Of course, the tools.
A handy husband tends to have just enough tools to do a wide range of basic jobs. I have collected more tools over time when I needed something specific to do rare or one-time jobs (who really needs a screen spline tool more than once in their life?); I have also happened upon tools while shopping that just... spoke to me, somehow. I did not realize how badly I needed a drilling hammer until I saw it hanging on the rack at Home Depot. “Boy,” I thought; “I would use that a LOT.” Instant sale. And very useful, as it turns out. The more home projects you do, the more you find yourself gravitating toward tools that would have helped if you’d had it during a previous project, and you buy new tools knowing you’ll need them again someday. What you’re really doing is expanding your capability for new projects as you acquire experience and the right tools for the job.
I have compiled a basic list of tools that I find myself using on almost every project. Keep this set in a portable configuration, either a tool belt or a relatively small toolbox, no matter how big your collection is otherwise. You will find yourself running out to the garage over and over again if you don’t just take your portable set with you from the start. Some of these things are “duh” items; bear with me for all the beginners out there.
Basic handy tools
Hammer
Screwdrivers:
One large and one small standard
One #2 and one #1 Phillips
One each “stubby” -- very short screwdrivers to get into tight spaces
Offset screwdrivers (kind of a sideways screwdriver -- see pic)
Pliers
Needlenose Pliers
Channel Lock Pliers
ViseGrip Pliers
Diagonal Cutter aka Wire Cutters aka "dykes"
Tape Measure 25 feet is enough
Stud Finder
Utility Knife
Hacksaw for the portable tool kit, find a mini-hack
Utility Saw the bigger collection should have a wide range of saws
Small Prybar
Small Flashlight I personally LOVE Mag lights, but the darn things don’t have one-handed operation (on the AA-size ones, anyway). I use a Petzl Tikka Plus headlamp mostly
Rubber Mallet semi-optional but handy
Small (Torpedo) Level
Crescent Wrench
Monkey Wrench also optional due to size and weight, but have one in the bigger collection for sure
Finally, you NEED a couple of things that are indispensable but don’t count as part of the portable kit:
1) You must get a fairly powerful variable-speed portable drill with a comprehensive set of drill bits and driver bits. I advise a 12 volt model with a keyless chuck as well as interchangeable batteries and a separate charging setup so you can BUY TWO BATTERIES. This is critical to your success and happiness as a home handyman. As I mentioned previously, I don’t invest in super-heavy duty power tools, but a minor investment to get these features in a portable drill will be totally worth it.
2) A fairly decent ratchet and socket wrench set will serve you well. It’s something that can expand over time and will be more useful as you add components.
That’s about it for the basic tool set. I’ll get into the larger collection in a future post.
A handy husband tends to have just enough tools to do a wide range of basic jobs. I have collected more tools over time when I needed something specific to do rare or one-time jobs (who really needs a screen spline tool more than once in their life?); I have also happened upon tools while shopping that just... spoke to me, somehow. I did not realize how badly I needed a drilling hammer until I saw it hanging on the rack at Home Depot. “Boy,” I thought; “I would use that a LOT.” Instant sale. And very useful, as it turns out. The more home projects you do, the more you find yourself gravitating toward tools that would have helped if you’d had it during a previous project, and you buy new tools knowing you’ll need them again someday. What you’re really doing is expanding your capability for new projects as you acquire experience and the right tools for the job.
I have compiled a basic list of tools that I find myself using on almost every project. Keep this set in a portable configuration, either a tool belt or a relatively small toolbox, no matter how big your collection is otherwise. You will find yourself running out to the garage over and over again if you don’t just take your portable set with you from the start. Some of these things are “duh” items; bear with me for all the beginners out there.
Basic handy tools
Hammer
Screwdrivers:
One large and one small standard
One #2 and one #1 Phillips
One each “stubby” -- very short screwdrivers to get into tight spaces
Offset screwdrivers (kind of a sideways screwdriver -- see pic)
Pliers
Needlenose Pliers
Channel Lock Pliers
ViseGrip Pliers
Diagonal Cutter aka Wire Cutters aka "dykes"
Tape Measure 25 feet is enough
Stud Finder
Utility Knife
Hacksaw for the portable tool kit, find a mini-hack
Utility Saw the bigger collection should have a wide range of saws
Small Prybar
Small Flashlight I personally LOVE Mag lights, but the darn things don’t have one-handed operation (on the AA-size ones, anyway). I use a Petzl Tikka Plus headlamp mostly
Rubber Mallet semi-optional but handy
Small (Torpedo) Level
Crescent Wrench
Monkey Wrench also optional due to size and weight, but have one in the bigger collection for sure
Finally, you NEED a couple of things that are indispensable but don’t count as part of the portable kit:
1) You must get a fairly powerful variable-speed portable drill with a comprehensive set of drill bits and driver bits. I advise a 12 volt model with a keyless chuck as well as interchangeable batteries and a separate charging setup so you can BUY TWO BATTERIES. This is critical to your success and happiness as a home handyman. As I mentioned previously, I don’t invest in super-heavy duty power tools, but a minor investment to get these features in a portable drill will be totally worth it.
2) A fairly decent ratchet and socket wrench set will serve you well. It’s something that can expand over time and will be more useful as you add components.
That’s about it for the basic tool set. I’ll get into the larger collection in a future post.
