There will be times when things break, become loose,or just need to be repaired or replaced. As part of any preparedness plan, a basic home tool kit can be extremely valuable in an emergency. Having a good set of basic tools will help you make those emergency repairs when it becomes necessary.
Basic Home Tool Kit
1.) Sturdy Tool Box - This will be used to keep your tools readily accessible.
2.) Set of Regular Pliers (2) - 1 Small / 1 Large
3.) Set of Screwdrivers
4.) Claw Hammer - Get a size and weight that is comfortable for you.
5.) Ball Peen Hammer(2) - 1 Small / 1 Large
6.) Rubber Mallet
7.) Set of Cobination Wrenches (open and box end) - SAE (inches) & Metric (MM)
8.) Tape Measure (25 foot)
9.) Set of Allen Wrenches
10.) Hacksaw with extra blades
11.) Utility Knife (with extra blade storage in the handle)
12.) Locking Pliers (2) (aka, Visegrips)- 1 Small / 1 Large
13.) Slip joint Pliers (2) - 1 Small / 1 Large
14.) Needle-nose Pliers (1)
15.) Wirecutters (1)
16.) Set of Punches
17.) Set of Chisels
18.) Files - 1 Small / 1 Large - Both round and flat types.
19.) Wood Saw - Hand Type - 6 or 8 Tooth Crosscut
20.) Pipe Wrenches - 1 Small (8 inch)/ 1 Large (12 inch)
Don't forget to throw in some small boxes of miscellaneous nails, screws and bolts and a roll of electrical tape and duct tape.. This list also doesn't include electrically powered tools. Hand tools work even when the power grid is down. There may also be other tools or specialty items you may want to keep in your tool box.
While a good basic home tool kit when purchased new will probably run anywhere from $150 to $200, it is a multi-use item that has a very good shelf life if cared for and used properly. You can also start small and add to your home tool kit as funds become available or you can shop garage sales and flea markets for bargains.
There are a great many tools out there and having the proper tool everytime will be difficult. Having the basics may make it possible to solve the problem when it occurs.
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
Posts
Merry Christmas to Everyone
9 years ago
25 comments:
Thanks for a great shopping list. Pawn shops!
Great list. This would be a good gift to someone just going out on their own - start small with a tool box and a couple of tools and/or get others to contribute.
Recently I got ahold of a wide variety of screws and bolts, nuts and washers from an estate sale. One of the best purchases I ever made. Several times a week I go to this treasure trove to find just what I need.
Don't forget a bow saw. Some come with wood and metal blades.
Make sure your allen wrench set has metric and inch in it.
Eye protection. Important any time you are hammering or sawing.
Work gloves.
Headlamp and flashlight and lots of batteries. I know you already have that stuff, but I put more extras in my tool box.
I always have a Leatherman tool on my belt.
While not exactly tools, I think JB Weld, Gorilla Glue, duct tape, tie wraps (or cable ties) and steel fence wire are requirements. Also, get some clamps to hold things together until the glue dries. Add some PVC cement and teflon plumbers tape.
Crow bar or pry bar. Maybe even a couple in different sizes.
A keyhole saw is nice to have.
One of those little "mini-grabber" tools to reach into small places and retrieve little items that always fall where you can't reach. I've got a couple of flexible ones with claws on the end and another one with a little magnet. Speaking of magnets, I've got several in different sizes that I can tie strings onto and use to pick up stuff, like the roofing nails you drop in the grass.
A small mirror, especially one on the end of a stick, so you can look into tight areas and around corners to see what you are doing.
Have some spare electrical wire and wire nuts and electricians tape to make connections. I have some direct burial rated 3 conductor solid wire and various sizes of solid and stranded wire for making repairs on things.
Don't forget the raw materials. I have scraps of wood, both pressure treated and white, as well as T-posts, ree-bar (spelling?) PVC pipe and plywood in different sizes.
One more item is a mechanical staple gun with plenty of staples. Great for quick but temporary patches of windows and the roof.
To: RV Survivalist
Darn I forgot to mention pawn shops! Thanks for a great reminder.
RW
To: anonymous 7:46
Great gift idea! Do you think the wife would appreciate a tool kit for Valentines Day? LOL
Thanks.
RW
To: SurvivalTopics
I've got some plastic storage bins that I keep my stuff sorted in...electrical , plumbing, misc hardware, etc. Adding to it all the time. Thanks.
RW
To: Bitmap
Hey Bitmap! Hadn't heard from you in a while. I figured you were still out there. Those are really terrific ideas. I'm going to need a BIGGER tool box! LOL
Thanks
RW
BTW, I carry a small pry bar in mine and really should have mention that also. And a cat's paw (nail puller).
A bolt cutter can be useful sometimes.
Another thing to think about: limb trimmer. Both the kind that looks like a bolt cutter and the kind that has a saw for bigger limbs and a snipper for smaller limbs mounted on an extendable pole. They are great for taking down tree limbs that break but are still attached to the tree after an ice storm or after high winds.
Don't forget a tube or two of glue gun fodder - heat tip with lit match and have a leakproof glue always with you.
Thanks for the list and sugguestions by others above - I have to check my kit for any holes you uncovered above.
To: anonymous
It's amazing how many gaps you can find when you share ideas and information. Thanks.
RW
A few thing's you left out RW.. bailing wire, and that expanding foam stuff! Bailing wire work's where duct tape won't... and I've even used that expanding foam in a flat tire on my dirt bike. And lotsa zip tie's!
Dean in az
Purty good list. And ditto Dean on the bailin' wire. My first car was held together by that stuff! I'd also add a cheapie multimeter, combo wire strippers/crimpers, and a good supply of butt splices/terminals/wire nuts..... And the ever important electrical tape!
River- nice post. I will be printing that out for when I get to the flee market and yards sales soon.
Thanks..
Rook
I was going to say baleing wire or mechanics wire.. But Dean beat me to it! I might add High pressure silicone tape..
http://www.rescuetape.com/?gclid=CPjwrce605gCFQkzawoduB5C0g
Rescue tape is amazing.. it can repair burst water pipes and plumbing, burst radiator hoses and it resists solvents, acid, oils and holds up to 700psi.. I don't sell the stuff but I have used it repairing a cracked water line and it held till I could get the parts/tools to make a permanent repair.
To Farmer,
JB weld is a godsend too! I landed my dirt bike on a big rock,cracked the $400 case..sanded it a bit,a bit of filing,a glob of JB...good as new!
Dean in az
To: AZ Dean and Mayberry
Forgot to mention baling wire.. you guys just won't let anything slip by you! Thanks.
RW
To: anonymous 4:17
Expanding foam...check!
BTW, Iget that on my beer sometimes.LOL
RW
To: Rook
You can save some bucks checking the bargains at flea markets, garage sales, AND pawn shops.
Just don't ruin your budget while you're setting up your tool kit.
Thanks Rook.
RW
To: Farmer Mechanic
Great stuff. have used it in the past, just need to pick up some more. Great reminder! Thanks.
GET RESCUE TAPE!!!!
RW
To: AZ Dean and Mayberry
Forgot to mention baling wire.. you guys just won't let anything slip by you! Thanks.
RW
Great basic list!! Might want to add a couple of crowbars (large and small) and maybe boltcutters.
And one other comment from me...buy quality tools!! You don't have to purchase professional mechanic's tools, but buy decent stuff.
To: Joseph
Quality is a good thing. Thanks for the reminder. Buy the best possible and they'll last a long time as long as you don't abuse your tools. thanks.
RW
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