[prep] Non-electric outside hand tools. (restart 2006 by Anne in TN)
- Thread starter hummer
- Start date
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
I have limited money and space, so my approach is slightly different:
What tools do I need to have on hand to do "typical" jobs?
Then I'm in a better position to evaluate electric vs. non-electric options.
The tools I need for most jobs around the house are simple: hammer, screw drivers, saw, level, pliers, wrenches, and a drill. I can use a hand saw and a hand drill for many repairs, but the electric versions do make the job go faster.
My garden tools are things like rakes and shovels. I have a gas lawn mower.
I have a bike, so I also have some basic hand tools to maintain it, as well as a foot pump, which also works on the air mattresses.
I don't work on cars, so I don't have those tools.
What tools do I need to have on hand to do "typical" jobs?
Then I'm in a better position to evaluate electric vs. non-electric options.
The tools I need for most jobs around the house are simple: hammer, screw drivers, saw, level, pliers, wrenches, and a drill. I can use a hand saw and a hand drill for many repairs, but the electric versions do make the job go faster.
My garden tools are things like rakes and shovels. I have a gas lawn mower.
I have a bike, so I also have some basic hand tools to maintain it, as well as a foot pump, which also works on the air mattresses.
I don't work on cars, so I don't have those tools.
oldladydoolin
Inactive
This is the list of tools that I am going by.
TOOLS & HANDYMAN ITEMS
2
each ABC Fire Extinguisher (check for expiration date)
1
each Axe
6
each Bungee Straps (variety of lengths)
1
each Bush or Tree Saw
1
set Buttons, assorted sizes
1
each Crowbar
1
each Drill, Hand-operated
3
rolls Duct Tape
4
each Flashlight (extra batteries, spare bulbs)
1
each Generator, diesel preferably 5 KW
1
each Hammer
1
each Hatchet
1
roll Masking Tape (for labeling, etc)
1
box Nails, assorted sizes
1
pkg Needles and Thread, assorted "eye" sizes
1
box Pins
1
each Pliers, needle nose
1
each Pliers, regular
1
each Post Hole Digger, auger type
100' (30m)
Rope, Nylon
1
each Scissors
1
each Screwdriver, Phillips
1
each Screwdriver, Flat Head
1
each Shovel, Rounded V-shaped for digging
1
each Sledgehammer
1
each Staple Gun and Staples
1
each Swiss Army Knife
100' (30m)
Twine or Heavy String
1
each Vice Grips
1
each Wire Cutters
1
each Wench and Cable, manual
1
each Wrench
Hope this helps.
Brenda
TOOLS & HANDYMAN ITEMS
2
each ABC Fire Extinguisher (check for expiration date)
1
each Axe
6
each Bungee Straps (variety of lengths)
1
each Bush or Tree Saw
1
set Buttons, assorted sizes
1
each Crowbar
1
each Drill, Hand-operated
3
rolls Duct Tape
4
each Flashlight (extra batteries, spare bulbs)
1
each Generator, diesel preferably 5 KW
1
each Hammer
1
each Hatchet
1
roll Masking Tape (for labeling, etc)
1
box Nails, assorted sizes
1
pkg Needles and Thread, assorted "eye" sizes
1
box Pins
1
each Pliers, needle nose
1
each Pliers, regular
1
each Post Hole Digger, auger type
100' (30m)
Rope, Nylon
1
each Scissors
1
each Screwdriver, Phillips
1
each Screwdriver, Flat Head
1
each Shovel, Rounded V-shaped for digging
1
each Sledgehammer
1
each Staple Gun and Staples
1
each Swiss Army Knife
100' (30m)
Twine or Heavy String
1
each Vice Grips
1
each Wire Cutters
1
each Wench and Cable, manual
1
each Wrench
Hope this helps.
Brenda
West
Senior
A few at the top of my dream list...
Lots of rope. A mile or better all differnt sizes/makes including twine.
Lots of shovels, At least a good assortment of 12 or better with half of them being spades. Picks, and other digging tools.
Bolt cutters, including the big ones.
Hacksaw blades.
Cutting/welding tourches and extra tanks. Two or three set ups. Including the smaller portable ones.
Re load ing stock and tools.
A couple of good wheelbarrels.
Assortment of anvils. And related tools.
On and on........
