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2021-07-04T11:54:00.189-05:00

TOOLS EVERYONE SHOULD OWN

I was using some of my tools the other day and I got to thinking how some of them are my "must haves" and how some of them have been with me since the beginning. So, I decided to do a series on essential tools.

Depending on the response, I may do other tool themes but first I'd like to start at the beginning...

APARTMENT LIFE

This series is for anyone just starting life away from mom and dad. Most likely, you've just gotten married and moved into a small apartment. Even though the landlord will take care of the big problems, you will still need a basic set of tools for everything else.

Before I present my first essential tool, I need to make a couple of points:
1A) Brands don't matter.
1B) Brands do matter.
Ha ha, right? What I'm saying here is that you should never buy a tool solely on the brand name. No brand makes the best of everything. Don't buy a tool just because your father owned brand X or because brand Z is the current "cool tool" line. But, please know that some brands are certainly higher quality than others and that price does not always relate to quality or usefulness.
2) Tools are an INVESTMENT. Your goal should be to buy a particular tool ONCE. Before purchasing, evaluate it against others using online product reviews and YouTube videos. The worst thing you can do is run out and buy a tool just because you need it ASAP.
3) Take care of your tools during usage. Don't use them in situations they weren't designed for. Don't toss them around or on the ground.
4) Take care of your tools during storage. Once you are done with a tool, take the time to properly clean it (dry it off, remove oils or grease, inspect it for damage, etc.). Place it back in your toolbox so it will be right where you expect it to be the next time you need it.
5) My suggestions are simply that... suggestions. If I show a Milwaukee cordless tool, you certainly don't have to buy a Milwaukee. However, the item I show does have all the FEATURES that I believe you should have for that type tool. Please keep all those features in mind when comparison shopping.
6) My lists are presented in order of recommended purchase. Yes, I think you'll probably need tool number 1 before you need tool number 20.
7) Buy them all as quickly as you can afford to. Don't wait until a need arises. A great idea is to ask mom and dad to buy them as Christmas or birthday presents.

ESSENTIAL TOOL 1 of 20

Don't give me any crap about this (ha), but the first essential tool is a PLUNGER

There is NOTHING more embarrassing about apartment life than having to call maintenance to unclog a toilet! Most times, it is just too much toilet paper. Also, some toilets are just more prone to clogging than others. Take care of this yucky issue yourself with having your own plunger.

Also, be sure to buy a newer style plunger and not the old orange upside down bowl type. Older toilets had rounder openings but most newer toilets have elongated openings. The old orange plungers can't make a good seal on the newer toilets.

Recommendation: Korky 6-in rubber plunger

Classier option: OXO Good Grips Toilet Brush & Plunger Combo

ESSENTIAL TOOL 2 of 20

Before you start buying your essential apartment tools, you need somewhere to store them first. Your next purchase should be a TOOL BOX.

There are a many tool box lines but most of them are either junk or outlandishly priced.

You don't need a huge tool box in an apartment, but you want it to be durable and have drawers for better orgainzation.

Recommendation: GEARWRENCH 3 Drawer Tool Box

Future expansion option: RIDGID Pro Gear System Gen 2.0

ESSENTIAL TOOL 3 of 20

Another essential tools you buy soon should be a good UTILITY KNIFE.

Sure, you could buy a handful of the cheap, break-off blade knives for less money. And, those might actually have a place in your tool box in the future. But right now you need a solid knife that can hold up to some additional pressure, has replaceable blades, and additional abilities that truly move it into the "utility" realm. This one also has a wire cutter, bottle opener, and mini screwdriver built in.

Recommendation: Milwaukee Fasback folding utility knife

ESSENTIAL TOOL 4 of 20

A SCREWDRIVER SET is about as fundamental as it gets in tools.

Over time, there have been two main types of screwdrivers... slotted (flat blade) and Phillips (crossed or "x" configuration). You'll need some of each and in different sizes to work with the various screws you'll come across. Such as, anything from a large Phillips screw holding your refrigerator door on down to a tiny slotted screw holding your wall outlet cover on.

