My wife and I are moving into our own home this year. In our previous apartment (top floor with roof terrace), there was little handyman work to do, and when there was, usually a hammer/nail or screwdriver plus drywall anchors were enough for the numerous drywall partitions.
Our new house, however, has concrete walls (precast concrete) and a small garden (middle unit townhouse garden, about 60cm (650 square feet)). Therefore, we are currently considering what tools we will need for everyday tasks such as assembling furniture, hanging pictures, and garden maintenance. Interior finishing, including flooring, walls/ceilings, and stair coverings, will be done by professionals, so we don’t need tools for that.
Our current considerations — for which we would appreciate tips and suggestions — are:
- a complete toolbox (so far we have gathered tools piecemeal)
- a rotary hammer drill (due to the concrete walls) with various attachments
- a large set of anchors/screws/nails
- a manual lawn mower (cylinder mower, since the lawn area is small, no electric or gasoline mower)
- basic garden equipment like hose, rake, shovel, etc. (some of which we already have from roof terrace planting)
Any additions or recommendations?
Our new house, however, has concrete walls (precast concrete) and a small garden (middle unit townhouse garden, about 60cm (650 square feet)). Therefore, we are currently considering what tools we will need for everyday tasks such as assembling furniture, hanging pictures, and garden maintenance. Interior finishing, including flooring, walls/ceilings, and stair coverings, will be done by professionals, so we don’t need tools for that.
Our current considerations — for which we would appreciate tips and suggestions — are:
- a complete toolbox (so far we have gathered tools piecemeal)
- a rotary hammer drill (due to the concrete walls) with various attachments
- a large set of anchors/screws/nails
- a manual lawn mower (cylinder mower, since the lawn area is small, no electric or gasoline mower)
- basic garden equipment like hose, rake, shovel, etc. (some of which we already have from roof terrace planting)
Any additions or recommendations?
Since you are moving into a new build, this might be less important for you, but so far a good industrial vacuum cleaner (Starmix iPulse) has proven to be very useful for me. I used it mainly when removing tiles, where a large amount of dust was generated. But it also makes sense to have dust extraction during sawing, drilling, and sanding work, especially if you don’t want to spend days cleaning the entire house afterwards. (With gypsum and cement dust, however, cleaning is still necessary even with extraction.) I have also used the vacuum for cleaning the car and removing leaves from gutters. Fortunately, I didn’t skimp on this device and have not regretted it.
Since you mentioned precast concrete elements, a rotary hammer drill would definitely be my first purchase. It is important to have proper drill bits that can handle steel reinforcement without dulling after the first hit.
I have not bought a complete tool set, but prefer a solid basic kit that can be expanded for different tasks. I did inherit some “hand-me-downs” from family that are still serving me well. If you have no tools at all, a tool kit might be useful, but be sure to choose good quality.
Anchors: I bought a range of anchors from Fischer to have different sizes on hand initially.
Nails: I wouldn’t stockpile many. A few good-quality steel nails might be useful, but you won’t be able to use some types at all in your concrete walls. For example, I had trouble fixing nail clips for electrical wiring to sand-lime brick walls in my basement, so I ended up drilling in plastic conduits with appropriate holders, where the cables are much better concealed.
Screws: You never seem to have the right ones, no matter how many you buy in advance. I keep a set of chipboard screws and several packs of common sizes bought during clearance sales, and otherwise only purchase as needed.
Push lawn mower: I can’t comment much here. For my 300 m² (3200 sq ft) lawn it is not an option. I’m currently thinking about a cordless mower, because with an electric mower the cable often gets in the way despite practice, and you never have both hands free since you have to hold the handle firmly or it stops for safety reasons. So I prefer a cordless mower.
Garden tools: I inherited these with the house. I have recently added a pole pruner for cutting branches at height, a cordless hedge trimmer, and a cordless grass trimmer for lawn edges. Brooms, snow shovels, etc. were already available or I had them myself.
Since you mentioned precast concrete elements, a rotary hammer drill would definitely be my first purchase. It is important to have proper drill bits that can handle steel reinforcement without dulling after the first hit.
I have not bought a complete tool set, but prefer a solid basic kit that can be expanded for different tasks. I did inherit some “hand-me-downs” from family that are still serving me well. If you have no tools at all, a tool kit might be useful, but be sure to choose good quality.
Anchors: I bought a range of anchors from Fischer to have different sizes on hand initially.
Nails: I wouldn’t stockpile many. A few good-quality steel nails might be useful, but you won’t be able to use some types at all in your concrete walls. For example, I had trouble fixing nail clips for electrical wiring to sand-lime brick walls in my basement, so I ended up drilling in plastic conduits with appropriate holders, where the cables are much better concealed.
Screws: You never seem to have the right ones, no matter how many you buy in advance. I keep a set of chipboard screws and several packs of common sizes bought during clearance sales, and otherwise only purchase as needed.
Push lawn mower: I can’t comment much here. For my 300 m² (3200 sq ft) lawn it is not an option. I’m currently thinking about a cordless mower, because with an electric mower the cable often gets in the way despite practice, and you never have both hands free since you have to hold the handle firmly or it stops for safety reasons. So I prefer a cordless mower.
Garden tools: I inherited these with the house. I have recently added a pole pruner for cutting branches at height, a cordless hedge trimmer, and a cordless grass trimmer for lawn edges. Brooms, snow shovels, etc. were already available or I had them myself.
Cordless drill with impact function. Maki... offers very good cases for around 200 euros.
Tool cases with everything you need are available from 50 euros. For 100 euros, you can get almost everything to handle basic home projects.
