As I looked at my cheap tool kit that I picked up from a big box store years ago, I cannot help but feel it wasn't a good one. It got me through many basic tasks, but about 1/3 turned out to be useless because of the quality. The rubber on the screwdriver handle started to strip as soon as I started using it. Now it's smooth and clean. So I started thinking I need a new tool kit.

But wait, why a tool kit at all? Why not build my own? What's your philosophy on this?

With tools (and most things in life) you get what you pay for. So bad quality issues, is by buying quality/professional brands.

It also depends on how you use them. If you like to DIY and lot, you might need a more extensive tools and higher quality tools. Good quality tools will generally last for decades if not a life time (unless abused), a few exceptions do apply. So see them as investment for the future. Good tools are also less likely to strip bolt and such, saving you time and money.

A kit is a good way to buying a large assortment of tools for a lower price than buying them separately. However you never get everything you need, it's always an assortment of the most common one. Fine for most jobs, until you find a job which requires just a size larger or smaller then that came with you kit. Those nice boxes with little shapes in them for each tool never have spare space for more tools and the those boxes are something not to care for. Buy a separate quality toolbox, I bought a cheap one and the closure would occasionally pop open while carrying and dropping my tools everywhere.

A other way to collect a good assortment of tools Is by buying kits of separate type of tools. They provide you with a wide range of sizes. So for example:
- A kit with ¼ ratchet, sockets, extensions, etc.
- A kit with 3/8 ratchet, sockets, extensions, etc.
- A pack of screw drivers
- Pack of wrenches
- Pack of allen keys
Etc.

Wait for good deals and shop around.

What is a tool kit?

Hmm, screwdriver with rubber, it is still fluted right?


ok, my current toolkit, all dollar store stuff,
2 gallon mop bucket (container)
sharpening stone (dollar tree , great deal)
tape measure
hammer
hex key
plastic level/ruler
12" saw
~5" wrench
~8" slip joint pliers
precision screwdriver set
2 piece screwdriver set
pruning shears / craft scissors

I mostly frequently use tape measure, less frequently sharpening stone, even less frequently screwdriver , hex key, wrench ....
actually I use the bucket almost as much as tape measure for washing windows...


the furniture usually comes with hex key , but a backup is nice the black hex keys are light duty, the shiny/stainless hex keys are great ... bicycle brake adjustment? folding knife adjustment?

precision screwdriver to take small covers off and change some batteries, clean dust...

the bigger screwdrivers for curtains or vacuum or window fan... odd drywall screw

the wrench/pliers for bicycle assembly, remove car battery .... MAYBE water hose connectors

the pruning shears for cutting stiff plastic ... maybe in the garden

so toolkit? I, um, what does it do?

when I was younger, drag racing was my hobby, and I bought pretty good basic tools by Proto, Snap On and Craftsman and they have served me well for 40 or so years... when I got into the shooting sports, I needed to upgrade my screwdrivers to precision bits as to not mar screw slots, and that was a well spent addition...today, though, for general additions like metric hex head sockets for the bicycle, I generally go to the off shore stores like Harbor Freight.... after the 2004 hurricane season, and installing plywood on 23 windows, I did invest in a good 18v Ridgid portable drill... YMMV

Buy what you need, when you need it. Typically a major project will require a major tool purchase - just the cost of doing business.

I agree about quality tools. I am using tools handed down from my grandfather....

I have a tool bag from Harbor Freight Tools. In it I have individual tools I had bought when I needed that specific tool. In one situation I bought tools specific to the jobs I knew how to do on the vehicle I had at that time.

In the tool bag I have the following:

• A Phillips screwdriver, made by Great Neck, bought at a hardware store to fix a headlight. I had often used that screwdriver to work on computers.
• Three open and box combination wrenches, sizes 1/2, 9/16 and 11/16, made by Duralast, a ratchet made by GreatNeck, a 1/2 deep socket made by Great Neck, a ratchet extension made by unknown and a dial type tire pressure gauge made by slime, all bought at Auto Zone at different times for my car.
• A 16' measuring tape, made by Stanley, bought at a hardware store to measure my bedroom windows when I had drapes custom made.
• One pair of leather work gloves, size small, made by unknown, given to me when I was doing volunteer work.
• One open wrench, sizes 7/16 and 3/8, made by Duralast, bought at I can't remember, to disassemble and reassemble Dad's drawing table that I use as a computer desk.

Jeanette Isabelle

Let me add that by buying a tool when needed, each tool tells a story.

Jeanette Isabelle

Remember that all you really need is a Wave (or pricier equivalent) with a bit kit and extension; maybe a small adjustable wrench.....

I'll add to what others are saying by suggesting that you get a voltage detector wand. It could save your life. A basic digital multimeter is also useful. Sometimes the DMM and wand are sold as a package deal.