These will not be the last screwdrivers you'll ever buy, but the first set needs to be versatile. These have magnetic tips to help hold the screw in place, and have insulated shafts to protect against you being shocked.

The last feature is very important if/when you work around electrical items. Better to have that feature and not need it than need it and not have it! Any screwdrivers you purchase in the future need not be insulated since you will already have this set.

Recommendation: HORUSDY 6-piece insulated screwdriver set

ESSENTIAL TOOL 5 of 20

Other fundamental tools are a PLIER AND WRENCH SET.

As with the screwdriver set, these aren't the only pliers and wrenches you'll ever buy but they need to be the most common types and sizes.

A good, basic set will include the following:

Needle Nose - The tapered end allows access inside tight spaces. These typically also have a wire cutter built in.

Slip Joint - These are the jack of all trades pliers, being the most versatile. Of this set, you'll probably use these the most. They can be adjusted in two ways, larger or smaller, and have a slightly curved jaw area to help hold round objects such as pipes.

Groove Joint - The largest tool in this set, and has more options for adjusting the jaw opening. These can be used for more of your plumbing jobs than the others.

Adjustable Wrench - With its finely adjustable opening, this tool allows you to adapt to any size bolt that needs to be tightened or loosened.

Recommendation: IRWIN 4-piece pliers and wrench set

ESSENTIAL TOOL 6 of 20

The next tool will let you pretend to be Thor... a HAMMER! Thankfully, our hammers don't decide if we are worthy to wield it or not.

Probably the simplest tool ever made, most hammers have one other function built-in, and that is the "claw" on the opposite side of the head. The claw allows you to pry up nails, boards, flooring, etc.

Don't buy a hammer that's too heavy or you won't have as much control over the tool as you should have.

There are at least 20 different hammer styles so be sure to get a general use design.

The one I recommend has an adjustable claw position to allow for a variety of prying situations.

Recommendation: Craftsman Flex Claw 18 oz. hammer

ESSENTIAL TOOL 7 of 20

Next up is a TAPE MEASURE, which comes in many different lengths. I think a 25 foot one hits the sweet spot of length vs cost.

Features should be a rubberized case (in case you drop it), a high visibility blade color for better readability, printed fractional graduations (great for old timers like me that don't see all those tiny lines like we used to), a wide blade for added standout/reach, and printing on both sides of the blade.

One newer feature many of them have is a magnetic end so you can easily measure the distance away from a metal object by yourself.

Recommendation: Kobalt 25-foot tape measure

ESSENTIAL TOOL 8 of 20

While a utility knife is awesome, it does have limitations. Buy yourself a pair of these incredible MULTIPURPOSE SHEARS to cut everything else you can think of.

These babies are sharp, and they have great leverage to cut through tough items.

Recommendation: Multipurpose electrical shears

ESSENTIAL TOOL 9 of 20

Next up is a TORCH LIGHTER. Do not put a crappy old Bic lighter in your tool kit! You need to have something that puts out heat, and a lot of it! A torch will also withstand wind to continue to deliver a flame.

Refill this unit with standard butane.

If nothing else, you can be sure to light firecrackers on a windy New Year's Eve or use it to finalize a Creme Brulee!

Recommendation: Triple torch lighter

ESSENTIAL TOOL 10 of 20

This tool will make you feel like a goober when you wear it but you'll be glad you have it when you need it. Unless you have a third arm, a HEADLAMP will make working in the dark, or a very tight space, so much easier.

Your headlamp should be at least water resistant, if not waterproof. It should also allow you to adjust the aim of the light while your head stays in position. And finally, multiple modes help because there are times you need a lot of light and times too much is blinding.

Also keep a spare set of batteries for this in your tool box!

Recommendation: Energizer LED headlamp

ESSENTIAL TOOL 11 of 20

If you are hanging pictures or installing something that needs to be level, you really need, um, well... a LEVEL.

