DIY toolset recommendations

Pittingdon

My son is moving into his first property soon. He has never shown an interest in DIY, so I thought a tool kit would encourage him. He will be starting, more or less, from scratch.

Any recommendations gratefully received - I thought a budget of up to £100 sounded reasonable.

Martin_the_Unjust

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VonHaus-256pc-Premium-Hand-Socket/dp/B076KR5S7F/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1CUW7R3F96B4P&keywords=diy+tool+kit&qid=1656778802&refinements=p_72%3A419153031%2Cp_36%3A118663031&rnid=118657031&s=diy&sprefix=Diy%2Caps%2C73&sr=1-2

victor2

Pittingdon said:

My son is moving into his first property soon. He has never shown an interest in DIY, so I thought a tool kit would encourage him. He will be starting, more or less, from scratch.

Any recommendations gratefully received - I thought a budget of up to £100 sounded reasonable.

All I would say is avoid the cheap 'n cheerful kits that appear to offer one of just about everything.

Even a casual DIYer gets frustrated by tools that break the first time you use them, never mind the first time you misuse them!

My most used tool is a battery drill/screwdriver. A Bosch unit I got on offer. Something like that backed up with a set of drill bits and screwdriver bits will probably hit your budget even if you find a special offer. If you get a ratchet screwdriver with interchangeable bits, that will probably take whatever bits come with the drill set too.

If I was starting from scratch, I'd be tempted with a Stanley tool set or similar. Might just leave you enough for a drill without going too far over your budget!

Section62

victor2 said:

Even a casual DIYer gets frustrated by tools that break the first time you use them, never mind the first time you misuse them!

The only tool I've ever broken was a pair of Stanley side cutting pliers.

These days Toolstation and Screwfix do some decent 'cheap' tools.  My philosophy now is to buy cheap(er) and have more, rather than buy expensive and have fewer.

I've avoid a box with lots of stuff which will probably never get used, and focus on a few tools - hammer/screwdrivers/pliers/tape measure - and add a voucher to top up to the £100 mark so the OP's son can buy anything else he needs as and when.

theoretica

Safety glasses. 

For me - hand screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable spanner would probably be top of my list.  And maybe an IOU to add more tools when needed.

stuart45

Might be worth having a look at the house and seeing what needs doing.
If for example it needs a re-dec then brushes, roller, scrapers etc would give him a good start. 

greenface2

toolstation / screwfix / b n q . voucher 

FreeBear

Hammers. Can never have too many hammers.

A small 4oz pin hammer, 16oz claw, and 2lb ballpein. A 4lb club hammer is useful sometimes, as is a 14lb sledge - Just don't get anything with fibreglass/plastic handles. A good quality hickory handle will last a lifetime.

TELLIT01

Martin_the_Unjust said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VonHaus-256pc-Premium-Hand-Socket/dp/B076KR5S7F/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1CUW7R3F96B4P&keywords=diy+tool+kit&qid=1656778802&refinements=p_72%3A419153031%2Cp_36%3A118663031&rnid=118657031&s=diy&sprefix=Diy%2Caps%2C73&sr=1-2

That would be fine for a mechanic but most would be of little use to a basic / newbie DIYer.

TELLIT01

I just did a quick search on 'Home tool kits' and was amazed at what came up.  Even more so when I followed a link to 'Best home toolkits' as none of them had saws, tape or steel measures, set square or other items I would consider essentials for DIY.

Grenage

A good cordless combi drill is probably the tool I use the most.