Article on basic tool kit

[Selena]

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/hom...ool_kit_a1.asp

Building a basic tool kit for under $200 but I suspect one could do it for less watching sales, 2nd hand stores, and garage sales.

[NJ Rich]

First, look at what you already have and work from there. My basic kit may not list "the perfect tool for the job" but what you can "make do with". You can find some very good name brand tools at Flea Markets.

THE LIST:
Fourway screw drivers. Two sloted screw sizes/two Philips head sizes and the handle may be 1/4" or 5/16 size socket head at the ends.
Straight Claw steel handle hammer 20 ounce
Cross Cut saw 7 or 8 point hand saw
5 1/2 point rip hand saw (Good Off Grid Saw)
Awl
Block Plane
Carpenters Compass
Cats Paw nail puller
Crow Bar
2 foot level
Chaulk Line with blue chaulk
Hand Axe
Two grit sharpening stone 2"X8"
Mill File; three cornered file; 4 way rasp
Allan Wrenches
3/8" socket set with ratchet; 3" and 6" extentions/universal joint
12" and 14" pipe wrenches
Combination Wrench set 1/4" thru 1 1/4"
Electricians Pliers with insulated handles
Hacksaw with extra blades
Pipe Cutter 1" or less capacity
Plumb Bob 16 ounce
Putty Knife
Utility Knife with spare blades
Vise Grip Pliers
Water pump pliers

I know you can not possibly buy this tool kit for $200.00 but if you have time to shop Garage Sales and Flea Markets you may have money left over.

I also know you can't do everything with this basic tool list but you can do a lot of fixing and getting by with the tools listed. There are many things that can be added but this list can take you a long way to being "Independant", and doing things for yourself.

[65284]

I avoid most new tools like the plague. Almost impossible to find anything not made in China. Chinese tools=JUNK!!! Anytime I'm at an auction or yard sale and there are old made in the USA reasonably priced tools I buy them. Okay, okay I have a shop with way too many hammers, saws, rakes hoes, shovels, etc. But they were all cheap and will far outlast and outperform any of the imported crap.

[Selena]

IMHO, everyone needs a basic tool kit and to me, this is a good start to self-reliance regardless of where one lives. We sent the older daughter off to school with a flashlight that stores some basic tools inside. Amazing the number of folks who used it on move-in day (and returned the tools with a thank-you).