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"Renovating" List

Table of contents

General comments
The toolboxes as such
Toolbox #1 (ordinary tools that are constantly used)
Toolbox #2 (Safety)
Toolbox #3 (Plumbing, Electricity, etc.)
Toolbox #4 (Carpentry, Sharpening, Glass, etc.)
Toolbox #5 (Plaster, Paint, Vise, etc.)
Toolbox #6 (Power tools except the two big saws)
Toolbox #7 (Two big saws)
Toolbox #8 (Supplies)
Tools that don't fit in toolboxes

General comments

1) Safety First. The most important thing is to ensure the security of you and everybody else. See also Legal Consideration #18.

2) Almost always buy the most expensive tool there is! You have to almost always choose the most expensive tool, if you want to save money. See among others " How To Choose A Good Tool".

3) Objective of this list. Don't forget that one of the design constraints of this «renovator's kit» is to do as much as possible, with as few tools as possible. The tools presented here let you do quite a bit of renovation work (framing, plumbing, electrical work, plaster, kitchen counters).

4) There is nothing for automotive repairs. It's just that I currently don't have a car.

5) Choice of the model. Normally, when the model isn't indicated, it's because I haven't found the best tool yet, or it doesn't matter.

6) Power tools. No, I haven't "sold my soul to Makita"! It's just that I started with a Makita drill, and I just ignorantly continued with the same brand.

7) Improvements. If you have suggestions to improve this list, please notify me.

The toolboxes as such

Photo of the toolbox as such.
Photo of all the toolboxes.

toolbox

Description: Polymer toolbox, approx. 64 x 25 x 28 cm, with removable tray (which we recycle for several boxes, when we don't have small and fragile objects to put in them).
Price: 224$
Quantity: 8
Model: Canadian Tire Mastercraft.
Comment.

Toolbox # 1 (ordinary tools that are constantly used)

Photo of contents of toolbox #1.
[The following tools are "conceptually" in toolbox #2 for Safety, but I use them so often I include them here, so I'll always have them with me.]

safety glasses

Description: Safety glasses, with side shields and elastic headband.
Price: 200$ (if prescription eyeglasses)
Includes: elastic headband "Sport Cats Active Eyeglass Retainer", 11$.
Comment.

earplugs

Price: 15$
Comment.

work gloves

Price: 7$

knee pads

Description: Good quality knee pads, "spherical" knee, large and long straps that don't unlatch all by themselves. Gel-padded.
Price: 70$
Quantity: one pair.
Model: Tommyco #707
Comment.

headlamp

Description: Small headlamp, three AAA batteries, three LEDs, watertight.
Price: 50$
Model: MEC Princeton Tec Eos.
Comment.

voltage detector

Description: Little gadget, with two AA batteries, which "beeps" when it's close to a live wire, BUT NOT ALWAYS (hence the necessity for the digital voltmeter).
Price: 10$
Model: Canadian Tire
Comment.

digital voltmeter

Description: Small basic DVM, to detect hot wires, check batteries, test fuses, etc.
Price: 30$
Model: Radio Shack #22-802.
[Now, we start the actual contents of Toolbox #1]

"junk" chisel

Price: 8$
Model: Sears Marples 25 mm.
Comment.

putty knife 38 mm

Description: Knife for glazing, wood filler, Instant Patch, etc.
Price: 5$
Model: Richard's

duck tape

Price: 10$
Model: Tesa Tape 47 mm White (not Silver).
Comment.

tape measure

Description: ordinary tape measure, Metric and Imperial.
Price: 25$
Model: Lufkin(TM) n° HV48CME.

"junk" screwdriver

Description: Large standard screwdriver, 30 cm.
Price: 8$
Comment.

adjustable wrench 30 cm

Price: 12$
Model: Sears, 12", n° 30873.

hammer

Price: 30$
Model: Canadian Tire Estwing(TM), 16 oz. Blue Nylon Handle.
Comment.

Japanese restorer's cat's paw

Price: 16$
Model: Lee Valley Restorer's Cat's Paw, 20 cm.
Comment.

scratch awl

Price: 1$
Includes: Something to cover the pointy end to avoid injuries.

vise-grip pliers

Price: 13$
Model: Canadian Tire Vise-Grip 7-in. Curved-Jaw Pliers, #58-8675-0.

diagonal wire cutting pliers

Price: 14$
Model: Canadian Tire Mastercraft 8-in. Diagonal Pliers, #58-4629-6.

multi-tip screwdriver

Price: 20$
Model: Sears High Torque Handle, sku #26198 (Actually, it's a Jore Speed-Lok). Only available in the USA (order through the US Sears web site).
Comment.

utility knife

Price: 7$
Model: Canadian Tire Olfa L1 Snapknife, #57-5029-0.

set of hex bits

Price: 50$
Model: Drill Master HSS Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bit Set.
Includes: a dozen of the most common drill bits.
Comment.

cordless drill

Description: variable-speed cordless drill.
Price: 300$
Model: Makita #6337D 14.4V.
Includes: drill, two batteries. Also includes the all-important Sears 1/4" Quick Connector for hex shank bits (see "multi-tip screwdriver" here above).
Comment.

