, it will look wrong. If you use the square and hang it orthogonal to the adjacent wall, then it, and the wall will look correct, and it will still be level enough that the towels won’t slide.