The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: TAB on January 02, 2010, 02:13:21 PM
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So a friend of mine is buying his 1st house, he asked me to give him a short list of tools that would allow him to do most small repairs, that some one with little exp could tackle
here is what I have so far.
Hammer
drill w/ bits
hack saw
razor knife
screw drivers
putty knife
cualking gun
channel locks
pilers
visegrips
voltage dection pin
electrians pilers
cresent wrench
studfinder
Anyone have anything to add to the list?
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Clamps. A couple of C clamps and a couple of F clamps for drawer repair and the like. A wood saw, though he could get one of those 3 in one deals with an electric drill, skill saw and (name your third tool) from a quality company like Milwaulkie in 18 volt and never need more. Also ye old shovel, rake and maybe a rubber/plastic mallet along with a roll of duct tape. A pipe wrench would not go amiss either. I would also look at a couple of cheap plastic folding saw horses from Home Depot. They are cheap, light and fold away to nothing. They are great for everything from their intended job to making a picnic table with a piece of plywood.
FQ13
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I would add some nut drivers, miter box and back saw, tape measure and maybe a small set of torx drivers. I just worked on my refer and Maytag dryer and it used both phillips and torx drive screws.
One thing TAB and I think you'll agree. Buy the best tools you can afford, Snap-On preferably, Craftsman are OK but the junk that Home Depot, Lowes and most big box store sell are junk. I have tools that my father used 60 years ago combined with Snap-On I bought while a mechanic in the 70's that I still have today.....A little extra money for tools goes a long ways.
And a big friggin roll of duct tape! ;D
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And a big friggin roll of duct tape! ;D
If you can't duck it, F#%k it. ;D
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thought of something else, 2 levels, bullet and atleast a 2'.
For the most part what he needs is tools where he could change out say a light, replace a wax ring and weather strip... I'm pretty sure he knows who to call for anything else. ;)
I do agree with buying the best tools you can aford. Unless I plan on destorying something, thats what I do.
I do buy cheap harbor freight spray guns for when I'm spray epoxy primer or gel coat. your going to sand the hell out of both of those anyways. I'd much rather throw away a $10 pos spray gun then clean my $500 one.
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Actually TAB I would add one other thing. The phone number of someone like you. I was thinking about your employment situation and the more I do, the more I think you could do well as a handy man. All it will cost is a big honking add in the yellow pages touting your contracters licence and experience, and getting on some of those online services. Me, if I can't fix it with the tools mentioned above, and sometimes even if I think I can, I will call a profesional. If you need it shot, cooked or educated about politics I'm you're guy. If you need something repaired, well, if it ain't broke, call me, I'll take care of that. ;D In my area there are tons of folks who are too busy or too old to replace a sofit, replace a roof tile, paint a door, repair a piece of molding etc. Figure about $30-$50 a job and its all cash.
FQ13
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Yes, most definatly a few levels.
Find the list "100 things a guy should be able to do" and print it out for him.....
Along the lines of the Professor's suggestions. You should look into doing home inspections for mortgage companies. The market will come back but you may need to modify how you make a living from it. I paid one nearly 300 bucks for about two hours work and he didn't have a clue what he was doing...
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I have often advised "newbies" to get a reciprocating saw. It's great for odd situations, rough cuts,mhared-to-reacg, etc. With some big aggressive blades it can also be used in the yard as a clipper or chainsaw.
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Actually TAB I would add one other thing. The phone number of someone like you. I was thinking about your employment situation and the more I do, the more I think you could do well as a handy man. All it will cost is a big honking add in the yellow pages touting your contracters licence and experience, and getting on some of those online services. Me, if I can't fix it with the tools mentioned above, and sometimes even if I think I can, I will call a profesional. If you need it shot, cooked or educated about politics I'm you're guy. If you need something repaired, well, if it ain't broke, call me, I'll take care of that. ;D In my area there are tons of folks who are too busy or too old to replace a sofit, replace a roof tile, paint a door, repair a piece of molding etc. Figure about $30-$50 a job and its all cash.
