Here's the confessional: Hi, my name is Brian and my Dad never taught me about tools. However, I'm learning over time and can do some of the basics (drive a nail, measure and cut wood).

I'm trying to gather my general ETS supplies and wanted to ask what ya'll thought about the necessary, but ordinary (i.e., hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, saws, etc.) tools one should have at their house. This would serve two purposes: everyday uses and emergency repairs where power might not be available.

Does anyone have suggestions?

1. Hammer of course
2. Prybar/nail puller/crowbar of some sort
3. A normal + and flat screwdriver. those ones with the bits are nice but sometimes the bit holders don't fit down in a deep hole so keep a couple normal screwdrivers around for those.
You don't need wrenches too much for general house repair, maybe an adjustable or two. I keepwrenches in the larger toolbox that for ar/lawnmower/wagon/bike/whatever repairs.
4. Utility knofe and spare blades
5. Hack saw and blades. A coarse tooth hacksaw blace can be used to cut wood in a pinch
6. Ruler/square/straightedge to help mark straight lines.
7. Hand saw and maybe a miter box.
8. tape duct and electrical.
9. A pair of those all in one electricians pliers, they aren't the best at anything but you can cut and strip a wire if needed to fix an appliance.

Level
T-square
socket set (English and metric)
Electric drill (perferably one with variable speeds)
ladder
toilet auger
Assorted drill bits
Masonary drill bits
Drywall screws
assorted nails
assorted nuts, washers and bolts
wire (electrical and bailing wire)
electrical tape
air compressor (at least a small one for car/bike tires though the bigger the better)
sodering iron
pry bar
spackle knife
paint can opener (saves damaging a screw driver)
measuring tape
hack saw
coping saw
sand paper (assorted grits)
emory cloth
assorted wood rasps
assorted metal files
file cleaning brush
brass brushes
Electric grinder
Dremel tool with assorted bits (drills, grinders and cut-off wheels)
safety glasses
dust mask
circular saw
skill saw
sledge hammer
spade shovel
staple gun
propane torch
hose clamps (assorted sizes)
garden hoses
garden hose menders
pipe wrenches
sponges
straight edge
rope
twine
assorted chresent/box-end wrenchs
high-powered spotlight with stand
halogen light with stand
"trouble light with hanging hook
extension cords
assorted C-clamps
Wood glue
Gorilla glue
silicone cualk and caulking gun
spakle
super glue
JB Weld
two-part epoxy
masking tape
metal scribe
wood scribe
grease pens
glass cutter
block and tackle/pulley
small magnet on telescoping extender
"stubby" screwdrivers
vise
vicegrips
needle-nose pliers
tin snips
wire cutter
bolt cutter
pruning shears
leather punch

-Blast

Actually, two of everything except for the toilet auger.

That's a list of everything I know I've used in the last twelve months doing basic repairs and improving the hurricane resistance of our 10-year old house.

Oh, add a multimeter (voltage/amps/resistance and a stud-finder.

-Blast

No, at least 2 preferably 3 (triple redundancy) of everything .

Pete

my tool shelf in the basement is somewhat like Blast's..
however--what i find i really use is a hammer..screwdrivers.
a small set of socket wrenches..hand saw..for electric work
i use a Leatherman tool..a power screwdriver comes in handy,
i never used one untill i started putting flatpack book cases
and such from Ikea together..a power drill and saw don't get
much use but come in handy if you really need them..a hammer
will pull nails so the only use my crowbar got was to rip out
the steel bathtub when i put in a hot tub---
if i were you i would look around a yard sales..i"ve walked
away with a lifetime supply of nuts--bolts--washers--nails
plus files--screwdrivers--all the tools that some granddad
had gathered over a lifetime..

Although I am a father of three, I really do not consider myself a stud , just persistent . However, if your stud finder is going off pointed at me , who am I to argue with such a high tech device .

Pete

Brian, another similar thread with the twist of tools which don't require electricty.

Thanks to all who've replied so quickly! I particularly like Blast's List (lots of gear shopping to consider ) Although...which one of your listed tools would be useful as a Cat Training Device?

Sorry I missed the earlier post in Da'Plane. I just assumed that it was a discussion on the relative merits of social commentary provided by the earlier version of Fantasy Island and had skipped it.

Garden hose. No, wait...

-Blast