Don't cheap out and buy a short level. You want a level with a decent length to allow for a more accurate reading.

Features should include a magnetic base, a gutter to allow it to sit on a round object like a pipe, be made of aluminum for durability, and have multiple vials for different measurements. An advanced feature would be for it to have a compass vial so that you can easily determine degree of angle.

Recommendation: Craftsman 9-inch level

ESSENTIAL TOOL 12 of 20

Even though you won't be doing any big construction projects in an apartment, there will be times you need a small SAW.

Most saws work on the outward push, but a few dig into the wood on the inward stroke. And typically, those saws are smaller and thinner giving you finer control over the cut. Since your tool box isn't huge, get one that folds up and has teeth on both sides.

Recommendation: DeWALT pull saw

ESSENTIAL TOOL 13 of 20

Scraping old paint, caulk, or stickers isn't fun but a SCRAPER sure helps!

Get one that has two types of replaceable blades, metal and plastic. You'll use the metal for glass and other hard surfaces while the plastic is for softer surfaces that can scratch easily.

Recommendation: Double edge scraper

ESSENTIAL TOOL 14 of 20

You've probably never seen a PAINTER'S TOOL but let me say it is one of the most versatile tools ever!

Grab this out of your tool box and you can do just about anything with it... hammer, scrape, shield your edge as you paint, screw/unscrew slotted and Phillips screws, open paint cans and bottles, squeeze paint from rollers, cut, pry, and tighten/loosen bolts!

Recommendation: Painter's tool at Amazon

ESSENTIAL TOOL 15 of 20

A good PAINT BRUSH is next up.

Of course, it can apply paint but you can also use it for minor dust/dirt removal.

A 2.5 inch wide tapered brush hits the sweet spot... not too wide and not too narrow.

If you take care of it, a good quality paint brush will last for decades. So be sure to keep the cover that it comes in so that the bristles don't get bent or the ends don't get frayed.

Recommendation: Purdy 2 1/2-inch paint brush

ESSENTIAL TOOL 16 of 20

Gotta reach way back on the top shelf of a closet? Need to work on a light fixture in the ceiling? Wanting to hang curtain rods over a window? You'll need a good, solid STEP LADDER for those jobs.

People fall from ladders all the time, sometimes seriously hurting themselves. Don't buy a cheap ladder!

Great features would be a platform for you to stand on, not on a skinny rung/step as well as a try at the top to hold some tools while you're working.

Recommendation: Werner fiberglass 4.8-foot step ladder

ESSENTIAL TOOL 17 of 20

Modern electronics have improved the old "stud finders" so much that they are called MULTISCANNERS now.

Beyond finding the studs in your wall (the wood framing that creates walls and helps hold the roof up), multiscanners can also now "see" pipes, conduit, and electrical wiring. Pretty cool if you're about to poke a hole in the wall. Believe me, you don't want to drive a nail into the wall and have it go through a power cord or a PVC pipe!

Just like the commercials say "call before you dig", you'll want to "scan before you nail".

Recommendation: Zircon 4 in 1 wall scanner

ESSENTIAL TOOL 18 of 20

If you haven't noticed, I have not recommended any power tools yet. That's because you probably won't need one in an apartment. But, you might. The one you will need before any of the others is a cordless DRILL/DRIVER.

This tool will allow you to drill holes and drive screws in/out.

As far as features go, always buy a "brushless" power tool if possible. This helps the tool work less, extends the life of the motor, and doesn't require any maintenance.

And now we need to circle back to my first post where I said "brands don't matter" and "brands do matter". Your first cordless tool purchase will be one of many. You want to go with a brand that has many different tools that ALL USE THE SAME BATTERIES. This keeps you from having to buy dozens of batteries... just have a few and swap them into the tools you need at the time. You can also charge one battery while using a second battery. And you don't want to wind up with two or three different tool lines in your shop/garage later on because you made a bad purchase this time.

