Desired content in a toolbox?

[razz]

I am going through DH's four toolboxes, a shed and garage and trying to figure out what I should keep and what I can set aside for family to select or a later handyman yard sale.
He has numerous sets of screwdrivers, wrenches (imperial, metric and odd sizes from Chinese equipment) plus hammers, drills, sets of screws, nails .........
I need a basic set of tools that I may need for the next 20 years for basic maintenance of lawn equipment, small household repairs and so on.

What should a basic toolbox contain in your opinion? Please be specific in items and the number of each..

[bae]

Step One: throw out low-quality tools.

Step Two: The Anarchist's Tool Chest, Christopher Schwarz

Step Three: Never dispose of high quality tools.

Step Four: If you do, there is a booming market in quality hand tools on Ebay. Nobody makes quality today that sells via "normal" stores.

[SteveinMN]

I agree with bae that poor-quality tools (the ones which are cheap when new) typically don't have a place in anyone's toolbox. But I can make an exception for some expensive or very specific tools which you won't often use. I have a basin wrench because it's the tool for a specific job, but it is by no means the best one I could buy because I use it once every five years or so.

My nominations for a minimal tool set:
- Screwdrivers in cross- and slotted heads. I've found it helpful to have a range of sizes from 1/16" wide to maybe 1/4" wide (going from sight memory here). I also would consider getting some Torx-head 'drivers; T10/15/20 should handle almost anything you run into; you could wait on these until you know you need them. Actually, what I have is two very good handles and a set of bits in cross/slotted/Torx/nut driver/etc. heads. They've never failed me (rounded off, chipped, etc.) and the bonus is they come with an adapter that lets me use them with my drill.
- Power drill, variable speed reversible, 3/8" is good. I prefer mine electric because I don't use it often enough to keep it charged all the time (a waste of electricity) and I don't want to wait a couple of hours to build a charge when I just want to get a job done. Plus, electric drills can be lighter because they don't have a huge battery pack at one end.
- A socket set is nice to have, but for a minimal set unnecessary IMHO.
- Pliers in various sizes, both slip-joint and Channel-Locks (that's actually a tradename but it's easier for me to describe them that way). Needlenose pliers are handy sometimes, but I wouldn't keep more than one unless you know you'll use it. Vise-grip type pliers can be handy sometimes in holding something against a fair amount of torque.
- Wrenches, both Imperial and metric. I find I use open wrenches far more than box-end wrenches, so I don't know as I'd stock a bunch of those unless you've already got good ones.
- A general-purpose hand saw. I'd also say have a miter box. You could get by with power saws, but a circular saw is overkill for many cuts and a jig saw often doesn't cut straight enough. I have all three kinds of saws now, but waited to buy the power tools when I needed them.
- A couple of hammer-type tools. I have a fairly standard claw hammer (12-16 oz head; I don't remember ATM), a smaller hobby hammer, and a mallet with both plastic and rubber ends. That takes care of anything I have to hit that hard. :) The hobby hammer gets very little use.
- A tape measure. I like the metal kind that rolls up into a casing and can be locked at a specific distance. My father preferred wood measures that unfolded.
- A level. Doesn't have to be huge; the one I use primarily is maybe 10" wide. Just not tiny. And while laser levels have their uses, they're not good everywhere and decent ones cost some $$.
- A hex-key set. More sizes are good; if you've got one of those all-attached-to-a-hub sets, they're not good for more than hobby use IMHO.
- Miscellaneous: a punch or awl; some clamps (C-clamps, quick-grips, etc.); utility knife (which uses standardized refills); some files/rasps (a flat moderatly-aggressive one, a thin/tapered one, and the one I seem to use most often, the round file); a couple of prybars (rather small and car-jack size should do ya).

I'm probably forgetting something, but that's my vote for now.

[fidgiegirl]

Good list, Steve.

