15 Tools You Need In Your Tool Kit For Home and Work

We've put together a comprehensive list of all the tools you need in your tool kit for home, or on a jobsite. You won't find yourself searching for a wrench, tape measure, or drill bit that you don't have after filling your tool box with our expert suggestions.
0:00 What Tools Do You Need?
0:21 Power Tools & The Four Core Tools
1:22 Screwdriver Set
2:00 Hammer
2:39 Drill and Impact Driver Bits
3:19 Hand Tools - Wrench, Pliers, Allen Key
4:37 Work Light & Headlamp
5:14 Layout & Measurement
6:08 Safety Equipment
7:15 What’s Your Favorite Tool?

[@charlesjacksoniii8787]

That is funny how people forget about Bosch, they make some good tools as well.

[@Techprep23]

Bosch doesn't have a strong market share in America. Other brands make the same tools for cheaper cost, that work just as well. Especially for most people in the states that are Johnny homeowner or DIYers. You can get by with kobalt rigid Ryobi all three brands have pretty much the basics for less money. Circular saw reciprocating saw hammer drill driver impact driver low mid and high torque impact wrenches jigsaw grinder and even subcompact sizes I'm team orange and they work great. That new brushless line from Ridgid out performs some of the more expensive brands. They put pretty decent motors in them now. They even share some of the same motors with the Ryobi HP line. Just comes down to what battery collection you got.

[@MarioGoatse]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@Techprep23They’re not as popular partly because you only get the blue Bosch Professional tools in the USA. Here in Australia we have Bosch DIY which is a dark green, as well as Bosch Professional. They tend to be cheaper than Ryobi even, which are already in the lower end of the price brackets.

[@Techprep23]

@@MarioGoatse I wouldn't mind getting Bosch Johnny homeowner / DIY version of stuff. Because I am that Johnny homeowner DIYer. And with a name like Bosch it may not be the most powerful but you know that shit will last. Because Ryobi is okay their tools aren't bad it's the batteries and the chargers that are atrocious and have been for years. And Ryobi thought it would be a great idea to kill the three amp hour battery just like rigid did. Honestly what are you going to do with a two amp hour battery on an impact driver absolutely nothing Even on the 12 volt tool I have the DeWalt Xtreme 12 volts and the two amp hour batteries are dog shit you put a three or a 5 amp hour 12 volt battery on it and they really come to life and they are really decent tools for 12 volt. My only complaint with Bosch 12 volt tools is they put the battery in the handle like Milwaukee's 12 volt fuel line I'm much prefer the thinner grip in the slide under batteries like everybody's 18 volt tools

[@james2042]

​@@Techprep23the biggest issue with many tool brands is kobalt gives pro grade performance with a 5 year warranty for ryobi prices. Ridgid also offers an lsa on all tools which makes them pro grade by default

[@Techprep23]

@@james2042 that's why my entire 18 volt lineup is rigid. I register everything online for the LSA they've already warranted out two batteries for me and they fixed two of my impact drivers under warranty. I went with them originally not only for the LSA but because they're made by TTI that makes Milwaukee not only were they cheaper than Milwaukee but they offered the tools that I would need and what I do at a price I can't really argue with. You get pretty good power to dollar ratio unlike other brands like Makita. I paid $60 on clearance for their new brushless 3-speed with self tapping mode 2300 inch pound impact driver. Their subcompact lineup is pretty sweet. I have the octane brushless mid torque impact wrench works beautifully I have their older gen 5x tools I got on sale for $250 in a five piece combo kit. Circular saw reciprocating saw impact driver hammer drill driver and a flashlight two four amp hour batteries and their 5 amp charger. Yes they're brushed tools but for what I do they work perfectly fine. I have the subcompact 3/8 drive subcompact reciprocating saw they are 3 in cut off wheel their new brushless grinder. A myriad of batteries a lot of them are octane 3 amp hour batteries I have zero complaints about any of the tools. I have their new brushless hammer drill driver that's 1200 inch pounds basically the same thing as the Milwaukee gen 3 which I got for free with one of their battery promos and it also has that auto shut off if the drill starts to kick out it automatically shuts off no more taking a 6 amp hour battery to the forehead.

[@betods1013]

I would add a Socket set and even a combination wrench set. Especially if you do any DIY car repair.

