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The local newspaper ran a story on tools every household should have for Do-it-yourself. It was supposed to be a guide for women, but men could often use the advice as well. I'll give the list here, with a few of my personal comments and changes.
1. A claw hammer, 16 ounce.
>The point is to have one that's big enough to drive a nail, but is not too big to handle. One that's a little lighter won't hurt if you need it, but a tiny hammer is a mistake for general work.
2. Screwdrivers, one standard set including a few Phillips screwdrivers.
>You can get a standard set at a wide variety of stores. Sears' Craftsman sets are a good choice. I would however add that these days everyone has a computer. Computers use screws that are too small for most household screwdrivers. Get a set of smaller screwdrivers at your electronics store as well. Often with electronics tool sets you get other valuable things like sturdy tweezers.
3. Pliers. One pair Vise-Grips, One pair needle nose, One pair slip-joint.
>I don't know how people survive without needle nose pliers. They are great for anything small you need to hold or pull out of a tight place. Except as a light clamp, Vise-Grip pliers are something of a desperation item. They make a very poor substitute for a wrench. But if all else fails there is nothing like them. The important thing is that they must be clamped tightly on anything you want to turn or they will chew up whatever you are working on. They will leave marks, so be wary. Slip joint pliers are fine for light jobs for those who know how to use them, but for everyone I strongly suggest as a substitute, the kind of adjustable wrench called a Crescent wrench. The first time you have to take off anything screwed on tightly, the Crescent wrench will pay for itself. They come in a variety of sizes. One small (6" handle) and one medium (9" handle) will cover most things. This is something you don't want to skimp on. Buy them at the hardware store, not the grocery store, where you may get something sloppy and useless. I also recommend as something optional 'gas-line' pliers. They are a very large, easy to use version of slip joint pliers. They are great for all kinds of large nuts that are not put on too tightly, like metal plumbing nuts. If you change your own oil the are fantastic for getting the old oil filter off. Generally anything you take off with gas-line pliers ought to be put back on just with the fingers of the strongest person in the house. Using the gas-line pliers to reinstall for tightness is a mistake. Personally I love parallel-jawed pliers. The famous brands are Bernard and Sargeant. Another great tool for holding awkwardly small things, they can be used in place of a wrench where nothing needs to be super tight. They work better than small slip-joint pliers because there is less chance the nut will turn between the jaws. They come with a wire clipper which may also come on your needle nose pliers.
4. Handsaw
> They are talking about a classic wood-cutting saw here. Unless you are doing heavy remodeling yourself, this is something you can skip.
5. Tape-Measure. 16' with a locking feature.
>Many women will have a handy short tape measure for cloth, something I recommend all single men go out and buy. This is for longer measuring. 16' is the minimum, I'd suggest a 25' one instead if you have none. Longer than that gets difficult to use without help at the other end.
6. Volt meter or electrical tester
>Unless you are going to be actually working with electronics or electricity, I'm not sure either is necessary. A light weight lamp with an incandescent bulb is a good enough circuit tester for an existing circuit. If you plan to do something more adventuresome like rewire a lamp, a volt-ohm meter would be nice. If you are going to replace a wall socket an electrical tester can tell you instantly what you may have done wrong, where a volt meter would not. Replacing a wall switch really doesn't require either, just careful work.
7. Pipe wrench
> Sigh, I wish I could tell you this isn't true. Most people have trouble using pipe wrenches properly, which is what keeps plumbers out of the unemployment lines. Other kinds of large adjustable wrenches work better, but they can be very expensive. The gas-line pliers I mentioned above are a good substitute, but as I said above they must only be used gently when reinstalling plumbing. The one pipe wrench you must have if you need it, but probably no more than only once in your life is the one that's used to replace faucets in the kitchen. They have long handles and a flop-over head to get up in tight spaces. Don't get it till you need it. Hopefully a neighbor will have one you can borrow. They won't need it much any more anyway.
8. Electric Drill.
>Most people want to use cordless drills. Forget it. A cheap chorded drill is always more powerful and an extension chord is vastly cheaper, is usually easier to find than fresh batteries, and never needs recharging. The newspaper failed to mention you will need drill bits. Get a set with a variety of middle sized bits. Don't worry about tiny drills. Most people can't use them without breaking them. Don't worry about bits larger than 3/8 inch. If you need anything larger, you probably need sturdier equipment or professional help.