To me, there are generally four cordless tool levels...
   1) construction grade (Milwaukee/Ridgid)
   2) high end grade (DeWALT/Makita/Bosch)
   3) home grade (Ryobi/Craftsman/Kobalt/Bauer)
   4) cheap grade (Black+Decker/Worx)

Unless you are a contractor or a construction worker, you don't need to spend the money on tools in the first level. Also, you should never buy a power tool from the cheap grade... cheap tools just don't last and rarely have all the features you want. Which leaves us with the two middle grades. For the average person that will occasionally use a cordless power tool, the home grade is best because of the value.

Whatever line you decide on, be sure to buy the "kit", which includes the tool, one or more batteries, and a battery charger.

   Recommendation: CRAFTSMAN V20 RP 1/2-in Brushless Cordless Drill

ESSENTIAL TOOL 19 of 20

If ya got a drill/driver, ya gotta get a DRILL/DRIVER BIT SET to make it useful.

This won't be the last bit set you buy but this one needs to have a little bit of everything... drill bits, screwdriver bits, and maybe some nut drivers.

The quality differences in these accessories vary wildly, and with the cost of the item being so low, it is acceptable to pay the few dollars more for a better quality set.

And just because you may have bought a Craftsman or Ryobi drill/driver doesn't mean you have to use any of their accessories. Thankfully, most are interchangeable with the other tool lines.

Recommendation: Milwaukee Shockwave impact drill and drive bit set

ESSENTIAL TOOL 20 of 20

By now you have a tool box full of useful items that will last you for decades, if not your lifetime.

But this last suggestion isn't for an actual tool, but for the various CONSUMABLES you'll need.

TAPES - There are four tapes you should have on hand:

1) DUCT TAPE is a strong general tape used for many different jobs, such as holding things together, patching holes, keeping broken glass together, etc.

Recommendation: 3M duct tape

2) PAINTERS TAPE is the blue tape that painters rarely use, oddly enough. But regular folks like us use it to mask off an area that we don't want to get paint on, such as door facings when we paint walls. This tape easily peels off which makes it good for other things, too. A small piece on a drill bit helps you know when to stop drilling down, or it can be used on a wall to ensure multiple pictures are hung in line. Very handy to have.

Recommendation: 3M painter's tape

3) ELECTRICAL TAPE is used to wrap electrical wires so they don't touch each other or metal, which could cause damage or fires. It can also be wrapped around an object you must hold to provide grip and extra cushion.

Recommendation: 3M electrical tape

4) PLUMBER'S TAPE is actually used by plumbers. This thin tape is wrapped around the threads where water fittings are screwed into each other. Want to replace that standard fixed shower head with a cool one that can be held in your hand? You'll need plumber's tape to make a watertight seal between the shower head hose and the water pipe coming out of the wall.

Recommendation: Oatey plumber's tape

MULTIPURPOSE LUBRICANT can be used for more than squeaky door hinges... it can remove bugs and tar from your car, help remove gooey stickers, clean stainless steel items, lubricate bicycle chains, etc.

Recommendation: WD-40 multi-purpose lubricant

SANDPAPER variety packs come with different sheets of grit (roughness). Sand down rough spots on a balcony railing, deburr metal items, or smooth out items before painting. Use the sanding block to sand larger areas but use the sheet in your hand for finer work.

Recommendation: Sandpaper variety pack and hand sander

ZIP TIES are great to hold things together, especially power cables you're wanting to hide behind a piece of furniture. If you need one longer than you have, simply zip two or more of them together to make a chain to wrap around the object and then cut the excess off each one.

Recommendation: Self-locking cable ties

ALL PURPOSE MARKERS that are designed for construction sites but we can use one, too. Sharpies are good, but these are made to write on just about anything, wet or dry, and you can leave the cap off for hours and it won't dry up quickly like a standard marker will.

Recommendation: Milwaukee INKZALL jobsite permanent marker

NAIL SET for a variety pack with various size nails.

