Most everyone has a screwdriver or two laying around the house, but not
everyone has a minimum collection stored in a tool box. If you know a
young person graduating from high school, a single relative, or even
yourself, a tool box with a minimum complement of tools may be the perfect
gift.

Based on my own experience, the BASIC TOOL BOX should include:

A plastic or metal box such as the 13² plastic box from Walmart or the 14²
plastic box from Lowes. The box should have a secure latch that won¹t
come open when picked up.

#1 Philips screwdriver

#2 Philips screwdriver

1/8² Flat blade screwdriver

1/4² Flat blade screwdriver

Standard pair of slip-joint pliers with insulated handle

Diagonal cutters with insulated handle

Long nose pliers with side cutter and insulated handle

Small claw hammer such as Sears 3805 - 7 oz.

Depending on your knowledge of the individual¹s needs and the size of the
box, additional items might include:

Full-size hammer

Crowbar or pry-lever

Flashlight

Tire pressure gauge(s)

Pocket knife & sharpening stone

Soldering iron & solder & soldering braid

Digital multimeter

Set of nut drivers

Set of Allen wrenches

Set of Torx drivers

You get the idea!

73, Fred, K4DII

Based on my own experience, the BASIC TOOL BOX should include:

A plastic or metal box such as the 13² plastic box from Walmart or the 14²
plastic box from Lowes. The box should have a secure latch that won¹t
come open when picked up.

#1 Philips screwdriver

#2 Philips screwdriver

1/8² Flat blade screwdriver

1/4² Flat blade screwdriver
==================================
What about Posidrive screwdrivers ? These are similar to Philips type of
screwdrivers but have additional 'notches' (if that is the correct word)
for better grip . The relevant screw heads are accordingly.

Frank , GM0CSZ / KN6WH

PS Most screws used in the UK are now of the Posidrive type.

Fred McKenzie wrote:
Most everyone has a screwdriver or two laying around the house, but not
everyone has a minimum collection stored in a tool box. If you know a
young person graduating from high school, a single relative, or even
yourself, a tool box with a minimum complement of tools may be the perfect
gift.

Based on my own experience, the BASIC TOOL BOX should include:

A plastic or metal box such as the 13² plastic box from Walmart or the 14²
plastic box from Lowes. The box should have a secure latch that won¹t
come open when picked up.

#1 Philips screwdriver

#2 Philips screwdriver

1/8² Flat blade screwdriver

1/4² Flat blade screwdriver

Standard pair of slip-joint pliers with insulated handle

Diagonal cutters with insulated handle

Long nose pliers with side cutter and insulated handle

Small claw hammer such as Sears 3805 - 7 oz.

Depending on your knowledge of the individual¹s needs and the size of the
box, additional items might include:

Full-size hammer

Crowbar or pry-lever

Flashlight

Tire pressure gauge(s)

Pocket knife & sharpening stone

Soldering iron & solder & soldering braid

Digital multimeter

Set of nut drivers

Set of Allen wrenches

Set of Torx drivers

You get the idea!

73, Fred, K4DII

Dunno why it didn't occur to me...thankfully it 'did' occur to my wife:
Bought almost the exact (above) setup for my prospective son-in-law
for Christmas. He's mechanically dis-inclined. We're gonna fix that.
Can't have a s-in-l who can't fix stuff....

jak

And... You plan to work on SMD circuit boards with this!!!


Jerry G.
======

And... You plan to work on SMD circuit boards with this!!!


Jerry G.
======

In article , Highland Ham
wrote:

What about Posidrive screwdrivers ? These are similar to Philips type of
screwdrivers but have additional 'notches' (if that is the correct word)
for better grip . The relevant screw heads are accordingly.

Frank-

I've heard of Posidrive. I think they are used in an old Hewlett Packard
counter I have. However, the tool dealers I asked had never heard of
them. I ended up using a common Phillips driver for my counter.

Certainly Posidrive would be a better choice where they are more commonly used.

Fred

"Jerry G." wrote:

And... You plan to work on SMD circuit boards with this!!!

Jerry G.
======


I see that you still have reading comprehension problems, Jerry.
Anyway, no one in their right mind would try to cram a good SMD rework
station into any toobox. There is no way I would let anyone shove a
stereo microscope into a toolbox.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

Fred McKenzie wrote:
I've heard of Posidrive. I think they are used in an old Hewlett Packard
counter I have. However, the tool dealers I asked had never heard of
them. I ended up using a common Phillips driver for my counter.

Certainly Posidrive would be a better choice where they are more commonly used.

I'd consider looking for some other tool dealers to do business with.
Pozidriv (a registered trademark of Phillips Screw Co.) screws and
drivers are very common, sold by just about every tool company from
Snap-on through Stanley to Sears.

Tektronix used Pozidriv screws exclusively for many years, until they
converted over to Torx. A standard Phillips bit fits poorly in a
Pozidriv screw, making it really easy to chew up the screw with this
combination. Any decent toolbox should include some Pozidriv drivers or
bits.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Mr Fed UP wrote:

Heh heh dont forget the asprin and $50 for the headache and one
tool you'll always have to go get for each job. And a 6" or 8"
knuckle buistin adjustable wrench. LOL


Don't forget a 4" pipe wrench for those tight spots! It has been a
real life saver to remove broken studs and broken pieces of bolts. I
have one made by Rigid.

BTW, you won't bust your knuckles if you buy a real wrench. 8" is too
short to get a good grip on things. I have a 12" and a 14" "New Britain"
adjustable, along with a 4" Xcelite in my electronics tools.

The only tools I usually have to buy these days are new ones to
replace what walks away.

--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

On 2006-04-17, Fred McKenzie wrote:

A plastic or metal box such as the 13² plastic box from Walmart or the 14²
plastic box from Lowes. The box should have a secure latch that won¹t
come open when picked up.

snip a bunch of good stuff

6" and 12" adjustable wench
12' tape measure (25' would be better)
mechanical pencil, extra leads and a small notepad