9. Circular saw.
>Pah ha! More people get into trouble with these than you can imagine. If you aren't handy with tools and the job requires that much saw, get someone else to do it for you! If power tools don't scare you in the least though, go for it. ETA A pro on the home makeover TV show lost the tips of his fingers with one of these this year. Don't mess around with one of these and don't let the kids use one.
10. Jigsaw.
>Forget it. A hand coping saw, your hardware store will know what that is, is a much safer, much cheaper, more versatile tool for doing once-a-year light sawing jobs. A jigsaw belongs in a woodworking shop where it will get a lot of use.
11. A Dremel tool.
> Men tend to abuse these. They are fantastic for light grinding, that is to get two wooden or soft metal somethings together that just won't fit. But they should not be used instead of a drill or a coping saw to remove a lot of matieral.
12. Electronic stud finder
> If you ever hang anything the least bit heavy on the wall you need to buy or borrow one. The newspaper recommends the kind that beeps. They are probably right. The kind with lights are cheaper, and that's the kind I have, but they are harder to use without being patient.
One they missed listing, but mentioned in the text. You need:
1. Safety goggles.
> You don't need them to use a screwdriver, pliers or a wrench. But with just about any other tool including a hammer you should use them.
Luxuries I recommend.
1. A dial caliper
>They are a little expensive. But if you need the size of something like a bolt or nut, which you just can't take to the hardware store, it's far easier to use than a measure.
2. A set of needle files.
> They do the work a Dremel tool can't reach, and a lot more delicately. They come in a variety of shapes to fit the work.
3. One medium-sized flat metal-working file.
> This is to remove sharp edges, and do work on wood or metal too delicate for the Dremel Tool. You can tell a metal-working file by its fine tooth size.
4. A rubber mallet.
> Sometimes a hammer is just too much for the safety of what you are working on. You'll probably use it more often than the hammer.
They are great for 'gentle persuasion.' An option is a double-headed mallet with rubber on one side of the head and harder plastic on the other. Older ones used leather instead of the plastic. They aren't the great brute force tool, but they are handy for smaller tapping jobs.
5. A combination square with metal scale.
>This is a woodworking tool. Absolutely invaluable if you are going to do serious wood work around the house. Not only will it give you a straight pencil line to guide your sawing, but most of them contain a bubble level which is something you'll really really need when you start putting things together in the house!
1. A claw hammer, 16 ounce.
>The point is to have one that's big enough to drive a nail, but is not too big to handle. One that's a little lighter won't hurt if you need it, but a tiny hammer is a mistake for general work.
2. Screwdrivers, one standard set including a few Phillips screwdrivers.
>You can get a standard set at a wide variety of stores. Sears' Craftsman sets are a good choice. I would however add that these days everyone has a computer. Computers use screws that are too small for most household screwdrivers. Get a set of smaller screwdrivers at your electronics store as well. Often with electronics tool sets you get other valuable things like sturdy tweezers.
3. Pliers. One pair Vise-Grips, One pair needle nose, One pair slip-joint.
>I don't know how people survive without needle nose pliers. They are great for anything small you need to hold or pull out of a tight place. Except as a light clamp, Vise-Grip pliers are something of a desperation item. They make a very poor substitute for a wrench. But if all else fails there is nothing like them. The important thing is that they must be clamped tightly on anything you want to turn or they will chew up whatever you are working on. They will leave marks, so be wary. Slip joint pliers are fine for light jobs for those who know how to use them, but for everyone I strongly suggest as a substitute, the kind of adjustable wrench called a Crescent wrench. The first time you have to take off anything screwed on tightly, the Crescent wrench will pay for itself. They come in a variety of sizes. One small (6" handle) and one medium (9" handle) will cover most things. This is something you don't want to skimp on. Buy them at the hardware store, not the grocery store, where you may get something sloppy and useless. I also recommend as something optional 'gas-line' pliers. They are a very large, easy to use version of slip joint pliers. They are great for all kinds of large nuts that are not put on too tightly, like metal plumbing nuts. If you change your own oil the are fantastic for getting the old oil filter off. Generally anything you take off with gas-line pliers ought to be put back on just with the fingers of the strongest person in the house. Using the gas-line pliers to reinstall for tightness is a mistake. Personally I love parallel-jawed pliers. The famous brands are Bernard and Sargeant. Another great tool for holding awkwardly small things, they can be used in place of a wrench where nothing needs to be super tight. They work better than small slip-joint pliers because there is less chance the nut will turn between the jaws. They come with a wire clipper which may also come on your needle nose pliers.
