Starting My Collection of Tools

[Whunpo]

So I'm starting to become a a projects guy. Every week I seem to have some kind of new project that puts my hands and brain to work. A lot of times I'll be working on my bike or something of that nature, but more and more often I am doing small electronics projects. These projects require lots and lots of little tools. Most of the time I am able to improvise and/or borrow from my dad, but more than once I have been stumped by my lack of tools.

All of the seniors at my school have their last day tomorrow, and I'm realizing that in just over a year, I'll be leaving my house to live on my own. This means I'm going to have to start my own tool collection. I've decided that if I'm going to start my tool collection, I'm going to do it right. I want to get tools that will last, and serve their purpose.
So my first order of business is to get a screwdriver set. I'm looking for suggestions on brands, specific sets, whatever.
I'm running on a pretty low budget, so a fairly basic set of screwdrivers is all I need. Nothing too fancy. The only requirement of the set is that they have a good selection of torx bits. I'll need one probably as small as a T5.

So suggestions, personal experience, anything.

[Ultima Thulian]

Stanley fucking FUBAR. It's awesome.

As for screwdrivers, I dunno. I just know I love the FUBAR.

[boratika]

In my experience with tools*, you very much get what you pay for. So with a limited budget, I'd say go for fewer, better quality tools, rather than more, lower quality tools. Cheapies will make your life a misery.

Non-screw driver related advice:
When I was doing some renovations to a house, I discovered that a good quality stilson (plumbers wrench) is the best tool purchase you can make after a few generic screwdrivers. Those things just don't stop coming in handy.

Plus, you can't help but feel pretty mansculine weilding one of those.

*Which, if you ask civil, he will tell you is extensive.

[LarsenNET]

If you have a sears near by get craftsman. They are fairly cheap, ok quality and if you break it just bring it back with no hassle. If you want really quality tools get snap-on. Problem is they are really expensive so I won't bother unless your breaking your craftsman's.

[Superman's Dead]

Just in terms of screwdrivers, I'd suggest getting a yankee screwdriver and a bunch of the interchangable bits for it. You can use it like a regular screwdriver if you want, but if you're going to need power you can zip something in a lot better...even if its not as good as a drill. The technical director of our summer theatre brought his up last year and whenever we were out of drills it came in super handy.

Although...the pricing (http://www.google.com/products?q=Yankee+Screwdrivers&hl=en)for them I've found is a tad formidable. =/

[Bingley Joe]

Get yourself a decent cordless drill:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/3614264024_8db1aecf12_m.jpg

You don't need anything insanely big and powerful -- 12v should be more than enough torque for basic around-the-house jobs. Things to look for are a keyless chuck, two levels of torque plus variable speed trigger, a clutch, a couple of screwdriver bits clipped onto it somewhere (or at least a place to clip one of your own), and a bubble level at the back and on top (this is optional, but a major bonus).


Then get yourself a big-ass scew driver & drill-bit set:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3613444911_e95242102d_m.jpg

Try to find one that covers as many bases as possible, while also not offering a stupid combination of bits (the one pictured, for example, has like 8 sizes of those flat-head abominations..), and things you might never need (2-inch hole saw is something that's cheap and easy to buy if/when you need one, but you might never use). These are surprisingly cheap -- you should be able to find a decent combination of ~60 or so bits/drivers for about $40.

Pair it up with one of those multi-bit screwdrivers that will take any of these bits for when you want to do it by hand.


Get a decent hammer:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3613496179_309aedbd73_m.jpg

For hammering.


Get a decent tape-measure:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3613447093_ce04a4c65c_m.jpg

Doesn't need to be super fancy or measure down to 1/64", but get a reasonably fat one so that it will stay up over long stretches when you don't have anyone around to grab the other end.


Get a small (~8"-12") level:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3614264002_7f8d2ebdc7_m.jpg

The number of things you need to do around a house that are improved by being level are endless. Hell, even if only for hanging pictures, these things are super useful. Get one like this that reads plumb (vertical), level (horizontal, and 45-degrees.


