Garage essentials

A

akjon

Joined
Feb 9, 2003
Messages
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This is an incredibly broad question, but what do you all think are some essential things that everyone should have in their home garage (or basement/shop)? Be as general or specific as you want, tools, automotive, home repair, whatever!

To start things off, I've been thinking that I should get and learn how to use a simple propane torch. It just seems like the sort of thing you should have around, plus they're cheap.
 
A decent (64 peice, 1/4 and 3/8" drives would cover most needs really well) socket set, and good screw drivers. I get really pissed when I get called on to fix something somebody else couldn't and find that they've stripped off the screw heads and rounded all the bolts off.

A good cordless drill is handy too. Something around 9 volts is all most people would ever need.
 
A standard tool set is a must have, but don't forget the power tools. Circular saw, corded drill, jog-saw, bench grinder and some sort of air compressor ( even the $9.99 models at Walmart will pump up a basketball or bike tire) are the basics. You should also include several hand saws - hack and wood. Then move on to a decent ladder for those high wire tasks. "Honey...can you clean the ceiling fan and change the bulbs."
Can't forget about outside tools....a good ax, several types of shovels, hoe, rake, sledge hammer, limb saw, prunners and a pick.
Sure I've left out a ton of items, just trying to go through a mental inventory of what I use the most.
 
Buy or make a good workbench. No matter what you're working on, you need somewhere to work on it.
 
A good workbench is a good idea.

A fire extingusher is probably the first thing to add to a new garage, though.

What tools a homeowner should keep around depends entirely on that person's skill. In some people's hands, tools are just a way to get into worse trouble.

Basics that everyone should have:

A common drain plunger

A toilet auger

Whatever wrench might be necessary to shut off the water and/or gas to your house. Keep this one on a wall, not burried in a box or drawer.

A good set of basic screw drivers

A nice set of jewlers screw drivers

A socket set (metric and SAE, 1/4 and 3/8 drive, with an extender and an angle adapter)

Simple slip-jaw and needle-nose pliers

Wire cutters

A common hammer

Some simple metal files

A rubber mallot

A nail set

a 3' square

a common level

A 1/4" chuck electric drill (corded, not cordless)

A 50' 12/3 extension cord

common eye goggles

A six-foot ladder

A taller ladder if your house has high ceilings etc., but everyone should have the basic six-footer.

This simple set will get most common home-owner installation and light-duty fix-it tasks accomplished and shouldn't pose to much risk of getting into trouble.

As your skills indicate, you may wish to upgrade any of the tools listed above or add additional tools.

If you're moving into a new home, painting tools and maybe even wall-papering stuff may be in order.

Outdoor tools really depend on your yard. If you have no hedge, then you need no hedge trimmer, for example. If you have no grass, then you need no mower. If you have a lot of grass, then a rider may be in order. But, a common shovel and rake are pretty universal as is a good outdoor broom. A pruning shear, a small spade, a standard weeder, these are common. I like my adze a lot and frequently use it.

Power washers are nice.

A shop vac is a great addition to a garage. Get the big one and get a hose extension.
 
That's easy.....

  1. Duct Tape
  2. Large Crescent Wrench
  3. Vise Grips
  4. Large Knife
  5. Beer

Those should fix just about anything, if not have a beer and call someone more qualified .

:D :D

Seriously.... the other above lists about cover it.

Nick
 
I keep my garage tools and shop tools seperate, lucky I guess to have a basement shop as well as a garage. Anyway the garage is for yard tools, and what you should have would depend on what kind of yard if any you have. I guess the basics would be a lawnmower, weed wacker, hedge trimmer, blower, chainsaw. spades, leaf rakes, grading rake, various size pruning shears, axe, pick, etc. Oh, did I mention I used to work for a landscaping company? :confused:

As for the home shop what you have would depend on what you feel comfortable doing. I have just about every tool known in mine, just cause they are cool and you never know when you might need one for an odd job. I pretty much have everything from welding to finish carpentry. Breaking things down by category:

Plumbing:
Plunger
Closet Auger
Crescent (Adjustable) Wrench
Pipe Wrench
Basin Wrench
Propane Torch with some solder and flux - not much good all on its own


Electrical:
Multi-Meter
Wire Cutter
Linesman Pliers
Needle Nose Plers
Soldering Iron and flux core solder - different stuff than used in plumbing!!
Grounded Outlet Tester
Phone Line Tester

General Stuff:
Hammer
Screwdriver Set
Socket Set
Drill Bit Set
Good Cordless Drill
Hacksaw
Sandpaper
Circular Saw
Jig Saw
Small Orbital Sander

I am sure there is plenty I am forgetting too. :D Tools are almost as addictive as knives, just make sure you know how to use them. Seems silly to have a shop full of good tools and not know how to use them when needed.
 
Matt Shade said:
A decent (64 peice, 1/4 and 3/8" drives would cover most needs really well) socket set, and good screw drivers. I get really pissed when I get called on to fix something somebody else couldn't and find that they've stripped off the screw heads and rounded all the bolts off.

A good cordless drill is handy too. Something around 9 volts is all most people would ever need.
Click to expand...

Unless you want to drill into metal, then get a more powerful drill, -higher RPM the better anyway.
 
Blisshead said:
Unless you want to drill into metal, then get a more powerful drill, -higher RPM the better anyway.
Click to expand...

Thats true but I was talking for your average home owner who doesn't drill metal very often. A basic contractors grade (I wouldn't buy one of the cheapies) 9.6 volt drill like you can get for around $100 will drive any sort of screw you need and be more than enough for drilling for drywall anchors and anything like that. When you get into the larger drills, your more into dedicated tools, and I'd always want a smaller drill for assembling small things or working in tight spaces. Some of the new drills are ridiculously big (talking dimensions, not power).
 
