These tools are generally safe...If aimed away from face.

Back to school time approaches, and my daughter will soon be headed off to A&M! She’ll be moving in with three other girls in a dorm style apartment on campus. My wife and I have been having fun outfitting her for her new life.

Steph has all but stripped the shelves of Marshalls and Target of their housewares, sheets, towels and cleaning supplies.

I assigned myself the task of setting up a proper tool kit. I spent the entire day tool shopping yesterday…..It was like I’d died and gone to heaven.

It got me thinking…. Why would we send our kids off into the big bad world without a set of basic tools!? And to think….. It almost slipped my mind.   

So here’s the scenario

1.      We have an apartment with four eighteen year old girls.

2.      All four girls have cars.

3.      All four girls have bikes.

4.      This tool kit needs to be easily portable, so it all goes in one box.

5.      As far as I know, none of these kids have any real experience with power tools.

This is like packing a toolbox for a trip to a desert island.

Here is what I believe are the most essential items:

1)      Scratch awl – Something with a sharp point to poke a hole. What else is there to say?

2)     Picture Hanging Kit

3)     Nitrile Gloves – Better than bare handing-it when unclogging a sink.

4)     Utility Knife

5)     Flashlight

6)     Multi Tip Screw Driver

7)     Hammer

8)     Hex Keys

9)     Jeweler’s Screw Drivers – For fixing glasses

10)  Channel Lock Pliers

11)  Crescent Wrench

12)  Duct Tape

13)  Super Glue

14)  WD40

15)  16’ Tape Measure

16)  Needle Nose Pliers

17)  Linesman’s Pliers

18)  Cordless Drill

19)  Hot Glue Gun – AKA Manual 3D printer

20)  Socket Set

21)  Japanese Saw – A pull saw is much easier to use for a beginner to make accurate cuts.

22)  F-Clamps – My favorite Harbor Freight item. You can’t beat them for $2.99

So what would you throw in that box?