Tell me about your practical minimalist tool kit

[lanamommyphd07]

I'm sure it's been done before, but what do you put in your super-tiny but really efficient tool kit? I'm about to declutter/downsize my small one, but I'd love to hear about what you have found useful!

[crunchy_mommy]

Do you mean tools as in, hammers and tape measures???

I have a tool similar to this (minus the flowers!) http://www.amazon.com/Silk-Flower-Hammer-Screwdriver-Tool/dp/B000FX4VFC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356794054&sr=8-1 -- love it, has everything I commonly need all in one tool.

I also have a small sewing repair kit that has a tiny pair of scissors and a tape measure.

Those are the things I tend to use on a daily basis. I do miss my swiss army knife keychain (I lost it) because it had the mini scissors/nail scissors and two knives & was so portable. Now I just use kitchen knives as box cutters etc...

So essentials for me are:
-small hammer
-4 screwdrivers (small & large flat, small & large Phillips head)
-scissors and/or pliers and/or a knife/Xacto
-tape measure

(However, we do a lot of remodeling projects so I also have a basement full of other tools for when I need them... these are just the ones I keep accessible for daily use...)

[lanamommyphd07]

:lol ! I wasn't thinking outside the tool box to other groups of "tools"! HAH! That could be a really great thread.

The essentials for me:

Hammer

pry bar

rubber mallet

pliers with a sidecutter built in

adjustable wrench

tape measure

putty knife

adjustable screwdriver

power drill and bits/drivers

2 allen wrenches

mini screwdriver

boxcutter

miter/all purpose saw

awl

a few clamps

level

and some other bits and stuffs that I am pondering dumping...

I'm crafting a softsided device for carrying these, and I keep hesitating since I've been through so many toolboxes but none seem to contain exactly the right stuff without being spacewasters, kwim?

[LeighPF]

I keep a few tools upstairs that I was always reaching for and the rest in the basement.

My musts.

small hammer (mine is tiny, but perfect for hanging pictures etc)

changable tip screwdriver. I almost never get the drill out.

needle nose pilers

tape measure

I also love my crash scissors for cutting almost everything, but they live in my kitchen.