Get some good needle-nose and broad-nose pliers. Side-cutters for wire are also nice, but you'll probably be fine with the ones in the pliers. Get rubber handles on these.


That should be a basic minimum around-the-house toolbox, and will probably serve you for most of the little projects you need to do.

Other useful items:

- A metal yardstick (more for drawing straight lines than measuring). You can combine this with your short level to improvise a longer level in a pinch by taking readings at different points along the length.

- A combination square
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3346/3614264066_fd647ff844_m.jpg
(makes measuring straight down from your nice level lines much easier)

- A decent hand saw (for cutting stuff)

- A decent hack saw (for cutting metal stuff)

- A sanding block and a few different grits of sandpaper

- A staple gun (for tacking down wires, etc)


The drill is by far the most expensive part of that list, but the nice thing about tools is that if you don't get the absolute cheapest crap you can find (and you do generally get what you pay for), they'll last a lifetime.

Three other things to always keep in mind:

- use the right tool for the right job.
- measure twice (three times in my case ;)), cut once
- any time you can replace a flat-head screw with something else (preferably a Robertson), DO IT!!

:)

[biosc1]

A decent cordless is huge. I have an 18V (6V will leave you disappointed) DeWalt that I absolutely love. It came with 2 battery packs and a recharger (Chrismas gift :))

The beauty of a great cordless is that if you combine it with a screw driver that comes with multiple long bits ( or any sort of drill-able screwdriver bits), then you can throw them into your drill as easily as a drill bit. Speaking of drill bits, depending on your circumstances, it can be crucial to have at least one nice concrete drill bit in your collection (they're cheap).

[Whunpo]

Wow guys, thanks, this thread is a well of information! Right now I'll probably just be purchasing this small set of screwdrivers (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000BDDG8Y/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance), but you guys have given me some of the exact knowledge I wanted. When I earn some money this summer I'll probably look into getting a nice cordless drill and a larger set of screwdrivers.

[digitalErich]

I say this as the son of a casual wood worker, and by casual I mean he built our house along with several other things, he just doesn't make a living at it...for any kind of forged or machined tool: hammer, chisels, drivers, drill bits, etc....spend money and get the good stuff.

If you get quality forged tools they can literally last a lifetime with only the occasional sharpening for bladed instruments. My father owns tools his father (and maybe even his grandfather) owned, and these aren't on a shelf somewhere, they are still used today.

And outside of the typical tools that anyone would know to buy, get a large t-square and large level. Sure, smaller versions work and are cheaper, but the larger ones are more versatile and more accurate.

[Serapth]

If you have a sears near by get craftsman. They are fairly cheap, ok quality and if you break it just bring it back with no hassle. If you want really quality tools get snap-on. Problem is they are really expensive so I won't bother unless your breaking your craftsman's.

I almost broke my hand when a wrench snaped in half. Basically resulted in me punching an engine block with some serious force. Split open the skin across 3 of my knuckles and like I said, almost broke my hand.

When it comes to wrenches, spend the money! I do remarkably little mechanical work and in my life I have experienced two snapped wrenches. ( Canadian Tire brand, which I think are the same manufacturer as Craftsman but I am not positive ).


These days, I have discovered the only two tools everybody needs.
http://www.futuregringo.com/2007November/phonebook.JPG

AND

http://weblogs.cltv.com/news/local/chicago/Money%20stacks.jpg

[Serapth]

I say this as the son of a casual wood worker, and by casual I mean he built our house along with several other things, he just doesn't make a living at it...for any kind of forged or machined tool: hammer, chisels, drivers, drill bits, etc....spend money and get the good stuff.


Just curious but did you have one of those uber wooden homes? I tend to find amateur woodworker ( and pro for that matter ) when you go to their homes its almost mindblowing the volume of wood. Wood walls, floors, cabinets, counters, cupboards, furniture, deck, railings, trim, patio furniture, etc...

