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The Homestead Tool Kit – Part II

September 4th, 2007

25 necessary items for basic repair and maintenance – Part II

In the last post we established the wisdom of keeping a well-stocked general tool kit which is adequate for most any routine homestead repair and maintenance jobs, to be kept in a convenient location. I listed the hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, chisels and leveling square, about half of the necessary tools, numbered 1-12.

This post lists the rest of the tools that should be in your toolbox or bucket as well as those larger tools that will be kept in the shed or garage for bigger projects.

13. Tape Measure
Your basic 25-footer, 1″ wide metal tape, for a million useful measuring tasks. In our tool bucket we keep a longer and a shorter tape measure as well, as we often do multiple projects at the same time. A 1″ wide metal tape measure also doubles as a passable straight-edge and can be used as a passable plumb bob. Though we keep a good chalked plumb bob in the pocket next to our tape measures on the bucket belt.

14. Hacksaw
There is no ready substitute for a good hacksaw when you need one, and homesteaders will need a hacksaw quite regularly. These specialized saws cut metal, but will also cut glass and ceramics like tile. You’ll be using this for plumbing repairs, conduit installation and the odd job that requires something harder than wood to be cut.

15. Bow Saw
A bow saw is made of tubular steel or aluminum and holds a replaceable crosscut blade. This saw is used for pruning shrubs and trees, and can also be used to saw lumber by hand.

16. Maul
A maul is a heavy, 2-handed hammer with a long handle and a head that doubles as either a wedge or a sledgehammer. the 8-pound size is adequate for most homestead uses, such as splitting wood, cutting tree roots, knocking out walls, and pounding fence posts or stakes.

17. Circular Saw
Among power tools the circular saw is among the most useful. Get one that uses standard 7 1/4″ blades, and keep a few extra carbide blades on hand. They’re more expensive but last much longer, and will easily cut wood, plastic, plywood, aluminum, iron, steel, masonry, ceramic and just about anything else a homesteader will need to cut or score.

18. 3/8″ Drill
You can choose a plug-in or a rechargeable cordless drill, as long as you can remember to charge it between jobs. You’ll need variable speeds and a reverse switch, which allows you to use the drill for driving and removing screws as well as drilling holes. Spring for good quality bits, as these will last a long time and pay for themselves.

19. C-Clamps
At least a pair of 8″ clamps, more in varied sizes if you can afford it. Use these for clamping materials together when gluing, sawing, drilling, etc., or clamping materials to your workbench. Can also serve to hold broken parts together until more thorough repairs can be made.

20. Post Hole Digger
Into the big, shed-living tools now, the homesteader will have ample use for a post hole digger. So get a quality tool for fence post holes, rural mailbox installation, landscaping and other uses.

21. Shovel
Shovels come in a lot of shapes and sizes, and it seems like every homesteader has their favorite. We have several, but for most general digging purposes the basic rounded-blade, D-handle shovel works fine. Get quality because this is a tool that suffers lots of use and abuse, and I recommend one with a fiberglass handle that won’t split or rot if it gets left out in the rain. In northern climates you’ll want a snowshovel as well, and a thin, square ditch-digger is very useful around the place.

22. Six-Foot Step Ladder
A sturdy six-footer than folds for easy storage is a must. Whether you’re changing light bulbs or trying to prune low-hanging limbs, you’ll be using this tool often.

23. Extension Ladder
A homesteader and do-it-yourself city dweller will make ample use of a good adjustable aluminum step ladder. For cleaning eave gutters, getting to and from the roof, even getting kittens out of trees, you can’t beat it. A nice ladder will also double as scaffolding for painting or doing exterior windows if you suspend it on sawhorses.

24. Rakes, Hoes
If you do your own yard upkeep, maintain a garden or otherwise work with the landscaping, you’ll need these basic tools. As always, buy quality and opt for the fiberglass handles. They last much longer and the heads don’t come off as easily. There’s nothing worse than saving a few bucks in the spring on yard and garden tools, only to have to buy again in the fall because they’ve fallen apart.

25. Flat Hand Tools
There are a million uses around the house and homestead for your basic putty knife, mud-scraper and back-bladed wallpaper brush. So I keep these in my tool bucket too.

Once you’ve got a full set of Necessary Tools you’ll be ready for just about any normal job around the home and homestead. We’ll be referring to many of these tools in posts on particular projects for homesteaders. For the wise homesteader, “Be Prepared” is more than just the Boy Scout motto – it’s a whole way of life!

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Filed under Homestead, Maintenance, Repair, Tools | Comments (16)

16 Responses to “The Homestead Tool Kit – Part II”

Garden Tools on September 17, 2007 9:30 am
Hi! I was surfing the internet Monday afternoon during my break, and found your blog by searching Yahoo for garden tools. This is a topic I have great interest in, and follow it closely. I liked your insight on The Homestead Tool Kit – Part II, and it made for good reading. What do you think of these hydroponics gardens?
Aileen on September 18, 2007 7:04 pm
Gee, thanks Garden Tools! I keep a heck of a lot more tools around than just what’s listed as “necessary,” but only because we live so far out in the country that we have to do pretty much everything ourselves.

