“Must have” tool recommendations?

Question

Anyone have a “must have” tool list for someone looking to do most of the handy stuff themselves?

Jim K. · Answer

Wow. I have some disagreements with some of you in a few places, while agreeing with most of the recommendations given. One thing no one's mentioned so far is to have both a small-size Leatherman (I use the Juice) and a Swiss Army Knife (I use the larger Hercules) with you at all times. They're always in my backpack on any visit to a tenant whatsoever as an owner/landlord/general handyman.

@Randall Alan

I do not own a battery-powered crown stapler. I own an 18-gauge brad nailer/stapler with a small air compressor. I also own a manual T50 manual stapler. I would recommend that pair of tools for the jobs you recommend. I think you would get signficantly more service out of them. At the same time, I own other pneumatic nailers: a 22-gauge pin gun, a 32-degree framing nailer, a 16-gauge finish nailer, and a palm nailer. Not recommending those for a basic landlord/handyman setup.

I agree with your "categorical" recommedation. You need a general toolkit, but you also need specialized trades-based toolboxes and bins that are dedicated parts holders to go with it. Definitely one setup for plumbing, one for electrical, one for basic painting and touch-up.The two larger tools that I would recommend any buddying handyman working in light-frame housing get are a job tablesaw and wheeled stand, and a miter saw (you refer to it as a chop saw here, I reserve that term for a metal-cutting saw of similar design) and stand.The oscillating saw should be one of the first power tools in the general-use toolbag, exactly as described. I would also add a variable-speed 3/8-inch cordless drill-driver. A simple cheap homeowner's kit of hand tools usually sold in a plastic-formed case should also be one of the starter components, not the very cheapest ones that don't have an adjustable crescent wrench. Amazon Basics has one in the $50 range these days. One other very important hand tool is an 8-inch pair of slip-joint pliers, aka Channellocks.I would disagree about the Sawzall (reciprocating saw). I only use mine (I have three) in rehabs, working on demolitions.@Richard F.

You're right about the light recommendation, but I have a phone with a flashlight and a secret tool, a little ultralight rechargeable headlamp. Cost me thirteen bucks on Amazon and I have two. That's usually enough for what I need. I also own worklights galore, but the little ultralight headlamp has really simplified my life. Try it before you tell me where to get off. I also have four Maglites. The only one I now carry on calls is my converted-from-incandescent six-D-cell. It stays in my car and if I ever have to use it, well, I'd prefer not to be too specific about what I'd be using it for. In the same vein, however, I have safety glasses, an N95 paper mask, and a cheap pair of corded earplugs in my general bag at all times with my multitools.

@Antonio Vargas

One other word of caution: if you're going to do this with multiple units in not-so-nice areas, there are two other things you're going to need, or rather, you won't need until you need them badly. If you're working in the urban city in not-so-nice units and you are known to collect rent in cash at your tenants' homes, I'm sorry, but at some point you may have a use for a small, concealable pistol. I pray I never have to use mine, but I carry a 9mm loaded with hollowpoints and I do know other landlords who have had to scare off random thugs with theirs. I also carry pepper spray. Again, I thankfully have never had to use it. I'm not worried about my carefully vetted tenants jumping me. I'm worried about crazy, desperate people in the hood as I go in and out of my tenants' homes on announced visits as "the landlord."

Richard F. · Answer

Aloha,

I will assume you have a smartphone with camera on your person at all times. Get proficient at taking and filing useful pics for everything! Be systematic about it when performing unit inspections and larger projects from start to finish, as well as potential insurance claims from the initial incident prior to cleanup, through to Ready To Rent condition.

#1- A Maglite mini flashlight for your keychain.

#2- A Maglite 4 or 5 cell flashlight and belt loop to carry it. Also great for knocking on doors.

I cannot tell you how often other PM's, estimators, Tradesmen that are on a service call, troubleshooters and others going into dark or semi confined spaces with inadequate or no useful light. Granted, my eyes were better decades ago too, but you simply cannot properly examine a wide variety of issues without great task lighting! Cheap flashlights rarely work when, or for as long as, you need them.

#3- A quality battery operated 3/8" drill with extra battery and, among a selection of screwdriver bits, standard drill bits, and masonry drill bits., a 6" - 8" long standard phillips head that will nicely reach the screws on typical handsets. I always used a small tool tray carrier with a drawer to keep the bits in, and was able to keep a few sizes of common anchors and screws as well as metal pipe strapping and an assortment of drywall screws.

#4- unless you have older plaster and lath walls, a simple, basic, hand held, non-powered, drywall saw like this:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/STA...

#5- A decent hand held infra-red thermal imager, to simplify following leaks and checking for hotspots in electrical panels and equipment. I have an older Seek Thermal that attaches to my cellphone for taking pics, but there are many options and many models really are pretty cheap anymore, relative to their value in this business.

Now you are well equipped to find the source of a wide variety of problems!

Randall Alan · Answer

I don't have a complete list for you... but a couple of really handy ones are a Saws-All , and a battery powered Crown Stapler.  There are so many times you need to force a piece of "something" to stay put / lay down / hold tight, and that stapler just really does a nice job.  Being battery powered you don't have to be tied to an air compressor.  So handy!

Otherwise, I would encourage you to think of your tools 'categorically'.  Plumbing, electrical, wood, etc.  The obvious ones sort of stick out when you think that way... you need a voltmeter for electrical, and wire strippers; for plumbing you are going to need to be able to cut and glue those things, with wood... same thing, cut, attach, etc.  Levels come in handy.  Have a half dozen measuring tapes! (ok... maybe a stretch... but you need them all the time, and if you have just one it is never where you need it!).  Power tool wise obviously a circular saw is a big one... the saws all is a great go to as well.  Chop Saw, table saw when working with wood.  The oscillating multi-tool does a lot of handy things as well... gets into places other tools can't.

Your tool set will somewhat assemble itself as you go.  You almost always have to make a trip to the store for each project you do (so it seems)... so just plan on having to pick up tools as you get started.

All the best!

Randy

@Antonio Vargas

Carini Rochester · Answer

Every project is different. Suppose I listed ten plumbing tools, but what you bought has updated plumbing! Perhaps tell us your "must fix" list. Then I'll tell you the tools.

I think you might need painting supplies, an air compressor with hoses and nailing attachments, cordless drill, circular saw, reciprocating saw, drywall screwdriver. Ladders, wire stripper, wheel barrow, shovel, square, level, construction debris trash bags, lights. Plunger, pipe wrench.

“Must have” tool recommendations?

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