Must Have Tools

Hi there! <br /><br />I was thinking about the tools that I would like (cuz my birthday isn't <em>too far</em> away), and about the tools I use all the time, and I thought it would be fun to put together a list of my must-have tools. Some I use every day, some just once in a while - but I like owning them, rather than having to borrow them. (It doesn't count as borrowing if they're <em>technically</em> Big A's does it? Or my Dad's? Or the neighbors? Good.)<br /><br />Some of these tools I use for crafts/projects and some I use around the house for every day upkeep. <br /><br />SO, without further ado, here's MY list of must-haves (with links if you like, or find any of these things in all of the big package stores). <br /><br /><strong>Leatherman</strong>. I keep this in the kitchen drawer. It has just about anything you need to accomplish small tasks without having to lug out a heavy tool box.  A screwdriver, can opener, pliers, little scissors, jack knife, mini-saw, even a beer opener! These are invaluable for the home and for travel - I take mine camping. They also make great gifts! <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fymoho-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002H49BM&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /></div><br /><br /><strong>Cordless Drill.</strong> Between the two of us, Big A and I probably use this every week. If you have a home, you'll need it to hang curtains, shelving,  or to put most anything together. Try to get one with a decent sized battery because there's nothing worse than running out of juice mid-project! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fymoho-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000X1TYO4&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /></div><br /><strong>Portable Light.</strong> We have a couple of portable lights, but I like the short type so that they fit on a table top.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fymoho-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0006OG8MY&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /></div><br /><br /><strong>Staple Gun/Glue Gun. </strong>Both are very inexpensive, and I use mine every week, if not every day. Actually I have several of each.  <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009XTPAO/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0009XTPAO&linkCode=as2&tag=fymoho-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0009XTPAO&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fymoho-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fymoho-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0009XTPAO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><br /><strong>Spray Paint Adaptor. </strong>Cheap, so get one! Trust me hand cramps are not necessary.  Get one of these and make spray painting a whole lot easier! <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fymoho-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0002YP7SO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YP7SO/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0002YP7SO&linkCode=as2&tag=fymoho-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0002YP7SO&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fymoho-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fymoho-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0002YP7SO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><br /><strong>Saw Horses</strong>. I have metal saw horses that fold up and have a carrying handle. Throw on a piece of ply wood, and it's the perfect work surface for outside, or for an extra work surface anywhere. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fymoho-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B004UOG4KM&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /></div><br /><strong>General tool box.</strong> Big A has tool boxes as tall as me, but all I really need is a small, general use toolbox. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fymoho-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000UHMITE&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /></div><br />There are a lot of other handy tools you could invest in, but these are truly on my daily rotation. And here's a list of general tools you might want to keep on hand: <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Utility knife</div><div style="text-align: center;">Paint brushes/sponges</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tarps/drop clothes</div><div style="text-align: center;">Different length levels</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tape measures</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wood Glue</div><div style="text-align: center;">Paint buckets</div><div style="text-align: center;">Eye protection</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gloves</div><br /><em>WHAT WOULD YOU ADD TO MY LIST???</em><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Now, if you're working with the real big girl/boy tools, that's a whole other list of must-haves. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But let me talk to Big A before I finish that list!)</span></div>

Must Have Tools

Hi there! I was thinking about the tools that I would like (cuz my birthday isn't too far away), and about the tools I use all the time...

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Tools You Need

Having a conversation with Big A is <em>usually</em> very helpful.  But some days, well, not so much.<br/><br/>Me:  <em>Which tools could you not live without when it comes to the house?</em><br/><br/>Big A: <em> My car-washing mitt.</em><br/><br/>Me: <em> I said for the HOUSE.</em><br/><br/>Big A:  <em>Honey, the only tool you need in this house is my brain.</em><br/><br/>Me:  <em>I'm pretty sure you just called yourself a tool.</em><br/><br/>Clearly, I wanted his help making a list of the tools that a new home owner would love as a gift. But I guess I'm on my own!<br/><br/>Here goes:<br/><br/><strong>Compound Mitre Saw. </strong> Big A couldn't live without this.  For quick accurate cuts, but long rips are not possible. It's relatively small, and therefore portable. Big A uses his for moulding. I really need to learn to use this so that I can make my own frames!  From wikipedia: A <em>compound miter saw</em> has a rotating vertical pivot allowing the cutter head and blade to be tilted sideways in addition to the horizontally rotating table. This allows vertical and horizontal angled cuts as well as cuts angled in both planes. (In English: it can cut angles).<br/><br/><strong>Cordless Drill.</strong>  Every home owner or apartment dweller needs a cordless drill.  Use it to drive screws and drill holes.  The battery size is important for long periods of use and a short charging time.  Look for a drill with a reverse switch and a keyless clutch.  Try the drill in your hand to make sure the fit is good.  The size of the handles and weight vary.<br/><br/><strong>Gorilla Cart.</strong>  Forget wheelbarrows.  This is easy to load and unload.  A new home owner has a lot of hauling to do and this makes it much easier.  It doesn't tip over, and you can load it with gravel, rocks, lawn debris, groceries, garbage, mulch, etc.  The handle comes off so that you can attach it to a lawn mower or ATV.<br/><br/><strong>Nail Gun.  </strong> If you have any major work to do that requires hammering, a nail gun will make the job go a lot faster and save your shoulders! A nail gun requires an air compresser.  There are cordless nail guns, but they drain the battery very quickly, plus, if you buy an air compresser you can use that for lots of other things.<br/><br/><strong>Air Compressor.</strong>  For me the main consideration is portability.  An electric air compressor can be used for nail gun, staplers, filling tires, blowing spider webs away... There are kits sold that include nailers, staplers and air compressors.<br/><br/><strong>Power washer.  </strong>I love the power washer.  As long as you choose one that is light enough to easily move it around, you can't go wrong.  We have one that is very heavy, so I can only use it when Big A is here to move it where I need it. You can clean the grill, your car tires, the porch, sidewalks, outdoor rugs (carefully), remove old chipping paint...<br/><br/>That's it for now.  If Big A comes up with any useful suggestions, I'll update this post.  However, I'm not going to hold my breath - he's busy washing his truck.<br/><br/><img alt="" height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/stores/auto/detail-page/B000QX52CM1lg.jpg" width="600" /><br/><br/><a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=as_acph_thi_thd_122_1225?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=ur2&node=5709829011&tag=fymoho-20" target="_blank">Shop Amazon - Top Holiday Deals in Tools </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fymoho-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br/><p style="text-align: center;"> Important note:</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><em>If you give any of these as gifts to a woman, best to give it WITH a pair of earrings or new boots.  Tools are useful and great gifts, but, let's face it, they don't make your ears or feet look good.</em></p>

Tools You Need

Having a conversation with Big A is usually very helpful.  But some days, well, not so much. Me:   Which tools could you not live without w...

Read more »