Toolkit

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Anyone know where to get a good, compact dorm worthy toolkit? Some folks have mentioned giving these for H.S. graduation gifts. I’m not having great luck finding one - suggestions please? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Do not buy anything expensive - tools tend to grow legs, then walk away and never return. I bought a cheapo basic toolkit from Target for DD, and it served her well.</p>

3

<p>You can get a cheap tool kit, but get a good pair of pliers to go along with it. I’ve had the cheap ones literally snap while I was using them. The most important things to have in a took kit are:</p>

<p>Hammer
Set of hex keys (allen wrenches)
A few different screwdrivers with varying sizes and both flat and phillips head.
Tape measurer
PLIERS.
Leveler.
Wrenches
Jewlery set (set of tiny screwdrivers; more useful than most people realize, probably have to buy it seperately.)
Multibladed pocket knife
Duct tape</p>

<p>I might be leaving something off but I think if you’ve got those things you can fix most anything that doesn’t require specialized tools, and you’ll be able to put just about anything together.</p>

4

<p>TO add to list
Scissors
Glue
needle and thread.
Mallet ( hammers can leave marks)
I also like vise-grips
& grease or WD-40</p>

5

<p>Good additions, especially the needle and thread.</p>

6

<p>I’m sorry, but I cannot condone a cheap tool kit. Substandard materials, loose fitting joints and adjustments, shoddy workmanship, loose handles, blades that do not hold an edge are all accidents waiting to happen. </p>

<p>You can buy a decent starter set at any of the big box stores, and most are warrantied for life. They will not cost you an arm and a leg, but a cheap, pacific rim knockoff may well cost the user an eye, smashed knuckles or a trip to the ER for stitches.</p>

<p>Please consider that a quality tool is safer, better designed, and is meant to last while doing the job intended both effectively and safely. These “bargain specials” make excellent anchors or ballast nothing more. </p>

<p>Do your kids a favor.</p>

7

<p>Sears has a number of tool sets of varying price and quality.</p>

<p>Go to the Sears site…search on “Tools”, “Tool Kits”, “Homeowners Kits.”</p>

<p>They range from about $12.99+. There’s a fairly complete set that comes with a bag for $19.99 that I’ve given as a high school graduation gift.</p>

<p>While I generally agree about getting good quality tools, I’m not sure it’s the right thing for college students who move every year and are likely to lend out and loose things. They usually need tools for minor repairs and adjustments, and the inexpensive tools work fine. </p>

<p>For college graduation, I have often given a nicer set of lifetime-warrenty tools.</p>

8

<p>Did my search for son’s solo apt and bought the one from Walmart. Want something to hammer, hang, put together… and keep it organized in one place. None of the other stores had an as cheap but useful one. Good quality comes at a price and for the number of times needed isn’t worth the price for a son who will never do projects. Can always get better tools later.</p>

9

<p>Toolkits, like other gifts, should suit the recipient and are by no means universal gifts for college bound kids.</p>

<p>Sears homeowner toolkits come in many prices, sizes and colors (including pink). Craftsman branded tools carry a lifetime replacement warranty – no receipt needed.</p>

<p>[Shop</a> for Home Owner Tool Sets in the Tools department of Sears.com](<a href=“http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Tool+Sets_Home+Owner+Tool+Sets]Shop”>http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Tool+Sets_Home+Owner+Tool+Sets)</p>

<p>Good tools are safer and more expensive. Be sure to include safety goggles and gloves.</p>

10

<p>I cast my vote with ‘violadad’ on this one. Poor quality tools can not only be ineffective, they can be dangerous - breaking in an inopportune position. It’s possible to get away with some items of poor quality, like maybe a cheap hammer that’ll only be used to nail in a picture hook, but others, especially more compicated tools like pliers, socket wrench, etc., aren’t worth the money or aggravation of a cheap tool. </p>

<p>Sears Craftsman tools are great but can be pricy (but look for sales). Some other brands are typically good as well - Stanley, Channellock, Vise Grip, etc. Some of the big-box brands that Home Depot and places have can be good as well although one should pay attention to the perticular tool first. Some tools with a ‘lifetime warranty’ can still be junk - they figure you’ll likely never return it (sold at some hardware stores, auto parts stores, etc.). With tools I avoid anything made in China of possible and prefer anything made in the USA. There’s generally a clear distinction in quality with the USA made tools far superior.</p>

<p>A quality hand tool will last a lifetime and is generally worth the minor incremental cost for the better quality. I still use some quality hand tools older than I am that my father used before me.</p>

11

<p>My W is the one who thought a toolkit was a good idea. She got a very small plastic toolbox and added an assortment of individuals tools from the hardware store. Very few got used. My D decided it was better to act helpless and have the males do the repairs.</p>