The Homestead Tool Kit - Part II

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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