Lots of rope. A mile or better all differnt sizes/makes including twine.
Lots of shovels, At least a good assortment of 12 or better with half of them being spades. Picks, and other digging tools.
Bolt cutters, including the big ones.
Hacksaw blades.
Cutting/welding tourches and extra tanks. Two or three set ups. Including the smaller portable ones.
Re load ing stock and tools.
A couple of good wheelbarrels.
Assortment of anvils. And related tools.
On and on........
theoutlands
Official Resister
treadle-powered anythings...
theoutlands
Official Resister
Hey - did you get to see the one about the spring-pole lathe he built??? THAT WAS KOOOOOL!!!!! He was kind enough to send me the pdf plan for it. GREAT show! I need to start collecting the videos - esp. since MY PBS station quit carrying the show. 
Airborne Falcon
Resident Ethicist
I've always thought that the best way to make a non-electric tool list is to use the catalogs as a wish list and go from there. Flip through the pages and you will find things that you need but would have never thought of, I promise you. (The more saws you have the better, plus a good hand drill, et al, the better off you will be. And do not forget shovels and picks and all sorts of other things like chisels, bits, files, honing and scraping tools, a quality multipurpose folding ladder, measuring tools. etc. But get a saw for everything. Have a different saw for anything and everything that can do anything and do it well. I've got a footlocker full of saws and two cross-cutters ::: 1 man and 2 man ::::: hanging in my barn.)
I cannot think of the name of all the catalogs I get in the mailbox these days - a product of my ordering from time to time for my hobby wood shop, but some of them are:
http://www.brookstone.com/
http://www.lehmans.com/
http://acmehardware.com/lc-1-1008-Hand-Tools.aspx
http://www.toolcenter.com/
http://www.japanwoodworker.com/page.asp?content_id=2896
Highland Hardware is one of my favorites and I visit there a couple of times a year even though I get the catalog:
http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/index.asp
Rockler is another good one:
http://www.rockler.com/index.cfm?cookietest=1&
Be sure to check out the old tool places for ideas about what they used and needed before the advent of electricity. For instance:
http://www.antiquetools.com/
Use the catalogs, make your wish lish, figure your budget and then go from there.
Russ
I cannot think of the name of all the catalogs I get in the mailbox these days - a product of my ordering from time to time for my hobby wood shop, but some of them are:
http://www.brookstone.com/
http://www.lehmans.com/
http://acmehardware.com/lc-1-1008-Hand-Tools.aspx
http://www.toolcenter.com/
http://www.japanwoodworker.com/page.asp?content_id=2896
Highland Hardware is one of my favorites and I visit there a couple of times a year even though I get the catalog:
http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/index.asp
Rockler is another good one:
http://www.rockler.com/index.cfm?cookietest=1&
Be sure to check out the old tool places for ideas about what they used and needed before the advent of electricity. For instance:
http://www.antiquetools.com/
Use the catalogs, make your wish lish, figure your budget and then go from there.
Russ
Dean Miller
Archaic Member
Depends on what you think you'll be doing and where you'll be living. But here's a basic list off the top of my head:
* Obviously, all sorts of screwdrivers, pliers and hammers.
* Lots of clamps.
* Chisels for wood and metal/cement (cold chisels).
* Pry bars.
* Knives, razor-type cutters and knife sharpeners.
* Scissors and metal shears.
* Wood and metal saws.
* Pin punches.
* Scratch awls and centerpunches.
* Brace and bits for drilling big holes.
* Wood and metal files of all sizes.
* Measuring equipment of different types and lengths.
* Small squares and framing squares.
* Levels and plumb bobs.
* Sandpaper and emery paper.
* Brushes -- paint, scrub, dusting/cleaning, metal cleaning.
I've added some 12-volt powered tools and lights to this list (as well as other things).
* Obviously, all sorts of screwdrivers, pliers and hammers.
* Lots of clamps.
* Chisels for wood and metal/cement (cold chisels).
* Pry bars.
* Knives, razor-type cutters and knife sharpeners.
* Scissors and metal shears.
* Wood and metal saws.
* Pin punches.
* Scratch awls and centerpunches.
* Brace and bits for drilling big holes.
* Wood and metal files of all sizes.
* Measuring equipment of different types and lengths.
* Small squares and framing squares.
* Levels and plumb bobs.
