Need a toolbox full of tools

[Porkypine]

You have missed the must have - a lathe - it can go in the living room

I had a boxford lathe in the front room of a 1st floor flat many years ago, it stood on a couple of lengths of scaff board as I wasn't sure the ancient floor boards would handle the weight.
The people downstairs were noisy b'astards at all hours of the day and night anyway so I figured they would just have to put up with a bit of rumbling and the odd screech....

 

[My Old Landy]

I bought my daughter this kit from Halfords:

Halfords Essentials 60 Piece Home and Garage Tool Kit | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Halfords Essentials 60 Piece Home and Garage Tool Kit at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

 

[angellonewolf]

ive a tote bag at work doing maintance

in the bag i do most of my work

set screwdrivers
3 ajustable spanners
2 pipe wrenches
2 goodchessels 1 blunt
a bolster
2 hammers 1 pin and 1 standard
stanley knife
2 pipe cutters
socket tester
2 allen key
insulation tape few differant colours
file
large plyers
side cutters x2 1 larger 1 smaller
long nose plyers x2
set of multi screw driver bits (dewalt)
and light stick tester sparky one (dont rely on this to confirm a cuircit is dead)
fluke multi meter
saw
thin hacksaw
ptfe tape
differant replacment blades
stud and electrical finder


only thing id add is a set of box spanners

this does most repairs works changing light fittings taps fault finding etc prob 80 percent i can do with just the one tote bag even the otherhalfs dad has the sort of same set up
he said it saves him meny trips to the garage or shed to sort stuff as its to hand all the time

 

[hunter27]

I did the same when my daughter got married a few years ago, sorting out some of my cast off hand tools and a tool box for them, though not as a present. All they seem to use it for is to build up flat pack furniture. Still it comes in handy for me to use everytime I visit

 

[Bobupndown]

In the market for a handy DIY type kit to keep in the house to save trips up and down to the workshop. Just hate the crappie quality most are made of.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@northwest Spoiled for choice, and a range of budget.

Amazon.co.uk : Tool kits

 

[Maker]

I've just gathered up all (I think this is all of it ) the tools I had at uni with me, not that it is very representative of what the average DIYer would need, or perhaps even want. This is everything I thought I'd need to do little jobs around the house, maintain my bikes and repair simple electronics, plus some things I added as and when I needed them (Plasterboard saw, RJ45 tool, etc). Nearly all of it fit in the little Stanley box with some careful packing.


It looks excessive all laid out now but every single thing got used, most of it surprisingly regularly, and not once did I have to borrow any tools so I'd say it's a pretty good kit.

Obviously all the electronics and bike tools aren't necessary for most people, though I would keep the voltstick to check plug fuses.

If I were assembling a kit for someone who's not a tool snob like myself, I'd swap the screwdrivers, allen keys and torx keys for a ratchet screwdriver and a big set of bits. A Knipex Plier Wrench and an adjustable hammer are essential, preferably one which opens wide enough to fit a 22mm compression fitting. I think a copper/hide mallet is so much more useful than a claw hammer, so much so that I don't even own a claw hammer. Some glue is a good idea, Araldite, superglue, maybe double sided tape.

 

[Gareth J]

Do they still sell well stocked cordless drill boxes?

Years ago I bought a Makita one with loads of bits, sockets, Allen key bits, manual screwdriver, level etc.

One of them would be a decent start and all in one place.

 

[gaz1]

I bought my daughter this kit from Halfords:

Halfords Essentials 60 Piece Home and Garage Tool Kit | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Halfords Essentials 60 Piece Home and Garage Tool Kit at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

thats a perfect buy for a house toolbox, small and quick grab i also have a screwbox with screws the same

mum bought a screwbox and i gave her some grief about not wanting it but the amount of times ive used it myself id had enough and added one to my own toolbox section as well

even i have a house toolbox and it never leaves the house if it does go walkies whoever has taken it gets a right mouthful and its soon returned

 

[Parm]

I’ve got a kitchen tool pouch. A house toolbox and an office tool kit.
kitchen kit has an adapted hex key to tighten up the kitchen cabinet door handles from time to time. Even has a diamond stone to give the knives a quick touch up. Plus I have granite surface plate in the kitchen

Allows me to do most running repairs without having to go to the shed

 

[minimutly]

I've just gathered up all (I think this is all of it ) the tools I had at uni with me, not that it is very representative of what the average DIYer would need, or perhaps even want. This is everything I thought I'd need to do little jobs around the house, maintain my bikes and repair simple electronics, plus some things I added as and when I needed them (Plasterboard saw, RJ45 tool, etc). Nearly all of it fit in the little Stanley box with some careful packing.
View attachment 326022

It looks excessive all laid out now but every single thing got used, most of it surprisingly regularly, and not once did I have to borrow any tools so I'd say it's a pretty good kit.

Obviously all the electronics and bike tools aren't necessary for most people, though I would keep the voltstick to check plug fuses.

