Tools needed for daughter

[oldman45]

Situation: Daughter is unfortunately single and a new homeowner. She lives 20 miles from me.

As with any homeowner, there is some tools needed for a quick fix to home repairs. Naturally I will go over and do the major stuff. Yet what tool would you include in a tool box for her to keep so she can do some things herself?

Certainly it would include a hammer, various screwdrivers and pliers.

What else would you put in a tool box for a 30 yr old single homeowner?

 

[mg357]

roll of duct tape
roll of electrical tape
pair of scissors
tape measure

 

[OKFC05]

How much have you taught her about tools?
My daughter has drill, saws, wrenches, pliers, carpenter rule, cutters, boxes of nails, screws, bolts, etc. enough to replace faucets, fix lawn furniture, put up shelves, replace ends on entension cords, and so on.
She put down the wood flooring and installed the TV and sound system in the entertainment room.

I know one nice lady whose most useful tool is the list of phone numbers to call for repairs.

 

[Moonman]

Flashlight-Pencils for Marking-Level
Vise-Grips-Drill Motor-Drills
Rubber Mallet-Razor Knife-Putty Knife / Scraper
Glue- Some Assorted Nails and Screws
Couple Pipe Wrenches-Crescent Wrench
Painters Masking Tape (Blue)

 

[bitstream]

Most home improvement type stores sell basic tool kits in a case. After my wife complained about me locking up my roll-aways with all my tools; I bought her one of the kits. It pretty much has all she is capable of using; hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, measuring tape, scissors, utility knife, etc. Now I don't have to worry about her and the kids loosing/breaking my tools.

 

[jlrhiner]

A small electrical tester, If her house has gas, a special wrench fixed to the gas line to shut off the gas. My daughter also uses a flexible light bulb changer ( you know one of those rubber tipped springy things) saves her from getting on ladders.

I also got her one of the pre-made home repair kits.

 

[walnutred]

My daughter was using air nailers at 10 so my point of reference is probably different than yours. Other than what was mentioned I get a cordless screw gun/drill. I think anymore I use that more than anything. I've had one for decades but last Christmas my wife bought me a cordless drill/sawzall/circular saw/flashlight combo. I was skeptical about the saws but they work fine for light stuff. I can still drag out my 8" Rockwell if needed.

Buy her a good cuts and scrapes first aid kit as well.

 

[oldfella]

Picture hangers, battery operated drill, string, and a cell phone to call you when she needs to know how to use the tools you gave her.

Pete

 

[oldman45]

Buy her a good cuts and scrapes first aid kit as well.

After spending 8 yrs in med school, she better already have a good first aid bag.

 

[oldman45]

Picture hangers, battery operated drill, string, and a cell phone to call you when she needs to know how to use the tools you gave her.

Pete

She has a cell phone already. Not sure but I think it has been surgically implanted to her hand since I do not recall seeing her without it for the last four years.

 

[HCD]

A good book on home repair, it can be invaluable. If a water pipe brakes it's good to know the first thing to do is turn off the main.

 

[redlevel]

a cell phone to call you when she needs to know how to use the tools you gave her.

Pete

She has a cell phone already. Not sure but I think it has been surgically implanted to her hand since I do not recall seeing her without it for the last four years.

Beat me to it.

I would add, the first two numbers programmed in should be Daddy's and a male relative, cousin, brother, acquaintance, etc., to call in an emergency. Next, program in a couple of tradesmen, plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc. I think there should be a j-frame and/or k-frame or two in strategic places. Beyond that, my 30 year-old single daughter would be strained to use anything beyond pliers and a couple of screwdrivers.

Why do you say she is "unfortunately" single? I wish my 30 y/o daughter had a worthy husband, but after seeing the choices some of her peers and classmates made in mates, I have to say that "fortunately" she has completed an education, earned an advanced degree, has a good job, money in the bank, is buying a home, and is unencumbered by a worthless mate and the children of such a union.

There is more than one way to look at things.

 

[Grog]

After spending 8 yrs in med school, she better already have a good first aid bag.

Medical school does not equal pre-hospital care training.


After seeing an ER doc at a boating accident, I firmly believe they should stay indoors and wait for EMS to bring the patient to them

 

[feralmerril]

First must know how to shut off the water, gas and power. Also how to relight the pilot lights.

 

[zercool]

I wrote a 'blog post on this not too long ago. I'll just copy/paste.

I don't think everyone needs a fully-equipped machine- and wood-shop in their basement or garage. Goodness knows it would keep the ER's and Ambulance Drivers busy. I do, however, think that every single home should have a minimum of essential tools, and at least one person that knows how to use them. If you live alone, you are nominated by default.

None of these need to be expensive. In fact, I'll bet that you can acquire the vast majority of this list for under $200 total - and that's buying quality tools, not from the $0.99 bin at Walmart.

First bit of advice: spend the extra money for better tools. Craftsman (Sears) has a no-questions-asked lifetime warranty on their hand tools. Break it, they replace it. Period. It's worth the extra few bucks to get that warranty. Kobalt (Lowes) also makes pretty solid hand tools. If you're feeling wealthy, I suppose you can look to Snap-On or Mac, but there's really no need. Power tools? I fall squarely in the Dewalt camp. They take a heck of a beating; there's a reason you see yellow tools on construction sites.