Recommendation: Grip-Rite 230-piece nail kit

SCREW SET for a variety pack with various sizes and type screws.

Recommendation: Grip-Rite 170-piece screw kit

That's it! If you grab all of these items you'll be ready to take on anything in your apartment!

Birmingham Vulcans at Shreveport Steamer (Pre-Season)

2020-03-05T13:07:00.005-06:00

		Birmingham Vulcans at Shreveport Steamer
31		Saturday July 19, 1975 State Fair Stadium PRE-SEASON		30

		Philadelphia Bell at Florida Blazers
18		Thursday November 21, 1974 Tangerine Bowl PLAYOFFS - ROUND ONE		3

		Birmingham Vulcans at Memphis Southmen
18		Sunday October 12, 1975 Liberty Bowl		14

		Jacksonville Express at Charlotte Hornets
22		Sunday October 12, 1975 Memorial Stadium		15

		San Antonio Wings at Portland Thunder
28		Sunday October 12, 1975 Civic Stadium *OVERTIME*		25

		Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia Bell
18		Saturday October 18, 1975 Franklin Field		10

		Memphis Southmen at San Antonio Wings
25		Sunday September 28, 1975 Alamo Stadium		17

		Charlotte Hornets at Jacksonville Express
33		Saturday August 30, 1975 Gator Bowl		14

		Chicago Winds at Charlotte Hornets
22		Saturday July 19, 1975 Wake Forest University PRE-SEASON		21

		San Antonio Wings at Shreveport Steamer
31		Sunday October 19, 1975 State Fair Stadium		41

		Southern California Sun at The Hawaiians
26		Sunday October 19, 1975 Honolulu Stadium		7

		Southern California Sun at The Hawaiians
37		Saturday August 16, 1975 Honolulu Stadium		19

		Charlotte Hornets at Shreveport Steamer
39		Sunday October 5, 1975 State Fair Stadium		14

		Portland Thunder at Jacksonville Express
32		Saturday October 4, 1975 Gator Bowl		29

		Birmingham Vulcans at The Hawaiians
29		Saturday October 4, 1975 Aloha Stadium		16

		Southern California Sun at Charlotte Hornets
24		Saturday September 27, 1975 Memorial Stadium		17

		Memphis Southmen at Portland Thunder
16		Sunday September 21, 1975 Civic Stadium		3

		The Hawaiians at San Antonio Wings
30		Sunday September 21, 1975 Alamo Stadium		11

		Philadelphia Bell at Charlotte Hornets
10		Saturday September 6, 1975 Memorial Stadium		0

		Jacksonville Express at Shreveport Steamer
22		Saturday September 6, 1975 State Fair Stadium		15

		Chicago Winds at The Hawaiians
28		Saturday August 23, 1975 Honolulu Stadium		17

		Shreveport Steamer at San Antonio Wings
19		Saturday August 2, 1975 Alamo Stadium		3

Best. Blog. Ever.

Birmingham Vulcans at Shreveport Steamer (Pre-Season)

Philadelphia Bell at Florida Blazers

Birmingham Vulcans at Memphis Southmen

A History of the University of Alabama Crimsonettes

Uniforms

Jacksonville Express at Charlotte Hornets

San Antonio Wings at Portland Thunder

Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia Bell

Memphis Southmen at San Antonio Wings

Charlotte Hornets at Jacksonville Express

Chicago Winds at Charlotte Hornets

San Antonio Wings at Shreveport Steamer

Southern California Sun at The Hawaiians

Charlotte Hornets at Shreveport Steamer

Portland Thunder at Jacksonville Express

Birmingham Vulcans at The Hawaiians

Southern California Sun at Charlotte Hornets

Memphis Southmen at Portland Thunder

The Hawaiians at San Antonio Wings

Philadelphia Bell at Charlotte Hornets

Jacksonville Express at Shreveport Steamer

Chicago Winds at The Hawaiians

Southern California Sun at The Hawaiians

Shreveport Steamer at San Antonio Wings