* Sandpaper and emery paper.
* Brushes -- paint, scrub, dusting/cleaning, metal cleaning.
I've added some 12-volt powered tools and lights to this list (as well as other things).
jed turtle
a brother in the Lord
One of the most valuable digging tools to have is a mattock. Part pick, part spade-like blade, it can quickly pick apart rocky ground, and cut through roots, to break up hard ground and make it quickly pliable enough to shovel out of a hole.
http://members.aol.com/dargolyt/TheForge/mattock.htm
http://www.tool-net.co.uk/data/index.php?ToolID=316612
other tools I would be sure to have on hand :
machete
grindstone
plumb bob
level
measuring tape
compass
http://members.aol.com/dargolyt/TheForge/mattock.htm
http://www.tool-net.co.uk/data/index.php?ToolID=316612
other tools I would be sure to have on hand :
machete
grindstone
plumb bob
level
measuring tape
compass
Hfcomms
EN66iq
Not sure if this fits as a "tool" or not but if you have a well or cistern and the power go's out....I have a handpump for the top of the well casing and you can also buy a bailer bucket with a valve on the bottom. Drop it down the well casing and it fills with water and you can haul it back out. Even makes a good addition to the bug out kit. There are lots of wells out there if your thirsty. Just take the cap off and drop your bucket in.
LoupGarou
Ancient Fuzzball
Ratchet/socket set (metric and SAE)
Bolt cutters
Crowbar
Allen wrench set (metric and SAE)
Adjustable open end wrench (2 large, 1 small)
14.4V saw and drill (can be solar charged)
Once TSHTF, the people that can repair items and scavange for parts will have it easier. You can even start by practicing now (eye patch and parrot on shoulder not included, AARRGH!).
Loup Garou
Bolt cutters
Crowbar
Allen wrench set (metric and SAE)
Adjustable open end wrench (2 large, 1 small)
14.4V saw and drill (can be solar charged)
Once TSHTF, the people that can repair items and scavange for parts will have it easier. You can even start by practicing now (eye patch and parrot on shoulder not included, AARRGH!).
Loup Garou
theoutlands
Official Resister
Here's one older thread I found, oops!
HeliumAvid
Too Tired to ReTire
I am pretty lucky, when my grandpa moved to a retirement complex, he gave me all of the tools and such I could carry across the great state of Iowa. I have hand drills (which in many cases are easier to use than my power stuff for small jobs), lots of hand saws, clamps, regular hand tools such as socket sets, screw driver sets both + and - and torex, allen keys, channel locks, a mold for making lead miniballs, vise, bolt cutter.
I am also heavly in to solar power and have sized all my power tools so I can run them from my 2KW inverter, chain saw, hedge clippers, vacuums, drill press, mini lathe, grinders, band saws, radial arm saw, sawsall, jig saws, soldering Iorns (big and small), gas welding rig, silver soldering stuff.. you know all the normal stuff you need to fix things.
hope the list helps.
HeliumAvid
I am also heavly in to solar power and have sized all my power tools so I can run them from my 2KW inverter, chain saw, hedge clippers, vacuums, drill press, mini lathe, grinders, band saws, radial arm saw, sawsall, jig saws, soldering Iorns (big and small), gas welding rig, silver soldering stuff.. you know all the normal stuff you need to fix things.
hope the list helps.
HeliumAvid
horse and hammer
Inactive
I bought a too expensive SCYTHE for havesting hay. I hope to never use it. Mary
Trek
Inactive
This thread reminds me of the time my husband sent me to the rental center for a "cherry picker". No one knew what I was talking about at first. When I explained we needed a tool to change the engine in my car, the men at the center nearly had a heart attack laughing so hard at me. Apparently no one calls an engine hoist a cherry picker except for my dear hubby.I got ahold of one last year and used it to cut down some buckwheat I had planted......horse and hammer said:
I can only hope there are younger bodies than mine around if I ever have to use it again. 
My neighbor is going to finish that "damned buckwheat" off in a couple of weeks with his tractor and disc! hummerHeliumAvid
Too Tired to ReTire
Note, this thread has been merged with on from Anne in TN, the original threa was back in 2003 and Anne revisited the question on April of 2006.