So. Bare minimum you need to have:
- a set of screwdrivers. Flat and phillips, a couple different sizes. Buying a pre-compiled set for $10-15 is worth it.
- a hammer. A plain old 16oz claw hammer. Bet it costs you $8, maybe $10.
- a slip-joint pliers. Nothing fancy here.
- two crescent wrenches. One 6" and one 8".
- a 12' tape measure
- a drill/driver of some kind. Cordless are convenient but only if you remember to keep the battery charged. Corded are less convenient but cheaper and never have dead batteries.
- a set of drill bits
- a 24" spirit level
- duct tape

That's it. That's the bare minimum. You can do 90% of home projects with those tools. I'd strongly suggest adding to the list, though.

- a set of allen (hex) wrenches
- a socket set, with SAE and metric sockets
- needle-nose pliers
- water-pump pliers
- wirecutters (dikes and/or lineman's pliers)
- another 6" crescent wrench, and a 10" crescent wrench
- a 16" cross-cut saw
- a hacksaw
- a drywall saw
- a chalk line
- a combi-square
- a set of box or combination wrenches (SAE and metric)
- electrical tape

Now that wasn't so bad, was it? Only one power tool in the bunch! If you want to start adding power tools, I'd hold off until you have a project in mind that actually needs them. My most-used power tools are my drill and my circular saw, with the jigsaw being a distant third, and the nailers way down the list.

 

[Snapping Twig]

When my daughter turned 18, I got her a complete hand tool assortment from Sears - Craftsman, and the tool bag to stow them in. Screwdrivers, pliers, dykes, hammer, prybar, tape measure, needlenose, drill kit, digittal volt meter, channel locks, teflon tape, electrical tape, duct tape, allen wrenches in standard and metric, open/boxed ended wrenches standard and metric, socket set.

Additionally I got her a cordless drill as they make a job so much easier.

Far a homeowner, I'd get or make her a bench. A collapsable one is OK, but a built-in is best. 5" vise is a best 3rd hand, mount one on the bench.

Set her up with good lighting.

Additionally, an assortment of adhesives and lubricants is a must.

If nothing else, you'll have a place to do repairs for her when you visit and won't have to take things home to fix them.

I have tools stashed in various rooms around the house, bathroom, kitchen, etc. so I don't have to climb the stairs to get what I need for those fast fixes. Something like an old coffee can with a standard and phillips, channel locks, dykes, allens and whatever else is needed for that particular room. Takes almost no space and makes that sudden repair go fast.

In my car I carry my work tool case. I can fix damn near anything out of that and have.

I also set up my Mom's house with a tool stash - she doesn't know it's there but I do and when we visit and something needs repair - done.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Don't give her anything to do with electric, electric is a good way to get her dead. Basic tools, channel locks - 300 & 430, pair of pliers, screw drivers, duct tape, tape measurer, and a 3/8" socket set. Or just go get the big Snap-on box and fill it to the top.

 

[truckemup97]

Get her one of every tool in your shop. If you don't, when you go over to fix the big things, the proper tool will be at home 20 miles away. That's what happens when I have sonny-do's at Mom's.

 

[sipowicz]

I gave my daughter a tool box with just Lingerie in it and some handy man phone numbers...told her to put it on when she answers the door...she tells me they never ever charge her full price and some don't charge at all...

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I wrote a 'blog post on this not too long ago. I'll just copy/paste.

I don't think everyone needs a fully-equipped machine- and wood-shop in their basement or garage. Goodness knows it would keep the ER's and Ambulance Drivers busy. I do, however, think that every single home should have a minimum of essential tools, and at least one person that knows how to use them. If you live alone, you are nominated by default.

None of these need to be expensive. In fact, I'll bet that you can acquire the vast majority of this list for under $200 total - and that's buying quality tools, not from the $0.99 bin at Walmart.

First bit of advice: spend the extra money for better tools. Craftsman (Sears) has a no-questions-asked lifetime warranty on their hand tools. Break it, they replace it. Period. It's worth the extra few bucks to get that warranty. Kobalt (Lowes) also makes pretty solid hand tools. If you're feeling wealthy, I suppose you can look to Snap-On or Mac, but there's really no need. Power tools? I fall squarely in the Dewalt camp. They take a heck of a beating; there's a reason you see yellow tools on construction sites.

So. Bare minimum you need to have:
- a set of screwdrivers. Flat and phillips, a couple different sizes. Buying a pre-compiled set for $10-15 is worth it.
- a hammer. A plain old 16oz claw hammer. Bet it costs you $8, maybe $10.
- a slip-joint pliers. Nothing fancy here.
- two crescent wrenches. One 6" and one 8".
- a 12' tape measure
- a drill/driver of some kind. Cordless are convenient but only if you remember to keep the battery charged. Corded are less convenient but cheaper and never have dead batteries.
- a set of drill bits
- a 24" spirit level
- duct tape

That's it. That's the bare minimum. You can do 90% of home projects with those tools. I'd strongly suggest adding to the list, though.

- a set of allen (hex) wrenches
- a socket set, with SAE and metric sockets
- needle-nose pliers
- water-pump pliers
- wirecutters (dikes and/or lineman's pliers)
- another 6" crescent wrench, and a 10" crescent wrench
- a 16" cross-cut saw
- a hacksaw
- a drywall saw
- a chalk line
- a combi-square
- a set of box or combination wrenches (SAE and metric)
- electrical tape

Now that wasn't so bad, was it? Only one power tool in the bunch! If you want to start adding power tools, I'd hold off until you have a project in mind that actually needs them. My most-used power tools are my drill and my circular saw, with the jigsaw being a distant third, and the nailers way down the list.

3 things that I would add to your very good list are:
Channel Locks 10" or 12" (better yet get both)
Vice Grips
a flat file