For my mobile tool set I took a relatively cheap IT tools set once, organized in the large book sized faux leather case by various loops. Then had it gradually improved to my tasks, adding other or better tools, modifying them, making sure some could mate with each other, fit with other tools in the case, and removing less used, redundant, lower quality, or lesser versatility tools. So the answer is - build your own anyway. Just find a way to organize it well.

The LM Wave + bits kit is my EDC, however for a serious field work you will often want something a bit more effective. E.g. my 12 years old Black Decker VersaPak screwdriver is still kicking and comes with more than a 100 hex bits collection (60 of them are special security screw bits), my mighty pliers are 10" long, 3 full size hack saw blades with a handle, and so on - all fits in that relatively small field kit.

The separate automotive kit is always in the car (all metric) - also self assembled over the years.

As I read your input, I started realizing that the underlying question is what do I want in a tool kit, and how organized I want it? I have boxes of various tools. I guess if I'm willing to challenge my OCD and risk not having everything neatly organized in a plastic box, it's just a matter of selecting the right list of tools and calling it a tool kit. Then it's just a matter of finding the right tool bag.

So what's your favorite tool bag?

I don't have a favorite. The one I have is made by Voyager, which I bought at Harbor Freight Tools. It seems durable, as a tool bag should be. I had this just a little more than a year so the jury is still out. It replaced what I was using prior as a tool box.

Jeanette Isabelle

I don't like bags, but prefer a toolbox my self. I use a Stanley 23" one, with wide metal closures. You can sit/stand on it, the tool tray does not take up the full width, allowing cans (WD40, silicone, grease, etc) to be on stored on one side and there is a slot at the top for a carrying a level (or other long things) and it can be use to hold things you cut.

Due to the square shape, also easy to stack with other stuff.

The perfect bag/box shape for the tool set will depend on how you plan to haul/store it. Mine is relatively flat on purpose, so I could quickly stuff it into side pockets of my various daily activity carry bags (car camping chest, scuba duffel, astronomy bag, IT rescuer wheeler, bicycle side bag, as well as to insert it into the special shelf opening in my work table at home.

By the way, a grab and go tool set should always have a minimal collection of materials as well, i.e. assorted screws, nuts, washers, wires, gaskets, ties, hot glue sticks, epoxy, glue, tape e.t.c. I'm also carrying some electronics components for rigging something more sophisticated when necessary (relays, voltage regulators, resistors, capacitors...).

Also, when the space permitting, I'm stuffing my box with the attachments/blades from older tools (like damaged screwdriver blades, chisels, razor blades). Using a torch and files you can make many specific to the task pointed tools or HD fasteners out of them in the field.

Good range of responses. As a former professional mechanic I have an extensive collection of SAE, Metric and BA/BS tools, mostly Snap-on with some Mac, some Proto, some Craftsmen and some few others.

I learned early on that poor quality tools are a PITA and just failing is the least of the problems. When you round a nut or bolt, etc., it can create a far bigger problem for you.

I am definitely not in the get it when you need it camp with the exception of oddball tools you only end up needing once in a blue moon. It sucks when you need to fix something RIGHT NOW and don't have the tool needed. Yes, sometimes, perhaps most times, you can manage, but the right tool almost always makes the job easier and lessens the chance of damage to what you are working on or to your person, or other problems.

For my travel/grab and go kit I have mostly Craftsman, SK, Stanly and Channel Lock tools and they work just fine. Some were acquired when there were sales on sets of particular tools (screwdrivers, wrenches, etc), many were bought at various estate sales. I carry them in either a canvas tool bag (modest kit) or a Craftsman 2-drawer portable toolbox (much more extensive).

Sales are your friend, never pay full retail. But, my biggest bargains have been found at estate sales. Get there early and grab the best for usually very cheap. I stopped looking for tools at most yard sales since I rarely found anything worthwhile, but estate sales have been gold over the years, especially non-professional ones.

This is the key question. Do you plan to rebuild the engine on your SUV? Or maybe just change an O-ring on your backpacking stove? Different tasks may require very different tools. So first figure out what it is you plan to use these tools for?

Regarding what to keep them in, again it depends. At home I have two tool boxes on my work bench in my garage. One is a 2 drawer Craftsman mechanics tool box with my mechanical tools in it. Another Craftsman tool box has most of my carpentry tools. A few of the most frequently used items such as screwdrivers, pliers, crescent wrenches, etc are hanging on the peg board above the workbench.

However on my boat I find a tool bag works better. Boats usually are cramped for storage space, and those storage spaces are often very oddly shaped. A tool bag seems to fit most easily there. Also, the tools don't rattle so much as the boat rocks and rolls.

While generally I agree that one should buy quality tools, there are cases when cheaper "beater" tools might be the best choice. So in my cars I keep a small selection of not so expensive tools. Given the complexity of newer vehicles, I don't expect to be doing any major roadside repairs. A few simple cheap tools are adequate for most things I might do along the road. If someone breaks into my car and takes the tools, it is far less painful if it is a bunch of cheaper tools (worth a few 10's of $$) rather than a nice set of high quality Craftsman tools worth hundreds of dollars.