Comments on: Essential tools for the household handyman

By: Jim K

Jim K — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:45:20 +0000

I think I’d go with a jigsaw instead of a circular saw for most people’s needs. The old models weren’t too good but they have improved. I recently bought a Bosch jigsaw and was amazed at the quality of its cut — and it will cut curves. Try that with a circular saw. It’s also much less intimidating for the people this kind of list is aimed at.

By: remodelista, expanded (in beta)! « The Improvised Life

remodelista, expanded (in beta)! « The Improvised Life — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:45:42 +0000

[...] me to useful sites I didn’t know about, like Unclutterer, where I found a good post about essential tools to have for projects and figuring out [...]

By: Lynne

Lynne — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:09:14 +0000

I can do basic things around the house, but the one thing that always worries me is: when I drill through something, how can I be sure there isn’t wiring on the other side? Handymen with some knowledge may laugh at me, but I would really like to know if there is some way of knowing.

By: mike smith

mike smith — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:40:13 +0000

It’s fun to read about tools and handyman stuff, thanks for a great article. There are two things I thought I’d add.

The 4-in-1 or 6-in-1 screwdrivers are actually a good idea. One tool to take to the “job site” and cuts down on trips back to the bucket – “because all I need is a phillips”. Famous last words

Also you can pull the entire assembly out of the handle and chuck it up in your drill for a handy drill bit extension on-the-fly.

The second tool I’d add is patience. Take your time and think the project through.

By: C C

C C — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:18:39 +0000

I am a woman, 53, and love my tools!
I’ve thrown away too many to ever suggest buying cheap! Go for the best -always. (I prefer Craftsman with their lifetime warranty.) Start simple. I like the idea of borrowing first. This helps you whittle down the amount you really ‘need’ from recommended lists.
Cord vs. cordless drills…I began with a manual drill, moved to a corded, then to a cordless, had battery failure returned to corded – hated it, and returned to cordless with new, better batteries. I’ve had the same drill/driver for 20 years now. It’s a 14.2 Makita I never got rid of it. When battery technology upgraded, I did, too.
I agree some may have difficulty with the weight of a cordless drill and should be careful not to drop it on the foot!
I liked reading the suggestion about a miscellaneous box. Often I find what I need faster there than going to a store.
I own a circular saw. I would NOT recommend it to a beginner handyman. A small jab saw or borrowing a power saw would be a better option.
I agree also about not lending your tools. Go with them and help. There’s more opportunity to help and teach a new generation. You might even get a free cup of coffee and a precious thank you!
Have fun but be careful!
CC

By: Tools You Need

Tools You Need — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:41:46 +0000

[...] Essential tools for the household handyman For starters, don’t be foolish when using this item and end up in the hospital. Simply use it for things like safely cutting cardboard or rope, and you should be fine. [...]

By: Hustle Strategy

Hustle Strategy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:01:37 +0000

a stud finder? that doesn’t seem to be a requirement, but all good. Everything else looks great. I would swapt the stud finder for a decent cordless drill though. nothing like saving time with a screw driver…

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:47:09 +0000

You only need metric if you’re working on an Asian car? Sorry thats just plain wrong. All European, and a lot of American cars (My Chevy TrailBlazer for one) use metric nowadays. If you buy something from Ikea, guess what? It uses metric if you need to use a bolt.

By: Weak Girl

Weak Girl — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:43:49 +0000

It sounds like the Cordless vs. Corded Drill argument is nearly beat to death, but I have another thought that might help someone just starting out. I would not recommend buying a cordless drill unless you’ve actually tried working with one. I have very little upper body strength, and the weight that a battery adds to a standard-size, high-quality cordless drill makes it so that I cannot effectively use it – I mean, I can barely lift it, and certainly not above my head.

I found that the extension cord I needed to plug in my corded drill has come in handy for other reasons as well. I also don’t miss having to keep cordless drill batteries charged.

By: Angie

Angie — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:19:49 +0000

Laugh if you must, but a little upholsterer’s nail claw, about the size of a conventional screwdriver, will get into places no clawhammer will reach, pull out nails which have lost their heads, will open paint cans, and take up practically no space.

By: jgodsey

jgodsey — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:04:59 +0000

’some dude’ is right, this list is designed to generate discussion and discord, because it is pretty badly selected.

Much modern furniture and equipment use metric size nuts so metric wrenches do come in handy.

As for pliers nothing beats Linesman pliers as an all around tool. When you have to chose ONE tool to climb a ladder with, you take them. They cut wire, can act like a wrench, can pull nails if you get a grip on it and if you really stuck, it’s a hammer.

a Corded drill is handy to have around like a corded phone, for when the cordless hasn’t been charged.
If you have a corded drill you rethink doing anything because you have to take it out and find the extension cord. With the rechargeable always plugged in, you are more likely to deal with things RIGHT NOW.

Circular saws are practically useless in an apartment or house without a workshop area. Have anything that needs cutting with a circular saw, cut AT the store/lumberyard. Home Depot makes cuts for free.

Get a large back saw and a mitre box, it will do you for anything smaller than a 2×6. No electric cord to plug in.

And having ONE stubby screwdriver can save your sanity. They invent these things for a REASON. Many things are assembled in the factory and the final result may not have clearance for a 6″ screwdriver handle at every screw point.