I couldn’t get your hydroponics link to work, but I am familiar with them. Lots of people here in the mountains use them for specialty crops, and my loft was designed for growing indoors during the winter months. But I need that loft for a bedroom, and have collected enough old windows to build a fine greenhouse if I ever get around to it (another post!). I do grow salad greens, collards and kale in pots and flats on the decks during the winter, but only because our microclime is generally mild on the south slope of Mitchell at only 2500 feet elevation.

It would be great to have fresh peppers and tomatoes all winter, but a greenhouse would work as well for me. Plus, I’ll be using it for keeping up with a fresh herb market locally that’s big into organics. Still – if you grow stuff with hydroponics, please let us know how that works for you!
M. Yarbrough on January 25, 2009 4:32 am
…and don’t forget about the 1001 uses of electrical tape… and vise grips, like c-clamps, a set of quick clamp and release vise grips are great to have around in a pinch, (pun intended).
Aileen on February 4, 2009 6:34 pm
Hahaha!!! Don’t you know the world operates on duct tape and tie wire? Thanks for the comment, M.Yarbrough. I’ve got clamps in all sizes I use a lot, and vice grips galore. Been collecting ‘em for years! Gaff tape is stickier than electrical tape, but has the same insulating properties. Gaff is a fancy (and better quality) of duct tape.
The Homestead Tool Kit Part II at Wise Living Journal | Shed Kits on May 27, 2009 2:38 am
[...] The Homestead Tool Kit Part II at Wise Living Journal Posted by root 22 hours ago (http://www.wiselivingjournal.com) Into the big shed living tools now the homesteader will have ample use 4 responses to the homestead tool kit part ii garden tools on thanks for the comment m yarbrough i 39 ve got clamps in all sizes i use a powered by wordpress custom theme by randa clay Discuss | Bury | News | the homestead tool kit part ii at wise living journal [...]
The Homestead Tool Kit Part II at Wise Living Journal | Wood TV Stand on May 31, 2009 9:51 pm
[...] The Homestead Tool Kit Part II at Wise Living Journal Posted by root 36 minutes ago (http://www.wiselivingjournal.com) Sawing drilling etc or clamping materials to your workbench if you do your own yard upkeep maintain a garden or otherwise work with thanks for the comment m yarbrough i 39 ve got clamps in all sizes i use powered by wordpress custom theme by randa clay co Discuss | Bury | News | The Homestead Tool Kit Part II at Wise Living Journal [...]
The Homestead Tool Kit Part II at Wise Living Journal | Portable Greenhouse on June 1, 2009 10:13 am
[...] The Homestead Tool Kit Part II at Wise Living Journal Posted by root 10 minutes ago (http://www.wiselivingjournal.com) But i need that loft for a bedroom and have collected enough old windows to build a fine greenhouse if i ever get around to it another post Discuss | Bury | News | The Homestead Tool Kit Part II at Wise Living Journal [...]
sandrar on September 10, 2009 1:12 pm
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. Cheers! Sandra. R.
Nicolas Rossetto on July 14, 2010 7:41 pm
I really like what you blog about here, very refreshing and intelligent. One problem though, I’m running Firefox on Linux and parts of your layout pieces are a little wonky. I realize it’s not a common setup, but it is still something to to keep in mind. Just tossing you a heads up.
Elizabeth on February 24, 2011 10:02 pm
Looks like I’ve got a few things to pick up. Do I realy need apost hole digger? I guess, I’ve got a gate I need to put up and it needs two post.
Hope Martischnig on June 5, 2011 10:18 pm
Hi would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price? Cheers, I appreciate it!
mikejb1954 on August 18, 2011 3:15 pm
You sound like a very intelligent person.It looks like you are prepared for just about event.The thing is you can never have enough tools.thehandtoolco.com
Aileen on August 18, 2011 3:49 pm
Oh, once you’re a certified tool collector, there’s never enough. Things like old mule-drawn hay rotors become lawn ornaments. Those heavy but extremely impressive-looking swing-blade bank scythes become prominently displayed viper beheading devices… there’s just no end to it!
John on August 31, 2011 12:16 am
Great and comprehensive list! At my house we have all those and way more, me being the tool collector of the family
Aileen on August 31, 2011 1:38 am
We have several tool collectors in my family. Hubby and I are more into useful hand tools, daughter (a theater tech major in college) likes power tools. Which are certainly handy when you need them. One thing about homesteading is the collections that seem to just come along with the lifestyle! Thanks for the comment.
chicken coops for sale on September 6, 2011 10:32 am
Wow, such a great collection of tools!

These tools are so vital for everyhome, people call me a tool crusader.

I don’t believe in borrowing tools from neighbors and in my neighborhood, people come in search of me to borrow the tools.

May be I should send them to this page.

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