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Must have tools

4K views 57 replies 32 participants last post by  ArmyDoc 
#1 ·
sorry if this has been brought up before. What tools and supplies should a hopeful homesteader be stockpiling prior to beginning to homestead? Larger items that would need a barn or garage for storage I can't be getting anytime soon. I'm hoping to find off season and sales items while waiting for the time to be right for me to buy some land!
 
#35 ·
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#38 ·
Thanks folks for expanding my reading wish list! I suppose no physical tool is more powerful than knowledge!
I hope to find most things at auction or yard sales etc.
My next project is trying to change the break pads one truck alone, rather than taking her to the shop. This week on my day off I'm cutting down a Christmas tree so the week after will be breaks for a day.
 
#50 ·
Thanks folks for expanding my reading wish list! I suppose no physical tool is more powerful than knowledge!
I hope to find most things at auction or yard sales etc.
My next project is trying to change the break pads one truck alone, rather than taking her to the shop. This week on my day off I'm cutting down a Christmas tree so the week after will be breaks for a day.
............................
.........One of the most valuable tools is a pickup\trailer combination ! With a truck \utility trailer you can haul , move , most anything you need to build or repair ! Otherwise , you're continually having to borrow from friends and\or neighbors , and you only have access when it suits , their time schedule . , fordy
 
#39 ·
If you don't have welding equipment or don't know of a welder who you can afford (or even if you do) sometimes this can be the next best thing:

https://www.jbweld.com/

Put it in your toolbox. Over the years, some of the most amazing repairs have involved this stuff.


.
 
#42 ·
#44 · (Edited)
buy the tools you need as you need them, in time you will have what you really need for your operation,

what I think is important may not be some thing you will ever used, (like the one person said bent nose needle nose pliers),
I have a pair, but have only used once in about 20 years, and they did not work for what I thought I needed them for and have never felt the need to use them again,
and I have more tools than the average person,
besides the average home owners tools, wrenches, saws, hammers, and I would think a post hole digger, mower/tractor/loader, possibly a chain saw, trailer,

but again it all depends on what your wanting to do on your place, and how big it is,

many a modem homestead is not much more than a house on a large lot,

but if yours is over a few acres, and one wants animals and large garden, the needs will be much different than some one mowing the back yard,

do plan on building, or are there buildings to repair, what is your plan and what are your goals,

I am guessing if your asking about tools, that the planing stage is very limited on your part,

rather than general tools,

ask questions like what tools do I need to build a barbed wire fence.
or
I want to put a post frame building for a barn, what will I need,
or
I will have 40 acres to cut the brush out of to improve it for pasture, what or how should I go about this,
or
I will have a garden about 43,560 square feet in size, (and acre), and plan on sweet corn, and vegetables, and watermelons, what type of tools would make life easier, tractor? tillage tools? planting tools,
or the question above could be for a 300 square foot garden?

so a little more of the plan and the area, and what your dealing with would help in getting a better answer,

(the way your question is asked, it is some what like I want to go from New York to California, what kind of car or truck do I need?) no indication of the number of people, or that you may want to haul some thing along the way, or if you want luxury or the bare minimum. in the way of transportation),
 
#45 ·
I'd save everything you can to buy the property and after that pick up tools as you need them. No sense in stockpiling a bunch of things you don't need yet. Until you need the stuff you'll have to store it and then move it. Most of my tools have come from flea markets, yard and estate sales. The best deals I find are at estate sales towards the end of some sales they are practically giving stuff away. I find some really good quality tools and equipment cheap that way.
 
#47 ·
I agree with those who say buy old vintage tools. But also learn how to care for and maintain these tools. A quality axe will last you a lifetime if you treat it right. You may have to re-handle it but that's a pretty easy task if you know what you're doing. Well cared for many vintage tools will out live you.
 
#48 ·
I Think You Need at least $11,000 in the Bank, first thing. You will fail if you try to do all on Credit, Really.
That will be difficult but Shows Loan officer that you have Will power.
If you are saving then No Christmas Tree, No Treats Save Money, Save MONEY.

