“…That they may make all that I have commanded thee.” – Exodus 31:1-6
God is pleased when men work with their hands, and He provides us with both the opportunities and the skills to make things in His service. You may have read the title of this post and come here looking for some deep spiritual insight, but in this case, I’m talking about literal tools not figurative tools. One of our responsibilities as husbands is to maintain the buildings and equipment that our families rely on, and to do that we need to have at least a few tools in the toolbox. I’ve been responsible for outfitting multiple workshops, so I thought it might be a good idea to share my list of essential tools that every man should have on hand.
Power Tools:
- Circular Saw
- Miter Saw
- Reciprocating Saw
- Jig Saw
- 18V or higher Cordless Drill (You’ll also need a standard 10-20 bit set plus a 2 inch #2 Philips head bit, a 6 inch #2 Philips head bit, and a magnetic bit holder.)
- Palm Sander
- Stud Finder (Yes, it is required that every husband point a stud finder at himself and tell his wife that it works.)
Hand Tools:
- 16oz or heavier Hammer
- #2 Phillips Head Driver
- 1/4 inch Flat Head Driver
- Crosscut Saw
- Rip Saw
- Hacksaw
- Keyhole Saw
- Tape Measure
- Level
- Speed Square
- Combination Square
- Carpenter Pencils
- Wire Stripper
- Slip Joint Pliers
- Diagonal Cutters
- Channellock Pliers
- 7/16 inch Wrench
- 1/2 inch Wrench
- 9/16 inch Wrench
- 5/8 inch Wrench
Of course, you’ll find that you need a few additional tools for various specialized projects, and there are plenty of tools out there that can make a job simpler, but the tools on this list are a good foundation for the husband who is just starting to fill out his collection. If you’d like to add some recommendations to the list, drop them in the comments below.