Tools.

[carik]

The last entry reminded me: I keep finding that I either don't own or don't have handy the tools I need, so I'm considering rearranging my toolbox into something easier to carry, and more organizable. Possibly a bag with pockets that are actually designed for the tools I want to put in them, rather than a giant box that everything just gets

Comments

[coffeebeanben]

I've been meaning to pick up something like this bucket organizer for quite some time, but for some reason I can never remember to pick one up. I personally think they're awesome. You can keep most of your common tools in the pockets, then throw whatever "specialty" items in the bucket.

As for the tools themselves... well, I'm going to offer some recommendations. But be sure to take me with a couple grains of salt because I'm the sort of guy who thinks it's never a bad idea to bring the biscuit joiner.

That said, here's my list of must-have tools in a portable toolbox:

Safety goggles/glasses
25' tape measure
Combination square
At least two carpenter's pencils
Utility knife
Hammer (I prefer a rip-type hammer)
Needle-nose pliers
One of these pliers 'cause they're awesome

[carik]

OK, so here's a question: What, functionally speaking, is the difference between a carpenter's pencil and an ordinary pencil?

As to the electrical stuff, I'm thinking I'll probably build a second kit as an attachment, with a multimeter, electrical tape, smaller pliers, and gear for building ethernet/phone wires.

At the moment, I'm thinking to make the basic kit be some sort of bag-like thing, with per-tool pockets, and a few attachment points for clipping on specific kits.

I'm liking archhealer's suggestion of a clamp... might be a useful thing to have.

I like the bucket organizer, but it has one serious lack: if you toss it into the back of your car, you're likely to spill tools all over the place.

Oh! And one other thing every tool-kit needs: a few small containers. Film cannisters, little jars, whatever. Something to put small parts in while dismantling whatever you're working on so they don't get lost.

[coffeebeanben]

A carpenter's pencil is huge, long, overbuilt and uses a harder wood and graphite to wear longer. Designed to be sharpened with a utility knife.

You'd be surprised at how well a fully-loaded bucket remains upright. The vertical cross-section is pretty much square, with the bucket being only a little taller than it is wide at the base. When the pockets are full of tools, the center of gravity is actually pretty low. Put anything in it and it's lower still.

And yeah, a clamp or two is usually a good thing to have. I've got a big steel C-clamp in the back of my car for no particular reason. :-)

TOOOOL!

[archhealer]

I like tools. It's one of my (few) mantastic qualities. From some of these must-have tools I'm about to list, you'll realize I'm a born bike mechanic, but even so, they ARE handy.

A set of (metric) ratcheting hex-wrenches.
A Park(tm) allen wrench, the kind that's a triangle and has a 4, 5, and 6mm on it, OR a folding allen wrench set, one of them what looks like a folding pocket knife and has a broad range of sizes.

At least one spanner wrench (It's amazing how rarely you need these, but, they can be used in a lot of other situations that they weren't designed for, if you're creative).

An awl
a razor and/or X-Acto style knife.
A FGMP-14 Fusion blaster (Hard to find, but so handy)
A small-ish (maybe 3") C-clamp
Lots of rubber bands
A handheld staplegun
A level

Re: TOOOOL!

[coffeebeanben]

outside of a Park Tool 50+ piece tool set, where the truck do you find spanner wrenches? I've been wanting one for years.

[thatshortgirl]

I was going to say the handy dandy bucket thing is awesome, this one tech director at the FAC had one, and I always admired it...and then discovered Ben already said it. nice!

[gapunzel]

TOOOOOOOL!!

it bore repeating.

[siren_noda]

Umm, a personal favorite in our house's toolboxes is a ratcheting screwdriver with interchangable tips. And my brother uses a canvas satchel-type bag that has the rigid mouth that stays open when you need it to. Other than that, I've grown fond of a good set of nut drivers. If you've ever had to assemble a metal shelf and stripped the prints off your fingers holding the nut in place, you'll know why.

[carik]

The ratcheting screwdriver is a plus... I have one in my computer kit, and it definitely makes life easier.

As to the nut drivers... well, people tell me I already drive them nuts, so why not make it easier?

Any idea where the bag came from? Sounds like it may be just what I'm looking for...