Your definition of “basic hand tools”

THE most basic hand tool;

nail clipper.webp
 
Those are all good, but what is this about?
"Volkswagen makes the most reliable and powerful cars in the world that are the most superior in every way."
Im not wrong, they make bugattis, and great cars able to withstand years of abuse.
 
Obviously this is going to be all over the place...

To me basic hand tools means a complete set of sockets and ratchets with extensions in SAE and Metric 1/4 > 1/2 drive. Spark plug sockets and a breaker bar for lugs.
Complete screwdriver set.
Hex keys and Torx
Channel locks of several sizes needle nose of several sizes, locking pliers and a set of vanilla pliers. Side cutters and wiring crimpers.
Hack saw,
at least one pry bar
A jack and jack stands.
Any specialty tools for basic maintenance on cars you own (oil filter wrenches for instance)

To most people however it is a $30.00 assortment from some flea market.
 
I just went through my small green toolbox, this is everything in it I use for everything that I consider basic:

1. Generic pump, assortment of tubing

2. Hex key set

3. Torx set

4. 8 in one screw driver

5. regular Philips screwdriver

6. breaker bar

7. Fuses

8. Assortment of ratchet extensions

9. EPAuto ratchet set box

10. A filer

11. Pennzoil oil filter wrench

12. Assortment of ratchet adapters and unusual sizes

13. Small crowbar

14. Picks for gaskets and so fourth

15. JBWeld

16. Hose clamp remover

17. Adjustable wrenches of all sizes

18. Soldering iron

19. Various electronic connecters

20. Needle nose pliers

21. Monkey adjustable wrench

22. Zip ties

23. hose clamps

24. Electrical tape

25. Solder tubes

26. tire pressure gauge

27. Patch kits

28. Vice grips

29. Ratcheting screw driver

30. Ratchet extensions of various sizes

31. Breaker bar and various size metal tubing's

32. Allen key's of various sizes

33. Gasket maker non hardening and hardening

34. Pipe thread

35. Water heater element removal tool

36. various compression fittings and inserts for tubing

37. Wire stripper and crimper all in one tool

38. Small brushes

39. Assortment of nuts and bolts, generic hardware that you may need in a house including drywall anchors, concrete anchors, and drill bits for metal, concrete, and wood.

40. Small bottle of 3 in 1 or preferred lubricant/cutting oil, I keep 3 in 1 because of the size
 
"for house & vehicle" - well, you need air. So that means compressor & hose(s). Because quality repairs to house & transportation mean air to drive clean brads/nails in trim, & tight fasteners on one's vehicle.
So 'basic handtools' means pneumatics these days, or electric impact/nailer if you prefer.
Without those, your work is less-than-stellar or safe.
 
I just had the 69 piece one delivered by Amazon today. Not bad for a 2nd set to keep in the house.
I've abused mine, its not bad at all. Very dependable and cheap. Everything I have in my toolbox can do most automobile repairs besides rebuilding car engine or transmission.
 
I have been doing maintenance with my son, changing oil, and batteries, and progressing to doing brakes and changing out ball joints and upper control arms. I asked him if he plans on taking on auto mechanics as a hobby and he said as long as I’m around. I’m hoping it will be a lot longer than that. Presently he does not have much room for tools at his apartment. He certainly can have all my tools when he has room, starting with one of my socket sets. So that would be a starting point for “basic hand tools”.
 
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Right now Harbour Freight has 130 pc. basic tool set with case for $29.99 Pittsburgh brand iirc lifetime warranty
Comes with tape, hammer, sockets , etc. 130 pc should cover most basic needs ... my girlfriend (wife now) at the time had a little box with couple of screwdrivers, few nails and a small hammer. I remember helping her at her place and she said let me get the "toolbox". then I saw the tiny box ... I told her that is cute! :alien: :ROFLMAO:
 
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torx'n star weren't 'basic' (used where [I]they[/I] did not want U to go) @ one time. Just bout anything that is not pneumatic. I'd say electric too but there's plenty 'home owner' brand stuff now (not tough or made for long life). Any old school carpenter's or garage guy's stuff (is "operated by hand" ie 'hand tool'). Last gen folks have/had huge wrists. LOL
 
It’s too subjective for any universal standard. You say 25 people this question you’re going to get 25 different answers. Not everyone has the same needs so tooling needs will always be geared toward what that person needs to do.
 
Basic hand tools to me woukd be about what wold fit in a smallish tool box:
hammer
flat and phillips #1/2 screwdriver
precision screwdriver set
tape measure
level
adjustable wrench
power drill (corded or cordless)
small ratchet set
adjustable and channel pliers
rubber mallet
allen and torx wrenches

maybe a few other things, and the ratchet set can vary pretty much…

This set woukd allow you to do most anything you need, like hang pictures, change oil or spark plugs on traditional cars, put together a bicycle, fix a lawn mower, repair toilets and faucets, etc.
 
"for house & vehicle" - well, you need air. So that means compressor & hose(s). Because quality repairs to house & transportation mean air to drive clean brads/nails in trim, & tight fasteners on one's vehicle.
So 'basic handtools' means pneumatics these days, or electric impact/nailer if you prefer.
Without those, your work is less-than-stellar or safe.
Pretty sure all the original chestnut trim in my house was not done with a nail gun.

nothing looks worse than real,wood trim put together with a pneumatic nailer…
 
Pretty sure all the original chestnut trim in my house was not done with a nail gun.

nothing looks worse than real,wood trim put together with a pneumatic nailer…
If you saw the insertion point of the brad/nail, it was probably done wrong or in a hurry. The pros usually hide the brad so you'll see it if you're a baby crawling around on the floor, too young to talk & unable to rat them out. : )
 
Remember the 300 piece Craftsman mechanics toolset from the 90’s? That! With a breaker bar, a few pry bars, a couple of hammers and a 1/2” torque wrench added in.

Then for the more household specific add in a skill saw, level, tape measure, claw hammer and cordless drill.
 
I think the base level "mechanics tool set" that all the big box stores sell, or compiling the equivalent through the years, is what I would consider basic hand tools for light maintenance and some light repair.

My personal tool collection and those of wrenchers/mechanics I know is developed through the years through need/how often you do something. IE, doing a job, dont have a tool that is required, go buy it. You find yourself doing a thing that can be done with your X tool very often, but Y tool makes it take twice as fast and less of a pain, so you buy Y tool. This may not be an efficient way to actually procure the tools, but I find over many years in the end it gives you a comprehensive set that is extremely well optimized to your personal needs without too many excess clutter tools. I think this method is well suited for what is described here, as the tools you end up with are things that you actually use.
 
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