must have tools.

[TAB]

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?

[fightingquaker13]

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

[Timothy]

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!

[1911 Junkie]

And a big friggin roll of duct tape!

If you can't duck it, F#%k it. 

[TAB]

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.

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

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.   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

[Timothy]

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...

[jaybet]

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.

[TAB]

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.   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

[Texas_Bryan]

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.