Start building slowly.

Buy decent quality hand tool products, preferably one with a lifetime replacement guarantee like Craftsman or S&K.

When it comes to power tools, you will get as many opinions as you would about the perfect knife. Do your research, and buy what you can afford. Watch second hand store and pawn shops for good deals.

Pretty soon you'll be in the mindset of "it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it". You will find yourself checking hardware stores for deals to fill in gaps.

Also, IMHO, when it comes to drills, I prefer higher torque capacity than RPM rating. Hate to have a small woodscrew not go all the way in because of lack of power. RPM is not torque.

Spend wisely, and only buy once.
 
The average home owner doesn't drill much at all. That's why I recommend CORDED drills. Unless used regularly, the batteries in cordless drills just go soft. The advantages of a cordless are: 1) you can use it in places where there is no electric service such as a house in the early stages of construction. Homeowners usually have electrical service. 2) you can use it more than six feet from an outlet without dragging out an extension cord. But dragging out an extension cord isn't that bad if you only have to do it a few times per years which is how often most home owners use their drill.

It's a matter of usage. If you like to do projects and frequently use power tools, then think about cordless. Most homeowners would be better advised to buy corded tools which will last for decades with no battery issues and an extension cord or two. As Mr. Thatmguy said, "spend wisely and only buy once."
 
A Bridgeport mill, Hardinge lathe, a few grinders and a couple drill presses. Lots of tool boxes withnames like Snap On, Kennedy, Craftsman full of all sorts of different tools that will allow you to do nearly anything. From hammers to micrometers. You never know what sort of project might present itself in a home environment?

Oh, you mean for Normal People? I'm sorry, I'm not qualified to answer that question......

John
 
I would add a battery charger to the list if you own a car.
My 2c as a professional mechanic is get a cordless drill with 14 to 18 volts.
The torque is there if necessary and a Craftsman on sale goes for less that $100.
I just got a Coleman 18V at COSTCO for $40. They also have a great deal on a Crescent tool set, wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, for about $40 in a case. Great for the car trunk.
 
I like the higher voltage cordless drills. I have one, 3-speed DeWalt, that I'm pretty fond of.

A Dremel will cover many bases, although in the long run with all the replacement bits and stuff, it may be a little expensive.

To me, rotary tools are the shits, cuz usually there's a bunch of things you can do with them. Dremels for example(nothing to be said here). Grinders, bench or angle; sanding disk, cutoff wheel (for metal or masonry), wire wheels, ect.

Drill press (fun fun fun), engine turing bits (super essential:D), sanding drum, convert to virtical wood lathe, among other things.


A compressor (big mother) will be good too, and will open up your options for air tools.

Oxy/Acetlyinesdflkafjsdofiawngarguiu(sp :D ) setup for everything; welding/brazing, heat forming, cooking hotdogs, ect.
 
For a while, I was taking about $25 from every paycheck and going to Sears to buy some sort of basic hand tool. Ratchet handle here... screwdriver set there... along those lines. After a while, I had built up a collection of stuff that's let me do some basic car repairs and typical household tasks without needing to run to the store every time something new comes up.

Some specific things that are handy...

Magnetic telescoping thingie - Used to pick up screws, sockets, nuts, etc that have fallen into the deep recesses of your car.

Tool bag and wrench rolls - You have to have somewhere to keep all this stuff. :)

Set of countersinking bits - If you are putting anything together with wood screws (or their bastard children, drywall screws) you'll want to use one of these to keep the wood from splitting. Note that this doesn't apply to 2X4's or other lumber-y construction.

3" and 6" extensions for your ratchet set.

Wood rasp.

As far as multi-meters go, Radio Shack has a pretty inexpensive and very handy one ... HERE It folds up really small and fits quite well in the toolbag. When I bought mine, they also had a nifty little book that showed you how to use a meter to test all sorts of household electrical items. Worth looking for if you're mostly ignorant of electrical stuff like me. :)
 
I want to thank everybody for the great suggestions and bump this up for one more run. When everything slows down I'm going to go through and summarize a list of haves/needs/wants.
 
Gollnick said:
The average home owner doesn't drill much at all. That's why I recommend CORDED drills. Unless used regularly, the batteries in cordless drills just go soft. The advantages of a cordless are: 1) you can use it in places where there is no electric service such as a house in the early stages of construction. Homeowners usually have electrical service. 2) you can use it more than six feet from an outlet without dragging out an extension cord. But dragging out an extension cord isn't that bad if you only have to do it a few times per years which is how often most home owners use their drill.

It's a matter of usage. If you like to do projects and frequently use power tools, then think about cordless. Most homeowners would be better advised to buy corded tools which will last for decades with no battery issues and an extension cord or two. As Mr. Thatmguy said, "spend wisely and only buy once."
Click to expand...

I'm your basic weekend warrior when it comes to home repair so my tools don't get heavy use. I needed a drill and, of course, considered corded vs. cordless. I decided on cordless mostly because I knew I would be driving screws more than drilling holes and the cordless models I looked at were designed for dual use in that they have a brake that stops the thing spinning when you let go of the trigger, while the corded drills generally don't have brakes so they keep driving after you release. I didn't believe that I would ever need the extra torque of the corded drills. I recycle the batteries by using the flashlight made to use those batteries. I ended up buying a Porter Cable 14.4V and I have not yet had any reason to regret my choice.
 
jb weld, duct tape, hammer, wd-40...

needs to be loosened? hammer
not coming loose? wd-40
not supposed to be loose? duct tape
falling off? jb-weld

:p

seriously? if you can afford em, air tools rock. Have a decent air compressor and 3 drawers of air tools. nothing like changing brake pads in about 5min per tire.
 
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