Thank you Anne for bringing up a very important question
HeliumAvid
Thank you Anne for bringing up a very important question
HeliumAvid
theoutlands
Official Resister
oops
Veteran Member
Seabird said:Wow, oops,
This thread is worth bookmarking. Thank you all.
HUM...ok...lets see what happens...
it looks like a doflicky but it has two do-hickeys and a v shape piece connected to ea do-whichy to grab the thingy with...when you hook the thingy with the v...you put the whatchamacallit against the post and pull the diddleflapper tight...it pulls the thingy tight so you can staple it...taking out most, if not all, of your slack...
did I get them all covered??
oops...
who's wonderin if the rug has enough uhmpf to keep her from gettin in to TOOOOOOO much trouble tonight...
MaxTheKnife
Membership Revoked
A scythe is a very useful tool. Mine will take the place of a lawnmower once gasoline is no longer available. Yes, it's hard work. But so is grinding wheat for bread. It has to be done so you just have to do it. Without electricity or gasoline. What a bitch.
Caplock50
I am the Winter Warrior
Ok, so now you've got the tools. Now, how many of you can repair them if and when they need it? And now the SHTF and you discover you need a certain tool but ain't no way you're gonna try to go to town to find one. So how many of you can make the tools you might need?
I have made my own wood chisels...and used them on the wood lathe I built. It was built on the treadle part of an old sewing machine. I make my own knives. I sharpen my saws, axes, hatchets and such.
How do you get a perfectly square corner if you don't have a square to use? Ever hear of the '3-4-5 method'? Basically what it is is that a triangle whose sides measure 3"X4"X5"(the 5" side is called the hypotenuse) will have a perfect 90 degree angle at the junction of the '3' and '4' inch sides. If you are using it on a building, then use feet instead of inches. Measure off 3' along one side of the future building and 4' along the other. Then measure across each end and move one or the other ends until you get a measurement of 5' across the hypotenuse. You now have a perfectly square corner. I hope I explained that clear enough.
I have made my own wood chisels...and used them on the wood lathe I built. It was built on the treadle part of an old sewing machine. I make my own knives. I sharpen my saws, axes, hatchets and such.
How do you get a perfectly square corner if you don't have a square to use? Ever hear of the '3-4-5 method'? Basically what it is is that a triangle whose sides measure 3"X4"X5"(the 5" side is called the hypotenuse) will have a perfect 90 degree angle at the junction of the '3' and '4' inch sides. If you are using it on a building, then use feet instead of inches. Measure off 3' along one side of the future building and 4' along the other. Then measure across each end and move one or the other ends until you get a measurement of 5' across the hypotenuse. You now have a perfectly square corner. I hope I explained that clear enough.
oops said:HUM...ok...lets see what happens...
it looks like a doflicky but it has two do-hickeys and a v shape piece connected to ea do-whichy to grab the thingy with...when you hook the thingy with the v...you put the whatchamacallit against the post and pull the diddleflapper tight...it pulls the thingy tight so you can staple it...taking out most, if not all, of your slack...
did I get them all covered??
oops...
who's wonderin if the rug has enough uhmpf to keep her from gettin in to TOOOOOOO much trouble tonight...
Thanks for clarifying that, oops. 
DustMusher
Inactive
Hey ND,
Responses are better late than never, right?
A FID - used in rope work sort of like a needle on the end of a rope you are making a splice or loop on. From Wiki:
A fid is a conical tool traditionally made of wood or bone. It is used to work with rope and canvas in marlinespike seamanship. A fid differs from a marlinspike in material and purpose. A marlinespike is used in working with wire rope, may be used to open shackles, and is made of metal. A fid is used to hold open knots and holes in canvas, and to separate the "lays" (or strands) of synthetic or natural rope for splicing. A variation of the fid, the gripfid, is used for ply-split braiding. It adds a jamming cleat to pull a cord back through the cord split by the fid's point.
Modern fids are typically made of aluminum, steel, or plastic. In addition to holding rope open to assist the creation of a rope splice, modern push fids have markings for precise measurements in a variety of sizes of rope. These fids are typically 21 or 22 times the diameter of rope to be spliced. A half-inch diameter rope would have any accompanying fid 10.5-11" in length with hash-marks denoting the long and short fid measurements. A short fid is 1⁄3 a fid length and a long fid is 2⁄3 the overall fid length. Chart showing fid measurements at site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fid
DM