What Tools Would You Guys Recommend as Must Haves for a Toolbox?

LPaavam on 10/06/2023 - 22:47

Hi everyone,

Hope this post finds everyone well.
I was just after some veteran advice on what items are must haves for a comprehensive toolbox, so far I've added the following to my bargain hunting list:

Socket set
Screwdriver kit
Tape measure
Drill and Impact driver
Handsaw
Hammer
Duct Tape, Insulating Tape, Double sided tape
Spanner
Pliers

These are just off the top of my head, but I'm a complete novice at this kind of stuff, just want to have a decent setup to prevent myself running out and buying random things here and there

Home & Garden Hand Tool Tool Box

Comments

  • elgrande on 10/06/2023 - 22:53
    +3

    Stanley knife

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 10/06/2023 - 22:53
    +18

    I've bought according to what I've needed to complete a job. No point spending good money on dust collectors, or tool box ballast.

    • Paavam on 10/06/2023 - 23:07

      Yeah I'm more used to this but I usually end up buying lots of cheap stuff here and there and then losing it along the way (usually just sits in a woolies bag lying around). So with that recent SCA toolbox deal thought might give it a crack at keeping things organised and getting the stuff that actually lasts (had a few spanners snap on me)

      • Euphemistic on 11/06/2023 - 09:21
        +2

        So buy the tool box now and fill it with what you’ve got. Then you’ll also have a spot for new tools if you get them.

    • iminabrons on 11/06/2023 - 10:54

      I agree but on the other hand half the fun of being a "handyman" is buying more and more and more tools.
      i.e. I have 10 drills 7 for the garage and 3 for home. And still, my subconscious can connive to get me to buy another one. Ideally, it tells me, my life would be perfect if I had a drill for every bit that I own.

  • boomramada on 10/06/2023 - 22:56
    +4

    In Ozb, anything from Knipex or Wera

  • Mechz on 10/06/2023 - 22:58
    +6

    I'm still going through a pack of 1000 zipties I bought 23 years ago. They're still good!

    But as above, buy it when you need it but also, buy decent quality so you never have to buy it again.

    • Paavam on 10/06/2023 - 23:10

      Ooh this might be entering into another thread topic, but what is "decent quality" nowadays. I saw that sidchrome deal the other day and people saying how it's not what it used to be. Are there any brands that are good quality for their price (both in hand tools and power tools)? I guess also, any recommendations on what to look for when assessing them in person before buying?

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 10/06/2023 - 23:16
      +1

      I've got some Sidchrome tools that are almost 50 years old. Still going strong. A Stanley smoothing plane from around the late 70s that still does the job.
      Power tools, however, have been upgraded to 20V brushless.

      • UnternamenBernhard on 10/06/2023 - 23:23

        Ya canna hand a man a grander spanner- that was when they were Australian made. Sorry now they are no longer. Stanley planes- you hang on to that one- it probably has cast in USA, UK or Australian foot plate- out of proper quality metal not Communesium. Bear in mind a lot of Soviet tools made in colder climes were superb. Especially the East German DDR. I have a friend in Germany who buys Swiss and West German made power tools from 1970s and 1980s and refurbishes them. Does a great trade.
        Stupid governments think manufacturing is dirty, nasty and environmental vandalism, and everyone should have useless humanities degrees- so the Government can fudge the unemployment figures and hide unemployeds as students and jobseekers in theier statistics or credit-rating. If only the government was completely transparent to the ratings agencies- they'd actually be culpable for shtful policy.

        • Paavam on 10/06/2023 - 23:28

          I think the government should put that import GST up a bit more (also hit the resellers with one too instead of exempting them) and use it to subsidise Australian made products for Australia. We have so much potential in this space as well as for premium exports to other countries. I guess you'd run into locals from here reselling to other countries and pocketing the profit, but I'm sure there's ways to monitor that

          • UnternamenBernhard on 11/06/2023 - 00:17
            +1

            @Paavam: Want to see how much we've lost- the bad old days when Australia had a manufacturing and export industry. And look- women even the "disabled" are working! Yes we were all such unenlightened bigots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gGoFQx4bKI

            Billy Conolly said it best, "What happened to all those odd looking folk we used to have?""When I went to work we'd have one guy with one leg shorter by a foot than another, another bloke with only one arm?"

            • terrys on 11/06/2023 - 10:27

              @UnternamenBernhard: "What happened to all those odd looking folk.."

              Nanny-state OHS&W imposed by Commo Sirian Lizards disguised as lesbian whales following a secret plan coded in the Torah.

              Have you tried getting your chimney cleaned lately? The kids won't think of it. The free-market will soon sort that namby-pamby nonsense out!

      • iminabrons on 11/06/2023 - 10:57

        Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't 20v just a marketing way of describing what is in reality 18v?

  • Gnilgorf on 10/06/2023 - 23:12
    +2

    Welp, as others have said, buy as you need and your toolbox will grow organically with stuff you actually use.

