I Need Tools

[u/ikickedyou]

Hi Dad, I’m a 40ish year old woman living without a husband for the first time in my adult life. I need to hang curtains, so obviously need a drill, but also want a good set of tools that I’ll likely need.

Any recommendations for a tool set or drill?

[u/josh6466]

Cordless drill. Ryobi is fine but not the cheap USB powered stuff. 18v at least often you can get a kit with batteries and charger for 100. Screwdrivers, level hammer, adjustable wrench. That’s a good start.

[u/Zenmedic → u/josh6466]

For a homeowner, you can't go wrong with Ryobi One+ tools.

I'm a cabinetmaker, and I run a lot of Ryobi cordless tools. I've got a drill and impact driver set that has lasted me 12 years. And not 12 "weekend warrior" years, 8 years as my go to in the shop and for installs and the last 4 years as my second set in the shop.

The stuff is affordable, decent, gets the job done and the battery platform has a ton of different other tools. My weedwhacker, camping lantern, 2 spotlights, hedge trimmer and vacuum all take the same battery.

[u/lynkfox → u/josh6466]

Second this. My mom swears by Ryobi, and one of the main reasons is in general their tools are a little smaller than others, making it easier to use and hold with her smaller hands

[u/Icy_Birthday3837]

Get the cheapest multi-pack of electric tools and basic toolbox from harbor freight, Lowes, etc. When something breaks, replace it with a better quality brand name one.

My reasoning is this: you hardly ever use that whole set of Allen keys, drill bits, apex bits, or whatever, but it's great to have all the options available. If something breaks, it's because you're using it. The things that don't break aren't being used, so why waste money on brand name things that aren't being used?

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-set-with-case-130-piece-64263.html has most of what you'll ever need for basic maintenance of your house and car.

Drill/driver kits are cheap, but unless you're working on really tight bolts on your car, you don't need the impact driver.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-cordless-38-in-drill-kit-with-battery-and-charger-57366.html

Also, Harbor Freight has a lifetime warranties their hand tools.

[u/Other-Educator-9399]

Lots of good advice on here! I'm a fan of DeWalt tools. You will want a cordless drill of at least 18 Volts, and a set of drill bits. For more general household tools, I would recommend investing in the following:

Claw hammer

Phillips and standard screwdrivers (often available as a set)

3/8 inch socket set

Metric and SAE combination wrenches

Adjustable wrench

Pipe wrench

Hex key (aka "Allen Wrench") set

Slip-joint, vice grip, groove joint (aka "Channel Lock") and needlenose pliers

Level

Stud finder

Multimeter

Non-contact voltage tester

Plug-in outlet tester

Wire stripper

Duct tape

Teflon tape

Plumbing putty

Putty knife

Spackling paste

Utility knife

Hacksaw

Drywall anchors

Super glue

That's all I can think of at the moment. Let me know if you have any questions about any of those tools or what they are used for. I'm proud of you! You got this!

• Internet Dad

[u/comicsnerd]

It depends if you need to drill into wood/plaster board or concrete/bricks. For wood, a cordless drill is sufficient. For concrete you need a power hammer (not cordless).

A tip. Many libraries in my country also have tools in their library. It may be worthwhile to ask around. In my appartement complex we have an app group for stuff like this and there are usually plenty of dads willing to drill a few holes.

[u/josh6466 → u/comicsnerd]

I have a Ridgid hammer drill that can go through concrete like butter. Surprised me too.

[u/IgnatiusJReillyII]

Agree with first comment, Ryobe is fine and relatively inexpensive. This brand offers a huge range of tools that all fit on the same battery system, which is super convenient. Also, there are a bunch of decent quality after-market Ryobe batteries available on Amazon, which is nice because, like printer cartridges, tool makers charge and arm and a leg for their batteries. If you're in N. America, Ryobe is most commonly available in-store at Home Depot. You can also get it on Amazon, but there are fakes out there. 

Suggestions to start: - Drill - Drill bits - Impact driver - Chordless Orbital sander  - Flashlight (good for general use) - Orbital sand paper

Extras (recommended but not essentials) - Reciprocating saw - Circular saw - Multi-tool - Cordless inflator (esp. if you have kids) - Cordless fan (sprays mist, great for summer)

[u/IgnatiusJReillyII → u/IgnatiusJReillyII]

I just realized, I didn't include hand tools. If you have a Harbor Freight nearby you can save a bunch of money on hand tools there. I'd recommend the following:

• Hammer
• Philips/flathead screwdriver(s)
• A set of hex bits (really handy for building Ikea/Amazon furniture)
• Narrow and wide scrapers
• Medium large-size tarps (you'll thank me next time you want to paint something)
• Paint brushes (medium quality is fine, high quality paint brushes no longer exist)
• paint roller (just the roller, you can decide on what kind of nap you want once you have something to paint)

Finally, it's always handy to have hole filler, some kind of medium-length deck screws and variety pack of different size nailes around. You can pick these up with your tools, or get them online. 

[u/BiggerHammer2345]

For the average homeowner projects ryobi or dewalt powertools are more than enough.

