Many people I know have either a house or live in an apartment and own very few, if any tools worth spit. Most own a basic cheap screwdriver they can never find, maybe a dinky little hammer without enough blowing power to knock a straight pin into warm butter and, if they're really lucky they might, and I say might because they probably don't even own a drill of any significance.
But don't let this get you down if this fits you to a tee because I have written this little article just for you if you fit in the above group. There is no reason to feel ashamed and don't stick your head in the gas oven tonight over it. Instead tomorrow you'll go to the store, preferably a place that sells good quality tools and buy these basic, simple items.
This is just your basic setup and some are even what some of you will think of as exotic, but trust me...this is only to help you get by until help really arrives with real tools.
- Screwdrivers
- Hammers
- Wrenches
- Socket Sets
- Allen Wrench or Hex Wrenches
- Pliers and Wire Cutters
- Saws
- Drills
- Measuring
- Misc.
Screwdrivers
Start out with a set, usually around 12 or so. Make sure the set includes both slotted (flat head) and Phillips. (The ones that look like an X) You might even grab a quick change screwdriver set where you can change the bit or heads quickly. Also many other types of fastener heads are made onto screwdrivers for many differing purposes such as hex heads, tamper-proof screws, nut drivers and so on. The choices are as varied as are different fasteners.
Hammers
A small selection of hammers. It doesn't have to be a huge selection, but a good sized claw hammer is good, maybe a ball peen hammer and of course a rubber mallet. The ball peen hammer is one with a regular hammer head on one side and a rounded head on the other. The rubber mallet is handy if you need to pound on things like furniture without messing up the finish.
Wrenches
You really do need a set of both standard sized wrenches and metric sizes. When I say a wrench I'm not talking about pliers or adjustable wrenches, but both will also be included later. The wrenches I'm talking about have both an open end and a closed end called a box end. The best closed end wrenches will have 6 points, but for your needs a 12 point will probably do just fine. You want a set with a minimum of 5 pieces for each type ranging in standard sizes from ¼ inch to 3/4 inch, but the more the merrier. Metrics will likely range in sizes from about 4mm through 14mm or higher. Some are interchangeable such as a 14mm metric is roughly the size of a 9/16 inch standard, but not all are interchangeable. Over the past 30 years or so many variations have been developed, but for the most basic of sets these will do fine.
Socket Sets
This can be tricky because there are so many manufacturers that make cheap, useless sockets so be careful when buying a set of sockets.
Most household socket sets will contain about 40 pieces, mostly basically useless, but go ahead and start with a GOOD quality set of 40 or more. Socket sets have 2 parts usually. The first part is the handle or the ratchet and the second part is the socket itself. The socket snaps into place onto the ratchet. There are several sizes of both, mostly interchangeable, but not always. For example most ratchets come in sizes 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch so the sockets will fit according to the ratchet size. Many extensions and socket types are also available.
Allen Wrench or Hex Wrenches
Allen or hex wrenches are those L shaped tools that look like they're made from a 6 sided piece of steel. When I buy them I look for the best quality I can afford because they often are so cheap they won't work at all. But they do come in very handy so definitely get a good set. Avoid the kind on key rings. They are usually to cheap to be of much use. Socket hex heads are also available to use with a socket set.
Pliers and Wire Cutters
Very often pliers and wire cutters are sold in sets. But just in case get at least one good pair of pliers and one good pair of wire cutters. You'll run into a lot of wire in a home and an apartment so wire cutters are a must as are pliers. Locking pliers commonly known as Vise-Grips® are very handy and can be used for as many uses as there are things needed to be held together.
