Top Ten Tools

I suspect this will become an ongoing topic. It has become sort of cliche, but, the truth is, having the right tool makes the job so much easier. Here are my Top Ten Favorite Tools, as of right now.

1. Wheelbarrow. It's almost time for a new one. It has hauled dirt, rocks, sacks, debris, sand, tools, blocks, vegetables, branches, plants, and poop. Very useful.
2. Cordless Drill. My father used the same "corded" drill for many tasks throughout my childhood, but not usually for turning screws. The cordless drill makes assembling things much easier. Get one with batteries that can be used in other applications. A cordless drill also makes drilling and screwing in the yard much easier. (No laughter, men.)
3. Hammer. No explanation required. Just don't try to use one for every job.
4. Box-cutters. Have one in the garage, one in the shed, one in the pantry, and others where they are handy.
5. Crowbar. I have several of these. The smallest can be used to open paint cans and remove tile. The common crowbar can remove stubborn nails, unfit fence boards, and more. On the grandest scale is the six-foot digging bar for getting at stubborn rocks while digging holes.
6. Circular Saw. Best if cordless, but I've gotten by with a corded model for years. Great for ripping plywood, cutting 2x4s to length, and so on. I'm convinced you can build a house with a circular saw and a hammer.
7. Shop Vac. Can vacuum wet or dry. Makes lots of cleanups not just easier, but possible.
8. Socket Set. Get a couple of nice ratchets that you will use for a lifetime. Get a wide variety of sockets in metric and U.S. sizes, assuming that U.S. sizes are still around. Get a torque wrench and breaker bar too.
9. Shovel. Get more than one so a friend can help. Get a round one for digging and a square one for pick-up tasks. Get a narrow one for ditches too.
10. Landscaper's Rake. Don't use a wimpy rake for grading.