What tools you need depends on what it is you want to do, of course. A sledgehammer isn't much good to those who work with stained glass, no more than a soldering iron can be used for making origami. For a general-purpose shop, however, there are certain basic tools, most of which date back to antiquity. When you have these in your house, you hold history in your hand.
Here is a basic list of tools. They're nine-tenths of what you need. The last tenth is up to you.
Hammer. Be sure to get a solid US-made brand such as Vaughan. Offshore manufacturers too often skip the details that make all the difference.
Plyers. Needle-nose, standard, channel-lock, and Vise-Grip. Stay away from foreign-made goods unless you're truly desperate.
Screwdrivers. A standard four-in-one design, available at most hardware stores for around $5, will do almost everything you need. Instead of an electric screwdriver, spend the money on a good drill.
Drill. Cordless drills are handy for small jobs, but they have the unfortunate habit of dying at inopportune moments. A "corded" drill -- that is to say, one with a plug -- will drill a thousand holes in a row without blinking, so do yourself a favor and get both. Go for quality: Milwaukee is superb, DeWalt not bad, and both will give you a lifetime of service. Standard drills have a 3/8" chuck (the part that holds the drill bit); if you find yourself using drills a lot, particularly in larger sizes, consider paying extra for one with a 1/2" chuck.
Drills bits. Buy a basic set, ideally from 1/16" all the way up to 1/2". If you only have a drill with a 3/8", larger bits should have reduced shanks; if you have a drill with a 1/2" chuck, party on.
Wood saw. A basic handsaw is essential. Yes, there are radial saws and chop saws and bandsaws, but nothing beats a handsaw for small jobs. Zero setup time, instant gratification. If you do a lot of detail work, consider getting a small Japanese-style pullsaw.
Hacksaw. For cutting metal and, in a pinch, small pieces of dense wood. Cheap hacksaws are worthless; instead, get the biggest and heaviest one available.
Razor knife. Good for cutting material such as paper and plastic sheeting or shaping wood. Get a retractable Stanley or, better yet, a heavy-duty Olfa with a snap-off blade.
Tape measure. Buy a new one that's the width and length that's right for you. Give the electronic variety a miss, however.
Ruler. A 2' long metal ruler is handy for drawing precise lines or using with a razor knife to cut paper or other thin materials.
Level. Again, quality. Plastic is absolutely to be avoided -- who wants to take chances with a countertop, window, or foundation's not being level?
Square. This is the tool that will let you mark a piece of wood so that you can lop it off straight and square. They're not expensive and will save you an endless amount of frustration.
Miter box. Even better for cutting things square and at 45-degree angles. This is the one situation where plastic is acceptable, as inexpensive miter boxes are more or less disposable. Use 'em up, chuck 'em out.
Files. Rasp, medium, smooth. Nicholson are by far the best. If you work a lot with metal, you'll want miniature ones for details.
Clamps. "You can never have enough," as a friend says. Jorgensen bar clamps are wondrous, though there's a lot to be said for German-made Besseys -- they go from tiny to enormous. Avoid "quick grip" models; they can't produce enough pressure and cost three times as much as standard bar clamps.
Plane. If you're interested in working with wood, eventually you'll need a plane or two. Quality is essential, but good planes are too expensive to take chances on if you're not sure a particular style is right for you. Get a Lie-Nielsen Toolworks catalog or go through their website to get a sense of kinds of planes that are out there. When you're ready, browse eBay for a classic Stanley Bailey plane in the size you want; a No. 4 smooth plane is a good general-purpose model.
Vise. If you're lucky enough to have a workbench, make sure to get as big a vise as you can afford, and preferably one that swivels. Beautiful vintage vises can often be found on eBay, and new ones are available at Garret Wade, Home Depot, and other retailers.
This article has been reproduced with permission of Leighton Klien. This article is not to be reproduced with out the permission of Leighton Klein or the Boston Globe Newspaper Company.