I'd also add that one thing I gravitate to in tools is ones that fit in my small hands. It feels counterintuitive to get rid of it if you already have it, but if it's so big you'll never feel successful handling it, then perhaps you'd want to part with it and get more manageable sizes. Or, maybe your hands aren't small. :)

I also use a pair of leather work gloves frequently on maintenance jobs, and had to buy a pair just for myself. None of DH's are actually safe on me because they are so big I can't grip, etc.

I don't know if you have Craftsman brand among the tools, but the hand tools have a lifetime warranty, so that might be one brand to have an eye to keeping. Maybe there are better brands, I don't know that much about it, but my dad has a lot of tools and the Craftsman brand items have always served his needs well.

Ooh, I thought of one thing to add to Steve's list: a staple gun, if you have one already, but I wouldn't go out and buy one unless the need arose.

I wouldn't keep too many of the nails and sets of screws. We have what feels like millions of nails and screws and wall anchors and all that crap and we STILL end up going to the hardware store most times we're doing a project so we can select just exactly the right size or material of fastener. Drives me bonkers. This is why I love our neighborhood hardware store, because we can buy exactly the quantity we need, whereas at the big box store we have to buy a box of 20 or 50 or 100 or 1000.

[fidgiegirl]

Oh, and consider what kind of a toolbox you'll use. If a carrying one, don't keep one so big that when filled with tools you won't be able to lift it. They add up!

[razz]

Good info to consider.

I do have a multiple set of Craftsman tools that are almost 50 years old and looking good plus Mastercraft ones as well. DH, as many of you will do as well, liked a set for his workshop downstairs, another for his bench in the garage and another in the shed for the outdoor repairs plus another partial set that he kept in his truck.

Good thought about not worrying about the nails, screws etc. I can get them individually as needed so will put the mass of boxes aside.

The hardest part of making the transition is having a place to vent with questions like this one. So thanks so much for the input.

[SteveinMN]

Good adds, Kelli!

I have two sets of work gloves: a leather pair which I use primarily for garden tasks, and a cotton/wool pair with little black bumps all over them that I use for grip (and a little protection) when moving furniture/lumber/parts. I find the latter pair far more comfortable for longer projects.

And my toolbox is (gasp!) plastic -- that ABS they make trash cans out of. It's still a decent toolbox -- removable tray, lockable, piano hinge. The advantage is in not adding so much "tare weight" to the contents. It also has the bonus of not marring surfaces the way metal can. I'm not Tim Taylor ("Home Improvement"); I don't need to buy the most massive of anything.

Oh, and one item I might add is a jeweler's screwdriver (or two, in different heads). These are the tiny ones used on -- well -- jewelry, electronics, etc. where regular screwdrivers won't fit.

[danna]

Razz great question...my DH has been gone two years now and I have still not fully addressed this issue.
Just too much stuff and too little knowledge on my part so I have got rid of some by selling and giving away, but
there is still way more then I would ever use. There is no way he would have used it all either....lol.....; clearly when he
bought new he did not rid himself of the old. Also, he inherited his father's workshop/garage/cottage stash of tools, nails etc. and a lot of
these were old but not ancient so no real value.
Thank you all for the lists they are helpful to the one I had made myself.
My biggest angst is the nails, screws, bolt, electric bits, plumbing bits, so I think have also come to the conclusion
that they all need to be sold or donated. Every time I have needed something and spent time searching I mostly end up
heading to the store they have it all and it actually takes less time and doesn't usually cost that much.

[reader99]

I'm a widow also. I made a decision not to own anything I couldn't move by myself. So I agree with the idea of not making a toolbox too heavy. I use a tackle box, the kind with two divided trays that pull up when you open it. In the trays I have moderate amounts of whatever nails or other fasteners have come my way, plus small tools like a little screwdriver that bends around a corner. In the bottom I have a small hammer, the kind of screwdriver with replaceable bits so one handle works for all, a staple gun, two scrapers, a stud finder, a planer, a tape measure, tin snips, caulk remover, and some others I can't think of now. Hammer and screwdriver are the minimum. I also have an electric drill and a jigsaw.