4. Handsaw
> They are talking about a classic wood-cutting saw here. Unless you are doing heavy remodeling yourself, this is something you can skip.
5. Tape-Measure. 16' with a locking feature.
>Many women will have a handy short tape measure for cloth, something I recommend all single men go out and buy. This is for longer measuring. 16' is the minimum, I'd suggest a 25' one instead if you have none. Longer than that gets difficult to use without help at the other end.
6. Volt meter or electrical tester
>Unless you are going to be actually working with electronics or electricity, I'm not sure either is necessary. A light weight lamp with an incandescent bulb is a good enough circuit tester for an existing circuit. If you plan to do something more adventuresome like rewire a lamp, a volt-ohm meter would be nice. If you are going to replace a wall socket an electrical tester can tell you instantly what you may have done wrong, where a volt meter would not. Replacing a wall switch really doesn't require either, just careful work.
7. Pipe wrench
> Sigh, I wish I could tell you this isn't true. Most people have trouble using pipe wrenches properly, which is what keeps plumbers out of the unemployment lines. Other kinds of large adjustable wrenches work better, but they can be very expensive. The gas-line pliers I mentioned above are a good substitute, but as I said above they must only be used gently when reinstalling plumbing. The one pipe wrench you must have if you need it, but probably no more than only once in your life is the one that's used to replace faucets in the kitchen. They have long handles and a flop-over head to get up in tight spaces. Don't get it till you need it. Hopefully a neighbor will have one you can borrow. They won't need it much any more anyway.
8. Electric Drill.
>Most people want to use cordless drills. Forget it. A cheap chorded drill is always more powerful and an extension chord is vastly cheaper, is usually easier to find than fresh batteries, and never needs recharging. The newspaper failed to mention you will need drill bits. Get a set with a variety of middle sized bits. Don't worry about tiny drills. Most people can't use them without breaking them. Don't worry about bits larger than 3/8 inch. If you need anything larger, you probably need sturdier equipment or professional help.
9. Circular saw.
>Pah ha! More people get into trouble with these than you can imagine. If you aren't handy with tools and the job requires that much saw, get someone else to do it for you! If power tools don't scare you in the least though, go for it. ETA A pro on the home makeover TV show lost the tips of his fingers with one of these this year. Don't mess around with one of these and don't let the kids use one.
10. Jigsaw.
>Forget it. A hand coping saw, your hardware store will know what that is, is a much safer, much cheaper, more versatile tool for doing once-a-year light sawing jobs. A jigsaw belongs in a woodworking shop where it will get a lot of use.
11. A Dremel tool.
> Men tend to abuse these. They are fantastic for light grinding, that is to get two wooden or soft metal somethings together that just won't fit. But they should not be used instead of a drill or a coping saw to remove a lot of matieral.
12. Electronic stud finder
> If you ever hang anything the least bit heavy on the wall you need to buy or borrow one. The newspaper recommends the kind that beeps. They are probably right. The kind with lights are cheaper, and that's the kind I have, but they are harder to use without being patient.
One they missed listing, but mentioned in the text. You need:
1. Safety goggles.
> You don't need them to use a screwdriver, pliers or a wrench. But with just about any other tool including a hammer you should use them.
Luxuries I recommend.
1. A dial caliper
>They are a little expensive. But if you need the size of something like a bolt or nut, which you just can't take to the hardware store, it's far easier to use than a measure.
2. A set of needle files.
> They do the work a Dremel tool can't reach, and a lot more delicately. They come in a variety of shapes to fit the work.
3. One medium-sized flat metal-working file.
> This is to remove sharp edges, and do work on wood or metal too delicate for the Dremel Tool. You can tell a metal-working file by its fine tooth size.