[digitalErich]

It's not like something you would see in one of those woodworking mags (my parents are both teachers, limited budget when they were young and building the house), but we do have wood cabinets my dad made and installed, they are on about the 3rd deck my parents have built and some other stuff but nothing too fancy.

My father is only just now, in the last 5-8 years, getting into the more decorative side of things in his woodworking. He dabbled in the past, but his stuff was always functional first. He built our first kitchen table, but it was butcher block style made out of 2x4s if you can believe it. We still have it in storage somewhere.

Recently he's gotten into the more artistic side of wood turning using his lathe and a couple years back he built me a stand for my kendo armor and it's beautiful...smooth curves built with this great two-tone wood frame. It even has a "system" to it. It's basically a ladder and each arm holds a piece of gear can be unlocked and moved up or down the ladder to change the layout.

[diablopath]

My uncle is really into wood working. He's producing some amazing things with it. He made both of his children these epic clocks when they graduated. I admire the skill it takes to do such things.

[Vandabo]

Another vote for a cordless drill.

There are just so many things around a home or garage that they are needed for, or at least make much easier.

I just got a whole bunch of tools when my Grandpa died earlier this year... He would buy tools of all sorts and then put them away and forget about them, and then end up buying more of the same things later. Essentially all of his kids and older grandkids got nearly full garages worth of tools as a result.

[inmostlight]

Note that if you get a cordless drill, get one of the ones with the removable battery packs. Do not get the kind where you just plug it into a wall and let it charge up first. (A) Those are crap and will die quickly and (B) they don't have enough torque to reliably drill anything more substantial than particle board. OK if you only need a power screwdriver, but really you're better off spending a little bit more for a substantial return on your investment. The DeWalt listed above is a good choice, though I'm a Makita man myself...


If you're going to be doing any work at all in tight spaces, walls, or behind appliances, I recommend you get one of those things that's basically a powerful magnet on the end of a telescoping rod. It'll cost maybe two dollars at most and will save you so much hassle over dropped screws & nails, fishing stuff out of walls, or getting to places where your arm won't fit.

[Superman's Dead]

...Dewalt makes drills with LEVELS?!?!?!?!?!? I'm going to go harass my Technical director.

[boratika]

As far as cordless drills go, I'm a Bosch fan. In my experience, they are everything you have been led to believe about german engineering. (Same goes for my Bosch washing machine.)

[Mot Wakorb]

...Dewalt makes drills with LEVELS?!?!?!?!?!? I'm going to go harass my Technical director.

So does my Craftsman 18V - a lot of companies do it. I shy away from DeWalt, their products have been heading downhill as of late :(

Also - if you have a Lowe's nearby, consider Kobalt Tools. There's a reason they're pushing them so hard: Sears changed manufacturers for their tools a while back so Kobalt is the old Craftsman, who produced a superior product than the Craftsman of today.

[Superman's Dead]

So does my Craftsman 18V - a lot of companies do it. I shy away from DeWalt, their products have been heading downhill as of late :(



Our school buys DeWalt pretty consistently, and the fact that we bought one of their new drills this month with a slim battery that's supposed to hold the same charge but feels like it holds about half backs up what you're saying.

I went into shop and told a few of the other actor boys about drills with levels on the back. We all got really excited about it, then realized that we were actors and got a little depressed. Then we layed carpet with zip screws.

Once you get tools, Whunpo, you will be forever looking for ways to use them =)

[Bingley Joe]

Yeah, I just picked the DeWalt because it was the first thing that popped up when I searched "drill". I like Bosch or Milwaukee tools, but you pay a bit for those.

My dad is a contractor, and ever since his drill was stolen, he's been using a Ryobi that was amazingly cheap for how completely awesome it is -- you might want to give them a look, Whunpo. One thing I really like about that drill (besides the level) is that there's a clever little magnetic pad on the handle near the battery that holds screws and stuff. So simple, but so handy.