[@gwilos]

Thank you! I was actually making a list of the tools I need for my collection/ Like cable cutters and crimps. Also, clamps and various squares. I'm building my own kits so whenever a workman comes to do work I have my tools. Most times they don't have them.

[@russellseaton2014]

Regarding the screwdriver sets you mention at the beginning. Just get a small 4 in 1 screwdriver. This has a couple bits that flip between a couple sizes of Phillips and straight. Klein is a great brand. And then get a bit set. This has a screwdriver handle with a 1/4" socket on the end and then 20 or so short bits that fit in it. They are the Torx, Robertson, etc. sizes. I have a 30 year old Craftsman set that has saved me many many times when dealing with an unknown Torx or Robertson screw.

[@CP-ok1gv]

I would say a multi tool or oscillating would be also great to have

[@OldDanTucker]

A nice addition but if cost is an issue it could be substituted by a chisel and blade knife

[@ryankuehl7466]

Very helpful list!!!!

[@greghumble7306]

I’d start with a square and a pencil, panel saw, tape measure and a 1 inch and half inch wood chisels, Hammer, drill and impact with bits. Half inch ratchet with 10-19 sockets. Box end spanners the same 10-19. Oh and don’t be fooled into thinking you need to buy all this stuff new. Go to yard sales buy random boxes of tools

[@bread-gz3rl]

Ryobi bits suck, get dewalt for twist and screwdriver bits, bosch for spade bits and diablo or Milwaukee for holesaws

[@sethzimmerman6346]

1st aid kit when was a kid was paper towels and electrical tape.👍

[@91rickybaker]

Porter cable good diy

[@papabear463]

Harbor Freight if your a home owner that is doing the basics. They have all you need and aren’t as much.

[@james2042]

Stud finder, multimeter, electrical tape, 2 pencils and a sharpener, locktite, a caulk gun, wipes, compact 1/4th ratchet set For power tools, an oscillating multi-tool, a compact vacuum, a speaker and a fan. For just diy-handyman style, everything i need fits into a ryobi link stack, but any brand will do. Big box on the bottom for saws, accessories like lights, fans spare batteries and chargers and radios in the middle, drivers in the small box, whatever youre carrying in the crate, and the vacuum and handtool bag on top. If you go a stacking brand without a vac then get one that wall mounts and bracket it to a box

[@geomax3465]

A small or medium Pinch Clamp and a Water Pipe Clam are good additions to the set too. Don't forget a marker and pencil, some tape (mask, silver, electrical and water sealing tapes) an electrical tester screwdriver, and maybe a round or tringular Small or medium Metal File, a little piece of sand paper, a towel or rag (old t-shirt piece), a scissor (craft snip) and I think you are good to go. 😌

[@pretzelhugs3751]

great video, not getting too specific just saying some good brands and the tools you need, the only thing I would add would maybe be a socket set which IMO gearwrench is great for that, if you're Canadian Maximum tools from Canadian Tire are amazing and the warranty is absolutely fantastic

[@betods1013]

100% agree. A socket set and even a combination wrench set are essential. Especially if you do any DIY car repair.

[@topviralkh]

The third hand tool seems pretty good quality design

[@JoeyMondo]

Wonderbar/prybar, Combination Square/tin snips/chalk line. May have been mentioned im not sure.

[@malcolmking349]

You should take Skil and Ryobi out that list these tools are on a higher level now

[@Combo223]

Agreed. Safety does come 31st. Haha

[@Failsafeman100]

Amazing how Bosch pro rarely gets a mention in the American market

[@james2042]

I haven't seen a bosch tool in years tbh

[@Omnivorous1One]

You forgot everyone needs two Wilton Bullet Vises.

[@maofuimaono5466]

Great place to start

[@horseart]

Oh my goodness. I have tools from my dad, my uncle and my spouse. Now I know how many hammers I need (14 is too many!). This is a great beginning to figuring out what to keep and what to get rid of. But.... ball peen? Tack hammer? Rubber mallet? Oh dear. I think I need to go ride my motorcycle!!

[@ScubesFTW]

Thank you for making a custom video for me and me alone lol

[@Protoolreviews]

You're welcome! LOL

[@peterryan7340]

Stud finder

[@Omnis2]

Every homeowner should have an oscillating tool.

[@Protoolreviews]

That's a great suggestion. Thanks for watching!