4. A rubber mallet.
> Sometimes a hammer is just too much for the safety of what you are working on. You'll probably use it more often than the hammer.
They are great for 'gentle persuasion.' An option is a double-headed mallet with rubber on one side of the head and harder plastic on the other. Older ones used leather instead of the plastic. They aren't the great brute force tool, but they are handy for smaller tapping jobs.
5. A combination square with metal scale.
>This is a woodworking tool. Absolutely invaluable if you are going to do serious wood work around the house. Not only will it give you a straight pencil line to guide your sawing, but most of them contain a bubble level which is something you'll really really need when you start putting things together in the house!
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Same for the safety glasses. This is a DIY handyman essential.
Something I finally broke down and spent the money on recently is a 25' automatic tape measure that has a switch to extend and retract the tape. It's paid for itself in reduced aggravation when measuring longer distances when there's no one around to hold the other end in place.
Also agree on the combination square with metal scale.
A few quibbles:
If one is handy with tools and understands the primary principle of power tools (respect the tool and never forget it can maim you), then I'd keep the circular saw and jigsaw on the list. Perhaps the circular saw could be replaced by a trim saw, but I'd still want one around.
I love my cordless drill and screwdrivers. (Yes, that was plural, heh). For most uses they've been just fine, and they're lighter to use. But I agree that there should be a corded drill as well because it's not having a charged battery but having adequate power where the cordless ones fail. None of them, not even the larger 14- or 24-volt ones, have the ooomph of the corded ones.
I have one larger 16 oz hammer and a hand-sized sledge hammer, but the one I use most frequently is the smaller 9 oz one, which I find adequate for most of the uses I have for a hammer (e.g. hanging pictures) and the lighter weight gives me better control for that type of application.
There's probably a regular cross-cut saw somewhere in the house, but the ones I'd recommend are a back saw (and a miter box) and a basic hacksaw. But then I have power tools for most times when I need to cut wood. And I take good advantage of Lowes' free cutting.
I have a couple other recommendations.
The first is to have a couple of levels. A small 12" one for things like hanging pictures, and a longer 36" or 48" one for checking level on other things. I've gotten a lot of use from these two tools.
The other recommendation I'd make is something I've done since the first home I bought, which had a basement and a second floor. I have a small hammer, a set of basic screwdrivers, a power screwdriver, a small level and a basic set of small pliers that I keep upstairs. Because I've learned that if I have to go two flights of stairs down and up and down and up to get and then put away those tools, I'll end up using something that wasn't meant to be used that way because I'm lazy. Also because I can have owie knees.
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I grew up in my father's metal working shop. We had woodworking equipment as well, but we rarely used it even for woodworking because much of it is so dangerous. We had a floor-size, metal-cutting, vertical band saw we used for most anything we sawed that was at all portable. It wasn't in any way an amateur piece of equipment, but it colors everything I look at in the way of sawing.
I also agree about having basic tools more than one place in a big house. Like one set in the kitchen or garage and one set in a distant bathroom.
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I think one of the other issues that the hand-held circular saw presents isn't with the tool but with the user who doesn't take the time to set up before going to town. clamps and straight pieces of scrap wood have saved me a lot of aggravation. But then instead of a metalworking shop I have a fairly decent wood shop. Although I envy you that band saw. *Tim Allen tool-growl*
Can you tell that the best place for me to kill time when time needs killing is in a hardware store? Over the years I've acquired a pretty decent collection of the 'odd' tools like pipe cutters and nippers and just recently a welding kit. Hee!
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;o)
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I don't have a place to keep items like a circular saw...darn. They kind of scare me anyway.
I used to own a chain saw, back in the day. Knew how to use it too!
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I have used a chain saw, and used know how to take care of one. But I've never owned one. ;o)
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But power tools, other than drills--not up for the big saws. And I'm not averse to tools--I can weld with the old-fashioned oxy-acetylene torch. I just don't trust myself around something that can cut my fingers off! And also have no place to keep it. My husband's less handy than I am (no, less willing! He can do it if he feels like it), so I usually wind up calling the local Handy Help for anything I can't do with 1-8.
And at the beach, we fortunately can call on my brother-in-law who just finished building his own house and can do anything.
Goggles, yes. I even use them when painting, often.
But thanks very much for all the details!