    With that said, I'm guilty of shotgun buying some tools (thx ozb) but with the knowlege that I have projects ive been putting off cause I didnt have the right item, or I wish I had it last time when I did X and would likely need to do that task again…

    Oh a good metric Allen key set~

    • Paavam on 10/06/2023 - 23:17
      +2

      Yes I share this sentiment, I may be getting a bit carried away seeing some of the deals recently. I'll probably keep an eye out for the common stuff that I know will be used. PS: If anyone from SA is reading this, theres a 12 piece Sidchrome spanner set on clearance at Bunnings Modbury ($99 from 199.98), just one left on the shelf

      • UnternamenBernhard on 10/06/2023 - 23:23

        go grab it now

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 11/06/2023 - 08:43

        The Goolwa Wharf Markets every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, usually have a stall with old tools, can be a bit pricey but some gems amongst the stock.

  • UnternamenBernhard on 10/06/2023 - 23:17
    +2

    Socket wrench in metric- 1/4 inch. Must be proper manufacturer- nothing Chinesium-. Buy Snap-on- it's replacement for life. It's a buy once, cry once deal.
    Sidchrome used to be great- "You Canna Hand A Man A Granda Spanner " now sadly not. Repco used to I think sell Craftsman or another good brand but now no longer. Even a lot of German companies have gone full Chinesium, which is extremely sad.
    https://madeingreatbritain.uk
    https://www.camerontools.com.au/quality-australian-european-…
    https://www.usalovelist.com/american-made-tools/
    https://www.misterworker.com/en/blog/best-german-tool-brands…
    https://allamerican.org/lists/tools/

    • Euphemistic on 11/06/2023 - 09:10
      +2

      While I agree that quality is important, the level of quality you need is proportional to the jobs you are doing. No point spending a mint on a socket set that will only ever have two sockets and a ratchet used three times each.

    • terrys on 11/06/2023 - 10:47

      There is quality, then there is gilding. Years ago I had a set of Indian made open-ended spanners. The shaft was polished in the sides, but the handles were fairly rough looking, but not in so as to be uncomfortable to use, just fairly cheap looking.

      The jaws were burnished to a high polish and the 5/16" - 7/16" AF stayed tight and square for years even after being used with an 18" pipe for particular stubborn nuts when rescuing rare parts from vehicles abandoned for years in a tidal swamp.

      ETC was another 'budget' name - It seem the Japanese hadn't noticed that the chrome finish the yanks admired so much was porous and needed a bit of nickel plated first to stop it shedding like acrylic paint of an unwashed enamel painted wall. They looked like crud after a year or too, but didn't rust and didn't suffer too much from the copying error inherent in taking your initial standard measurements from imported U.K. vehicles using pre-1940s equipment which meant Japanese Imperial standard AF spanners were always just a thou or two oversize.

      As I was in NZ, and felt a bit of local support was needed, I also set out to buy Australian goods. The first set of spanners with the undocumented "will expand a bit to make it easier to slip on next time" feature in the 70s was bearable if I was working on an old pushbike, but when the glass of the new wing-mirror I was adding to my car dropped out the first day I fitted it, and the sticky patch of glue that had been its attachment had gone a little stringy in the summer heat and had a strong whiff of spearmint, I gave that idea a rest for a while.

    • TheOtherLeft on 11/06/2023 - 11:27

      There's no way a home DIY'er can justify Snap On…unless you want to brag to your friends when showing them your tool wall in your garage.

  • Nutrino on 10/06/2023 - 23:49
    +1

    Eneloop batteries

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/06/2023 - 07:00
    +3

    Good torch

  • Ev-Man on 11/06/2023 - 07:44
    +2

    Additional suggestions/comments:

    • Second the hex key suggestion, but would also grab an imperial set, as there are times when metric is not close enough to sufficiently tighten a non-metric hex bolt.

    • If not included in your “pliers”, side cutters or diagonal pliers for neat trimming of wire, zip ties, etc.

    • I use painters tape frequently for marking and measuring things I don’t want to leave marks on (e.g., interior walls when hanging pictures).

    • Saws can escalate quickly, as I went from handsaw to jigsaw to circular saw to sliding mitre saw. The latter is both costly and a pain to store, but the results for home woodworking projects (e.g., benches, shelves) are excellent.

  • jonkvh on 11/06/2023 - 07:52

    Porno's. They're hand me downs from the old man. In the darkest corner of the toolshed.

  • Boioioioi on 11/06/2023 - 07:57
    +1

    Metric socket set, screwdriver set, metric spanner set. Buy the rest as you need things.

    Electric drill & impact driver also useful

  • 82norm on 11/06/2023 - 07:58

    tin snips, spirit level, hammer, shifters, wd-40, degreaser, radio for the shed.

  • Greens on 11/06/2023 - 08:14
    +1

    Hey OP. If I was in your position I'd scan marketplace etc and buy everything in a bundle that a newly retired electrician etc is selling. Then resell the individual items that aren't relavent. At least you'll get a fair crack at good quality items at a used price. Will be good enough for your intermittent use

  • stemcell on 11/06/2023 - 08:46
    +4

    A must have is a pair of safety glasses, seen too many avoidable eye injuries.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 11/06/2023 - 14:07

      Ear protection too, when using power tools.

