One Tool Set for common household jobs?

[bitchstewie]

There's a box in the garage with odds and sods of tools that have built up over the years.

Right now we're having a massive clearout (skip on the drive type thing) and sods law the tool box never seems to have the right tools or the right size tool whether it's a spanner a screwdriver or an allen key.

There's a million and one toolsets online at a right old range of prices.

I don't intend paying Snap-On type money but I don't particularly want no-name ste that will break after a few uses.

If I just want a box that can go in the garage/cupboard and which should cover most situations does anyone have any suggestions please?

[Shuff4]

What type of tools?

I’ve a Halfords professional socket set (200pc?) which I’ve had 18 years and managed to get by most times.

Ontop of that there’s a Milwaukee powertool kit, saws, drills and grinder.

Decent set of screw drivers (nothing over priced), chisels and pliers / wire cutters.

Renovating a house at present, and managing to get by with the tools I have already.

[bitchstewie]

So far I've needed various size flat blade various size cross head and Philips and an assortment of allen keys and I've had precisely none of them.

We do seem OK for hammers and saws

Appreciate there will always be something that isn't included but something like this perhaps.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeWalt-DWMT73802-Mechanic...

Afraid I'm a total prat with practical stuff.

[hellorent]

Have a look at the offering's from Aldi & Lidl, for work around the house and the price you pay they are great value for money.

[gtidriver]

Have a look at Wera, they do lots of different hand tools, you'll be able to make a excellent tool kit from just a few sets.

[J6542]

bhstewie said:

So far I've needed various size flat blade various size cross head and Philips and an assortment of allen keys and I've had precisely none of them.

We do seem OK for hammers and saws

Appreciate there will always be something that isn't included but something like this perhaps.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeWalt-DWMT73802-Mechanic...

Afraid I'm a total prat with practical stuff.

I have the Makita version of this which I keep in a cupboard in the house. It’s been fine for all the little jobs around the house. And saves me from going out to my van and bringing tools in. Buy a little 12v drill/driver and an adjustable spanner to keep with it.

[Crumpet]

Halfords Professional is the sweet spot. They’re very good quality; keep the receipts and the warranty is great.

Wera are also great (I like the impact bits) but pricey.

[Sporky]

Something like this?

https://www.toolstoday.co.uk/teng-tools-1100-piece...

Or the budget version:

https://www.toolstoday.co.uk/sealey-superline-pro-...

[Belle427]

The Halfords range is spot on really, you dont need a lot for general house duties.

[OMITN]

My household toolbox work in progress.

I also have a garage full of tools, but often in the house I’m only doing minor things. I plan to add a few more things to this. The Toolcheck is handy - took a huge desk apart in my wife’s office the other evening.

Edited by OMITN on Sunday 20th October 12:42

[silentbrown]

Define "common household jobs": Replacing leaky tap washers? Replacing a light switch? Changing an iPhone battery?

Lots of common jobs require relatively special tools. The number of times I need a socket set in the house is practically zero.

Allen Keys
Wera screwdriver kit (This covers most bases for me: https://toolmaniac.co.uk/products/kraftform-kompak...
Plus a cordless drill, and a medium hit-wiv.

[Ham_and_Jam]

bhstewie said:

There's a box in the garage with odds and sods of tools that have built up over the years.

Right now we're having a massive clearout (skip on the drive type thing) and sods law the tool box never seems to have the right tools or the right size tool whether it's a spanner a screwdriver or an allen key.

There's a million and one toolsets online at a right old range of prices.

I don't intend paying Snap-On type money but I don't particularly want no-name ste that will break after a few uses.

If I just want a box that can go in the garage/cupboard and which should cover most situations does anyone have any suggestions please?

What type of jobs are you wanting to do? Tools (sets) can be be broadly broken down into the following-

Mechanical tools
Electrical tools
Joinery / Household tools
Power Tools
Specialist tools
Other stuff

The link you shared later in the thread is basically all mechanics tools. Is this only what your looking for?

