ᐅ Request for advice on essential tool equipment

Created on: 9 May 2016 11:24
J
jtm80
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?
f-pNo10 May 2016 13:32
Neige schrieb:


I do not agree with that, the rotary hammer is very versatile and, in my opinion, indispensable when working with concrete.

OK – I always thought of the rotary hammer mainly as a tool used with a chisel for demolition work or similar tasks (shows I’m not a professional tradesperson). If it’s also good for regular drilling, then the rotary hammer is fine.

Otherwise, it might be worth considering the original poster’s situation. He’s moving into a townhouse and has (sorry if this sounds harsh) very limited outdoor space. That’s why he’s asking about the basic equipment. It really depends on what kind of work needs to be done. I can imagine that many things are already completed when moving in. Also, he probably doesn’t have a lot of space available. For example, my tools are stored in the utility room and storage area, as they pile up there. Since I use them regularly, I don’t want to put them up in the attic.

Therefore, if I were in his place, I would only buy most tools as needed.

Additionally, I would suggest a rubber mallet. It’s useful for paving and laying slabs, but also for assembling wooden structures (like garden sheds) using tongue and groove joints.
MarcWen10 May 2016 14:36
I also have my own workshop (separate workshop). Over the years, I have gradually built up a collection of professional-grade tools.

You can discard the starter sets from the big-box stores after the very first screw.

I recommend brands like Stahlwille, Knipex, and Wera.
J
jtm80
10 May 2016 16:05
f-pNo schrieb:
OK – whenever I think of a rotary hammer drill, I usually imagine it mainly being used with a chisel for demolition work or similar (shows you I’m not a professional). If it’s also good for “regular” holes, then the rotary hammer drill is fine.

Otherwise, you might want to consider the original situation of the OP. He’s moving into a terraced house and has (sorry for putting it this way) a very small plot of land. That’s why he’s asking about the basic essentials. It really depends on what kind of work needs to be done. I imagine that when moving in, a lot of the work is already finished. Also, he probably doesn’t have much space available. For example, my tools are stacked in the utility room and storage room. Since I use them regularly, I don’t want to store them up in the attic.

So, if I were in his place, I would only buy most things as needed.

Also, I’d suggest adding a rubber mallet. It’s useful for paving or laying slabs but also for assembling wooden structures (like garden sheds) with tongue and groove joints.

Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. And no worries, “towel garden” is a fitting description. It’s about 60m² (645 sq ft), typical for a terraced house. And you’re totally right, we do have to be careful not to accumulate too much “stuff.” No basement, just a garage for the car, so there isn’t much storage space. Basically, only half of the attic is available; the rest is the parents’ bedroom. So it’s better to buy a bit too little at first and then gradually add more or even borrow when needed.

I’ve definitely picked up a lot of tips, thanks for that!
Musketier10 May 2016 16:47
I regularly use the cordless drill (Makita) even after completing the house, and I keep it along with the toolbox within reach in the utility room. For slightly heavier drilling tasks, I have a Bosch hammer drill. I received both as birthday gifts.

The circular saw, jigsaw, orbital sander, table saw, and similar tools are mostly generic brands and probably not absolutely necessary.

Otherwise, I have a mixed collection of tools in a large toolbox and another toolbox full of screws and anchor assortments, which I have gradually gathered over time. I prefer the portable version rather than small wall-mounted shelves above the workbench. That way, you don’t have to search for everything every time you help with moving or other tasks around the house.
C
Che.guevara
10 May 2016 19:03
Does so much equipment really require an extension to be built right away?
S
Saruss
10 May 2016 19:42
I also vote for cordless screwdrivers. Even when assembling small pieces of furniture, they save a lot of time. I have a small Metabo with 10.8V, which is lightweight and comfortable to hold. It also drilled 10cm (4 inches) long holes in wood for a climbing frame with a 10mm (0.4 inch) auger bit, and made small holes through plaster and stone. Only concrete requires a hammer drill function.