lighter

Description: Rechargeable wind-resistant butane lighter (good for thawing locks, etc.)
Price: 10$
Model: Alpen Windfoil #53-682AST.

oil can

Description: Anything that doesn't leak.
Price: 4$

various supplies

Price: 20$
Includes: Popsicle sticks, epoxy glue, wood glue (small container), nylon straps, spare lead pencil, replacement blades for the utility knife, a few garbage bags, a few paper towels, etc.

black marker pen

Description: Very useful with the white duct tape to identify things.
Price: 3$
Model: Redimark(TM), n° 0098.

screwdriver tips

Description: Tips for the screwdriver and cordless drill.
Price: 20$
Includes: 4 Robertson tips (quad, square), 3 Philips tips (star), 2 standard tips (flat), a little rubber screw-bit holder.

surgeon's clamp

Price: 5$
Comment.

WD-40

Description: Small bottle
Price: 3$

Toolbox #2 (Safety)

Photo of contents of toolbox #2.

safety helmet

Price: 60$
Includes: Full face shield, ear protectors.

work boots

Description: Good work boots, safety-approved.
Price: 140$
Model: Kaufman Kingtreads, steel caps, steel sole plate, oil-resistant sole, dielectric, CSA approved.

dust mask

Description: Good mask to protect lungs against asbestos, lead, sawdust, etc.
Price: 45$
Model: Tério North 5500-30M (but I'm not satisfied).
Includes: two spare filters.

rubber gloves

Description: To work with very hot water, or corrosive products, etc.
Safety Warning: There are many types of gloves (latex, Nitrile, rubber, etc.) and many quality grades for each type. When using hazardous products, you must read the label and ensure you are using the proper type and grade of gloves (as well as all other recommended IPE or Individual Protection Equipment).
Price: 10$

Toolbox #3 (Plumbing, Electricity, etc.)

Photo of contents of toolbox #3.

crowbar 36 cm

Price: 19$

large vise-grip pliers

Description: bigger version of the ordinary vise-grip.
Price: 15$
Comment.

small adjustable wrench

Price: 22$
Comment.

hacksaw

Price: 20$
Comment.

large tongue and groove pliers

Description: For plumbing, you often have to screw large nuts.
Price: 30$
Model: Canadian Tire Mastercraft 16-in. Tongue & Groove Pliers, #58-4699-8.
Comment.

soldering supplies

Price: 15$
Includes: soldering wire, soldering paste, homemade wooden tool to clean inside of copper fittings with steel wool, flame spreader.

faucet wrench

Description: gadget to unscrew faucets from underneath the counter.
Price: 13$

pipe wrench 30 cm

Price: 20$

large pipe-cutter

Description: Good plumbing pipe-cutter.
Price: 22$
Model: Canadian Tire Mastercraft.
Comment.

small pipe-cutter

Description: Small pipe-cutter, for when you're stuck in a confined space.
Price: 9$

caulking gun

Price: 15$

stapler

Price: 20$

stud detector

Price: 27$
Model: Canadian Tire Zircon Studsensor Pro.

metal detector

Price: 26$
Model: Lee Valley Small Metal Detector, # 86K78.30.

propane torch

Description: To solder copper pipe.
Price: 48$
Model: Canadian Tire Bernz-O-MaticTorch Trigger Start, #58-7543-0.
Comment.

wire stripper pliers

Price: 10$

paint scraper

Price: 7$
Model: Richard's
Comment.

outlet tester

Description: Gadget to see if electrical outlet was wire correctly.
Price: 15$

battery charger

Price: 30$
Model: Makita No. DC1413.

Toolbox #4 (Carpentry, Sharpening, Glass, etc.)

Photo of contents of toolbox #4.
[Carpentry]

machinist's square

Price: 5$

Japanese plywood saw

Description: Godsend!
Price: 43$
Model: Lee Valley Japanese Plywood Saw, #60T03.25.

chalk line

Price: 6$
Comment.

plumb line

Price: 2$

jackplane

Description: Rarely used, but when you need it, you're glad you have it.
Price: 100$
Model: Lee Valley Paragon, n° 5.

set of 5 wood chisels

Description: Decent wood chisels, well-sharpened.
Price: 50$

bloc plane

Price: 30$

fret saw

Price: 10$
Includes: a few spare blades.

marking gauge

Price: 15$
Model: Stanley(TM), n° 90.

small T square

Description: for mortises, but also to measure angles.
Price: 15$
Model: General(TM), n° 444.

bubble level

Price: 10$
Comment.
[Sharpening]

water sharpening stone

Price: 25$
Model: Lee Valley 250x/1000x Water Stone, #60M50.03.

oil stone

Price: 60$
Model: Lee Valley Hard Black Arkansas.

stropping board

Description: wooden board, with leather strap glued to it, loaded with honing paste.
Price: 1$

sharpening guide

Description: To sharpen chisels and plane blades.
Price: 20$
Model: Lee Valley Vise-Type Honing Guide, #60M07.01.
[Glass]

glass scraper

Description: Gadget to remove paint on window panes.
Price: 4$
Includes: Spare blades.

glass cutter

Price: 2$
[Sanding]

sanding pad for quarter-sheets

Price: 15$
Model: Richard's
Includes: Many sheets of sandpaper.

small sanding sponge

Description: Very handy to finish sanding joints.
Price: 6$

gadget with handle to sand joints

Price: 17$
Model: Richard's

Toolbox #5 (Plaster, Paint, Vise, etc.)

