Work handtools

[NPloysa]

So we have enough budget money to get me my own tools, woohoo. These are non-shop tools, for my "person" and only me. Here is a list of what I have been using and have, and stuff I need. I have about $400-500 for the stuff I need, please read and comment on what else I may need. The BIG tools are shop tools, i. e. channel locks, hammers, etc. But all comments and suggestions welcome!



So you can decide efficiently, I am a facilities tech, doors, blinds, ballasts, furniture, little handyman stuff. Our engineer is making a list suited to him, so I thought what you guys use could be helpful! Don't pay attention to prices, I copied and pasted from my email to the bossman.



My list so far:



What I need



DeWalt Power Drill, 18 volt, 1/2" chuck-$210

Leather Gloves-$15-20

Husky Electricians Bag-$30

Husky Large Mouth tool bag-$35

Driver set/bits-$20

Adjustable Pliers-$15-20

Sidecutters-$20-25

Needle Nose Pliers -$20

Adjustable Crescent Wrench-$15-20

Torpedo Level $15



I have everything else I need I am pretty sure. Here is the list of:



What I have



Klein insulated wire strippers

Klein lineman pliers

Fluke 112 multimeter

Fluke power pen

Plug tester

Klein 10 in 1 screwdriver

Klein #1 flat long screwdriver

Klein #2 flat long screwdriver

Klein #3 flat short screwdriver

Klein 1/4 inch nut driver

Klein 5/16 inch nut driver

Klein 3/8 inch nut driver

Klein #2 philips short screwdriver

Leatherman multitool

6" maglight

4" maglight

Husky metric allen set

Husky standard allen set



Thanks! Nick

 

[Mundgyver]

When I started buying tools, I went down to Sears and looked up on the wall at the pallet displays they had. What I did was just buy the first 5 pallet displays they had. Ran me about $1200 at that time (years ago) cause they were on sale. All total I have around 3000 pieces for hand tools.



Buying them in the sets worked very well for me as I it gave me a great start. I had suffered for years (when I was in service) not having what I wanted for tools and when all 4 daughters finally were out of the house, I said the heck with and bought my tools.

 

[IanF]

Just a thought...



How often do you really need an 18V drill? I have one... and a 9. 6V Makita... the Makita gets much more use... it's smaller and fits into tight spaces better and the lighter weight is nice when working overhead for long periods...



Just a thought...

 

[NPloysa]

True... even the 12v are light... I prefer the 18v for torque but if I am carrying it around the 12 or 9. 6 may be better... I will think about that, goof point!



Nick

 

[boatpuller]

Just a thought...



How often do you really need an 18V drill? I have one... and a 9. 6V Makita... the Makita gets much more use... it's smaller and fits into tight spaces better and the lighter weight is nice when working overhead for long periods...



Just a thought...

Yes, for the money you're talking you could buy a 9. 6 or 12 volt 3/8" cordless and a large corded 1/2" drill that will have more power than the 18 volt cordless for the times you need a bigger drill.



I also don't like using an adjustable wrench unless it's the only thing that will fit, a nice set of box ends or a set of 3/8" drive sockets and a ratchet would be nice to have in your tool bag.

 

[IanF]

Yes, for the money you're talking you could buy a 9. 6 or 12 volt 3/8" cordless and a large corded 1/2" drill that will have more power than the 18 volt cordless for the times you need a bigger drill.

True. My 18V DeWalt pretty much gets used only for spinning off/on lug-nuts and as a back-up for the Makita. And also for occasions when I needed a hammer-drill. I have a 1/2" corded DeWalt for heavier drilling tasks... actually, I recently needed a heavy-duty corded hammer-drill (with a hammer-only setting), so both DeWalts will probably get even less use now.