7 Tools That You Need
4 Tools That You Don't Need, But Still Want

The Needs

My dad, like most dads I guess, has a corner in the garage where all his tools are kept. At least once a year, maybe for his birthday, Father’s Day, Christmas, or because there was a sale, he would receive more tools. However, he doesn’t even use most of them! So it makes me wonder. Which tools are the most essential? Which tools should a man not be without?

1. Claw Hammer â€"
Nails aren’t going to hammer themselves or take themselves out. Enough said.

2. Measuring Tape â€"
Trust me, it’s more precise than our best guess-timate. You’re going to need this not only when measuring materials you’re cutting or building, but also when measuring the amount of space you have, if for example, you want to buy new furniture.

3. Laser Level â€"
A laser level is another tool that is more precise than our best guess-timate. It is used to make sure that an object being built or hung is level. Tools like the spirit level (ones with a bubble) and the pendulum level does the same job, but the laser is easier for the user to see. Use this tool when hanging things on the wall, especially cabinets or wall shelves. You wouldn’t want things to fall.

4. Hex Key Set â€"
A hex key is used for screws and bolts that have hexagonal (six sides) sockets in the head. A hex key set is small, light, and comes with different size hex keys. Make sure to have this set with you as more and more manufacturers are using hex key bolts for their products (like bicycles, self-assembly furniture, and even bed frames).

5. Box-Joint Pliers â€"
Wrenches are cool, but instead of having many different sizes around, consider the box-joint pliers. It’s handy and easier to adjust.

6. Stud Sensor â€"
Stud sensors or stud finders do what their name suggests. They determine the locations of studs (wood beams) inside a wall. Determining their location is important if you want to hang pictures, put up shelves, or start a room addition.

7. Drill Driver â€"
A drill makes holes. A drill driver drives screws in, and can work as a standard drill too. Another thing that the drill driver has that a regular drill doesn’t have is the adjustable clutch. You can set this clutch to a low setting and the driver will stop when the screw is snug, or you can set it to a higher setting and the driver will drive the screw in much tighter. This is my favorite feature because I’m not strong enough, or at the very least, my hand muscles start to cramp when trying to tighten screws manually with a screwdriver. You can also set the drill to rotate the other direction, which loosens or unscrews the screw.

The Wants

1. The Xtreme box
A portable power distribution unit from Coleman Cable breaks out a 50 amp 125V or 250V power supply into six straight blade, 20 amp, 125V standard outlets for power tools and other gear. As scary as it might sound, its $468 price tag isn’t really that much when you consider that this is a serious piece of gear that provides safe power in not so safe conditions. Plus it looks like Johnny 5, you gotta love that!

2. The Bionic Wrench
The design of the Bionic Wrench multiplies your hand's gripping force so you can more easily tighten/loosen bolts. You can develop ratchet-like speed by fully turning the Bionic Wrench, releasing the grip while still on the bolt, repositioning the wrench, and then re-tighten grip. This product has been awarded the Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice Award.

3. Karcher Pressure Washer
The HD 7/18-4 MX Plus high-pressure cleaner is suitable for cleaning jobs in agriculture, industry and municipalities as well as for craftsmen, painters, decorators and contract cleaners. One of its features is the Switch-Chem system: there is space for two 2.5-litres detergent tanks on the back of the machine. And the best feature...120 bars of pure washing power in a gun like spout. What guy doesn't like that!

4. Stanley Fat Max Marker
How about a marker that will write on absolutly anything and in any weather condition. Ok ok, its just a marker but still, you can't say it wouldn't be nice to have one!

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