Learn with Habitat but not if you miss a shift with Good Tips, SAVE ALL the MONEY YOU CAN.

Best of Luck Rosco!
 
#52 ·
Too late I already cut down a Christmas tree! It was an excuse to buy that handsaw that was on clearance. All the presents for my kids are either hand made or from the thrift store. That's this year and last, I've been planning and saving for our down payment for a bit.
There is no way I can buy land without a loan. But I never use credit cards, don't even have one!
 
#54 ·
Just in general now... I'm mostly saving money and not buying things new or on a whim.
I am constantly going to yard sales, thrift stores etc and looking out for good deals. I would like to pick up a good deal in an antique or older item if I come across them. But I'm not planing on googling any of these thighs and buying new off eBay or Amazon or whatever. I am hoping to go to a few estate auctions this winter (after the holidays) and getting what if believe will be useful once I'm out of the city. As much as I would love to spend money on a nice container garden system or indoor tower garden to illuminate my green thumb I'd rather be frugal till I can get a little dirt on my hands.
 
#55 ·
............FREE , Wood pallets are a source of construction materials that you could build a home out OF , If you had enough ! Look for an old , but working air compressor to use for all kinds of projects . Also , IF you can find a framing nail gun for cheap will allow you to build things using 16 penny nails that will save your arms and shoulders from swinging a hammer . Using muscles for projects that have never been used , like swinging a hammer , can turn out to be a painful awakening on Monday at Work when you try to perform your normal activities ! Just a thought..........there is always a price to be paid for everything you do in life . , fordy
 
#56 ·
Ok not your style but we started out with Pickup, Chainsaw and couple Lanterns.

Later got a T Post Driver never had a Post Hole Digger always put up Rock Post. Only time after years of building Fence needing Post Hole Digger was for Corner Post and few along the line and that was if I didn't have rocks.

Did get a 200 gallon tank and guttering for water.

big rockpile
 
#57 ·
Great topic. I'll stick to tools and not off road into financial, homegoods or training. A few items every acreage needs reguardless of what crops or projects you as follows: A hammer, 16oz claw hammer is a good all purpose one. 25ft tape measure. Speed square for marking cuts and a straight edge. A level. Circular saw. Set of screwdrivers, wrenches (sae and metric), socket set, locking pliers, needle nose pliers, and a 12"-18" pipe wrench. A good axe, shovel, garden rake, leaf rake and hoe. Fencing pliers and a good machete. A chainsaw is one of the greatest labor saving devices ever. A 4.5 inch angle grinder is useful for a multitude of tasks and usually pretty cheap for its usefulness.

I'd need all that living in the suburbs. Learning how to weld was one of the best things I ever learned how to do and an inexpensive flux core 110v unit will let you fix alot of small projects. Garage sales are great, I stay away from auctions for hand tools though. I might go to one for a tractor or implements but still not fond of them. People let their egos get involved and next thing you know they're paying retail for used items. I doubly avoid pawn shops. The shop is there to make money and they don't do that by making good deals for shoppers.
 
#58 ·
Essential toolsmarked with *:
Hand tools for Gardening/farm:
*Shovel - step in pointed digging
Shovel - flat gravel
Pick/Mattock
Rake
Pitch fork
* Hoe
* Post hole digger
* Handheld Garden spade
* Handheld hoe/rake (japanese cuttle-fish hoe)
* Pruning shears - handheld
Long handled pruning shears
*Two wheeled wheel barrel
4 wheeled pull garden cart
Building/Carpentry
* Hammer - claw (heavy as you can accurately swing for an hour)
* Hammer - ball-pean or cross-pean (one handed sledge)
+/- heavy two handed sledge
* Saw - cross cut 24inch
Hack saw
* Linesman plyers
Fencing tool
Large cressant wrench 12" x2 (* if gave a tractor)
* Medium cressant -9"
* Vice grips
Carpenters clamps
Power tools
* 1/2 inch drill - lithium 18v
* 8 inch circular saw
Chainsaw
Mantis style tiller/cultivator
Heavy equipment
Tractor
front end loader
Disc harrow
Post hole augar
Rotary or flail mower
 
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