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Posted: 1/1/2024 12:56:03 PM EDT
Let's say you were starting over again as a young man, what tools would you acquire? I'm curious if I'm missing out on anything cool.
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I've always bought tools as I needed them. If it cost $400 for somebody to fix something but I can get the tools for $300, I buy the tools and do it myself.
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Sawzall
Circular saw Vice grips Hammer Socket set Hand saw Set of nut drivers Mallet Pipe wrench Tubing cutter Pex crimp tool For starters |
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i went for a long time without a reciprocating saw
after i got it -- i used it a bunch. lol |
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Socket sets and wrenches in standard and metric. Claw hammer, screw drivers, cross cut saw and a drill. Vise grips, needle nose pliers, channel locks and pliers.
Add tools as the jobs dictate. |
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The only one that matters is your brain. Train it constantly by working on stuff constantly, even if only in the mind.
Physical tools will follow as needed. |
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1/4” and 3/8” socket set in metric and SAE
Metric and SAE wrenches Battery operated circ saw, sawzall, and drill/impact Good set of bits and driver Good volt/amp meter With this, 90% of the jobs can be DIY. |
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Vaughn framing hammer and really big screwdriver. The backyard mechanics go to tools.
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Quoted: I've always bought tools as I needed them. If it cost $400 for somebody to fix something but I can get the tools for $300, I buy the tools and do it myself. View Quote This is the best strategy. I recently bought a cheap hot air rework station for repairing surface mounted circuit board components. The tool saved me 4-5 times what it would’ve cost to replace or have someone else repair the equipment. |
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You need a comprehensive socket set, hammer, cordless drill, circular saw, jigsaw, 4 in one screwdriver, hacksaw, tape measure, framing square, roofing square, adjustable wrenches, big heavy bench vise, sawhorses, belt sander, air compressor, framing nail gun and brad nailer, soldering station, heat gun, and more.
And as we move deeper into the 21st century, it would be good to get a 3D printer and learn to model parts in 3D. As the tech gets better, thing like replacement cabinet hinges and drawer glides will be printable items instead of visiting hardware stores. |
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Depends but let’s assume they live in a small home or townhouse by age of 28.
Mechanic’s Roll Cart Impact gun Ratchets 1/4 3/8 1/2 Sockets to Match Impacts to match gun Wobbles and extensions Combo wrench set Brake caliper tool Hooks and picks Screwdrivers 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrench Specialty tools for your brands of vehicles Torch Pry bars Floor jack Jack stands Tire inflator Grease gun Code reader Brake bleeder Plug kit Test light Headlamp Long nose needle nose pliers Needle nose pliers Adjustable wrench Toolbox 10-12oz Trim hammer Circular saw Jigsaw Drill Impact driver Framing square Laser level 4ft level Pica pencil Oscillating tool Random orbit sander Air compressor 18g nail gun Wide crown stapler 15 gauge nail gun Compound miter saw Tape measure Post level Dry wall saw Toolbox Multimeter No touch tester Insulated screwdrivers Insulated cutters Insulated dykes Insulated needle nose Allen wrenches Multibit screw driver GFCI tester Insulated wire strippers Conduit bender Wire snake Glowstick Toolbox Tubing cutter Couple shark bites for emergency repairs Tubing cutter Pipe wrenches multiple sizes Faucet wrench Screwdriver multibit Extra fittings and turn offs. Water meter tool Bucket Shop Vac Blower Label printer Shelving I may add more later. |
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For a young man starting out in an apartment:
Tape measure, Pliers Side cutters Adjustable wrench. Driver set Basic socket set Stud finder Level Slot wrench Voltmeter Electrical supplies such as wiring nuts etc. impact driver Drill Hacksaw For a young man who owns a house add power tools as they need them. |
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Apartment dweller, honeowner, homesteader? This lists are vastly different.
12-16 oz. claw hammer Pry bar Screw driver set 3/8 corded or battery drill. A decent carpenters handsaw. Fine tooth Hacksaw Tape measure 2' level 3/8 and 1/2" socket set Combination wrench set Medium adjustable wrench Channel lock pliers 420, 430, and 440 Digital multimeter Small corded circular saw That should be enough to let you most typical household tasks and basic mechanical repairs. |
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Hammer
Socket/wrench set SAE & Metric Sawzall Power drill/driver Screwdriver set Drill bit set Channel locks Vice grips Needle nose pliers Linemans pliers Multimeter Level Tape measure with standard and metric |
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Complete socket set in SAE and metric with deep and shallow sockets in 1/4,3/8,1/2
Complete wrench set in same up to 1 1/4 and at least 21mm Screwdriver set with flat,phillips,torx Multiple hammers, framing,finish,ball peen,dead blow rubber mallet ect. Hand saws Circular saw Reciprocating saw Drill+ drill bits Vice grips Pliers set with standard,needle nose,linesman,channel lock/knipex cobra,wire stripping/crimping ect Allen wrench set,standard and metric Pipe wrenches |
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Apparently I need a Milwaukee M18 tire inflator. And a cut off wheel.