[@JoeyMondo]

yeh i just got one, so handy to have

[@91rickybaker]

Or a orbiting tool

[@chrisllang8055]

Outstanding !!! But you did leave Bosch out and that was a major oversight. Otherwise a very informative and detailed review.

[@robertstimmel1100]

Maybe not useful as often, but I'd add a set of picks, a telescopic magnet, and a magnetic tray/dish

[@vincemorath676]

Thanks for the video.

[@kevinorr6880]

I had never heard of Flex brand for the longest time. I suspect the quality. Feels like just a ‘big box’ brand.

[@DeepJiesel]

Flex invented the angle grinder in 1935. It's a German company that has produced tools for a century now (founded in 1922). In Germany, angle grinders are colloquially referred to as "die Flex", although Flex makes more than angle grinders.

[@james2042]

Flex was a very small tool company that the brand got picked up by chevron in like 22 and they started shitting out pro grade tools using kobalts 24v tech to boot and developing from there (kobalt 24v is made by chevron). Personally I think kobalt xtr was a test run for flex

[@jhippl]

Hart makes a damn fine hammer.

[@JiriMachovec]

Switch out the sawzall for an angle grinder. Other than that I would agree with the selection.

[@james2042]

I own both. I've used my Sawzall many times. My angle grinder I used to sharpen my lawn mower blade once and haven't touched it since. Got both in a kit at the same time

[@JiriMachovec]

@@james2042 Angle grinder for sharpening blades? Kinda weird if you ask me but if it worked... I am the complete opposite. Also own both (even multiple) but the sawzall collects dust most of the time. Maybe its different in the US with all the wooden houses?

[@james2042]

@@JiriMachovec yeah in the US, so wood is everywhere. There's a reason why woodworking and carpentry tools are staples in every contractors box in the US. You need special contractors when you don't have a wooden house lol

[@JiriMachovec]

@@james2042 I mainly work on cars but my house from 1886 is built with stones in the bottom floor and bricks on top. Almost no wood other than the rafters or whatever the structure for the roof is called. We use angle grinders not only for grinding but also for cutting all kinds of metal, rebar, stone, concrete bricks, pavers and tile. So its much more convenient for me than a sawzall. I even own multiple just so I dont have to switch blades so often. I have one for cutting, one for grinding and another one for a wire wheel lol. The sawzall probably does make more sense in your context though. I would preffers a different kind of saw for anything bu demolition work though. Either a circular saw, jig saw or maybe even a chainsaw. I guess I just do not like it very much...

[@james2042]

@@JiriMachovec the reason recips are so useful is they are a big multi tool. Wood, (thin) metal, rebar, pipe, conduit. I've cut up bushes, pvc pipe, furniture, metal framing, nail embedded wood, and drywall with mine. For cutting bricks and masonry, I'm using a wet saw and for demo in masonry I'm using a rotary hammer. For cars a grinder makes perfect sense, I use a die grinder for my automotive use. I would say the 4.5-5 inch is too big.

[@danielwilson-tq9sd]

How can I get a cutting machine?

[@Jacob-jv8db]

Safety comes thir…first!

[@petertakach951]

multi meter or elect. test, pencil sharpener, files

[@joelalexander4513]

Why am I hearing Annie Lennox's voice mixed into the generic music here? Thanks for the vid, btw!

[@Twi5tyxDxGSix5]

Safety always come thir... first 😅

[@Protoolreviews]

Always!!! Lol

[@CarrieWard-ny1zl]

multimeter?

[@kaykay8954]

always comes third 🤣

[@asim9738]

Safety comes 3rd 😂

[@Protoolreviews]

Mostly 3rd... sometimes 4th 😂... unless OSHA's on site 👀

[@balinchainly420]

Settler's whench

[@TheBigcatfish101]

You don’t want to go cheap on tools. Get a good brand it’s worth it in the long run.

[@Protoolreviews]

Yep, that's great advice!

[@jasonweishaupt1828]

My Dad taught me what I needed. Unfortunately, most men now days are USELESS.

[@DeepJiesel]

You're telling non-trades people to get a Stiletto or Martinez framing hammer? Get out of town, man 😂

[@michaelkinsella8904]

"Kinipax". Its pronounced nipex. Knipex.

[@waltbailey2345]

Stud finder