Must-have tools for first time home owner

In no particular order

Lawn equipment (incl. hedge trimmer)
Drill
Basic scew driver set
Garden hose
Ladder
Shovel

"A demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." -H. L. Mencken

by Bens4vcobra on Jun 24, 2009 9:58 AM CDT reply actions

You live in Mobile too, right?

Any good deals going around town? I saw Lowe’s has 10% off a single purchase up to $5000, but when comparing it to Home Depot on line it seems like there’s no real savings, and I like the Depot better anyway. Any other good hardware stores in town?

"Nick Saban is the Robert Mugabe of college coaches."
-Paul Finebaum

by Bubba Chang on Jun 24, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

I

do live in Mobile. For some reason I’ve always prefered Lowe’s. They seem to have more of the brand names I’m familiar with. I bought my blinds from them and had them do the installation. They did a good job and were there like the next day.

"A demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." -H. L. Mencken

by Bens4vcobra on Jun 24, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I work at Lowes (in Kentucky) so I'm compelled to reply.. haha

If you prove that Home Depot beats the price (receipt, magazine, or something) Lowes will (or at least they’re supposed to) match it and take 10% off the matched price.

by jsholt969 on Jun 25, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice tip--thanks man!

"Nick Saban is the Robert Mugabe of college coaches."
-Paul Finebaum

by Bubba Chang on Jun 25, 2009 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

also

Be sure to get a full set of drill bits that includes screw driving bits. Other items to note:

Bucket
Tape measure
Level
Stud finder
Needle nose pliers
Locking pliers
Wire cutters
Socket set (although not essential)
Box cutter
Duct tape

by JR01 on Jun 24, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions

extension cord

by JR01 on Jun 25, 2009 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions

+1 you can't have too many extension cords

"A demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." -H. L. Mencken

by Bens4vcobra on Jun 25, 2009 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions

SLEDGEHAMMER!

Oh, . . . . . and a darts. Dart board, optional. (if you have friends like me, you’ll understand)

Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"

by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 24, 2009 10:04 AM CDT reply actions

Is this one of your friends?

"Nick Saban is the Robert Mugabe of college coaches."
-Paul Finebaum

by Bubba Chang on Jun 24, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Place that dart in the right shoulder blade, and it's. . . .

. . . .actually ME! We were in my garage in the first home I bought in Cupertino, CA. Drunk and wrestling OVER A DART GAME! We were playing 2 on 2, an argument ensued, and well. . . .I got it in the back trying to take down a buddy. I fell on my left side and thought no biggie. Pulled out the dart, cleaned the puncture with HydroPeroxide, cotton-ball and duct tape to cover. (it was bleeding like crazy). The next day, I couldn’t lift up my left arm. Turns out, after a week-delay- my diagnosis- almost tore off the labrum in my shoulder from the fall. (but I had a heinous bruise about 3" in diameter from the dart. there was even this “round purplish-white” bruise immediately surrounding the puncture. it came from the “FORCE” of the part of the dart before it shapes into the tip. weird, it didn’t hurt as much as the labrum injury. didn’t miss any work, thank God!)

Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"

by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 24, 2009 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Bix

where have you been? USC boards or something? Don’t worry man, the NCAA won’t come down hard on USC football. No worries!

"A demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." -H. L. Mencken

by Bens4vcobra on Jun 24, 2009 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I've been working a lot lately. . .

. . .as well as being thwarted from commenting on blogs as I normally would, due to the fact that my company has “firewalled” the entire system. (something to do with people on teh inturnetz during their workday? who MEEE?)

Trying to catch up at night, when I’m at home or at girlfriend’s pad is kinda difficult too. What, with gfriend always up in my business- as well. (another smooch session? honey!. . . . .)

Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"

by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 24, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Down with firewalls

need a proxy list? ;)

I just won a t-shirt tearing contest against the Tennessee coaching staff

by Stuck in the Plains on Jun 26, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Kegorator

I'm gonna come at you like a spider monkey.

by Tusk on Jun 24, 2009 11:13 AM CDT reply actions

Nice. Maybe when my budget recovers...

