Finds: The Anything-But-Basic Home Tool Kit
By Sean O'Hara
OK — we’ll admit it. We’re probably just getting suckered in here by the James-Bond-nuclear-bomb-case. But hey, it looks like a pretty good selection of tools for the home — though we can’t necessarily speak to the tools’ quality. Did we mention it’s shiny?
The Anything-But-Basic Home Tool Kit targets the DIYer that doesn’t have a DIY kit already. Or maybe they’re really targeting the DIYer that’s a sucker for kits that come in an uber-organized suitcase with a few extra goodies organized in a grab’n-go softsided case for the smaller jobs.
The list of included tools isn’t too shabby:
- an 8-pc. screwdriver set
- a 16-oz. hammer
- a 16′ tape measure
- 12 combination wrenches in metric and standard
- a 41-pc. socket set
- 5 pairs of pliers
- an 8″ adjustable wrench
- a 4-pc. nut driver set
- a 16-pc. Allen wrench set
- a 7-pc. Torx key set
- a 9″ torpedo level
- a 6-pc. precision mini screwdriver set
- a lockback-style utility knife
- a 7″ folding wood saw
- a 6″ hacksaw
- and a magnetic pointer
If nothing else, it looks like it might be a good gift set for someone just starting out, especially if the glint of a shiny metal object attracts you like a moth to a flame. It’s available through the Dulth trading company for around $160.
Anything-But-Basic Home Tool Kit [Duluth Trading Co.]
PS: We’re in the process of putting together some great “tool set” posts just in time for Christmas shopping. Be sure and check back in the coming months if you’re considering buying tools for someone special this holiday season!
October 11th, 2006 at 6:24 am
I could tell from the illustration it was a Duluth Trading post. I love their catalog AND their pants. (Everything they say about that “firehose” fabric is true!)
The place-for-everything tool pallet is good for knowing if you’ve left something behind, but it discourages its owner from adding to the kit. A new tool that necessity dictates ends up stashed elsewhere in the box, where it’s ironically MORE likely to be left behind, because a quick glance at the pallet indicates “everything’s there”. Blow-molded cases are even worse; they tell you if you’re missing a piece, and they effectively prevent you from adding anything at all.
The alternative, a free-form box with everything rattling around, encourages packrat tendencies and clutter.
Any thoughts on a happy medium?
October 11th, 2006 at 7:38 am
I was just reading through the little mini-catalog from Duluth and thinking that I really need to pick up some stuff from them. They have some nice looking outerwear, and the cargos look like something that’s rugged, but nice enough to wear to work (office - corp casual)
Although, I don’t like their illustrations. I would much prefer to have pictures to see what stuff REALLY looks like.
October 11th, 2006 at 8:55 am
Their illustrations are actually photos run through some filtering. You’re getting a remarkably accurate picture of the product’s dimensions, and a remarkably inaccurate picture of its color.
I don’t know if this is how they do it, but it’s fascinating: http://www.photo.net/learn/technology/mflash/merl-non-photo.html
October 11th, 2006 at 9:15 am
I used to pitch the blow-molded cases I got with tool kits for the very reason Myself mentioned. Consequently, it took longer to find everything, and that’s assuming I hadn’t already lost what I was looking for. I appreciate the blow-molded cases more now. Maybe it’s my anal retentive nature, but I like opening those plastic cases to find a neat, orderly, complete set (versus the chaotic scattering of tools in my tool boxes.)
I do concede the point that these plastic cases don’t usually have room to add more tools. I recently got a Craftsman kit that did have a nice, open space for more tools. A Husky set I also recently got doesn’t, but does have nice detents that ‘clip’ the tools in place, versus the Craftsman which doesn’t. May not sound like a big deal, since both cases hold the tools in place when closed, but have you ever had a case fall off a roof/ladder/fender/etc while open? I have, so this round goes to Husky.
I may have digressed from the blog topic a bit.
October 11th, 2006 at 12:02 pm
Well as far as organization goes I think it depends on who you are and what your application is. For me personally I like to compartmentalize things. Not necessarily the form fitted stuff like the kit above but more like pouches or pockets inside a larger container. Sort of like a well organized backpack; enough room that you can expand your set but keep it in an easily identified and useable format. Now if I could find the perfect one that wasn’t just another big bag with a, “lump it all in there” approach I would be set.
October 12th, 2006 at 11:18 pm
In my business it’s common for carpenters to build an upright rolling case with magazine file box style upright dividers, holding all the power and air tools facing the user. I hate blister cases, but they do keep the tools clean….. the trend of soft sided cases is cool, but a complete set of dewalts is almost too heavy to set it down lighly.
October 17th, 2006 at 12:28 am
[...] Finds: The Anything-But-Basic Home Tool Kit Nothing starts a discussion among Toolmongers more effectively than a “basic tool kit.” We’ve all got strong ideas about what should be contained therein, and we love to express them regularly and forcefully. We ran across this toolkit in its slick-looking James-Bond-nuclear-weapon suitcase and couldn’t help but post it — but you’ll probably enjoy the comments even more than the post. [...]
January 21st, 2007 at 12:04 pm
[...] The “Anything-But-Basic” Home Toolkit [...]
March 13th, 2007 at 4:46 am
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