As for tape measures, my 6 foot tape measure has saved my ass more times than i can count. Use it for measuring shelves, spaces for furniture and then take it with you when you are shopping for used or new items. Get BOTH 25 foot and a 6 foot.

Another tip, DON’T BUY A METAL TOOLBOX, looks great, but it will fill up quick. Buy a name brand plastic one with a good handle, get it slightly bigger than you think you need but not bigger than the bottom of your closet. It weighs less and you will be more inclined to carry it. The bucket and canvas aprons are good for intermediate projects, but not long term storage for your tools. your tools get destroyed and the bucket collects dirt, nails and rust.

btw channel locks are not the same as slip joint pliers. You need both of those as well.

and buy GOOD BRAND NAMED TOOLS. nearly every brand name hand tool is guaranteed for life. master Mechanic, Stanley, Craftsman and so on. Don’t skimp on tools. If a tool breaks it can injure you and screw up your job. It is not worth it to be cheap.

Start with the basics and then add as you go. Tools attract other tools, and DON’T LEND THEM. Offer to do the task with your tool, but don’t let other people walk off with your investment.

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:30:26 +0000

I second the wire cutters. I worked an industrial job for five years and had a tool belt on each day that only contained channellocks and a wire cutter.

Also, I agree with the Dremel. They are the size of a flashlight and I use mine for tons of jobs I don’t have any other tools for even though I have a great selection of the things mentioned in the posts above.

Please add safety glasses to your list and USE them! I could not work without my leather gloves either. They make them small enough for women’s hands nowadays!

How about a post about painting tools and gardening tools now?

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:15:14 +0000

Need an emergency flathead screwdriver? Use a sturdy butter knife. Have drywall and need to find a stud to hang a picture? Knock on the wall to find the general area, then hammer the nail in as many times as it takes to hit the stud. Chances are your test holes won’t show after the picture is hung. If the holes do show, use some drywall compound (or white toothpaste) on your finger to fill the holes. If your walls are white, you won’t even need to paint. Don’t use spackle to fill holes in the wall.

By: Erin Doland

Erin Doland — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:12:07 +0000

@Sarah — We did a nice big Thesaurus search before we ran this article and could not find a more appropriately descriptive word than “Handyman.” “People who use tools in their homes” is a ridiculous amount of words to convey the same meaning. We didn’t mean anything negative by it.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:37:27 +0000

Alright, are we in the 21st century? Can we get beyond the word “HANDYMAN”?? That’s really retro. Women love and need their tools too.

By: Mac McGann

Mac McGann — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:38:44 +0000

I have also have to take exception to the corded drill recommendation. I have used cordless drills since they hit the consumer market. The new lithium ion batteries have taken the cordless drill to new heights. If I had to limit my tools to one, it would be my cordless drill.

By: Brooklynchick

Brooklynchick — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:01:59 +0000

First, have to echo that Craftsman tools are the best.

Second, lots of towns and municipalities have tool lending libraries so you can borrow tools you need only rarely – better even than owning!

By: gumnos

gumnos — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:06:42 +0000

I find that most drills come with a few screwdriver bits, which allows you to use your drill like an electric screwdriver. Drills offer igher torque when you need it, and usually have simple controls to prevent overdriving/stripping the screws. Thus I find an electric screwdriver a uni-tasker that can easily be replaced with my multi-tasking drill (though there are still times an old-fashioned screwdriver is in order, 5 of those fill most jobs — a big and little version of both Phillips & flat-head, and an eye-glass screwdriver)

By: Tubin

Tubin — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:20:19 +0000

The original list cannot be complete without a vise grip pliers and a pipe wrench. Virtually every plumbing job is made infinitely easier with those tools. The Vise grips can do much of what your typical adjustable pliers can do, so perhaps substitute them in.

I don’t agree with the circular saw. Household jobs rarely require a lot of wood-cutting all at once; when they do, rent a powertool from home depot for the weekend. For cutting the occasional board to length, get a Japanese-style pullsaw – teeth on both sides, one side for ripping and the other for crosscut.

I like my cordless drill… and the original batteries lasted about a decade before I had to replace them.

Buy a racheting screwdriver with multiple bits. Mine is one of those 14-in-one. You’ll be grateful you did, the first time you’re assembling something with more than 5 screws.

I’m slowly moving over to using a laser level instead of my long aluminum one. It doesn’t take up much space and it’s often actually easier to use.

If you do a lot of repairs, keep an “oh, crap” box of small parts that you can go grab when you say “oh, crap, I need a little screw/washer/nail/hinge/etc”. Saves many a trip to the hardware store – and takes up less space than that circular saw I crossed off the list!

By: Dustin Boston

Dustin Boston — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:27:15 +0000

What I’ve simply done is to summarize the tools required for most household jobs, not all. And although this list is good for apartment dwellers, it will likely be most valuable to homeowners.

At the very least, it is informed: My grandpa, dad, and his brothers have all owned a hardware store (and still do). Every member of my family, including uncles, aunts, wives, cousins, *and me* have worked hardware at some point. I may as well have been raised by a hammer and a awl.

My point (get it) is that these tools are the tools which seem to be the most common and useful on a regular basis (with a few exceptions). It’s at least worth considering that the other stuff may just be clutter.