# Tools as a housewarming gift **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 2, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843 "2014-06-02T16:22:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/41 "2014-06-05T01:03:56Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Hope this doesn’t need to be said, but: better a few QUALITY tools than one of those “50 tools for $39.99” grade. I learned that when a club member stopped by my pathetic project and spent 2 minutes doing what would have taken me half a day. The nut drivers and the hex keys are Snap-on and the tape measures, putty knives, hammers, mallet, level and utility knives are all Stanley. Most everything else is Craftsman although I’m not sure where I picked up the pry bar. I’m sure it’s a cheaper brand. Craftsman is not a great brand and it’s not as good as it used to be but it’s good enough for home use and they do have a great warranty. > [@elfkin477](#): > > That’s an awesome gift, but I do have a question: do you think your niece will be using them too, not just her husband? I hope my niece will be doing at least some of work. She’s a pretty handy young woman. She used to work as a part time assistant to a local handyman and she picked up a lot of skills from him. She’s better at drywall patching and painting than I am and she makes some nice extra money by finding cheap, abused furniture and refinishing/reupholstering it. > [@Urbanredneck](#): > > I would add a good book on doing general repairs of things like appliances and some how-to on things like repairing a broken toilet or changing out an electrical outlet. I would agree but unfortunately, niece and hubby are deep in the smartphone generation. The concept of _opening a book_ to find information is quaint at best. The other day I handed hubby a phone book and he gave me a look as if I asked him to hitch up the oxen and plow the north 40. ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/42 "2014-06-06T12:07:57Z")
Step ladders. six and eight footers, at least. Twenty four foot extension ladder for external work. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/43 "2014-06-06T13:49:34Z")
Such a great gift! I live on the same square footage, and thought you could perhaps also look at some helpful ways of storing the tools? You can get quite good racks to sort everything so it can hang accessibly inside a cupboard. In these fairly small spaces it can be such a hassle if you need one screwdriver and you need to fiddle it out of the bottom of a cupboard that hardly opens because there is something in the way. I mention it because it took me quite long to work out how to store my tools in such a way that having to do one tiny little job didn’t make think: “oh noooooo not the tool cupboard!!” (Apologies if this has been addressed, I quickly scanned the thread!) ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/44 "2014-06-06T13:59:18Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > **swampbear** forgot the best part… going to the hardware store for that $6 part/tool and returning with $400 worth of weed eater, grill, and other “necessary” items. I did this once…and had forgotten that I had WALKED to the hardware store!! As they knew me well and were just a few blocks away, the guy at the store just told me to take the cart home and back. That was a goofy day. I blame paint stripper fumes. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/45 "2014-06-06T14:41:57Z")
Awesome gift idea! When my ex-wife and I got married and moved into a new house, my new father-in-law did this, and it was such a great gift. Everyone at the wedding was afraid of how I’d like it, since it’s so utilitarian and didn’t “fit” either me or my wife’s personalities, but I was so thrilled. A starter set of everything I knew I desperately needed, saving me much shopping time and money! (As others have said, how many projects contain multiple trips to a hardware store to get the _one thing_ you need to finish, until you then realize that yet another one thing is needed?) 18 years and a divorce later, I’m still using those tools. And I do still think of his generosity even now, every time I use one. > [@GrizzRich](#): > > I’d add a tool-box or tool-bag to contain all those items! This was going to be my big suggestion. Not just the tools, but something in which to store/organize. The toolbox my former father-in-law picked out was a sturdy thing that doubled as a stepstool. Very handy, not just for storing the tools. I just used that toolbox to get up to a recalcitrant fluorescent light ballast in the ceiling of my new apartment the other day. A ladder is a bit much for a small place, but everyone needs a stepstool once in a while. And it’s pretty cool that, 18 years after that marriage, I still have all of those tools in one place. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/46 "2014-06-06T18:04:15Z")
Much like **Student Driver** ’s ex FIL, my dad put together a small tool box for each of us when we became responsible for our homes. Mine has screwdrivers, combo wrenches, two sizes of hammers, a socket set, wire strippers, slip joint pliers and a big tape measure among other things, all in a sturdy toolbox. I’ve added a couple of items over the last 33 years, but there’s enough there to install a ceiling fan, hang pictures, repair the deck and put together most “some assembly required” furniture that is needed around the house. Great gift! ---