  • JIMB0 on 11/06/2023 - 09:11

    Spare change incase you want to get something at smoko.

  • Euphemistic on 11/06/2023 - 09:19
    +4

    There’s no point stocking up a tool kit and never using half the stuff. It really depend on what you are doing with said tools. No point buying a full socket and spanned set of you never work on a car and only do novice carpentry.

    Pick your battles and buy a set when you need it. Ie need a screwdriver, buy a set of them for the next time. Need a couple of spanners, buy a set for next time. There also no point buying the ‘best’ tool when you only will use it once.

    I’ve built up a great tool kit over the years, but only ever bought stuff when I need it. I’ve replaced cheap tools with better when I’ve used them a lot. If I’d bought a whole bunch of stuff before starting out I’d probably have things I haven’t used and still replaced things along the way. Plus I’d have spent a whole bunch of money up front and not seen the benefit for years.

    Also, just buying tools now doesn’t mean you are going to use them. I grew up in a hands on DIY house and have carried that on. Renovating, landscaping, mechanical repairs etc. it needs a large range of tools, but DIY means I’ve spent money on tools instead of paying tradies. No point having the tools if you don’t have the time or inkling to actually do the work.

    • Loopholio on 11/06/2023 - 10:09

      ^This. Buy the cheap stuff as needed. If you wear it out, replace it with a higher quality tool.

      • Euphemistic on 11/06/2023 - 10:18

        Some things are worth buying quality first up. Exactly what you should buy quality depends on what jobs you are doing.

        I learnt what quality items to buy using worn out stuff from my fathers shed. Good quality saws, cutting items. Good quality screwdrivers.

  • Derrick Crane on 11/06/2023 - 09:34
    +2

    Judging by the house being built next door, the most essential piece of equipment is a really loud boombox.

    • Euphemistic on 11/06/2023 - 10:15

      Love my 18v portable radio.

      • GOCAT9 on 11/06/2023 - 13:05
        +3

        I love my 20V brushless portable radio!

        • Euphemistic on 11/06/2023 - 15:05
          +1

          Brushless! Soo much better.

  • saltypete on 11/06/2023 - 10:02

    Your list is about right plus a few things like Stanley knife, multi grips.
    If I was doing it again I’d be looking for really good quality. Make your list and buy as you find the quality you want at a reasonable price. I’d also be looking at second hand for things like spanners etc. eg Old Sidchrome stuff is pretty common.

  • Loopholio on 11/06/2023 - 10:02
    +1

    Clip wrench (aka locking pliers, vise-grips) These are a must have, right next to a hammer and duct tape.

    • Dslrfirst on 11/06/2023 - 10:38

      Agree, must have in different sizes/types, small, large, v jaw, needle nose etc.

  • 2esc on 11/06/2023 - 11:05

    Do you need a drill and a impact driver?
    By the sounds of it you probably can get away with just a drill and instead of the impact drill get a angle grinder you can put cut off wheels in them etc.

    Get a good brand though Makita, dewalt etc they will last many years.

    If your a novice i doubt you will be do the real serious jobs so you dont need the most expensive sockets, spanners etc so just get the basics then buy as you need.

    • LePhasme on 12/06/2023 - 13:53

      I think the good brand part only apply if you do bigger projects (like a pergola, redo a bathroom,…), if you need it to drill a hole twice a year to hang a frame or fix a small issue ozito and other cheaper brands are totally fine.

  • brad1-8tsi on 11/06/2023 - 11:26

    Tang Through screwdriver. Makes an excellent chisel

  • savage bargain on 11/06/2023 - 11:59
    +1

    Locking pliers (sometimes called vice grips). Not something that is typically purchased for a job, but geez they're handy when something is awkward or stuck. I use the curved nose more as it gips easier, but long nose is a helpful backup when there isn't much clearance.

  • ColtNoir on 11/06/2023 - 12:12
    +1

    Buy the things for a specific job as you need them.
    Unless you’ve got a project you’re not going to use that impact driver anytime soon.

    Basic would be
    Screwdriver set
    tech screwdriver set (for appliances. Doesn’t need to be expensive. )
    Zip ties
    Stanley knife (I like the fatmaxes)
    Wd-40
    Battery drill if you plan on buying ikea sets. Pick a brand you want to stick with so batteries are compatible.

  • skillet on 12/06/2023 - 10:14

    A set of cobalt drill bit
    Shifter wrench(I hate it but can't deny it's versatile)
    Fine tip marker
    Fine tip tweezers
    Magnetic telescopic pick
    Center punch
    Wood Chisel
    Cold chisel
    Multimeter
    Bandaids
    A few pairs of Nitrile gloves
    Earplugs, N95 masks, eye protection
    Dental floss(for breaking adhesives)
    Super glue
    Alcohol IPA
    Epoxy 5min

    Upsize toolbox
    Oscillating Multitool
    F-Clamps
    G-Clamps
    Bungee Cords
    USB Charger and cables
    Jumpstarter booster

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