So my existing toolbox has been scavenged by the wife and spread throughout the house over the last fifteen years. The old one has been kicked around, broken and generally reduced to near uselessness. I shitcanned the old one last weekend and bought a nice new Kobalt medium.

I’m going to rebuild this one anew. In addition to hunting up all the tools in the house that are missing, what items should absolutely go in this box? I don’t work on cars, but you never know about that. Generally, I do basic maintenance, painting, some electrical.

I’m going to direct that nobody get into this box except me because we aren’t doing this again.

Doesn't work for everyone, but I have my hand tools in the garage with everything in a rollaway, as well as all the power tools. I have a tool bag in the house with tools I typically use in the house with basic hand tools and a power driver. I don't lose tools that way and when working on something, I pretty much have everything I need at hand and don't need to go searching for stuff.

Give her her own set and lock your toolbox?

I shitcanned my conventional toolbox and went with a Rubbermaid box that is in the design of a stool. Holds all I need easily. Now 20 plus years old and still going strong. The ability to sit comfortably while working cant be beat. I dont think its made anymore. Shame. And one of my most used tools is: A 6 inch level.

I always keep a good electrical tool around. Quality wire stripper, crimper, etc. multi-tool. Klein makes a nice one.

I also always have one of those "don't kill me" electrical sensing wands so I don't inadvertently zorch myself.

Also need a hammer, tape measure, 3/8 socket sets in both SAE and Metric, box/open end wrench sets in SAE and Metric, cutting pliers, machinists pliers, vice grips, utility knife, and good screwdrivers.

Good utility knife with a small pack of new blades.

Probably not the guy you want answering your question...

Your own needs will fill your toolbox, unfortunately, that probably means a project will be delayed while you run out and buy the tools you need. Generally true that what one guy thinks you must have, another guy might never use. That said, I’ll offer these recommendations:

Hammers. An assortment. Ball peens, 32 oz. & 16 oz. (The lighter ball peen I use all the time). 1 BFH. A soft face hammer (plastic). A dead blow hammer, and a carpenter’s hammer (I like a framing hammer).

A quality set of screwdrivers. I’ve got a set of Snap-on, but I find myself reaching for a set from Stanley—they’re good.

Pliers. Also an assortment. Standard pliers, large and small. Vice Grips (also assorted sizes), I have 3 of the small ones and two of the standard sized one. Used all the time. Needle nose, again, at least two different sizes. A couple pairs of what I only know as “Channel locks,” the highly adjustable slip joint pliers.

I’ll add: side cutters. I’ve also got a pair of nail nippers (end cutting) from my horse shoeing years. Although not much bigger than side cutters, they will cut through things that side cutters can’t handle.

Seriously, for general maintenance tasks:

Claw hammer
Tape measure
Slip-joint pliers
Channel-lock pliers
Needle nose pliers
Side cutters
Crescent wrench
Folding utility knife (better than retractable, IMHO)
Small set of SAE combination (box and open end) wrenches 1/4 to 1 inch by 16ths
Small set of Metric combination wrenches, 10mm to 19mm
6-in-1 screwdriver
3/8 drive socket set SAE/Metric, same size range as wrenches.
Vise Grips
Good Electrical Tape (3M, not vinyl)
Teflon Tape

If you do any electrical at all, add:

Good wire stripper/terminal crimper. Klein is good stuff

Multimeter. Better than a $5 Harbor Freight, but you don't need a $700 Fluke either. $40-ish should get you a decent one.

I don't trust the "magic wand" style voltage sensors, I check with the meter to be sure.

Many years back I bought my wife a small toolbox for Christmas. It had a set of screwdrivers, chain nose and needle nose pliers, small tack hammer, box cutter, picture hangers, and a few other things.

she loves it and it is in the laundry room. It has kept her out of my tools ever since.

Sounds like the first thing on your list needs to be a lock! My whole family knows nothing pisses me off more than losing my tools. Feel free to use what you want, but put it back where you found it when you're done!!!!

I have several, mostly geared towards specific tasks. There's the big garage mechanics box, electrical box, drywall and framing box, gun maintenance box, etc. The one that sounds the most like what you're looking for is my "travel" box, that gets put in the back of whatever vehicle we're taking on a trip. It has:

Hammer (3 lb sledge)
Hammer (claw)
Hatchet
Screwdrivers
Combination wrench sets both SAE and Metric
Adjustable Wench
Pliers assortment
Wire cutters
Small 3/8" socket set with just the common sizes
3/8" extensions
Tire plug kit
Mini air compressor
Spare automotive fuses and bulbs
A bag of assorted bolts, nuts, screws, and electrical connectors
Electrical tape
Zip ties

There's probably a number of other things I can't remember off the top of my head...but the idea is to be able to handle most problems I might encounter on the road or while camping even if I can't carry the optimal tool for every conceivable job.

I’ve got a rolling craftsman that was full and now about empty with everything scattered.

I started over with a cam locker truck box. It it is a medium craftsman tool box containing combo box/open ended wrenches, screw drivers pliers, diagonal cutters, Vise grips, hammer crescent wrenches, needle nose pliers. I have a socket set that is contained in its own case with a snap in slot for each socket. No searching for the right socket in the bottom of the tool box. Cordless drill w battery and charger contained in its own case. Box of bits. Bow saw. Axe. Shovel. Ratchet straps. Jumper cables. Bigger wrenches and vise grips in the sliding tray of the truck box. Wd40, gorilla tape. Contractor trash bags. Tape measure. Small Home Depot bucket. A few other odds and ends.

The point is I’ve always got my truck with me. I have to fix things at my mom’s regularly. Everything has its place and I don’t lose it. It’s always together.



Standard and metric. All craftsman. Got most at Lowe’s.

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
Many years back I bought my wife a small toolbox for Christmas. It had a set of screwdrivers, chain nose and needle nose pliers, small tack hammer, box cutter, picture hangers, and a few other things.

she loves it and it is in the laundry room. It has kept her out of my tools ever since.

This is going to happen.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:


Probably not the guy you want answering your question...

Nope, exactly the guy I want answering my question.

Pliers and Adjustable Wrenches
Stored upright to maximize space in deep drawers

Most used are
Knipex Cobra
Klein cutters/strippers
EagleGrip locking pliers
ChannelLock/Irega adjustable wrenches

For around the house, a decent multi-meter and a Stanley ratcheting screwdriver with changeable bits get by far the most use.
A good tape measure is also a necessity.

Everything already listed plus a quality set of mini screw drivers

A med and large pry bar

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
Everything already listed plus a quality set of mini screw drivers

A med and large pry bar

True, I forgot about that somehow.
They are my second most used tool category. They are a necessity for all the small electronics that can be repaired by a do-it-yourself'er.

Also add one of those magnifying glass headsets. Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Headban...=A1BEAQYBHO6Y12&th=1

Tape measure mentioned multiple times. My experience, I have lent, lost or damaged several over 35 years now. On the other hand, I have an olde skool Kline wooden folding ruler that is like new. No on borrows it, no one steals it, it will probably be passed on to any grandchildren some day.

Consider a scanning device that finds studs, etc. That investment years ago more than paid for itself in preventing issues.

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
Many years back I bought my wife a small toolbox for Christmas. It had a set of screwdrivers, chain nose and needle nose pliers, small tack hammer, box cutter, picture hangers, and a few other things.

she loves it and it is in the laundry room. It has kept her out of my tools ever since.

My wife picked out her own tool box and stocked it with things she uses . It's actually pretty complete for general household stuff .