**Author:** ![sara20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/47 "2014-06-06T18:09:21Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > My niece and her hubby are moving out of my sister’s home and into their own place shortly. One of the things that they have requested as a housewarming gift is a decent set of common household type hand tools. This is my list of tools every homeowner should probably have on hand and what I’m going to gift to them. Please tell me any modifications you would suggest. > > set of 1/4 and 3/8 drive sockets with ratchets, breaker bar, speed handle and extensions > set of combination wrenches > set of nut drivers > two of those flippy, four way screwdrivers with exchangeable bits like [this](http://www.velorambler.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_0031.jpg) > large and small crescent wrenches > large and small channel-lock pliers > large and small vice grips > needle nose pliers > medium sized claw hammer > large rubber mallet > 12’ and 25’ tape measures > Two utility knives > wide and narrow putty knives/scrapers > 18" pry bar > 3/8" corded (not cordless) power drill with selections of regular and spade bits > > I went with the corded drill because although the cord is annoying, it’s _reliably_ annoying. No worries about dead or defunct rarely used batteries when you have a cord tying you to the wall. The drill and bits are contained in their own carry case and everything else fits into a medium sized tool box which I will include. > > Some of the tools like the pry bar and the mallet I’m gifting to them are gently used and surplus to me (I possess multiple examples of each). I probably wouldn’t go out and buy them as part of a gift starter tool set but they are available and handy to have when you need them. > > None of the wrenches and sockets are in metric sizes. Unless you’re doing automotive work, you really don’t need them in the US. > > I specifically chose not to include automotive or lawn and garden specific tools. I want them to identify their needs first and then I’ll help them out if I can. > > Do you have any suggested modifications to this list? A tool box ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/48 "2014-06-06T18:42:56Z")
> [@sara20](#): > > A tool box From my own first post - emphasis added by me. > [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > The drill and bits are contained in their own carry case and\*\* everything else fits into a medium sized tool box which I will include.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/49 "2014-06-06T18:47:57Z")
> [@sara20](#): > > A tool box My favorite for general tools like those is a 5 gallon bucket and an organizer like [this](http://www.amazon.com/Bucket-Boss-Extreme-01064-Organizer/dp/B0001LQY26/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402080322&sr=8-1&keywords=tool+bucket+organizer). ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/50 "2014-06-06T18:55:24Z")
Keep an eye out in the paper for an estate sale; go buy up the tool collection from the estate. The nice thing about old tools is often they were made better than the new tools you buy today, and you can get an entire collection at a fraction of the cost. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/51 "2014-06-06T19:03:12Z")
> [@Mooch](#): > > My favorite for general tools like those is a 5 gallon bucket and an organizer like [this](http://www.amazon.com/Bucket-Boss-Extreme-01064-Organizer/dp/B0001LQY26/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402080322&sr=8-1&keywords=tool+bucket+organizer). I like those kind of tool buckets myself and I do like them for taking care of my stuff around a job site. No worries about making me mad Mooch. You didn’t suggest a tool **box** so you are spared my wrath.😃 ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2014, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/52 "2014-06-07T05:19:19Z")
One last try - A decent screwdriver has a separate (hardened steel) tip. Sears decided (circa 1980) that their future lie in _Financial Services_ - they issued the Discover card and decided that retail would be the cash cow for the financial arm. They now own K-Mart (or vice-versa). Those translucent red/blue handled screwdrivers are the DEFINITION of junk tool. By comparison, a set which will last generations: [http://www.zoro.com/g/00103246/k-G3937683?utm\_source=google\_shopping&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=Google\_Shopping\_Feed&gclid=CJqEnb6B574CFY3m7AodrDIAtg](http://www.zoro.com/g/00103246/k-G3937683?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&gclid=CJqEnb6B574CFY3m7AodrDIAtg) ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2014, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/53 "2014-06-07T06:35:06Z")
> [@2gigch1](#): > > Keep an eye out in the paper for an estate sale; go buy up the tool collection from the estate. > > The nice thing about old tools is often they were made better than the new tools you buy today, and you can get an entire collection at a fraction of the cost. That’s…a \*\*really \*\*good idea, actually. As long as the recipients would understand. I’ve done the same (for myself) with sewing/craft goods and been very pleased. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2014, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/54 "2014-06-07T06:57:09Z")