FQ13
in CA you are pretty much boned, if your unlic, you can not do jobs that are more then $500 in both parts and labor. If you are lic you have to have a bunch of sub lics. in CA for a general contractor to work on a house he must do atleast 3 trades. so forexample it would be illegal for him to install just a door, but if he painted that door and did some drywall repair thats fine. its why I had sub lic in painting, mill work and plumbing
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I've always put fire extinguisher in the tools category, and too many people forget about them. And every tool box needs a first aid kit. ;)
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I've always put fire extinguisher in the tools category, and too many people forget about them. And every tool box needs a first aid kit. ;)
thats what duct tape and super glue is for.
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Crosscut handsaw, and circular saw ... and bandaids, but duct tape can cover that ;)
Basic wood chisel set (1/2", 3/4" and 1")
A couple good estension cords
Good quality step ladder (I gave our kids two - one five foot for general around the house stuff, and one seven foot for outside)
Tape measure
Carpenter square
Tri square
It is amazing how many of these items can be purchased at a reasonable price in good quality.
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I've always put fire extinguisher in the tools category, and too many people forget about them. And every tool box needs a first aid kit. ;)
+1 on the fire extinguisher, just a little education on the type of fire possible per usage of the extinguisher. I watched a guy run to an electrical fire with the old water extinguisher. Suprisingly I was not the only one and someone tackled him before I could intercept the person. After a few harsh words about knocking the wind out of him, then quick eduction lesson, turning about face and thanking over zealously.
on topic:
Tin Snips and lineman pliers for most metal cutting. Also the small propane torch along with a 12"-24" pipe for the extra torque needed situations. Oh yeah, 24ounce framing hammer. It can handle anything that calls for a "BFH!".
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Some of these are repeats:
Flat spring bar.
Sawz-all
Squares (framing & tri)
Levels (4' & 6")
Vise grips
Clamps
Saws (hack, coping, wood saws - fine and rough tooth, circular)
A good magnet
Cordless drill/screwdriver (12V or better)
Screw drivers (assorted, not the "change the bit" kind)
Socket sets (standard & metric)
Chisels (wood, masonry, etc.)
Hammers (general 16 oz. & 3 lb sledge)
Springfield Loaded 1911 (Oops, wrong list)
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Addition to a voltage indicator, would be a plug in receptacle tester,(that shows proper Neutral and Ground), with the button on top for circuit breaker testing.
Small inexpensive Sperry Multi-meter with probe ends. Especially if it's an older house. If your old receptacle is only giving you 96VAC, when it should be 110 he'll know.Modern electronics can overheat if voltage is low.
Surge Protectors.
Wonder-bar, shovel, new BBQ Grill, Have him get the house inspected if used, copy of full report. etc,....
New smoke detectors, +1 on fire extinguishers.
Needle nose pliers.
House warming party!!!!! and the beer, tools needed for that too.
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Well, the list has gone the way of most threads......overboard. ;D
The list we have now is enough to build a house and for a beginner, that's not such a good idea! ;)
A newbie can do well with a limited amount of tools without having to learn carpentry skills, plumbing skills, electrical work and appliance repair. Being able to do basic maintenance doesn't take what most of us who have "been there and done that" have acculated over the decades. I have engineer friends who shouldn't be anywhere near handtools, their dangerous in the wrong hands and sometimes more costly than calling a guy like TAB to do the work. ;)
I do support Ichibans addition of a Springfield 1911 though! ;D
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Well, the list has gone the way of most threads......overboard. ;D
The list we have now is enough to build a house and for a beginner, that's not such a good idea! ;)
A newbie can do well with a limited amount of tools without having to learn carpentry skills, plumbing skills, electrical work and appliance repair. Being able to do basic maintenance doesn't take what most of us who have "been there and done that" have acculated over the decades. I have engineer friends who shouldn't be anywhere near handtools, their dangerous in the wrong hands and sometimes more costly than calling a guy like TAB to do the work. ;)
I do support Ichibans addition of a Springfield 1911 though! ;D
Timothy is right. I am not Mr. fix it. I have tools my dad gave as a "welcome to the world of being a guy" when I graduated college as well a Lowe's worth that I inheireted from granddad (despite me selling off most of them like the band saw and drill press). Despite this, I rarely use more than a dozen in a given year. Drill, screw drivers, hammer, socket wrenches, skill saw, pliers, clamps, saw horses, and plastic mallet plus duct tape, level and tape measure. Thats about all I really seem to need. But then there is always the job where you need something else and thats how tool collections are born.