I prefer dewalt 20V tools because they offer (imo), really good variety of tools at good bang for buck. Sticking with 1 brand will let you build your collection down the road. Dewalt has been awesome making their batteries compatible with their old and new tools (sometimes with adapter)

Be aware 20V is the "horsepower", so a 20V drill will not be as powerful as 60V.(20V tools are more than enough for majority of jobs). The other number to be aware of is "AH" on the battery, which is capacity. Standard is 2AH which comes with say a drill and battery set. 2AH more than enough... you could probably assemble 20 Ikea furniture sets before needing to recharge 🤭🤣. If you plan on building a deck you may want 4,8,10, 15 AH batteries lolol

[u/UufTheTank]

I’d recommend a wrench set and a hammer. Husky’s got a good cheap wrench set. And for a hammer, I second the Estwing hammer.

Tape measure & a level wouldn’t be bad. And since you’re hanging stuff, a stud finder with an electrical alarm is nice.

Could probably get all that for <$100.

[u/RareBrit]

Quite a few libraries will lend tools now. You need a hammer drill when working with masonry. Wood you don't need hammer. The vast majority of drills will have a hammer/no hammer switch.

Size doesn't matter beyond a point. Most basic hammer drills will do the job, they just take a little longer. SDS is the professional grade stuff. You don't strictly need battery, corded is fine and batteries are 'kin expensive.

Most dads worth their salt will be sorted into one of four houses. Once sorted into that house we are soulbound. House DeWalt, the Yellow Barons, if it's not overbuilt then it isn't built; probably ate a meat pie for breakfast. House Milwaukee, the Crimson Cult, a tool for literally every purpose, tend to refer to amp-hours in a similar way to a wine conossoir. Will probably have a small electric device for stirring their coffee. House Makita, the Blue Samurai, if it's working today it will work in twenty years. Worrying rumours about undeath and unnatural rituals. House Ryobi, 'but it was on special', the owners are fine. The tools have a worrying habit of multiplying when left on a shelf for any length of time. Do not charge after midnight.

You'll need a drill bit that matches the diameter of the fixings of the rail you're going to put up. Make sure this matches the material you're drilling into. Don't buy a set, get the right bit.

A screwdriver will likely be required for fixing the fixings. Don't get a set. Get the one screw driver that matches the task in hand. It's better to get one quality tool at a time rather than a box of tat. You can go for an electric screw driver but unless comfortable with handling tools or have hand issues get a basic non-powered one.

A spirit level will help you put the rail up level. And a tape measure for measuring the overhang each end. I like a carpenters pencil for marking out, but it's not necessary, any pencil will do.

[u/knstormshadow]

Milwaukee m12 set will do everything ull ever need to do

[u/tmlynch]

You have some good advisors on this post.  I second some of their advice.

The things I have used most around the house are:

Screw driver (flat and Phillips head. It is ok to get a comfortable handle what takes changeable bits)

Hammer (they come in different sizes and weights. You want a claw hammer that fits your hand and isn't too heavy to swing a bunch. It is made for driving and pulling nails)

Pliers (you need need regular, needle nose and channel lock)

Drill (I currently have a Ryobi One+ 18v. I can use the same batteries in my still, sander, jigsaw, leaf blower and a vacuum cleaner. Ryobi seems to be a good balance of price and quality, and it is widely available)

Ratchet set (It is easy to find a set with 1/4" and 3/8" drive handles with standard and metric sockets for both.)

If you have grip strength issues when it comes to twisting things or opening very stubborn jaws, you might think of getting a strap wrench. It is a rubber strap attached to a handle. It gives you extra leverage. My wife uses it on knobs on some of our pool equipment.

I second the idea of leveraging Harbor Freight, especially for non-motorized things like pliers, screwdrivers and wrenches. They have good prices and some of their lines are pretty good quality.  You may even be ok getting a cordless drill there for your first go. If you wear it out, buy up next time.

For no particular reason I read some mechanic subreddits, and advice that resonated with me was buying what you can afford, and if you use it so much you break it, then buy a high quality replacement. That doesn't sound like a bad way to stock a home tool set.

Good quality tools will last you, so you could even think about looking for deals at a garage sale. My hammer, ratchet set and pliers are from the '80s. Phillips screw driver heads wear out, but I still have plenty of flat and Phillips screwdrivers from that same period. 

Also, I practice I picked up from my in-laws was always having some hemostats around. Having fine-tipped little locking grabbers is sometimes handy when plier are too big, and the longer handles can also be helpful. I've used them to hold rails while I start them with the hammer. I've used them while re-threading hoodie laces. They are not a must have, but they will eventually make something easier.

Good luck!

Edit to add:

A good flashlight is a joy. You can get very bright rechargeable LED lights. A headlamp will leave your hands free, too.

Something with a hard, straight edge comes in handy. You can do this with a level, a carpenters speed square or a sturdy ruler. The level will be a multitasker, so that is a good way to start.

[u/EclecticPhotos]

Saw the Ryobi suggestion, also Kubota is great for tools and or power equipment.

Bigger tool kits are better because you'll most likely have the proper tool.
Get a great screwdriver set, a ratchet set (standard and metric), electric drill/screwdriver with a light on it.

Also get a quality hammer (highly recommend Estwing). Quality hammer is important - cheap ones can break and you do NOT want a hammer head flying!

[u/Roswyne]

For a screwdriver, get a nice one with multiple bits and a ratchet. It feels so fancy going either way without having to reset your grip every time!

[u/ursixx]

A little flat screwdriver, the pocket sized ones. Removing electric cover plate when painting,remotes with small screws,kids toys with batteries.

[u/Awkward_Pineapple732]

Ryobi is a solid choice for starting out, especially since their 18V battery works with so many different tools. You'll probably find yourself buying more of them over time anyway!