The Natural Life - Chapter 5 - Tool Time Part 1
Hello Anons!
Today we are talking about tools. I want to show you what I have at the farm that allows me to get just about anything done around here. I figured out how to do Amazon Affiliates links so this article is going to look like a Ricky Bobby movie with all of the affiliate links, please don’t judge me. Any support goes straight to hungry mouths, literally.
Due to the length of this article, it will be broken up into two sections. Today I’ll go over all of the tools I keep around my house, in my garage or inside. These are tools that can be used for various jobs around the house from airing up a tire on a bike to fixing the toilet. Next week I’ll go over the tools kept outside in the shed/barn that are used for building, wood working, and mechanic stuff. After that I’ll start going over the garden tools.
Disclaimer before we get started: My overall view is to buy tools that are “middle of the road”. Tools that will last a long time and work properly, but aren’t the most expensive tools on the shelf. You don’t want to buy the cheapest tool you can find, unless you only plan to use it once or twice. If you are planning to use a tool every day, or to make money, then I would splurge and buy top of the line after doing lots of research. For most of my projects, I am good with straight down the middle. One exception to this rule is when it comes to hand tools, especially pliers I go with Klien, they are unbeatable and worth the extra money, trust me! For power tools I buy Milwaukee, now I know there are a lot of Dewalt guys out there, but don’t bother trying to win me over. Milwaukee has a great tool replacement/warranty program which makes up for any deficiencies you will try to argue they have have.
One last note: I’m just going to tell you what I have, I’ll provide a link to it or something similar. There are literally thousands of brands/varieties of each tool, so I’m just finding something close to what I have in order to show you what you could buy that will work. We are always striving for greatness so if you can buy something better, please go ahead.
Tools I keep around the house - I have the following in my garage:
Power Drill - Power drills are best for drilling holes, but they are capable of driving screws so they are handy to keep around the house. I also have an impact driver, they are better for driving screws into wood. You could get by for a while with just a drill. Later on, if you do a lot of building you will want an impact driver. Note: Milwaukee has a 12 Volt tool line and an 18 Volt tool line. The 12 Volt is just smaller, with most of the same types of tools available. It is nice to have a smaller drill sometimes, this is just personal preference. The 18 volt has more power and the batteries and tools are a bit larger. I have only the 18 Volt line, this means I have one type of battery for all the different power tools. It keeps things simple instead of having two different size batteries and tool lines.
Here is a link for an 18 Volt drill/battery kit, it comes with two batteries making it a pretty good deal. If you shop around you can find better deals. The 12 Volt version link is here. You may want to go ahead and get the drill/impact driver kit, in 18 Volt is here. And 12 Volt is here. If you are just doing small jobs around the house, these tools should last you forever. Another thing to note is there is a cheaper version of these tools, I would just go ahead and splurge a little and buy the “FUEL” version which is the top of the line and has better components. Most of the cost of these tools is in the batteries so once you get 2 batteries and a charger, you can start buying the “tool only” model which will save money. So if you go with the 18 Volt lineup, you will get a drill, charger, and a few batteries, then you can start building your tool chest buying the tool only sawzall, impact, skill saw, etc.
Air Compressor - There are many different types of air compressors. I have one like this one in the garage that I use to air up tires and stuff. You can’t use this one to run high capacity air tools but it will knock out most small jobs you have around the house. I bought mine from harbor freight fyi.
Tool Box - You’ll want one big enough to fit plenty of tools, but it will also need to fit inside a closet or somewhere out of the way.
Wrenches - These can be found anywhere. Most of it comes from China so it really doesn’t matter where you buy it from. USA made tools will cost more. You want a full set of both standard and metric. This one is nice because it has a pouch thing you can keep them straight in, good luck with that!
Socket Set - This is a really nice one, you might want to buy this for your shop or buy two of these. You can find cheaper sets, it’s important to have standard and metric sizes and it’s a bonus to have deep and shallow sockets of each. 3/8 socket size will get most of your basic stuff around the house. You may need smaller size sockets which is 1/4” drive. You’ll want bigger sockets for working on bigger stuff like car wheels or tractors. This will be covered later.
Screwdriver Set - This doesn’t have to be expensive. I have a Klein Multi Tool Screwdriver for around the house that I love, but I also have a bunch of un matching and cheap screwdrivers to grab when I need it.
Needle Nose, Linemans, and Diagonal Cutting Pliers - again, I’m personally going with Klien for these types of tools from here on out since they will last forever and the quality is unmatched. Buy a cheap pair of pliers and use them for a year, and then go buy you a pair of Kliens and you will agree.
Channel Lock Pliers - These are kind of pricey… I have cheap ones, but next time I buy some they will be these. You really need two pairs of the 10” size and two pairs of the smaller 7” size. These pliers are super handy, I use them all the time.
Pliers - This is another pair of pliers that are nice to have. I can’t find the link for the klien 8” pair.
Wire cutters - If you’re doing any work with electrical wires, like hooking up a stereo or hard wiring under the kitchen cabinet LED lights, these will be your best friend. There is no comparison from Klien to the other brands, don’t even bother.
That’s pretty much the basic tools to keep in your garage that will knock out most jobs you run into. Next I have some basic tools that I keep inside my house for basic house jobs like hanging pictures or putting furniture together.
Toolbox/Step Stool - I keep all the tools inside in one of these, Miss Farmer is short so it’s nice to have a small step stool around. I actually got mine as a gift through work from a vendor. I am noticing prices as I write this and inflation is real ya’ll, plan accordingly.
Small hammer - Anything will do, just a small hammer to hang pictures.
Tape Measure - This is a handy tool for measuring various things around the house. If you need to hang something on the wall this will help you get it in the center.
Screwdriver/Pliers - Here I just use the tools I have outside in the garage.
Stud Finder - this is the one I have and it’s not that great. I haven’t used any other ones so I don’t know what to recommend. I would maybe buy one locally and if you don’t like it you can take it back easily.
Wall Picture Hanger set - Something like this is good to have around the house.
Scissors - A pair of good scissors is always good to have around the house. Buy some of these so you don’t have to use the kitchen set.
Stepstool - Something like this for those high shelves is handy, you may want to buy this locally.
This tool set up will get you knocking out your “honey do” list in no time. You’re also establishing a nice base of tools to build out from. Next week we’ll get outside and start covering the next layer of tools you’ll need to build your homestead supplier sheds.
I’ll holler at ya’ll later!