Wall plug sets ranging from 5mm to 10mm (0.2 inches to 0.4 inches) are the most common.
Spirit level 1m (3.3 feet).
Screw sets from 35mm to 60mm (1.4 inches to 2.4 inches).
This was the first equipment I bought, and the rest came gradually.
Tool cases with everything you need are available from 50 euros. For 100 euros, you can get almost everything to handle basic home projects.
Wall plug sets ranging from 5mm to 10mm (0.2 inches to 0.4 inches) are the most common.
Spirit level 1m (3.3 feet).
Screw sets from 35mm to 60mm (1.4 inches to 2.4 inches).
This was the first equipment I bought, and the rest came gradually.
Only buy tools and power tools of at least semi-professional quality—avoid DIY store products that typically last only about 2 years under heavy use. In my own house construction, I wore out several "budget" machines before investing in professional-grade equipment. You should avoid that mistake—quite literally—because buying and building cheaply ultimately costs more. I strongly advise against so-called "sets," especially screw sets. Most of the items will never be used, and the quality is mediocre. As a strict rule, avoid slotted and Phillips screws; use only Torx or hex socket screws. Purchase only what you truly need and seek advice from experienced tradespeople.
B
Bieber08159 May 2016 22:35The rotary hammer drill is the specialist tool for concrete; it makes sense if you frequently drill into concrete and is necessary when you need to drill larger diameters (e.g., electrical box installation...). The hammer drill is the all-rounder, which can (without hammer action) also mix paint or drill wood and is sufficient for occasional concrete drilling (smaller/standard diameters, assuming appropriate drill bits). The latter, in good quality, is for me one of the very few "must-have tools" (see below).
In my opinion (IMHO!!!!), a cordless screwdriver is only practical/necessary for specific large projects. An average household, where you only occasionally need to screw something, will do well with a screwdriver set. Always ready to use, no power required, never breaks down, and even grandchildren can use it (there are reportedly even worn-out, broken screwdrivers still in use, but still...). However, this is probably a matter of personal preference (compare also the question about lawn mowers).
Have these already been mentioned?
- Water pump pliers
- Silicone sealing tape
- Pliers
- End cutting pliers
- Hammer
- Allen key set (needed for various adjustment screws on furniture and/or doors)
- Knife (utility knife, good pocket knife, carpet knife)
- Flashlight (possibly a headlamp)
- Small set of small screwdrivers (battery change for the son's Brio train)
- Adhesive strips (e.g., Tesa Power Strips)
- Glue
- Battery charger
In a *complete* toolbox, many of these items are naturally already included... Open-end wrenches (sizes 8mm to 32mm (0.3 to 1.25 inches), two of each), socket wrenches (same sizes), bit sets (slotted, Phillips, Torx, and others).
Then there are the power tools:
- Jigsaw
- Circular handheld saw
- Table saw
- Band saw
- Belt sander
- Rotary tool (Dremel)
- Grinder (for sharpening drill bits)
- Compressor
- Hammer drill, rotary hammer
- ….
==> In my view, one should proceed selectively here and possibly consider borrowing tools. Most will be needed eventually for a project, but does it always justify buying? Cheap tools only last once, expensive tools become dead capital. A tough decision.
Then there is various specialized equipment for hobbies, bicycles, and cars... depending on preference.
In my opinion (IMHO!!!!), a cordless screwdriver is only practical/necessary for specific large projects. An average household, where you only occasionally need to screw something, will do well with a screwdriver set. Always ready to use, no power required, never breaks down, and even grandchildren can use it (there are reportedly even worn-out, broken screwdrivers still in use, but still...). However, this is probably a matter of personal preference (compare also the question about lawn mowers).
Have these already been mentioned?
- Water pump pliers
- Silicone sealing tape
- Pliers
- End cutting pliers
- Hammer
- Allen key set (needed for various adjustment screws on furniture and/or doors)
- Knife (utility knife, good pocket knife, carpet knife)
- Flashlight (possibly a headlamp)
- Small set of small screwdrivers (battery change for the son's Brio train)
- Adhesive strips (e.g., Tesa Power Strips)
- Glue
- Battery charger
In a *complete* toolbox, many of these items are naturally already included... Open-end wrenches (sizes 8mm to 32mm (0.3 to 1.25 inches), two of each), socket wrenches (same sizes), bit sets (slotted, Phillips, Torx, and others).
Then there are the power tools:
- Jigsaw
- Circular handheld saw
- Table saw
- Band saw
- Belt sander
- Rotary tool (Dremel)
- Grinder (for sharpening drill bits)
- Compressor
- Hammer drill, rotary hammer
- ….
==> In my view, one should proceed selectively here and possibly consider borrowing tools. Most will be needed eventually for a project, but does it always justify buying? Cheap tools only last once, expensive tools become dead capital. A tough decision.
Then there is various specialized equipment for hobbies, bicycles, and cars... depending on preference.
I think a cordless screwdriver is essential.
Other than that, pretty much all the essentials have already been mentioned. I also have a heavy, old vise that weighs almost 40kg (88 pounds)... anyone who learned to file using one of these won’t want to do without it later.
In addition, I have a Flott grinding machine. I’m still missing a bench or pillar drill, but that’s certainly not part of the basic equipment. A good ratchet wrench set, however, definitely is.
Other than that, pretty much all the essentials have already been mentioned. I also have a heavy, old vise that weighs almost 40kg (88 pounds)... anyone who learned to file using one of these won’t want to do without it later.
In addition, I have a Flott grinding machine. I’m still missing a bench or pillar drill, but that’s certainly not part of the basic equipment. A good ratchet wrench set, however, definitely is.
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