tools every guy needs

[BlahBlahYouToo]

i'm not exactly handy around the house or car, but i'm somewhat of a DIY'er on basic stuff.
for the car i've done jobs like changing brakes (calipers, rotors, pads), oil, trans fluid, battery.

i'm less adventurous at home because i don't want to mess with plumbing/electrical/gas stuff because one wrong move could be thousands of $.
probably the biggest project was mounting my 42" plasma, which was just screws and bolts.

so anyway, i moved out a couple of years ago and don't have my own tools aside from a hammer, a flat and phillips screwdriver and a wrench which i plan to upgrade since these are all cheap pos.

i plan to start with this socket set.
might be a little overkill for basic work, but i figure it's craftsman and will last a lifetime, why not.

what else do i need?
should i get a set of screw drivers, or ones with changeable bits?
a drill and set of drill bits?

oh wait, this set comes with a screwdriver + 10 bits.

 

[ElFenix]

unless you buy snap-on you're not a real man

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
unless you buy snap-on you're not a real man

Or MAC Tools.

Then someone shoved their boot up my ass and I learned differently.

 

[KevinCU]

You need to get a Milwaukee drill and super sawzall.

 

[her209]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...935750000P?vName=Tools

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: ElFenix
unless you buy snap-on you're not a real man

Or MAC Tools.

Then someone shoved their boot up my ass and I learned differently.

i dated a girl once (just once), and one day she said to me, 'i need to go to the mac store.'

i was sorely disappointed.

 

[IronWing]

The socket set you picked is way overkill. A basic ~20 socket set with 3/8 drive or 1/2 drive should do ya. TrueValue, Craftsman are good enough brands.

A drill is the first power tool one should consider. I'm a reluctant convert to cordless drills.

I like the changeable bit screwdrivers for carrying in the car. At home, I prefer separate screwdrivers. Get decent ones, the cheapies will break or get chewed up.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: her209
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...935750000P?vName=Tools

is this really necessary?
would it be redundant to have standard sockets + flex, when i could just get flex and use them in all situations?

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: KevinCU
You need to get a Milwaukee drill and super sawzall.

The local Ace had Sawzalls on sale for about half off, trying to unload inventory. I was sorely tempted but I kept coming back to the point that I don't actually have any use for one. I do have a Milwaukee drill drill though.

 

[roid450]

A must is a hand grinder and a hammer or big mallet. the hammer is the mans best friend

The normal tool to always have at home and for cars is deffinetely a good socket set from 6mm all the way to 27mm if possible, and a 3/8 and 1/2 ratchet, preferably Craftsman or Huskey, both rather cheap compared to Snap On, Snap on is overkill if you're an average Joe that just wants tool for around the home. Also a ncie set of screw drivers of different widths and thicknesses.

 

[Zebo]

Overkill.

Try this
http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...tial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[Farang]

impact wrench

 

[l0cke]

Dremel!

 

[d33pt]

I started with that 260pc socket set, and now I have a 40" toolbox full of tools. That is a good start for mechanics tools, but you'll also have to buy a good set of pliers and screwdrivers right away. then just start picking things up as you need them to do the project.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

a couple of really handy misc. tools are:

4 in 1 screwdriver. Get a couple and leave one in the kitchen and the other in the tool box.
pair of lineman's pliers. These are really handy when you're doing electrical work.
couple of prybars of varying sizes.
a counter mounted vice is nice to have when you need to cut, hold, or break loose anything.
some vice-grip pliers of various sizes, including some needle nose.
hack saw, coping saw, pipe cutter
cordless drill

 

[nutxo]

Pipewrench. Washer seat removal tool.

Dont underestimate what you can use a dremel for around the house.

Hammer, screwdrivers allen wrenches a set of torx bits.

A decent 200 piece or so craftsman tool set from sears. There are better tools but you arent a freakin nascar mechanic and its nice to know when ya break something you can just walk in an exchange it without a reciept.

Duct tape, bailing wire.....