[Mot Wakorb]

Our school buys DeWalt pretty consistently, and the fact that we bought one of their new drills this month with a slim battery that's supposed to hold the same charge but feels like it holds about half backs up what you're saying.

My stepdad does all the maintenance for my mother's duplexes - he has a DeWalt power drill that doesn't hold a charge worth a shit, and he's gotten newer batteries for it with the same issue.

[Whunpo]

Our school buys DeWalt pretty consistently, and the fact that we bought one of their new drills this month with a slim battery that's supposed to hold the same charge but feels like it holds about half backs up what you're saying.

I went into shop and told a few of the other actor boys about drills with levels on the back. We all got really excited about it, then realized that we were actors and got a little depressed. Then we layed carpet with zip screws.

Once you get tools, Whunpo, you will be forever looking for ways to use them =)

Haha, you guys must have to a ton of set-con. I've only done set-con a couple times (as house manager I'm not required to), and but from what I could tell, all of the female actors will do absolutely nothing but paint. So I'm sure you boys have plenty of building to do.

Anyway, I'd just like to say all these suggestions are continually awesome.

[biosc1]

...Dewalt makes drills with LEVELS?!?!?!?!?!? I'm going to go harass my Technical director.

Mine did, until I used the back of mine to hammer something in...yes, I used the spot at the back of the drill that had a level in it...greenish yellow juice everywhere :(

As for batteries...mine has been pretty good, though it is almost 4 years old now, so maybe it was made before they went downhill. I have not noticed an issue with the 2 batteries not holding a charge, but I really don't use it enough in one go to notice.

[Superman's Dead]

Mine did, until I used the back of mine to hammer something in...yes, I used the spot at the back of the drill that had a level in it...greenish yellow juice everywhere :(



Us apprentices have a joke...If you're putting something in and you ask for a hammer, the first response is, "Got a drill?" You always use the battery pack to hammer, though. ;)

[Superman's Dead]

Haha, you guys must have to a ton of set-con. I've only done set-con a couple times (as house manager I'm not required to), and but from what I could tell, all of the female actors will do absolutely nothing but paint. So I'm sure you boys have plenty of building to do.

Anyway, I'd just like to say all these suggestions are continually awesome.

We had one girl who was shop foreman last year, she's probably the best at every aspect of everything I've ever seen. Designer, painter, carpenter, welder, she has it all. And she's hot.

But she's gone and we have more girls than the theatre has ever had before (We have 38 actresses), and they have avoided shop like the plague. Now that they have to do it, half of what we do is explaining stuff and damage control. THIS is how you use vice grips. Make it square like THIS. THIS is a straight edge. THIS wood is too small to keep. You need a screw that is THIS long. Two by four looks like THIS.

Blarglblarglblargl.

[Whunpo]

We had one girl who was shop foreman last year, she's probably the best at every aspect of everything I've ever seen. Designer, painter, carpenter, welder, she has it all. And she's hot.
Yeah, our props manager and co-stage managers are both girls and both did an amazing job at helping build the set. Unfortunately they're both graduating.
But she's gone and we have more girls than the theatre has ever had before (We have 38 actresses), and they have avoided shop like the plague. Now that they have to do it, half of what we do is explaining stuff and damage control. THIS is how you use vice grips. Make it square like THIS. THIS is a straight edge. THIS wood is too small to keep. You need a screw that is THIS long. Two by four looks like THIS.

Blarglblarglblargl.Yeah, most of the girl actresses at our theater have it figured out that painting is what they should be doing. If they try actually building anything, it's just more of a hassle than it's worth.

[boratika]

Mine did, until I used the back of mine to hammer something in...yes, I used the spot at the back of the drill that had a level in it...greenish yellow juice everywhere :(

Drills aren't for hammering. That's what stilsons are for!

[Superman's Dead]

So I just got a new job!

Hooray!

Three more days of delivering people food and then hopefully never ever again.

