The First 10 Tools: Dialing the tool journey down to First Principles. Here's the usual suspects.

The First 10 Tools: Dialing the tool journey down to First Principles. Here's the usual suspects with no surprises. Agree? Disagree? What's on the list for tools 11 through 20?
1: Hammer
2. Safety glasses
3. #2 Phillips screwdriver
4: Slip-joint pliers
5: Adjustable wrench
6. Slotted screwdriver
7. Needle nose pliers
8. Tape measure
9. Utility knife
10. Level

[davidkroth]

The first tool of mankind: the hammer.

[shakenblake]

I would move the Philips screwdriver or a multi-bit screwdriver to #1. For basic around the house stuff I reach for a screwdriver most often.

[dandexinventor]

This makes me smile Doc, so thanks!
Just 2 mods for what I would want if it were my starter kit as a young man...
The slip joint pliers I would replace with channel-locks.
The adj wrench I would swap for a locking adj wr...the kind which has a locking mechanism like channel-locks, but everything else is like the adj wr.
I have everything above, but it's almost always the locking I grab because of the gripping power to break loose, or get ahold of something positively.
I been a cabinetmaker for many years and teach woodworking to kids (and parents if they are willing to learn with their kid) and I've built up a list like you, but their first project is always a box to put their new tools in. The tray inside is made of metal so the kids learn how to use shears, a riveter and bending methods as I did in HS so many years ago.
Kids, and their parents, eye light up when they begin to learn new skills. Troubled relationships have healed without trying because the energies are aimed at creating, not destroying.

[TylerSnyder]

If I had to only have 10 I'd replace the 2 drivers with a 6 in 1 so I could include a pair of locking pliers.

[Sylvan_dB]

Instead of the two screwdrivers, I'd strongly recommend one of those 4-in-1 (sometimes a 6-in-1 counting the 1/4 and 5/16 "nut drivers" that hold the two reversible bits). Then add a basic precision screwdriver set for all the little screws in eyeglasses, battery compartments, etc.

The tape measure should be the standard 25ft or whatever 25ft to 35ft length is on sale cheap. That will measure most interior spaces without needing to do it in jumps.

And it is nice to put it all in a small tool bag just to keep it together.

Oh, and a lot of times tape measures, levels, the 4-in-1 screwdriver, ... can be picked up on sale in two packs, making it almost as cheap to make two kits. I've given away a couple (like to friends of my wife after they ended up on their own). I should build a few more for people I know.

Back in the 1990s a local home improvement show on the radio regularly used to give away a lot of similar "homeowner" tool kits. Sometimes they were $30 kits like this one and sometimes up to $100 (add a full set of screwdrivers, maybe socket or allen wrenches, maybe a small handsaw or "wonder bar", usually a cheap toolbox).

[rwbishop]

Pretty good 'entry level' basic assortment... but I think I'd add a good flashlight either at, or near the top of the list... stuck on the refrigerator where it can be easily found in the dark. In the dark, is a bad situation for any & all involved. A few more scattered around earn bonus points.

[drengskap]

Thumbs-up for a hammer at #1 👍I have a T-shirt that says 'Nothing is impossible with the right attitude and a hammer.'

[k.hussain]

Solid list, wouldn't swap anything out. Glad you put the safety glasses in there, as I've seen other lists that completely neglect any PPE.

[egbluesuede]

Love this thought exercise. I'm sending my first born to college this year and was thinking about sending a very basic set of tools. I think these first 10 would be essential and could cover a lot of things for when Dad is no longer there.

[clayknowles]

Good video. I personally would put a headlamp in ahead of a level. I can't tell you how many times I've found myself in a small dark space trying to fix something.

[darkinertia]

a klein 11 in 1 impact driver has been my go to for work, recently i got the ratcheting version because i love it so much. you get so much versatility with just that and an impact, and i switched out the one standard 1/4 bit for a t10 since i use it a lot in hotel maint

[Sanctified_Leather]

Great video DOC. You pretty much gave the essentials for hand 🤚 tools for sure. We have exactly all of those in the infamous Kitchen Tool / Junk for around the house 🏡 chores. I personally have a Veto Pro Pac loaded out for everything I could ever need for home repairs inside / exterior. I do have my Milwaukee Surge 12v Compact Impact for an all around power tool. Then I set my wife up with a Milwaukee bag and everything she might need to get things done ✅. Great content as always DOC, love seeing these pop up every evening before I go off to bed here in northern nv. 👍

[littlejimmy]

For renter tools, I'm beginning to think about assembling furniture; ratchet/sockets, decent hex keys maybe (I've always had a bicycle)

[michaelthompson]

Yep, , we had all these in the house, , , most in the kitchen in junk drawer……..

[Xellos]

Safety first, eye protection first, having leveraged a nail out of a deck board once with enough oomph to send it flying directly into my eyeprotection before ricocheting off never to be seen again was enough life lesson for me to say never even consider work before considering "Is it worth losing my eyesight over?"

[Hero__Hire]

Hey Doc!
When are you going to make the follow up video with the next 10 tools?

[ptstouring]

Channelock or cobras, 6 in 1 screwdriver over a PH2 and 1/4 slotted to free up a slot in the 10 and also because a PH1, PH2, 1/4 and 3/16rh slotted, 1/4 and 5/16th nut drivers are more useful than two standalone drivers. Even the $2 harbor freight 6 in 1 (they call it a 4 in 1 but it works as a 6 in 1) is really useful.

[skygreen]

Maybe replace the hammer with a pair of lineman pliers - that'll work for everything but framing😂. I like the sequencing, but definitely time for a saw here pretty soon (minihack or maybe even a jigsaw?). Also, a ball peen hammer seems a bit niche to even be mentioned so early, but I'll be interested in the reasoning if it does end up making an appearance. Good stuff!

[rkelly]

A medium tool box that can store future tool purchases, a square, various screws, nails and a pencil.

[atomicsmith]

I think that’s a solid list. I personally found myself reaching for 10” pliers wrench far more than I would have expected. Might be a little advanced for this tool kit, but I couldn’t b be without them…