[Gardenarian]

I use my Craftsman Robogrip pliers a lot. If you have a pair, I'd hang onto them.

I also use a stud finder pretty frequently.

I have a metal tape measure, but have found for everyday use that a regular old sewing tape measure is easier to handle. (Not sure what they're made of, some kind of plastic coated fabric? Anyhow, easier on the hands and easier to manipulate for smaller jobs.)

I've found that one of those screwdrivers that consist of a handle and changeable bit works for nearly everything for me - no need to have a bunch of cheap screwdrivers in many sizes hanging around. (Though I use my electric drill/driver a lot.)

I find that a couple sizes of screws are exceptionally handy - 1" and 1.5" #6 (smallish) wood screws and also deck screws - I use these a lot and always have them on hand. For nails, small nails for hanging pictures and minor repairs are the most handy (to me.)

I keep things like caulking equipment, work lights, glues, painting supplies, staple gun/staples in separate boxes (well marked) on our tool shelf. Also good to have a box with protective equipment - ear muffs/plugs, face masks, eye protection, gloves.

[ToomuchStuff]

I am going through DH's four toolboxes, a shed and garage and trying to figure out what I should keep and what I can set aside for family to select or a later handyman yard sale.
He has numerous sets of screwdrivers, wrenches (imperial, metric and odd sizes from Chinese equipment) Should be metric
plus hammers, drills, sets of screws, nails .........
I need a basic set of tools that I may need for the next 20 years for basic maintenance of lawn equipment, small household repairs and so on.

What should a basic toolbox contain in your opinion? Please be specific in items and the number of each..

First you need a good inventory. If you don't know what you have, you might get rid of something you would want, or buy another of it, not knowing you had it.
Then, what sort of repairs?


Step One: throw out low-quality tools.

Step Four: If you do, there is a booming market in quality hand tools on Ebay. Nobody makes quality today that sells via "normal" stores.

Step one (SELL), low quality tools (they do still sell at garage and estate sales.
Step three, well if a woman is never going to use a good crank puller, doesn't matter if it is good or not.
Step four, need a good definition of "normal" because while some stores may not stock something, there are a lot of things I can order from stores and some stores I frequent, may not be normal for some, but normal for others.


I agree with bae that poor-quality tools (the ones which are cheap when new) typically don't have a place in anyone's toolbox. But I can make an exception for some expensive or very specific tools which you won't often use. I have a basin wrench because it's the tool for a specific job, but it is by no means the best one I could buy because I use it once every five years or so.

My nominations for a minimal tool set:
- Screwdrivers in cross- and slotted heads. I've found it helpful to have a range of sizes from 1/16" wide to maybe 1/4" wide (going from sight memory here). I also would consider getting some Torx-head 'drivers; T10/15/20 should handle almost anything you run into; you could wait on these until you know you need them. Actually, what I have is two very good handles and a set of bits in cross/slotted/Torx/nut driver/etc. heads. They've never failed me (rounded off, chipped, etc.) and the bonus is they come with an adapter that lets me use them with my drill.
Multiple screwdriver sets, or at least the common sizes, like a number 2 phillips, for your kitchen/fix it drawer. I also like an emergency car set, but not everyone does or even could change a taillight.
- Power drill, variable speed reversible, 3/8" is good. I prefer mine electric because I don't use it often enough to keep it charged all the time (a waste of electricity) and I don't want to wait a couple of hours to build a charge when I just want to get a job done. Plus, electric drills can be lighter because they don't have a huge battery pack at one end.
- A socket set is nice to have, but for a minimal set unnecessary IMHO.