"Nick Saban is the Robert Mugabe of college coaches."
-Paul Finebaum

by Bubba Chang on Jun 24, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Screws w/ anchors

Better get some wood screws with wall anchors for hanging pictures and what-not on your drywall. Either Home Depot or Lowe’s should have kits with screws/anchors of various sizes. Go with that.

Dr. BamaFrazier is IN!

by BamaFrazier on Jun 24, 2009 11:24 AM CDT reply actions

Oh! And, ...

don’t get the anchors that are just big plastic screws. They suck and simply dig out a big hole in your wall when you try to put a screw in them. Get the ones that open up on the other side of the wall when you turn the screw in them.

Dr. BamaFrazier is IN!

by BamaFrazier on Jun 24, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Gift Cards to Lowes/Home Depot

Whenever someone asks you want you want for Xmas/Birthday/Ash Wednesday whatever…. request giftcards to your nearest home improvement store. You cannot have enough of these things. truely.

And remember this, It’s not a true home improvement project until you’ve made 3 trips to the hardware store.

I'm in no condition to drive...wait! I shouldn't listen to myself, I'm drunk.

by That Other Dave on Jun 24, 2009 2:10 PM CDT reply actions

Yes

I did this and it works. Bought a kick-ass stainless gas grill from Lowe’s after we got back from the honeymoon.

"A demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." -H. L. Mencken

by Bens4vcobra on Jun 24, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Get a carpenter belt.

Toolboxes are nice for storage, but they have a funny way about staying in one spot while the work invariably moves across the room / house. You need something that will keep the tools with you. Plus, it just looks manly and professional to wear one – you actually look like you know what you’re doing, which builds confidence (that is, until you miss the nail and smash a hole in the wall while trying to hang a picture, but that’s beside the point).

I bleed crimson and white...I puke Vol puke orange. RTR

by SugarBowl93 on Jun 24, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions

Here's a few more, to add to the list

So far, what everyone’s written and/or advised has been spot on! Here are a few more that you’ll need:

Pipe wrench
Channel locks
Spackle
Sm. cans of paint to match the paint that is already on your walls
All kinds of various sized wood screws, nuts, and nails (trust me, this will keep down the “visiting” the hardware store. it’s usually the only reason why you have to take multiple trips back to the place. wrong sized nails and screws!!!!! it’s a vexing condition)
Finish hammer
Various sand paper (100, 150, 220, & 400)
Spackling trowel
Chisels
Clamps (to hold down wood or whatnot whenever no one is around to help out with your project. trust me, they’re never around for that kinda help)
Sm and large plastic buckets
“Purple-shit” (this high grade industrial stain, oil, paint, and whatever remover/cleaner)
Professional plastic gloves (see “purple shit”- it will eat your skin alive)
Free standing high wattage light (for those late-night projects you wanna get to as well as under-cupboard projects)

Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"

by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 24, 2009 8:42 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Now if I can just convince “Mrs. Chang” that I’ll do more good than harm with them than good!

"Nick Saban is the Robert Mugabe of college coaches."
-Paul Finebaum

by Bubba Chang on Jun 25, 2009 11:24 AM CDT reply actions

If you tell her

in those exact words, then she’ll be too confused to refuse.

I bleed crimson and white...I puke Vol puke orange. RTR

by SugarBowl93 on Jun 26, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Er, that sentence confused me too.

Should read “Now if I can just convince ‘Mrs. Chang’ that I’ll do more good than harm with them.”

"Nick Saban is the Robert Mugabe of college coaches."
-Paul Finebaum

by Bubba Chang on Jun 26, 2009 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Dremel

And don’t cheap out on the assload of accessories (especially the flexible shaft tool). You’ll be amazed at how often you use one of these bad boys if you own one.

I just won a t-shirt tearing contest against the Tennessee coaching staff

by Stuck in the Plains on Jun 26, 2009 12:22 PM CDT reply actions