Let me second (or is it third) a hand-saw. Plus some duct tape, cloth tape and that weird plumbers tape stuff (super thin, but plugs up drippy taps a treat!) A ball of string, and a swathe of wire. (These two have been indispensable for me!!) And of course, a tape measure! Tools! Wunnerful!! ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2014, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/55 "2014-06-07T07:14:55Z")
A [visor magnifier](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=visor%20magnifier), especially a lighted one, is incredibly handy for small repairs, splinters, etc. Speaking of which, a good headlamp is an absolute must. There are other lighting solutions (I love those weeble-like lights that you can cast inside the dryer to light up the cavity), but nothing beats a headlamp for hands free, direct work on something that’s not sitting on the kitchen table. Kneepads. From putting together Ikea furniture to crawling around on the bathroom floor swearing about wax seals, a good pair of knee pads will make working much more comfortable. A magnetic strap is very handy for working on things. Not a magik healing woo wristband, but something [like this](http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=magnetic+wrist). And though I’d hesitate to buy a power saw from Harbor Freight, they are fantastic for a range of cheaper items (like the wrist band, magnetic bowls, etc.). And to repeat Valgard, safety glasses. If you’re buying them a hammer, you must include a couple pairs of safety glasses. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/56 "2014-06-08T10:29:55Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Let me second (or is it third) a hand-saw. > > Plus some duct tape, cloth tape and that weird plumbers tape stuff (super thin, but plugs up drippy taps a treat!) > > A ball of string, and a swathe of wire. (These two have been indispensable for me!!) > > And of course, a tape measure! > > Tools! Wunnerful!! You beat me to it! Baling wire and twine. I did this for my son when he bought his first house. Every birthday he gets at least one tool from dear ol dad. ---
**Author:** ![runningdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@runningdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runningdude)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/57 "2014-06-09T18:05:33Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > … > 3/8" corded (not cordless) power drill with selections of regular and spade bits > > I went with the corded drill because although the cord is annoying, it’s _reliably_ annoying. No worries about dead or defunct rarely used batteries when you have a cord tying you to the wall. The drill and bits are contained in their own carry case and everything else fits into a medium sized tool box which I will include. > > … > > Do you have any suggested modifications to this list? I would only add in a couple heavy-duty extension cords, such as a 25 ft and 50 ft to complement the drill and other miscellaneous tools. I agree that a corded drill is important to have, even if only as a back up to the cordless. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/58 "2014-06-11T20:32:44Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Off the wall, but essential–the thinnest, longest pair of forceps you can find… Good for getting hair out of the tub drain if the needle nose don’t fit. One of [these](http://zipitclean.com/) will generate unspoken _Thanks AT_s from the planet every time they don’t have to pour chemicals into the pipes, and from the niece and husband every time they don’t have to call a plumber or dismantle the P-trap themselves – because most tub/shower/bathroom sink bottlenecks are a combination of hair and the gunk that sticks to it. It’s such a simple recent invention and it’s astounding that it didn’t exist centuries ago. Most tool/hardware chains carry them now, they’re definitely at the big box places in the plumbing aisles, and they’re CHEAP! Oh…and why the 2 wax rings? 😕 –G! So…how many nieces do – wait, I’m already married!:eek: ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/59 "2014-06-11T21:01:01Z")
> [@Grestarian](#): > > One of [these](http://zipitclean.com/) will generate unspoken _Thanks AT_s from the planet every time they don’t have to pour chemicals into the pipes, and from the niece and husband every time they don’t have to call a plumber or dismantle the P-trap themselves – because most tub/shower/bathroom sink bottlenecks are a combination of hair and the gunk that sticks to it. It’s such a simple recent invention and it’s astounding that it didn’t exist centuries ago. Most tool/hardware chains carry them now, they’re definitely at the big box places in the plumbing aisles, and they’re CHEAP! > > Oh…and why the 2 wax rings? 😕 > > –G! Holy frijoles, G! :eek: I wouldn’t go after that clog in the picture without a priest carrying a large vial of Holy Water. 😉 2 wax rings because, unless you’re a plumber, you’re probably going to mess up the first one placing the toilet incorrectly. If Joey P. chimes in, he can probably give you the percentage of times that happens. Or–they ARE wax, I’m sure you can think of a scenario where WR #1 gets screwed-up before you get a chance to use it. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843/60 "2014-06-11T21:09:57Z")
Also two wax rings because they’re absurdly cheap but you absolutely have to have one and you will be _pissed_ if you have to go back to the store for a $2 piece of wax. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tools-as-a-housewarming-gift/689843.md?page=4)