50 Tools Everyone Should Own

Whenever I’m at a cocktail party, get together, or other small talk-conducive occassion and I tell people what I do, the first question I always get asked is, “Okay…so how do you make money from that?” But the second question I always get asked is for a recommendation of what are my top ten essential tools that everyone should have/buy for their niece who’s getting their first place/try to get their husband to use.

The answer, of course, is “well, depends on what you’re trying to do with them.” I usually come up with some combo of measuring devices, handsaws, clamps, and fasteners, but I always think…”maybe I should come up with a list of essentials for the average homeowner or artist/maker at some point.”   

Of course, ten is way too few. In fact, at least according to Popular Mechanics, there’s a cool five-zero that most everyone should keep around, regardless of the size of your home or kind of projects you take on. Of course, if you don’t have any outdoor space to maintain, you can knock ten or so off the list, and if you don’t anticipate any demo or “major award” shipping crate opening, you can eschew another few, but everything here will get used at least once a year in your average home. Me? I have 46, short only: the sledgehammer, the pick, the bow saw,  and the bow rake.

Sounds like an extra interesting game of Clue.

50 Tools Everyone Should Own (With Tips!) [Popular Mechanics]