FQ13
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couple cans of WD40, great for sqeeks, odd jobs and nesting insect problems (wasps,bees,hornets) works better than raid .........
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I find that a couple pair of hemostats (sp?) sometimes found at gun shows are very useful because they clamp on/ hold small objects.
FWIW
Richard
PS: Most important.......A bigger hammer!
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A bench vise because you always need three hands. I like the kind with an anvil part on it.
A dental pick for picking O-rings out.
A good flashlight or a shop light.
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Modern Manly homeowners DON'T grab the Yellow Pages when something screws up,...they Tim The Tool Man Taylor/ Bob Vila it's a**.
Don't you guys ever watch "This Old House"?
My kitchen sink drips, I need a plumber,.........I call BS on that....
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Modern Manly homeowners DON'T grab the Yellow Pages when something screws up,...they Tim The Tool Man Taylor/ Bob Vila it's a**.
Don't you guys ever watch "This Old House"?
My kitchen sink drips, I need a plumber,.........I call BS on that....
more then once I've handed a bill to some one for several thousand, that would have cost then less then a $100 to have a pro do it.
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Modern Manly homeowners DON'T grab the Yellow Pages when something screws up,...they Tim The Tool Man Taylor/ Bob Vila it's a**.
Don't you guys ever watch "This Old House"?
My kitchen sink drips, I need a plumber,.........I call BS on that....
I agree for someone with your background or mine TW, but not everyone is willing to take on projects that seem like no brainers to some of us. I've got no problem doing any minor or major work around the house, I certainly have the skills, I have the knowledge but sometimes, I don't have the inclination....I even have the building codes around here somewhere!
I live in New England, This Old House is on every channel that the Red Sox aren't.....and I hate the Red Sox!!!!!!
;D
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more then once I've handed a bill to some one for several thousand, that would have cost then less then a $100 to have a pro do it.
My stepdad the lawyer said the same thing. He used to say "I bought my house thanks to people who were too cheap to pay me $500 to read a contract before they signed it,and wound up paying me $15,000 to get out of it". Wise words.
FQ13
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I agree for someone with your background or mine TW, but not everyone is willing to take on projects that seem like no brainers to some of us. I've got no problem doing any minor or major work around the house, I certainly have the skills, I have the knowledge but sometimes, I don't have the inclination....I even have the building codes around here somewhere!
I live in New England, This Old House is on every channel that the Red Sox aren't.....and I hate the Red Sox!!!!!!
;D
Red Sox sounds like a bad puppet show.
Are they a bit like Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop?
or is it that weird game where you play who's on first?
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Red Sox sounds like a bad puppet show.
Are they a bit like Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop?
or is it that weird game where you play who's on first?
You'll have to seek other authority on the Red Sox, Sledge.....I'm still a Tigers fan from my youth.....I've been to Fenway Park once (Boston Red Sox) for a double header against Detroit in 1984. As far as I'm concerned, they suck.....always will...
American baseball is full of dopers, whiners, superstitious dimwits, wealthy owners and overpriced, watered down beer and green hot dogs.....No thanks.....
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It's that weird game, They are the Boston, (Local for Tim and I ) team.
TAB, The ones you hand a bill to used the Tim the Tool man approach, (MORE POWER ARGH ARGH ARGH )
The ones you don't hear about used the Bob Villa method (notice he always has hired contractors ;D )
For the record I prefer Norm Abrams and Old Yankee Workshop ;D
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you guys do know bob villia built a addistion to his house, he didn't get a permit and he didn't build it to code... they made him tear it down.
Trust me when I say this, Norm abrams is not that great of a wood worker. Thats not to say he does not do good work, but its not great. let me put it this way, I would not higher him as a sub.
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Had to take my wife's Miata (go cart with stereo), to the shop for a bad slave cylinder. Auto Zone has them for $60.00. I could change and bleed the clutch, but it's her "baby" and she called around. (It's her car and she's hard headed),... :-\
Mazda dealership $400-750 bucks +. Plus pilot bearing, pressure plate, the sky is falling, one estimate $1100.00 Local mechanic $241.00. Picked it up today good as new. Great...