 

[QueBert]

Bosch 10.8v Driver

They have 2 newer models, I still like this one the best. Originally bought it for when I work on people computers. Which I do a lot, but it's way overkill for that. Since I've used it to install a towel rack and some other stuff around the house. Awesome power, pretty small, batteries last forever and charge quick. For driving screws into wood is actually works pretty well. Expensive but it should last me a long time, and it has handled every job I've thrown at it beautifully.

 

[Brutus04]

I agree w/ironwing; a basic 3/8 and 1/4 set is all you'll need unless you're a professional mechanic.
Cordless drill, skill saw, level, hammer, screwdrivers should get you started...ditto on the lineman's pliers. Sears has a set of pliers as well (dikes, needle nose, channel and regular pliers). Crescent wrenches come in handy too.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

I can't remember for the life of me what they're called, but I have a set of tools I use when I work on drum brakes. They're dead useful and maybe $40. Other than that, maybe a nice toolbag, a portable (and BRIGHT) light, air compressor, and leveler. Once you get going, things like knocking out walls, laying in-wall ethernet, drywalling, etc. aren't that scary. Heck, Popular Mechanics printed an article on how to frame a wall, and it's really pretty simple.

 

[Blackjack200]

I wouldn't buy too much stuff right off the bat, but to start, I'd buy a much smaller socket set, a multi-bit screwdriver (a ratcheting screwdriver with 13 bits should only be like $10) cordless drill, small set of drill bits, wood glue, painters tape, hammer, pliers, wonderbar, level, tape measure, and small flashlight.

I personally do much more stuff around the house than I do with the car, so as I need them I plan to buy the following

Random orbit sander
Sawzall
Circular Saw (get a speed square at the same time so you can crosscut studs)
Table Saw
Set of drawer clamps
claw-chisel
torch (propane or mapp)
extension ladder
stud finder (don't forget to test it by holding it close to yourself and turning it on)
air compressor
finish nailer/brad nailer
router/bits
staple gun
chop saw

obviously it would be a bit silly to buy it all at once...

 

[Newbian]

Don't forget a fleshlight with a 10 screw head pack...

 

[MovingTarget]

Down where I live, chain saws are a must. Gotta love hurricane season.

 

[rh71]

where'd you move to & from?

 

[Howard]

Harbor Freight occasionally has great sales on stuff. Up here, Canadian Tire discounts up to 60% on some decent stuff. Their return policy is fantastic too; they often exchange or refund products that are past their warranty period.

You'll want at least:

(1x) GOOD SAFETY GOGGLES

(1x) 6" digital caliper (I got a decent one for $15)
(1x) good tape measure
(1x) metric combination wrench set if you work on cars, ratcheting box is pretty nice
(2x) cheap ratcheting box end wrench sets, imp & metric (i got mine for $12.49 each)
(1x) good quality cordless drill (also get a corded if you need to do a lot of holes or long screws)
(1x) medium quality twist drill bit set, auger/masonry/spade bits as you need them
(1x) these or a set of screwdrivers; if you take tools elsewhere, the former becomes more convenient
(1x) automatic center punch
(1x) linesman's pliers (aka Channelocks)
(1x) good quality air pressure gauge
(2x) spirit level, long and short
(1x) caulking gun

set of clamps (spring clamps, bar clamps with pivoting torque handle, one-handed clamps)

toolbox(es), nothing wrong with plastic as long as the hinges are sturdy

you might need:

(1x) propane torch head with self-ignite
(1x) tube cleaning brush for whatever size copper pipe you have
(1x) pipe cutter (you might need to buy a small one later if you need to work in a tight spot)

(1x) socket set (don't bother with 1/4" drive)
(1x) ratcheting strap set
(1x) miter saw (sliding is nice, compound is sweet, sliding compound is $$$), might need to replace the included blade
(1x) jigsaw
(1x) well-fitting mechanic's gloves
air compressor
brad nailer
impact wrench /w impact socket set
imp&metric allen key sets
hole saw set
hammer drill
vise

 

[Leros]

I used to have a nice wood shop at my parent's house growing up. Now, as an apartment dweller. I have a $30 toolset from target