Photo of contents of toolbox #5.

tin snips

Price: 20$
Model: Canadian Tire Weiss(TM), M2, green handles.

ordinary plaster trowel

Price: 15$
Model: Richard's
Comments.

corner plaster trowel

Price: 15$
Model: Richard's

plaster knife 10 cm

Price: 15$
Model: Richard's

Bag of bits and blades

Price: 200$
Model: Kuny de Canadian Tire, approx. 17$.
Includes: masonry bits, drill bits bigger than 0.25 in., hole saws, half-inch electrician's drill bit for 14/2 wire, 12" long telephone wire bit, "bit-shaft extension" for spade-bits, old circular saw blade to cut when nails could be present in the wood, router bits, paint scraper spare blades, etc.

plastic vise

Price: 45$
Model: Lee Valley #10G0601 Portable Quick Vise.
Comment.

adjustable clamp

Price: 58$
Quantity: 2
Model: Canadian Tire Mastercraft (Wolfcraft)

Comment.

metric hex wrench

Price: 14$

imperial hex wrench

Price: 14$

paintbrush

Description: The best you can buy, with angled bristles.
Price: 25$
Model: Simms.

precision screwdrivers

Price: 9$

file

Price: 10$

Toolbox #6 (Power tools except the two big saws)

Photo of contents of toolbox #6.
Yes, I shorten cords, to reduce clutter.

corded drill

Description: Corded half-inch drill with keyed chuck.
Price: 150$
Model: Makita No. HP1620X.
Comments.

grinder

Description: To cut pipes, cut ceramic tiles, sharpen lawnmower blades, scrape off rust, etc.
Price: 90$
Model: Makita No. 9555NB 5"

finishing sander

Price: 70$
Model: Makita No. BO4552.

jigsaw

Price: 70$
Model: Makita No. 4323.

Toolbox #7 (Two biggest saws)

Photo of contents of toolbox #7.

circular saw

Price: 170$
Model: Makita No. 5007NB.

reciprocating saw

Price: 160$
Model: Makita No. JR3000V.

Toolbox #8 (Supplies)

Photo of contents of toolbox #8.

supplies

Description: Warning! "Limiting Container" principle.
Price: 100$
Includes: screws (in compartmentalized containers), caulking tubes (RTV, white silicon, Instant Patch, etc.), hardware (e.g. a few square brackets), steel wool, propane bottle, wood glue, Popsicle sticks, elastics, tie-wraps, washers for faucets, etc.

Tools that don't fit in toolboxes

Photo of the "non-boxed" category.

vacuum cleaner

Description: Dry-web shop vacuum cleaner, as quiet as possible.
Price: 120$
Model: Canadian Tire Shop-Vac® 19L QSP Plus Vac
54-0229-0.
Includes: Good floor brush (10$), HEPA filter (38$) for toxic dusts, hose, etc.

extension cord

Description: A good strong large-gauge (for good amperage) cord, 15 m.
Price: 40$
Includes: blue "Cable Clamp" (to attach it to the vacuum cleaner).
Model: Rona Yellow Jacket

paint roller

Price: 32$
Model: Simms
Includes: the roller as such and the handle.

roller pan

Description: The most expensive, since the others are really bad. Among others the bad ones are harder to clean and waste paint.
Price: 11$
Model: Simms

broom head

Description: Ordinary screwable broom head.
Price: 8$
Model: Corriveau

mop head

Description: Kind of screwable mop head, to which Velcro cotton pads are attached.
Price: 25$
Includes: an extra cotton mop pad.
Comment.

mini-workbench

Description: Just a 19mm plywood top of approx. 60 x 120 cm, with folding legs.
Price: 50$
Includes: the plastic vise adaptor.
Comment.

long metal ruler

Description: 120 cm metal ruler, to cut gypsum boards, plywood, etc.
Price: 12$
Comment.

telescopic broom handle

Price: 34$
Comment.

hand truck

Description: Good hand truck, rated 272 kg, with good pneumatic wheels.
Price: 45$
Model: Canadian Tire  Ultra-Steel P-Handle Hand Truck, #60-0512-8.
Comment.

fluorescent

Description: A fluorescent lighting fixture 120 cm long, with a 3 m cord (at least), and two eyelets to hook it up to the ceiling.
Price: 120$
Quantity: 2
Comment.

brush and dustpan

Price: 6$
Comment.

combination ladder

Description: Hybrid ladder-stepladder, 244 cm, rated at 102 kg.
Price: 110$
Model: Canadian Tire  8-ft. Tradesman Aluminum Combination Ladder, #61-1076-8.

fluorescent goose-neck lamp with magnifying glass

Description: Huge, heavy, good quality.
Price: 180$
Model: Boiteau Luminaire (It was the demonstrator. No box, no additionnal info).

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