Hello....
Tom?
I thought it was the New Yankee Workshop,.... (Alright I'm a PBS sad watcher), just get me on the Antiques Roadshow!! ;)
Either way, the guy that needs AAA or his roadside assistance plan to change a flat, is the same guy who can't fix his leaky disposal because his wife threw shrimp peelings into it....
He'll be fine in his house. Please tell him congratulations. Plus he has you on call right TAB? ::)
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I normally call AAA when I have a flat, its what I pay them for.
Then again, its almost always a nail or screw. I've already got it out, patched it and I just need thier compressor to air it back up.
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I normally call AAA when I have a flat, its what I pay them for.
Then again, its almost always a nail or screw. I've already got it out, patched it and I just need thier compressor to air it back up.
Save the 75 bucks and buy some of that "aerosol flat repair" they sell. It'll get you to a pump or better yet, buy a small (quality) compressor to plug into a 12VDC jack in the car. Some of them are good to 100 pounds or so. They've gotten better than the piddly little things from ten years ago..
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My cousin has one of those it even has a small tank that will hold enough to top off a low tire.
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I normally call AAA when I have a flat, its what I pay them for.
Then again, its almost always a nail or screw. I've already got it out, patched it and I just need thier compressor to air it back up.
I bought one at harbor freight several years ago. It cost like $50 and plugs into the cigarette lighter. Its slow, but it will fill a tire from flat to full in a few minutes. Its also small, maybe 12"x4"x8". It fits behind the backseat of the truck easy. I would highly reccomend one, especially if you go off road.
FQ13
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those don't work when you have to make the beed reseat on a 1 ton truck.
The trucks around here have a gas powered compresor and a cheater tank.
I supose I could do it with wd/starting fluid and a match, but that means I have to take the wheel off the truck.
besides, one tow and it pays for several years worth of dues.
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Our AAA only get's you about six miles before the fees start up. I've used mine twice in twenty years but it's a requirment of my insurance plan. AAA is my agent and the only way I can stay with my underwriter. The insurance is cheap enough to offset the roadservice fee.
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those don't work when you have to make the beed reseat on a 1 ton truck.
The trucks around here have a gas powered compresor and a cheater tank.
I supose I could do it with wd/starting fluid and a match, but that means I have to take the wheel off the truck.
besides, one tow and it pays for several years worth of dues.
Don't have to remove the tire: 8)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_meTPTpdkZo
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those don't work when you have to make the beed reseat on a 1 ton truck.
The trucks around here have a gas powered compresor and a cheater tank.
I supose I could do it with wd/starting fluid and a match, but that means I have to take the wheel off the truck.
besides, one tow and it pays for several years worth of dues.
Indeed! Just get AAA plus so you get the 100 mile tow, so you can get to your mechanic. Actually, I love AAA. I've been a member since I turned 16 and my grandad gave me his old truck (and I needed it with that beast, a 1973 F-100, with 120,000 miles on it). :D I will tell a shameful story on my self. When I was at UT, grad students didn't get parking stickers that would allow us to park close to campus, but we could park in the LBJ Presidential Library parking lot. It was about a half mile trudge from my building, but better than walking the 5 miles home. Anyway, I'd had a long day, 7am, two exams, three sections and it was 5:30, the hottest part of a September Tx. day. It was pushing 100 outside. I walk across the blacktop parking lot to my truck and found a flat. I had a full size spare, and thought about changing it. I then realized that I'd never been IN the LBJ library, where they had AC, and I WAS paying AAA, and why not make that phone call. So I sat in airconditioned comfort while someone else changed my tire for the first time since I learned to drive. :-[ I was embarassed as hell, but I'd do it again in a heart beat. It is what I pay them for. :-[ ;D
FQ13
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I got my 1st when I was 16, my card says I've been a member since before my mother was born. ;D
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Back on thread a little, 4", 6" 12" and 15" crescent wrenches that takes you from 1/16" up to 1 1/2" easily.
A trick my little brother came up with. Get about 20' of 1/4" air hose with a locking air chuck for valve stems on each end. Low tire or flat, you can bleed air from the other tires to get it up enough to drive on to a better situation. Also check Botach dot com, they have some cool co2 tire fillers that don't take up much space.