If I were assembling a kit for someone who's not a tool snob like myself, I'd swap the screwdrivers, allen keys and torx keys for a ratchet screwdriver and a big set of bits. A Knipex Plier Wrench and an adjustable hammer are essential, preferably one which opens wide enough to fit a 22mm compression fitting. I think a copper/hide mallet is so much more useful than a claw hammer, so much so that I don't even own a claw hammer. Some glue is a good idea, Araldite, superglue, maybe double sided tape.

Lol at "adjustable hammer"

 

[tom2207]

Lol at "adjustable hammer"

I think they are the same thing as a Swedish Nut Lathe.

 

[Agrismith]

I've just gathered up all (I think this is all of it ) the tools I had at uni with me, not that it is very representative of what the average DIYer would need, or perhaps even want. This is everything I thought I'd need to do little jobs around the house, maintain my bikes and repair simple electronics, plus some things I added as and when I needed them (Plasterboard saw, RJ45 tool, etc). Nearly all of it fit in the little Stanley box with some careful packing.
View attachment 326022

It looks excessive all laid out now but every single thing got used, most of it surprisingly regularly, and not once did I have to borrow any tools so I'd say it's a pretty good kit.

Obviously all the electronics and bike tools aren't necessary for most people, though I would keep the voltstick to check plug fuses.

If I were assembling a kit for someone who's not a tool snob like myself, I'd swap the screwdrivers, allen keys and torx keys for a ratchet screwdriver and a big set of bits. A Knipex Plier Wrench and an adjustable hammer are essential, preferably one which opens wide enough to fit a 22mm compression fitting. I think a copper/hide mallet is so much more useful than a claw hammer, so much so that I don't even own a claw hammer. Some glue is a good idea, Araldite, superglue, maybe double sided tape.

I don't know what kind of DIY you've been doing but a claw hammer is instantly more favourable than copper and hide around the house.
And a framing hammer is even better.
Sod putting up picture hooks with a mallet for a start.

Once you have used a framing hammer you won't buy a claw hammer again

 

[northwest]

Once you have used a framing hammer you won't buy a claw hammer again

ain't that the truth, my preference is the Estwing 28ounce. I used to swing one of these all day long, now I cannot manage more than ten minutes, it's an age thing. I don't feel really bad about it but I am upset that I have lost that strength. Growing old isn't for the fainthearted!

 

[tom2207]

ain't that the truth, my preference is the Estwing 28ounce. I used to swing one of these all day long, now I cannot manage more than ten minutes, it's an age thing. I don't feel really bad about it but I am upset that I have lost that strength. Growing old isn't for the fainthearted!

My grandad used to say

Its a great life ,,, If you dont weaken .

Never made much sense to me when I was ten or eleven ,, but it stuck , and as time has moved on boys does it make sense now.

 

[Bobupndown]

I’ve got a kitchen tool pouch. A house toolbox and an office tool kit.
kitchen kit has an adapted hex key to tighten up the kitchen cabinet door handles from time to time. Even has a diamond stone to give the knives a quick touch up. Plus I have granite surface plate in the kitchen

Allows me to do most running repairs without having to go to the shed

Got a hammer, knife and screwdrivers in my desk drawer at work.

 

[Arc Tourist]

ain't that the truth, my preference is the Estwing 28ounce. I used to swing one of these all day long, now I cannot manage more than ten minutes, it's an age thing. I don't feel really bad about it but I am upset that I have lost that strength. Growing old isn't for the fainthearted!

I still have a 28oz Estwing to remind me of the last time I used it framing a roof at our gun club. Greasy head skipped off a sinker and took a chunk out of my thumb. I said a few choice words and everyone scattered when tossed it over the horizon. I received it back at the club's year end installation dinner, mounted on a plaque. Purple Thumb Award - Hammer Throw 134 Feet.

 

[Beanwood]

All well covered above with the tools - but (It won't fit in a toolbox) a spirit level for putting stuff up straight. Preferably a 6 smaller one as well, for levelling up stuff like washing machines....

 

[Porkypine]

I still have a 28oz Estwing to remind me of the last time I used it framing a roof at our gun club. Greasy head skipped off a sinker and took a chunk out of my thumb. I said a few choice words and everyone scattered when tossed it over the horizon. I received it back at the club's year end installation dinner, mounted on a plaque. Purple Thumb Award - Hammer Throw 134 Feet.

View attachment 326127

Currently have a big fat purple thumb myself, bashed between a big lump of scaff tube and a concrete ramp..

 

[tom2207]

All well covered above with the tools - but (It won't fit in a toolbox) a spirit level for putting stuff up straight. Preferably a 6 smaller one as well, for levelling up stuff like washing machines....

I had a bubble on my list way way back ,, maybe Im the only one who refers to a spirit level as a bubble ,,, Its how I see it , a bubble in a box ,,,, although I did miss a torch off the list , always handy to have to hand , even in these days of mobile phone apps.