Tool Kits, Including Cordless Drill, etc

[Lone]

What always surprised me on occasion, was how many people didn’t seem to have a proper tool kit, more likely just a hammer, a screwdriver and a few other things. However, not enough for larger repair work, whether house, garden or even vehicles.

I’ve always added to tools whenever possible, including a folding workbench, folding strong table, other cordless stuff like jigsaw, etc.

It maybe sounds obvious, but should all preppers really try to challenge themselves with building projects, like coldframes, raised beds, etc., anything that doesn’t necessarily mean prepping, but more in the way of practical training and creative thinking ?

Sometimes calling in somebody else, even financially isn’t the option.

Here’s a minor example, needed the toilet cistern in my bathroom checked, repairman mentioned it being obsolete needed replaced as they didn’t have the right parts. This in turn would have meant removing a long attached shelf, breaking away tiles and so forth. I couldn’t believe it...said no, surely it was an easy fix ? Didn’t seem so to him.

Ended up I just drilled two small holes in a broken lever, halved a metal paper clip and slotted it in place...been working perfect ever since....saving myself a lot of grief. Sounds simple, was simple, but if not practically minded and willing to have a go, would have caused a lot of unnecessary upheaval...

[grenfell]

Yes it makes perfect sense even if it may do people like myself out of a job. A little while ago a customer called me with a list of jobs most of which were nothing very challanging , shelving and that sort of stuff. One job was to change a lightbulb in the bathroom , she said that neither she or her husband could work out how to do it. Doing myself out of work i know but i called her into the room and showed her how to change the bulb so they wouldn't need to call me next time.
I have a friend who has started making a few bits and pieces in wood but only if 99% of the work can be done with machines. Machines certainly speed things up but i'm a little old fashioned in that i feel the ability to do things without machines and that includes cordless tools is a good skill to know. One of the first things we learnt at college was to hand plane a piece of rough sawn wood , getting it square and uniformly sized. It's not something i do very often nowadays mind and i suppose i can understand why. I use another trade/diy forum and there will regulary be a "what tool do i need" type of question to which most times the answer is along the lines of "you need such and such power tool" and hand tools are often ignored. One such tool is the axe . It can be used for shaping , scribing and i've even eased a door with one but it's seen less and less in carpenters tool bags. Another good tool to have is the good old fashioned brace which can be used for drilling or screwdriving and relies purely on handpower , useful last week when my batteries went flat. A proper ripsaw is another very useful tool and not one that is made disposable like so many other saws. I use the disposable saws and they say they cross cut and rip but frankly a purpose sharpened rip saw will out perform them anyday .
So yes in answer to your premise that preppers should be able to use tools i wholeheartedly agree although of course there is a caveat . There are several things that even if one knows how to do not having the appropriate papers can lead to problems. I know about electrics but i'm limited in what i can do because of certification. I've put in countless windows in my time but as i'm not personally fensa registered that too could lead to problems.

[Arwen Thebard]

Well done Lone, showing a bit of ingenuity and improvisation and having a go says a lot about your prepper mentality IMO. Too many preppers have lots of kit, including tools, but no idea how to use them and even the most basic tools can be so dangerous in the wrong hands. A good "Bodger" (Jack of all trades) are worth their weight in gold, but hard to find these days due to not having the right papers as Grenfell says.

[ForgeCorvus]

I have tools, lots of tools. Herself may even say too many (shes wrong..... But I have to come on here to say that )

One of my all time favorates is the Yankee screwdriver (I think I've got four, or maybe five.... probably less then seven anyway ), with my largest I can push 3 1/2 inch screws into floor joists all day.
They are much improved by getting an adaptor (Ebay or WHY) to use 6mm hex bits.... Add Torx type screws and you'll never look back.

I'm slowly learning how to joint, sharpen and set handsaws, its not difficult but it is exacting.

Anyone can learn to do basic stuff, and if you don't have anyone to teach you theres always the internet (until we go 'Grid Down' anyway )

Grenfell: You might of done yourself out of changing a couple of bulbs, but I'm willing to bet that customer will be the first to put your name forwards when her friends need something done.

Perhaps it might be fun to start a "Prepstead Tool kit list"
ETA Opps.... Looks like 'someone' has http://www.uk-preppers.co.uk/forum/view ... 17&t=16567

[grenfell]

Funny you should say that the customer might recommend me as she already has on local social media. And she got my name from one of her friends who got my name from another customer. All my work , bar the odd one , comes from word of mouth.
While i will admit to using the throw away saws i do still sharpen some , tenon saws and rip saws for instance and it can be quite satisfying to turn so.ethi g blunt into something sharp.

[Arwen Thebard]

Funny you should say that the customer might recommend me as she already has on local social media. And she got my name from one of her friends who got my name from another customer. All my work , bar the odd one , comes from word of mouth.
While i will admit to using the throw away saws i do still sharpen some , tenon saws and rip saws for instance and it can be quite satisfying to turn so.ethi g blunt into something sharp.

It is sharpening knives and chisels for me, very satisfying. Mrs A knows our kitchen knives are always razor sharp and acts accordingly. I've had a Disston 26" handsaw in my bag for over 30 years now, it's always kept sharp, lightly oiled and in its cover, a good tool lasts a long time.

Must admit I haven,t used my Yankee screwdriver for years, not even sure where it is to be honest. What about the old Stanley hand brace drills? Anyone still use them? (Now i'm off to find out where mine are hidden in the workshop)

[ForgeCorvus]

It is sharpening knives and chisels for me, very satisfying. Mrs A knows our kitchen knives are always razor sharp and acts accordingly. I've had a Disston 26" handsaw in my bag for over 30 years now, it's always kept sharp, lightly oiled and in its cover, a good tool lasts a long time.

Must admit I haven,t used my Yankee screwdriver for years, not even sure where it is to be honest. What about the old Stanley hand brace drills? Anyone still use them? (Now i'm off to find out where mine are hidden in the workshop)

A knife that isn't sharp is an Abomination Unto Nuggen

I've got three handbraces, one of them always has a countersink in it. I also have a range of twist and paddle bits as well as a spoon.....Anyone else use Augars ?

[grenfell]

I have a set of augers for the brace and for that matter a set for the electric drill. I've got several spoon bits that get used on re-enactments . To be fair anything over an inch does start to get hard work and of course they are a lot slower. Little wonder that a power drill is one of the first tools most people look at buying. Funnily enough i have a brace hanging in the workshop with a countersink in it.
Talking of yankee screwdrivers i still have a couple and they do still see some use. When i was an apprentice they were "the " tool to have. All the guys on price work , all the subbies had to have one but now they have been seriously overshadowed by cordless drills. A few years ago at a scrapyard i saw a guy knocking the hinge pins out of a car door and what was he using ? Yes a yankee screwdriver and he was hitting the poor thing with a hammer...

[jansman]

I have a brace with a countersink in it too!

[Lone]

I’m just about to add a few other items to my tools, as spares or new.

Folding saw, 2 rolls nylon rope, hacksaw with spare blades.

As for small survival-related items, just ordered two slightly different survival tool kits, which include wire saw, fire starters, Swiss Army knife, multi-tool, pruning knife, etc.

I’m a bit addicted to small gadgets not necessarily useful for everyday tasks...more like unintentional prepping due to my liking of such, even just to have sitting beside my torches, binoculars, flasks, etc.

Also a zippo lighter with scorpion motif on..personal item with my star sign...more to just own than actually need...but...it is a lighter after all