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Back on thread a little, 4", 6" 12" and 15" crescent wrenches that takes you from 1/16" up to 1 1/2" easily.
A trick my little brother came up with. Get about 20' of 1/4" air hose with a locking air chuck for valve stems on each end. Low tire or flat, you can bleed air from the other tires to get it up enough to drive on to a better situation. Also check Botach dot com, they have some cool co2 tire fillers that don't take up much space.
Very cool trick from little bro, but again, why bother when you can get a small compressor cheaply?
FQ13
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you can fix anything in life with WD-40 and duct tape.
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Come on FQ, you know how us east Texas oil field boys are, Little bro grew up in the oil field, taught me how to repair steel cable as well, how to remake a hoop, it is really an art and can save day in the right circumstances, can be used to repair good lariats as well.
He taught me how to use pipe wrenches for climbing I beams as well.
We are both big boys.
Necessity is the mother of invention. True story, 25 yrs ago or so.
Best buddy and room mate, we liked to go small game hunting on Sundays about 50 miles away. He was always proud that his truck had gauges instead of idiot lights. Just talking after the hunt, We opened the hood to look at his cruise control that was not working and I noticed his alternator belt was missing. Obviously he was not watching the guage. He was like what are we gonna do, it's 50 miles back home and it's getting dark. Now at this time zip ties, aka cable ties where a new thing and where used by phone company people. We had a mutual friend who worked for the phone company and he had given both of us a bunch of them, I asked " do you have some of those zip ties " Yes, well get em out. I wove a bunch of them and they made a wild singing sound but we made it back. You could hear them as the individually broke while driving.
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Come on FQ, you know how us east Texas oil field boys are, Little bro grew up in the oil field, taught me how to repair steel cable as well, how to remake a hoop, it is really an art and can save day in the right circumstances, can be used to repair good lariats as well.
He taught me how to use pipe wrenches for climbing I beams as well.
We are both big boys.
Necessity is the mother of invention. True story, 25 yrs ago or so.
Best buddy and room mate, we liked to go small game hunting on Sundays about 50 miles away. He was always proud that his truck had gauges instead of idiot lights. Just talking after the hunt, We opened the hood to look at his cruise control that was not working and I noticed his alternator belt was missing. Obviously he was not watching the guage. He was like what are we gonna do, it's 50 miles back home and it's getting dark. Now at this time zip ties, aka cable ties where a new thing and where used by phone company people. We had a mutual friend who worked for the phone company and he had given both of us a bunch of them, I asked " do you have some of those zip ties " Yes, well get em out. I wove a bunch of them and they made a wild singing sound but we made it back. You could hear them as the individually broke while driving.
I get the stranded in East Tx thing. I once got my truck bogged down while wood duck hunting 50 miles east of Elgin. It was a WMA, but they had oil rigs. The mud was so thick with oil that I drove my woodsman's jack halfway into the ground (note, always carry a12" square base of ply wood as a jack base) . The mud was thick enough that when I tried digging under the tires to put brush there (small trees cut down and trimmed via 12 gauge number 4s) that the mud stuck to my entrenching tool. You had to literally scrape each shovel full off with your boot as you couldn't throw it. I gave it up as a bad job after two hours, left the gun in the truck and started to walk covered with mud and soaked with sweat, carrying dead ducks, some 35 miles into town wearing full cammos. Dark fell, I looked like Charlie Manson and was cold as hell as the 70 degree day dropped into the forties. Defying all laws of Darwin, I was able to flag someone down. I just wanted him to call the cops, but he actually offered me a ride in (the bed of course) ;D of his truck. Thank God for Tx. hospitality as I got to stand (I was forbidden from sitting) in a warm DQ till my house mate could drive out from Austin to collect me. Of course I had to strip naked in the parking lot to change into clean clothes so I wouldn't pollute her car, but at that point I was beyond dignity and just wanted a hot shower, plus, she brought me a beer! I would have married her had she asked. ;D
FQ13
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Just trying to think of them darn modern doo hicky things for FQ13, now what are they again?????????
They are used for weird things like pulling 4wds and trucks etc out of bogs and ruts and MUD.....
Oh thats right they are called a WINCH! ;D