My new job? As a carpenter! I'm working for a company that does big events, parties, tradeshows, conventions, things like that and as such the work is really varied (which I like).

It also means I now get to buy tools, and use them properly. And I don't want to fuck around. If I buy a tool I want it to last for a long time. A LONG time. So while the price is a bit steep, here's what I'm starting off with:

DeWalt 18v Cordless Hammer Drill (http://www.coastaltool.com/a/dewalt/dcd970kl.htm)

I love the power hammer drills have, and I've seen DeWalt tools and action and know how durable they are. They last for years if you kick the shit out of them, so hopefully by getting the newest model and taking sweet sweet care of it I won't even have to worry about that for a long time.

That's also the online retailer I'm getting it from, as the price is cheaper than in stores and they offer free shipping.

As soon as I can get to a hardware store I want to get the bare minimum of things I'd like to have right now: a very good set of gloves (not too thick, plenty of articulation, but no fucking splinters in my fingers), a belt, a multitool (probably a Leatherman Wave), a really durable speed square, and my own tape measure.

After that? Well, since you asked...probably a corded Makita jigsaw, maybe a cordless DeWalt reciprocating saw (since I'll have the batteries)...mmmmmmmm....tools....

[Bone]

Craftsman (Sears) and Kobalt (Lowe's) are a great buy. Lifetime warranty at both stores, just walk in with the broken tool and walk out with a new one. Anywhere, any store.

Craftsman has a nice toolbox (briefcase shaped) with your basic screwdriver bits, socket wrenches both metric and American, and a couple of open-end wrenches. After that I recommend just buying the tool you need when you need it- it's easy to go nuts at the hardware store but I usually find that I don't need every socket wrench available, just a deep socket version of one size and maybe a couple extras of an identical size (for instance, when taking off a bike/motorcycle tire and you need identical wrenches on both sides of the axle).

You probably need a good woodworking hammer, and a rubber mallet for striking things you don't want to scratch or dent. Probably good to have a small hacksaw and a wood saw, but that's up to your project needs I guess.

[Dualshotty23]

If you have a sears near by get craftsman. They are fairly cheap, ok quality and if you break it just bring it back with no hassle. If you want really quality tools get snap-on. Problem is they are really expensive so I won't bother unless your breaking your craftsman's.

My Dad is a mechanic and has the standard 5000 dollar snap-on toolbox filled with 20,000 in snap-on, mac, blue point, etc...

tools are his pride and joy and when i went went to get a mechanics and auto body license and training his words to me were do yourself a favor and buy craftsman. sure the snap-on stuff is great but nowadays sears will replace all broken/not perfect tools and they cost about 1/10th as much. i have a full set of craftsman everything from torque wrenches, impact drills, etc...

there are two things i would spend more money on.
1) craftsman toolboxes cant hold very much for very long without going to shit and for the money they are no longer a deal. (best toolbox for lowest money are U.S. general boxes found on sale at harbor freight) speaking of harbor freight never ever ever buy any metal or hand tool from them, it will break and you will hurt yourself.

2) For everyday wrenching i did go to a pawnshop pick up a snap-on ratchet in 1/4 inch, 3/8, and 1/2 inch drives then take them to a snap-on truck said they felt gritty and skipped every now and then and they rebuilt them good as new. craftsman ratchets are good but snap-ons are much smoother and the older ones are much finer (have almost twice as many cogs on the gears.)

in short buy craftsman except for toolboxes and it will last you for life. snap-on gets to be a pain in the ass trying to track down a truck to fix your shit.

[SpacemanSpiff757]

If it hasn't been said already, find a nice selection of TORX screwdrivers or bits. I bought a set a while ago when Sears was doing Christmas sales and they have come in handy a number of times, especially on electronics

[biosc1]

Thread necro for the most amazing tool I haven't heard of until I stumbled across it at Home Depot while buying a crimping tool (also handy).

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4687/img2012052200002.jpg

I can't even remember how I used to strip Cat5 cable before and it only cost a few dollars.

