What Tools Will I Need?
12/10/2009 10:38:11 AM by (KReeve)

One of the things that has been kicking around my head is what kind of tools would I need if I were in a situation where normal services were not available. For example, what tools would I need to repair a broken door, a malfunctioning generator, or my vehicle. In a Grid Down scenario, what would my toolkit need to be in order to make basic household and mechanical repairs.

My mechanical kit includes a complete set of sockets. This includes ¼ drive, 3/8 drive, ½ inch drive sockets and wrenches, in both SAE and Metric. I also have deep well sockets in all three sizes. I have a torque wrench and a breaker bar as well as box wrenches in both SAE and Metric. I have some pliers, including linesman pliers, diagonal cutters, water pump handle pliers, and needle nose pliers. Add a set of screwdrivers, allen wrenches, and torx wrenches, and a set of very large ½ inch sockets, ranging from 1 inch to 1 ½ inches for the large nuts on the drive train, and I am pretty well prepared to deal with just about anything.

I have a multimeter for electrical issues along with both an electrical and butane soldering iron and lots of solder, wire, and misc electrical parts (wire, switches, fuses, etc).

For metal work I have an assortment of files and hacksaws. I am making a forge. I have the blacksmithing tools (tongs and hammers) to do some smithing. Still looking for an anvil.

For carpentry, I have an array of wood working tools. This includes hand saws, framing hammer, finish hammer, square, chisels, tape measure, hand powered drills, including a couple of brace and bits, a crank drill, and a yankee push drill. I also have a couple of staple guns, screw drivers, and a tote filled with a variety of grits of sandpaper. I have a small supply of common nails, screws, and nuts and bolts. I am probably a little light in this area.

For gardening, I have shovels, (round and square), post hole digger, rakes, and hoes.

For firewood I have a chainsaw, (Stihl 230), spare bar and chains, files, plus a good supply of oil and gas. I have bow saws and extra blades, and a large two man buck saw. I have three splitting mauls and spare handles, three or four hand axes with spare handles, and a couple of regular axes with spare handles.

What am I lacking? One of the things Kelly recommended was rebuild kits for the carburetors on my small engines. I would add spare spark plugs, and extra ignition parts for my vehicles, as well as a couple of spare oil filters, and oil for a change.

I also have knives. Did I ever mention that I LIKE knives? I have knives of every description and function. I have collector knives and flea market knives. Mostly I gather good quality functional utility knives. Typically 3 – 5 inch fixed blade, carbon steel, full tang, drop or clip point blade. I am never without a knife.

So what am I not seeing? I am sure my list is lacking in some area. Or I have forgotten some aspect of my tool preparation. Feel free to add to the list. Thanks.