Toolkit contents, what do you recommend?

DIY, not watch fiddling. I’ve been asked to put together a home toolkit for a woman. As I’m the bloke in a female dominated extended family I’m the supposed expert, although know nowt.

These were my thoughts. Many experts on the forum, what do you think, add a small coping saw, electrical safety screwdriver, stud/cable/pipe tester, ditch the adjustable ( I’m not a fan)?

Not going to give her my crappy old stuff, brand new ones, can’t wait to get to the tool shop.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...58143effc5.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Looks like you've got it covered there.....not sure a coping saw is gonna be too much good if I'm honest unless of course the lady in question really likes faffing around with stuff in which case she should maybe join a night class and buy herself a floor standing scroll saw 🤣
Bear in mind, if she can't do it, you're gonna get the call anyway man.....

I also enjoy buying tools for others! Lovely knowing they're getting something useful and that'll last.

I'd add:
- some decent superglue with a fine applicator tip to that, not two part self mix as that seems to deter people
- small screw driver set with bits for e.g. torx and small Phillips, flat, hex etc. included. These are usually quite cheap to buy and OK for very occasional use.
- security fixings set. These can again be had for not much money if you're not worried about using them in power tools, and could get her out of an irritating pinch.
- radiator key
- spare blades for the hack saw and knife. Nothing worse than trying to use used, blunt and rusted blades.

Looks great, some possible inclusions

A simple scraper (a side on Stanley blade type)
One chisel
Baby screwdrivers for spectacles/shades, battery compartments and so forth
small lever iron / tack lifter

D

Good start

Always like to have a plunger handy for sinks and toilets.

You missing one vital thing






A plaster :oops::oops:

Some consumables? PTFE tape, electrical tape, duct tape. electrical block connectors, spare plug fuses.

Meter key is always handy along with radiator keys already mentioned. We have about 5 or 6 radiator keys as they always seem to be a nightmare to find.

Wow gents, thanks for all the quick replies and excellent top tips. Plasters - good one! I guess I will get called out for anything difficult and definitely if the toilet is involved. It's always handy to have tools there. She's not useless, is/was an engineer, but likes to take a more supervisory role. Always lovely sketches and spot on measurements for the list of tasks.

Off tool shopping this afters.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wileeeeeey

Meter key is always handy along with radiator keys already mentioned. We have about 5 or 6 radiator keys as they always seem to be a nightmare to find.

---

On your keyring is the plum place to keep one !!

Get a saw blade for that Stanley knife (or knife that will take one).

The hammer just about covers it. Not sure what the rest of the stuff's for. :-)


Joking aside, I'd probably add a second, larger nutfucker adjustable spanner - this is one of the most useful general home maintenance tools.


I notice there's no drill/driver. Will making holes smaller than the face of the hammer be required? If a drill is added, then also include advice on how not to drill through pipes and cables.


A selection of screws and wall plugs would be very useful.


A small pull / flush cut saw would be an idea, or maybe a toolbox saw.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hogthrob

I notice there's no drill/driver. Will making holes smaller than the face of the hammer be required? If a drill is added, then also include advice on how not to drill through pipes and cables.

---

Drilling through pipes and cables, that’ll be my job.

Good idea to add plug and screws so they’re always to hand.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by reggie747

Looks like you've got it covered there.....not sure a coping saw is gonna be too much good if I'm honest unless of course the lady in question really likes faffing around with stuff in which case she should maybe join a night class and buy herself a floor standing scroll saw 🤣
Bear in mind, if she can't do it, you're gonna get the call anyway man.....

---

Where’s the coping saw, I can see a Junior

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by edzt

Where’s the coping saw, I can see a Junior

---

There isn't one, he asked whether to put one in 👍

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hogthrob

The hammer just about covers it. Not sure what the rest of the stuff's for. :-)


Joking aside, I'd probably add a second, larger nutfucker adjustable spanner - this is one of the most useful general home maintenance tools.


I notice there's no drill/driver. Will making holes smaller than the face of the hammer be required? If a drill is added, then also include advice on how not to drill through pipes and cables.


A selection of screws and wall plugs would be very useful.


A small pull / flush cut saw would be an idea, or maybe a toolbox saw.

---

My attitude as well. If you can't do it with a hammer, you just need a bigger hammer!

Sent from my H3113 using Tapatalk

Ask if she’s ever used any tools. If not sometimes not having tools is a better option.
I’d stick to a hammer and a couple of screwdrivers.

A small cordless drill/screwdriver, a spirit level. A stud/cable sensor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did something similar for my cousin, A couple of other things I added for her were waterproof duct tape and an assortment of fuses.

https://woomerhasit.files.wordpress....s-tool-kit.jpg

A box of Fischer fixings or similar- as screws and plugs that come with things are generally rubbish.

I wouldn't want to be without a Knipex adjustable wrench (much more useful than any adjustable spanner)
https://media.screwfix.com/is/image/...odImageMedium$

A combination square

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon...._AC_SX355_.jpg

A head torch
https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon...._QL70_ML2_.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wileeeeeey

Meter key is always handy along with radiator keys already mentioned. We have about 5 or 6 radiator keys as they always seem to be a nightmare to find.

---

Not everyone has a meter box...