Other than that, I can get a lot done with bolt cutters |
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Quoted: Electrical outlet tester and a voltage tester. https://images.thdstatic.com/productImages/bd3e3560-e75e-527c-9fa5-a8baf1d16c9a/svn/klein-tools-electricians-tool-sets-80025-64_600.jpg View Quote Garbage. Buy a DMM. |
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I bought an electric impact wrench a few years ago from harbor freight. That thing is great for getting off stuff like rusty lug nuts.
I bought a low end air compressor last year. That's handy. I bought a sawzall but haven't used it a ton. edit besides screwdrivers, wrenches and ratchets, which is all I had for years-a breaker bar and a long time ago I had an impact wrench that you hit with a hammer. I wouldn't bother with that now v buying an electric one. For years I used my dad's ancient (older than me) corded drill. I finally bought a Makita drill/screw driver and the batteries died. Maybe they only last a few years. The battery stuff is convenient but expensive. Edit good step ladder. My dad had an aluminum one and a wooden one, both probably as old as me also. After my dad passed away I had them at my house. I was doing something one day and thought "this aluminum step ladder is flimsy junk" I could kind of twist it with my hands. I looked at the wooden one and it was about to fall apart. I threw them out and got a new metal one that works as a step ladder with adjustable height or can fold into a regular ladder. A solid well designed step stool. I know that sounds dumb but my parents had an aluminum sort of stool/chair that had steps that swung out so you could either sit in it or use it has a step stool. It had a slick metal surface that was painted, it threw that out. I know it sounds dumb but I didn't get around to replacing it for awhile and was always climbing in kitchen or dining room chairs to change lights or smoke alarm batteries |
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Quoted: Quoted: Electrical outlet tester and a voltage tester. https://images.thdstatic.com/productImages/bd3e3560-e75e-527c-9fa5-a8baf1d16c9a/svn/klein-tools-electricians-tool-sets-80025-64_600.jpg Garbage. Buy a DMM. Wrong....all three have their place. Plus, add a tracer. |
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Sawzall chainsaw table saw drill circular saw metric and standard sockets small child |
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The only tool you really need most of us already have and are experts at using it.
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A sharp mind free of drugs and alcohol.
Once you have that, life is easy. |
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Quoted: Let's say you were starting over again as a young man, what tools would you acquire? I'm curious if I'm missing out on anything cool. View Quote 1911 Glock 19 .357 revolver. |
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Whatever tools he needs to take care of what needs fixing.
Sometimes it’s a wrench. Sometimes it’s a cordless drill. Sometimes it’s a quality firearm. Many times it’s a word with the Man upstairs. Equip yourself with the tools you need and learn how to use them. |
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Table saw
Drill press Router Welder Plasma cutter Angle grinders Band saw Chop say Cordless drill Corded hammer drill |
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After basic hand tools. Pakistani machine shop.
Vise, drill and set of decent bits, files, hacksaw, ball peen hammer. Basic power tools. 4” angle grinder, drill/driver, circular saw, saws all. Other handy things I have or use regularly. Pop rivet gun (hand pull) and assorted rivets. Buzz box welder, small drill press, bench grinder. A Harbor Freight hand tire machine. It takes a little modification to be decent. My brother let me have his. And he bought a heavier pipe and welded it over the flimsy one for the on /off bar. I’ve seen some people upgrade the bead breaker side by reinforcing the side bars. Saved myself some money with that over the years. Edit to add. air compressor. Even if you can only afford a cheap 6 gallon one. Much easier to do your kids bike tires or your car than the baby 12 volt ones. And can power some nailers and staple guns. Which are also handy to own. And at minimum a two prong volt tester. You can figure out a lot of stuff just by figuring out where your power isn’t. Voltmeter/multimeter when you can afford one. |
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Myself?
A whole shit-load of tools as I am mechanically inclined and tend to do stuff myself. For someone else? That depends. Does that person want to do stuff for himself? Talent and basic aptitude level? Etc.... There are people who have trouble changing batteries in a remote, and there are people who can rebuild an engine without ever having done it before. |
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Quoted: WD 40 Duct Tape Adjustable Pliers Crescent Wrench(Adjustable) Philips/Flat Screwdrivers https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/05/arts/05tvcol-grantorinoSUB/05tvcol-grantorinoSUB-jumbo.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp View Quote WD 40 in Gran Torino |
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