Ive been through a similar tool building exercise in the last few years. I bought some decent Dewalt power tools, electricians set, already had a lot of mechanics stuff and odds and sods.

I now have enough to get me through most basic stuff, but just buy anything I need to do if I haven’t got it when I need it. For emergencies, Screwfix have most stuff available same day.

[bitchstewie]

silentbrown said:

Define "common household jobs": Replacing leaky tap washers? Replacing a light switch? Changing an iPhone battery?

So for example the other day I wanted to change the oil in the pressure washer - need a socket and to be able to get into a bit of a "sunken" recess so not just a spanner almost a socket set that fits on a screwdriver type handle.

The past few days I've had some old furniture where it's nothing more than some screwdriver or allen keys needed but I've not had what I need.

Nothing that feels specialist just stuff where you've never quite got the right tool handy.

I can't say exactly what I need (that's why I made the thread!) but if I look at that DEWALT kit nothing leaps out as not being there except pliers.

[DonkeyApple]

Potentially easier to just buy a good sized box with a handle and add what you have that's useful to it then slowly add as needed. I've a workshop with everything under the sun available for domestic work but a box in the house with the core basics that I seldom need more from for all the basic stuff.

[bitchstewie]

OMITN said:

My household toolbox work in progress.

I also have a garage full of tools, but often in the house I’m only doing minor things. I plan to add a few more things to this. The Toolcheck is handy - took a huge desk apart in my wife’s office the other evening.

Edited by OMITN on Sunday 20th October 12:42

After mastering reading it back to front I might just steal your idea and get a Trusco toolbox and that Wera kit and work from there

I think most of what I need is in the Wera set and it'll be a good excuse to do some proper organisation and carry on clearing out what is junk.

https://tinkerandfix.co.uk is a fascinating site by the way

[OMITN]

bhstewie said:

After mastering reading it back to front I might just steal your idea and get a Trusco toolbox and that Wera kit and work from there

I think most of what I need is in the Wera set and it'll be a good excuse to do some proper organisation and carry on clearing out what is junk.

https://tinkerandfix.co.uk is a fascinating site by the way

Oh yes, hadn’t thought about that..!

This toolbox came from Etsy where someone had significantlynunderpriced it. I bought it that then had to figure out what to use it for..!

The Toolchexk was from German in a recent deal. The spirit level is old, as is the tape measure. The hammer I’ve had for 20 years and, like a couple of other tools, I painted the handle. The Knipex pouch contains two of their excellent pliers: pliers wrench and cobra. Again, bought on a deal.

[dave123456]

Crumpet said:

Halfords Professional is the sweet spot. They’re very good quality; keep the receipts and the warranty is great.

Wera are also great (I like the impact bits) but pricey.

I’ve found Halfords professional a little hit and miss. However the warranty is always honoured.

[dave123456]

OMITN said:

My household toolbox work in progress.

I also have a garage full of tools, but often in the house I’m only doing minor things. I plan to add a few more things to this. The Toolcheck is handy - took a huge desk apart in my wife’s office the other evening.

Edited by OMITN on Sunday 20th October 12:42

It won’t be long before that’s permanently open and slightly over flowing…

I started with one of the plastic tool boxes when I was 15, racing bicycles. And I’ve added ever since. So I have a main tool chest for mechanical stuff. A wheeled tool box for joinery. My original one is now electrical. And I have specialist bike tools on peg boards. I’ve got too many to be honest but will never throw them away…

[Inspire]

Crumpet said:

Halfords Professional is the sweet spot. They’re very good quality; keep the receipts and the warranty is great.

This! The Professional range is perfect!

[Hol]

I have found the IKEA funiture tool kit to be handy for every day jobs like shelves, door locks, light switches, pictures and of course furniture assembly. £9.00.

I also bought my son one, when he moved into his flat

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/trixig-15-piece-tool-...