Our son has just moved into his first flat, I was going to buy a box and stock it with tools.
However, I found this and it has come in very handy as a starter. I also bought a cordless drill, a electrical pipe/electric thingy, a level, assorted Rawl plugs, some spanner’s and various types of tape.
He is very happy with it and can add more tools or better versions as he goes along.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

A roll of what I call plumbers tape is a deffo
It helps reseal (like make your own gasket) on push together or screw together plastic plumbing where you bay get a leak - costs pennies comes on a roll that looks like a roll of sellotape


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mains testing screwdriver (+ packet fuses).
Wood blades for that junior hacksaw.

The thing I use the most is a drill to make holes and screw things in the hole I just made.

You have missed the most important and usefull items………………….Zip ties two or 3 lengths. Brilliant for tidying up wiring or securing things in the garden.

Lastly a tube of Gorilla glue that sticks anything to anything.

Steve

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mr Curta

https://woomerhasit.files.wordpress....s-tool-kit.jpg

---

Great list, everything transposed to an Excel spreadsheet (as you do), except above.

I'll print the list, put it on a clipboard, march around the tool shop ticking items off with a red pen as I add them to my basket.

She'll be better equipped than me. I guess I won't buy everything, the most useful tools and consumables. When she needs something doing I can direct her to her toolbox and Youtube video rather than having to load up and drive 60 miles. She should be okay, three degrees (not as in "When Will I see You Again?"), two in engineering, but wouldn't want her to put a mirror in my house.

I use my mole grips all the time

Cordless drill driver is an obvious omission?

Spirit level too…. Although you can pick up later levels now for around £20

Maybe a random orbital sander too?

Zip ties x20

Everything can be bodged/salvaged with zip ties

Other than that, looks good. Don't put PTFE tape or cable sensors in. Your average home DIY-er isn't going to take apart a tap, or hack into plasterboard.

I'd add some cheapo gloves, latex or nitrile....
.... But I'm a surgeon :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mr Curta

I wouldn't want to be without a Knipex adjustable wrench (much more useful than any adjustable spanner)
https://media.screwfix.com/is/image/...odImageMedium$

---

These are phenomenal bits of kit - I've given a few as gifts as they're just so good. Worth shopping around for as the prices vary substantially.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wolfie

I use my mole grips all the time

Cordless drill driver is an obvious omission?

Spirit level too…. Although you can pick up later levels now for around £20

Maybe a random orbital sander too?

---

There is a spirit level!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kingstepper

There is a spirit level!

---

Oh yeah! A tidgy one!

A G clamp is extremely useful ... plus a few small pieces of plywood to act as 'pads' when e.g. clamping and sawing ... also a set of small fine screwdrivers for removing tiny screws ... also a Tri square

I don’t think it has been mentioned above - a set of spanners instead of an adjustable.

Using an adjustable without a) rounding stuff, or b) slipping and hurting oneself will be a challenge for most inexperienced DIYers.

On a similar topic…penetrating/release spray, the proper stuff makes even the nastiest nuts and bolts undoable.

As you have a multi bit driver already how about some extra bits including Allen and torx heads, many more things are fixed with these nowadays

You'd better add a shed to the shopping list, she's going to need one to store all this stuff in the list has got that long! Whilst everything mentioned above is useful, someone who really has no interest in DIY is just not going to use most of it. All they likely need is enough to be able to hang a few pictures and put together flat pack furniture etc. Cordless drill, drill bits, wall plugs and screws, screwdrivers, hammer, pliers, allen keys, knife, tape measure and maybe a radiator key should be enough to start with.

Swiss Army Knife - I’ve got most tools but I always find there is something I haven’t brought - in many cases a SAK provides useful cover. Besides who doesn’t love a SAK. Leatherman/Gerber will do the same job.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stuie-t

You'd better add a shed to the shopping list.

---

Good point, added to the Excel spreadsheet.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hooks for pics mabe some tork bits etc as anything you look at has some stupid shaped screw in it.

Depending how handy the person is I would start with the very basics a quick nip with mole grips or similar on a radiator can end in disaster if your not holding the valve and it moves.

Perhaps only use the tools if you've first done a job together using them.

Good luck.

Some rags paper dust sheet type stuff is very handy to have at hand also



Sent from my VOG-L09 using TZ-UK mobile app

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steve27752

Our son has just moved into his first flat, I was going to buy a box and stock it with tools.
However, I found this and it has come in very handy as a starter. I also bought a cordless drill, a electrical pipe/electric thingy, a level, assorted Rawl plugs, some spanner’s and various types of tape.
He is very happy with it and can add more tools or better versions as he goes along.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

---

The dowager Casper, 88, had the larger version of this. Scavenged the more useful and put them in a small tool box for her, I took some and others given to the estate workers (the chap who cut her lawn).

Uses them to tune her walker before zipping along the promenade.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neil T

Swiss Army Knife - I’ve got most tools but I always find there is something I haven’t brought - in many cases a SAK provides useful cover. Besides who doesn’t love a SAK. Leatherman/Gerber will do the same job.

---

Thumbs up to the SAK, but what to chose from the hundred models on offer, irrespective of colour choice?

Couldn’t decide, so made my own and still can’t decide.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c750cb54a7.jpg

Huntsman ‘Light’
Yeoman (an obsolete model)
Yeoman with added saw.

Liking this thread, some top tips and a wholesome, solid, manly topic.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If you can't fix it with a hammer it's an electrical problem.