Hand Tools

[frustratedearthmother]

If we were ever to find ourselves in an extended period of no power - what hand tools would you like to have on hand? Hand tool that's used the most around here is a hammer, lol. But, I'm wondering what other tools, that I've never thought of, that might be a good idea.

I've always thought this hand drill was cool and it was even kind of fun to use - if you didn't have more than a few holes to drill.

 

[baymule]

I love tools and have a deep belief that I can never have too many. I have hand tools because I use them. I have power tools because I use them.

Bow Saw. The deep notched teeth on the blade really rip through a tree. I love mine! I had two but my neighbor didn't have one, so I now have one.

Axe and splitter mallet. Sledge hammers of various sizes.

I have several Bastard Files. Dunno know why they are called a Bastard file, but it's imprinted on them. I use them to file hoes, shovels, axes, machetes, anything that needs an edge in order to perform it's job.

Drawing knife-for peeling bark off pine posts for fence posts.

Machetes to replace weed eaters

 

[MoonShadows]

For a grinder...rasps and files, and perhaps very stiff brass brushes depending on what you want to take down.

Hand saws for power saws.

Miter box with cross cut saw for chop saw.

Hand drill for power drill...like the one in the pic of your original post.

Screw drivers for screw gun.

Hammers of various sizes and a staple gun for compressor nailers.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Oops! I guess if I was a guy I'd be EXTRA careful, lol!

Agree with hoping the power never goes away...I nnnnneeeeeeeeddddd AC! Oh, I could live without it, but who wants to?

 

[MoonShadows]

The only place I have ever seen a drawing knife is on one of those homesteading shows. Looks like tough work.

 

[sumi]

That looks like a very handy tool… Machete, bow saw, yes! Got to have those on hand as well. Thinking back on SA, we had something I can't find an English name for now, we called it a koevoet. There are a range of images here, ranging from completely wrong to political, Images for koevoet tool

Our two were about 4 feet long, more an inch thick, metal (mot sure which now) rods with a sharpish end. They weighed quite a few pounds each, thinking more than 20 lbs? Easy. In our rocky soil, those were used to help break up soil when digging holes.

 

[CJ1]

A portable hand cranked coal or charcoal forge and a mean file. Could make whatever else I need. Haven't picked one up yet. But I intend to.

Oh. And I know how nouns and different terms mean different things mean different things in different areas. But where I grew up this is a prybar

And this is a crowbar

So I always get confused when people call one or the other.

Correct me if I'm wrong please. But the reason they call it a draw knife is because it's the only blade that was designed to be drawn toward the body as opposed as away from it. Or so I was told anyway.

Edit X2

Ok so I was wrong. I couldn't live without a spud wrench and hammer wrenches and I can't make those.

 

[sumi]

Hammer, yes! Screw drivers and gardening tools (spade, fork) are things I find I need the most often.

 

[MoonShadows]

I have a good number of power tools...circular saw, sawzall, drill press, bench saw, grinder, compressor with 5 different attachments for everything from brads to framing nails, drills, power screw driver, chop saw, and more. if the electricity ever went out, I have back ups for all of these...not necessarily in case we lose the electricity, but because I used the hand tool versions for years before I could afford to buy the power versions.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I have back ups for all of these...not necessarily in case we lose the electricity

What I'm trying to find out is - what are the backups? Specifics, man!

For example: What would replace my grinder? Would I have to use a rasp or is there a better alternative?