Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - good tools

wat r some good tools to have around the house and auto not to expensive though.

In no particular order.
Claw hammer
A couple of sizes of flat head screwdrivers
#2 Phillips screwdriver
Circuit tester, about the size of a marks-a-lot pen, tells you if a circuit is "hot", actually this might be most important
2" putty knife
small pry bar, flat type,
speed square
cross-cut saw
12" water pump pliers, aka channellocks
8" slip joint pliers
12" pipe wrench, (if you have any iron pipes, if all plastic stick with the water pump pliers
24" long tool box to keep it in, with a top tray
hand drill, one that you turn the handle to drill holes
1/4, 5/16, 3/8" and 1/2" drill bits
8" adjustable wrench
3/8 and 1/2" wood chisels
electronic stud sensor, less than $10 and will save you many dollars in aggravation, everyone thinks they can find studs by knocking on the wall, VERY FEW of us can. I can't
Plumbers helper, aka plunger, this might be # 2 in importance, or #1 if you have small kids
A GOOD flashlight, one of the all plastic, built for scuba divers, even the ones that use 2 AA batteries are much better than lots of crap that's available at the tool center
a 25' tape measure
hmmmm, this started as a short list. I earn most of my income working on/rehabbing houses and I know I've left stuff off the list. I also know that I've lost more than 2 or 3 of everything on this list.
If you live in an "older" built before say late 1960s-early 1970s house your list will vary. I've never had to change out window weights, mess with aluminum wiring, had a coal oil heater or baseboard heating. My brother has done all of that, but he's never messed with a garbage disposer, (lives on septic), central A/C, (lives in a moderate climate) or garage door opener.

1 more thing that's not to expensive these days is a cordless drill.

you cant go wrong with Vise Grips. lots of them, fix anything. -Josh

PS flashlights I prefer Maglite brand. Recently they shipped me a new switch unit with installation instructions and a tool to repair a minimag ive had for years that quit. works like a charm again. if only i had one of those 6-D mags.... hmmm

My list for automotive tools for the DIY, please not this is only for automotive use, slumlordfrank did a good job of telling you home repair and improvement tools here we go.

Wrench Set, 12 pt. Combination Metric
Wrench Set, 12 pt. Combination SAE
Professional Thin Profile Ratchet, 3/8 in. Drive
Universal Joint 3/8in Drive
4 pc. Extension Bar Set
12 pc. Socket Set, 12 pt. Metric
12 pc. Socket Set, 12 pt. SAE
4-1/2 in. Right Angle Grinder
16 oz. Pein Hammer
Small, Medium, and Large Regular And Phillips Screw Drivers
3 pc. Punch Set
3 pc. Cold Chisel Set
Pipe Wrench
Needle Nose Pliers
Utility Bar (Read Pry Bar)
Metal File
All-Purpose Electric Tool
Vise Grip 4” and 6”
Razor Knife
Digital Multi-Meter


I think that would be a good start, if you end up enjoying doing your own auto work and like to add aftermarket accessories to you vehicles you will wind up with a small fortune in tools. But there is nothing like being able to DIY on your own time.

I would add my favorites:

50 foot #12 extension cord - will run anything

Shop-vac - small one, the only way to get water out of toilet tank or washing machine easily and thoroughly, the HEPA bags will allow you to vac up any dust without it blowing through.

A step stool or household ladder as some call it like this:
http://www.biz4usa.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SEJS&Product_Code=DAV560AL

It enables you to reach up a bit with support and hand holds for climbing the small distance, plus you can hold on once up there.

Or a six foot step ladder, appropriately rated for your weight

Code Orange alerts aside, duct tape is always useful.

You can fix anything with a recipricating saw, a hammer, a roll of duct tape and a six pack of Molson!

I agree with all here. You can pick up some of the tools used from swapmeets and garage sales, as well as Ebay. You can compare their cost to new ones from Sears and Home Depot to see if you have chosen wisely.

Also, you should stick to U.S. , Canadian or European made tools as they tend to be better quality, last longer and are designed to get the job done better than cheaper offshore ones.

The best tools are handed down from grandparents.

Joe_F is right don't buy cheap tools or you'll just be replacing them.