Tools and Basic Hardware

[Troublco]

So far I've seen Food, water, trading items, and all sorts of things like that mentioned. But if you're talking about a long term situation, bottom line is all those nice power tools that everyone has sitting around are going to be great canoe anchors. Lots of folks have a hammer and screwdrivers, but how many have a decent hand saw, axe, bow saw, hatchet, and so on? And how many folks can drill a hole in something with no power? I don't see too many hand drills anymore. Or bit braces.

How many of us have a good quality knife sharpening setup? Knives are invaluable tools, as long as they're sharp. As soon as they get dull, they're not worth much.

And then if you have enough basic hand tools, do you have hardware enough to make them useful? A few pounds of nails could go a long way in putting together or repairing a decent shelter. A couple boxes of screws would work for many things. Rope, cord, string, that sort of thing are extremely useful. A couple rolls of plastic sheet don't take up too much room, but they can be worth their weight in gold in a situation like that. If you're in a camper, and you get a hole in the roof, that plastic can make a big difference. Tarps too.

Basic mechanical tools would allow you to salvage items useful for other purposes than their original. All sorts of things you can use to make something else if you can get them apart.

Just some food for thought.

[Irving]

Great timing on starting this thread. I was just thinking about asking about how realistic it would be to have a few pulleys in your rope bag in case you ever need to lift/move something heavy.

I've got a long handled axe and some crappy hand tools.

[Graves]

Good points, I think I have most of it covered. I have lotsa tools, I've got tools to fix tools, or cut them right in half.

You can have all the food and water you'll ever need but I don't think you'd make it very far without some basic tools.

[SA Friday]

I'm just going to envelop the first amish family I can find into my commune.

[theGinsue]

I like that plan.

I've considered the whole tool thing too. Need non-power tools more than power tools. Some hardware too. LOTS of replacement bow-saw blades!

[jerrymrc]

Just had not got there yet. Only been 4 days. While having hand tools (and the stuff to go with them) is important I am in a half & half mode. Once again I would like to preach not having all eggs in one basket. Besides having the regular tools and saws I also have a large assortment of 18V tools. I am able to charge these since I do/will have power at all times.

We have not got to the "build your own solar panels" and the rest of the electricity thread. We have not got to the radios/communication thread. We have not got to the emergency medical thread And 40 or more that have to be brought up. Dancing as fast as I can.

Some other things to think about in addition to the above as it relates to the topic.

Wire, electrical and other
connectors
solder and the butane solder iron
Lag bolts (big ones)
tape
glues/epoxies
matches/lighters
lubricants
And a bunch of other stuff

[theGinsue]

Jerry -

You are doing a fantastic job here. We all realize that it's going to take time to get all of the threads everyone is interested in.

Thank you!

[Batteriesnare]

Jerry -

You are doing a fantastic job here. We all realize that it's going to take time to get all of the threads everyone is interested in.

Thank you!

+1, thanks for modding this section!

[Marlin]

Let's see,, I have been in construction for 22 years this April... Is there a tool I don't have... Somewhere,, I even have a bit and brace...

[Irving]

Jerry, if I'm not able to survive by March then you need to step into my office because you're FIRED!