Since she mentioned lawn mower, this should be included (spark plug removal at the minimum)
- Pliers in various sizes, both slip-joint and Channel-Locks (that's actually a tradename but it's easier for me to describe them that way). Needlenose pliers are handy sometimes, but I wouldn't keep more than one unless you know you'll use it. Vise-grip type pliers can be handy sometimes in holding something against a fair amount of torque.
If she does any electrical or electronic, then dykes and a soldering iron
- Wrenches, both Imperial and metric. I find I use open wrenches far more than box-end wrenches, so I don't know as I'd stock a bunch of those unless you've already got good ones.
Combination wrenches are common, but if you have a set of box end and a set of open end, those are the ones to keep, as you will have two of the same size when needed, verses the one wrench.
- A general-purpose hand saw. I'd also say have a miter box. You could get by with power saws, but a circular saw is overkill for many cuts and a jig saw often doesn't cut straight enough. I have all three kinds of saws now, but waited to buy the power tools when I needed them.
- A couple of hammer-type tools. I have a fairly standard claw hammer (12-16 oz head; I don't remember ATM), a smaller hobby hammer, and a mallet with both plastic and rubber ends. That takes care of anything I have to hit that hard. :) The hobby hammer gets very little use.
Most of the women I know, keep the hobby hammer in the kitchen drawer tools for picture hanging.
- A tape measure. I like the metal kind that rolls up into a casing and can be locked at a specific distance. My father preferred wood measures that unfolded.
Both are handy, the wood one is the drawer, small item one.



Oh, and consider what kind of a toolbox you'll use. If a carrying one, don't keep one so big that when filled with tools you won't be able to lift it. They add up!

I vote keep the big one for storage, and keep a little one for portability to the job (for example, pulling out the plumbing tools to fix a faucet).


Razz great question...my DH has been gone two years now and I have still not fully addressed this issue.
Just too much stuff and too little knowledge ......
Also, he inherited his father's workshop/garage/cottage stash of tools, nails etc. and a lot of
these were old but not ancient so no real value.


That little knowledge can cost you by the last statement. There are tool brands that bring GOOD money by collectors, such as Plvmb (said Plumb), that is pebble style, or Bonney tools (that can go price wise with Snap on), etc. It could mean a good difference on Ebay, or an above average difference that makes you go auction over a garage sale.

To both of you, it is EASY to get rid of tools, it is much harder to acquire them. Unless there is some imminent need, (moving after losing the house, etc) there is no need to rush. (and the tools you give to your kids, may end up coming back over to fix things as needed). Just my thoughts.

[razz]

Lots of good info to consider so thank you all.

[bae]

Razz - another way to look at it is to ask yourself what skills you have or are willing to develop, and *then* look at what tools, in what configurations, you will need for those.

I like to be able to make anything ranging from a Neolithic hand-axe out of obsidian to a steam engine to a computer or digital radio from components, so my needs are different from someone who just wants to tighten loose screws and paint minor household items.

[razz]

I can do a lot of things or could learn for basic maintenance items but often, I get offers of assistance and simply need to have the right tools on hand.

Also, as I am sorting out stuff, the point about simply discarding some dubious quality stuff is really good.

I will probably move off the farm within the next five years and, using the advice received, would now select to fill a large metal box I have with some items for more occasional use and my fishing tackle box for smaller items used more often like a small wrench and screw drivers, some regular screws etc.

I cannot see myself easily moving into a condo or apartment so will need a variety of tools for the next 10+ years or more of living in a house with a yard.
This is all helping me get my head around the choices and options to consider.

[Rogar]

All good suggestions. One thing I would add for consideration is a small tool set to keep in the car for small emergency repairs while on the road. Though it might be on someones suggestion list, I have found that a couple of different sizes of pipe wrenches come in handy for plumbing leaks and repairs. I recently downsized my toolbox tools that were an accumulation from many relatives long gone. It's hard to decide what to keep, but there were many duplicates that I got rid of. I sold some pretty nice small hand tools on eBay without a problem, but they really didn't fetch a big price. I also took some tools to the Habitat for Humanity reuse store as a donation.