Build your own craftsman tool set

We also find sets with TORX, square, and even multi-tip type screwdriver handy. They let you work on more types of fasteners which we find on an increasing number of products.

We like the Southwire Made-in-America screwdriver set and the Milwaukee 8-piece screwdriver set , but a basic kit from anyone should serve you well. Also, consider picking up something like the Klein in-1 screwdriver for additional flexibility.

We like tossing these into a tool bag for space savings. You definitely want a small basic drill bit kit. If you plan to drill metal, read our article on the best drill bits for metal. For driver bits, you have an easier time. Grab some magnetic bits for driving various fasteners. You want a nice assortment as you may end up having to deal with Phillips, Torx, and even square drive fasteners at some point.

We really like the Makita XPS impact driver bits on the top end. Realistically speaking, however, you can grab cheaper base kits from the likes of Bosch, Ryobi, and Craftsman Tools. If you want to buy just one hammer, go with the best framing hammer you can afford. A basic hammer works, but we prefer something around ounces as a general rule.

Look for a smooth-faced hammer with a straight claw. If you want tried-and-true, grab the Estwing oz smooth-faced framer. At least one medium-sized trim pry bar works well for most folks.

Having a pry bar helps save your screwdrivers which should not be used for prying. I prefer flat bars measuring inches or longer.

A small trim bar may also help when dealing with base molding and similar, more delicate, operations. A small, rugged LED-style flashlight used to be the thing.

Now, however, we prefer small work lights or task lights that illuminate your immediate work area. Headlamps stay with you while you work, making them indispensable for working inside cabinets, in crawlspaces, or anywhere you need light directly in front of you. Next, we want to expand your hand tools and ensure you have some of the most common tools needed for tackling household jobs. We also include tools for project building and DIY creations.

Clamps help to hold things together while you fasten or while the glue dries. If you build things, you need clamps—lots of clamps. Grab a wide variety of clamps in various sizes, types, and styles. We find the inch Irwin Quick Grips and Bessey trigger clamps among the most versatile. An adjustable wrench definitely qualifies as one of those handy tools you need in any basic tool set when you can put your finger on what size the fastener head is. Look for a medium-sized model. We particularly like the Milwaukee adjustable wrenches but you can get cheaper tools.

With this type of recommendation, you have lots of options. Not everyone needs a set of wrenches right away, but most would benefit from having these tools. They definitely help if you plan to work on your own vehicle. Look for both a set of metric and standard SAE wrenches. While a basic set of wrenches works perfectly—we also like ratcheting models that let you quickly loosen nuts without having to lift and place the wrench for each turn.

Wire cutters side cutters or diagonal cutting pliers should feel sturdy in your hand while remaining light. These are useful for cutting wires, rope, cord, etc. I might also include a pair of wire strippers—but I dabble in electrical work. There are actually many kinds of pliers—and each has its place. We split out these pliers for a reason. Needle nose pliers help you reach into tight places to tighten or grab something otherwise unreachable.

When you need this tool—nothing else works as a substitute. Locking jaw pliers work well when you can no longer grab a fastener head with a wrench or screwdriver.

Pros may opt for a nice set of T-handles, but we like the folding style sets. They deliver multiple tools attached to a single handle. Stay away from loose kits as they get lost quite easily. Use it for things like adjusting the strike plate location on a door or cutting in hinges. Do NOT use it on any metal or for prying. Take good care of your chisels and they should last a very long time. While a caulk gun see below works well for a variety of household projects—it introduces those tools required for painting.

You may not immediately think of a caulk gun when considering how to build a basic tool set. And yet, everyone has a sink, bathtub, or a window that needs to be caulked at some point. You might as well get one of these now and have it handy. Stay away from the cheapest models unless you have really strong hands. We recommend something with a bit more leverage.

Of course, if you fix everything with caulk, you may want to consider picking up a cordless caulk gun. Buying the right paint brush just means understanding what you want to accomplish. Having some basic brushes around makes it easy to do touchups and small projects. You also want a nice angled brush you can take care of for cutting in when painting larger areas of your home. We suggest at least one high-quality 3-inch brush, an angled 2-inch brush, and a variety of smaller disposable chip brushes.

A 5-in-1 helps you quickly scrape, clean paint rollers, and open up paint cans—among other things. Use it for sanding down small areas when patching drywall. When building a basic tool set you need solid layout, measurement, and cutting. These tools provide some of the most basic tasks for any job. That includes cutting up cardboard boxes, hanging things televisions, mirrors, or even doors , and measuring a room for furniture or a carpet. We can really tell you how to build a basic tool set without including some levels.

The most convenient size is a torpedo level. This compact level easily fits inside most toolboxes or tool bags. If you can, also grab an aluminum 2-foot level like the Klein inch box level or any of the recommendations from our best bubble level buying guide. A 2-foot level gives you all the usefulness of the smaller size level. We recommend looking for a knife that utilizes common and easy-to-replace blades, both folding and standard styles work fine.

The latter feature segmented snap-off blades that keep your edge almost infinitely sharp. Make sure to grab a good pair of heavy duty scissors than can cut through thick materials. Similarly, we recommend grabbing a pair of aviation snips for cutting through thinner sheet metals. We like the Milwaukee straight aviation snips , but honestly, many brands make great products. If you only want to buy one, get a foot compact model to cover those longer distances.

We like the Stanley Fatmax tape measure as well as Milwaukee Tool compact tapes and their tough Stud tape measure. If you already own some power tool solutions, you may have less use for hacksaws and wood saws. Still, not everything easily cuts with a power tool. Consider grabbing a hacksaw that uses replaceable blades and works well for cutting hard materials like metal and PVC. Also, a basic wood saw comes in handy when you need to cut wood cleanly.

No one has built a better mousetrap in this area successfully in our opinion. Answering the question of how to build a basic tool set needs to include a pack of these. Carpenter pencils hold up better than regular pencils due to the larger graphite lead within.

While your primary concern is buying a basic toolset, it also helps to know how to store them and protect yourself on the job site. Thinking about safety, organization, and cleanup right from the start can save you lots of headaches in the long run. Always have tinted and non-tinted safety glasses handy. Find some that are comfortable and fit your face well.

These come in all shapes and sizes. Work gloves provide anything from knuckle and hand protection to cut-protection. Many now offer areas that let you use your smartphone without having to remove the gloves.

Overall, we prefer thinner gloves that fit snugly for most projects. They offer good protection while remaining tactile. For anything involving long-term work, we recommend an Nrated mask. The better models include a vent, and some even offer a rechargeable fan to evacuate warm air you breathe out. For extreme work, consider a respirator. You want a good foot extension cord. We actually prefer a couple of foot cords over a single foot cord due to how difficult longer cords are to manage.

Spend the few extra dollars and get cords that use 12 AWG wire. See our extension cord size chart article for more info on how that affects your power tools. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.

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