[AntonThaGreat]

Thread necro for the most amazing tool I haven't heard of until I stumbled across it at Home Depot while buying a crimping tool (also handy).

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4687/img2012052200002.jpg

I can't even remember how I used to strip Cat5 cable before and it only cost a few dollars.

How the hell does that work?

[biosc1]

How the hell does that work?

It's like a copper pipe cutter. You fit the cable into the groove that gives it a snug fit and then spin it around and it'll cut off the outside jacket without touching the insulation on the inside wires.

Similar tool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AijuC8Nb_E&t=0m25s

[fitbabits]

I just bought this for $50! (http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=314803-16878-61294&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3107683&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=rel&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1&AID=10926682&PID=4485850&SID=9cpueKQwEeGZMX6F092uNw45d04&cm_mmc=AFF_CJ-_-Slickdeals+Inc-9cpueKQwEeGZMX6F092uNw45d04-_-1122587-_-10926682)

I lost most of my tools when my ex-wife and I divorced, so I'm steadily rebuilding my collection.

[biosc1]

With ratchets? Nice. I still need to get a ratchet set.

Each time I need a ratchet, I go "I'm going to go buy one", then I make due with what I have and forget to buy one until the next time I need it.

Alas, last time I went to buy a ratchet set, I ended up coming home with a mitre saw, circular saw, dremel, and a palm sander.

Just used the mitre saw the other day and HOLY CRAP does that make me feel manly.

[fitbabits]

With ratchets? Nice. I still need to get a ratchet set.

Each time I need a ratchet, I go "I'm going to go buy one", then I make due with what I have and forget to buy one until the next time I need it.

Alas, last time I went to buy a ratchet set, I ended up coming home with a mitre saw, circular saw, dremel, and a palm sander.

Just used the mitre saw the other day and HOLY CRAP does that make me feel manly.
Next time you go tool shopping, plan to buy a miter saw, circular saw, Dremel, and a palm sander. Chances are you'll come home with a ratchet set. :)

[Joshkdmw]

Just make sure your tool kit includes DW-40 and a high-quality duct tape.

Fucking trust me on this one, will you?

[fitbabits]

Just make sure your tool kit includes DW-40 and a high-quality duct tape.

Fucking trust me on this one, will you?
Do you mean WD40? If so, I have tons of the stuff (and good quality tapes).

[muddi900]

You know what I hate? Torx is standard now, at least on all of my sexy electronics. I still can't find decent tools. Also, this the only tool you need when crimping:
http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-RJ-11-RJ-45-Crimp-TC-CT68/dp/B0000AZK4G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337712684&sr=8-1

[Joshkdmw]

Do you mean WD40? If so, I have tons of the stuff (and good quality tapes).

FUCK. Yes, that's what I meant.

[biosc1]

Also, this the only tool you need when crimping:
http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-RJ-11-RJ-45-Crimp-TC-CT68/dp/B0000AZK4G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337712684&sr=8-1

Pfft...this is what I have - Ideal Crimper / Stripper (though, it's not as handy as stripper as the one above) - http://www.homedepot.ca/product/economy-mod-plug-kitt-rj11rj45/900024

[fitbabits]

Pfft...this is what I have - Ideal Crimper / Stripper (though, it's not as handy as stripper as the one above) - http://www.homedepot.ca/product/economy-mod-plug-kitt-rj11rj45/900024
That's sexy!

But not as sexy as... (http://www.amazon.com/Bed-Head-Bh307cn1-Totally-Crimper/dp/B004W2OQPC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337714520&sr=8-1)

[biosc1]

That's sexy!

But not as sexy as... (http://www.amazon.com/Bed-Head-Bh307cn1-Totally-Crimper/dp/B004W2OQPC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337714520&sr=8-1)

2"? No lady will want that!

[fitbabits]

2"? No lady will want that!
Two inches is about all you're getting.

[roboninja]

I got a hammer a couple of months ago.

I am from the Serapth school of home repair.