Whether you are bugging in or bugging out, you are going to need tools. When the SHTF, you are going to have to make repairs, build something, make modifications to a number of different items. What tools are in your BOTB to accomplish this?

There's a saying that WD-40 and duct tape are all the tools you need. If it doesn't move and should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use duct tape. Joking aside, both should be in your took kit.

Beyond that, hammer, pliers, screwdriver(s), adjustable wrenches, allen wrenches, gripper wrench, box cutter. I have fairly complete sets in my car and my RV, and extensive sets in my basement.

a leathermen or multi-tool is so useful wirecutters, pribars nig and small

What about fabrication and construction? In a long term event you have to consider this. You will not be able to run to the hardware store, Lowe's, etc... You will not be able to operate power tools, air tools, etc.... Any suggestions.

This is a work in progress list and contains some equipment and supplies as well as tools. I extracted it from in side another document, (a list for a self-sufficient estate) so the formatting is kind of off.

This is what I'm planning on long term. I only have a small selection of hand tools at the moment.




Household hand tool kit

2 heavy duty flashlights w/extra batteries & bulbs
2 small water-pump pliers
2 medium water-pump pliers
2 large water-pump pliers
2 extra-large water-pump pliers
2 large straight-jaw Visegrip pliers
2 medium straight-jaw Visegrip pliers
2 small straight-jaw Visegrip pliers
2 large curved-jaw Visegrip pliers
2 medium curved-jaw Visegrip pliers
2 small curved-jaw Visegrip pliers
1 large lineman's pliers
1 small lineman's pliers
1 large utility pliers
1 small utility pliers
1 large long nose pliers
1 small long nose pliers
1 large side cutter
1 small side cutter
2 18" pipe wrenches
2 14" pipe wrenches
2 12" pipe wrenches
2 10" pipe wrenches
2 8" pipe wrenches
2 12" adjustable wrenches
2 10" adjustable wrenches
2 8" adjustable wrenches
2 6" adjustable wrenches
2 4" adjustable wrenches
1 set of 1/4" to 1 1/2" boxed end wrenches
1 set of 1/4" to 1 1/2" open end wrenches
1 set of 1/4" to 1 1/2" combination wrenches
1 set of allen, Torx, & spline wrenches
1 set 1/4" drive sockets
1 set 3/8" drive sockets
1 set 1/2" drive sockets
1 set nut drivers
1 set cold chisels
2 sets screwdrivers
1 set pin, drift & center punches
1 set wood chisels
1 set putty knives
1 set files
1 set utility knives
1 set star drills
1 set wood bits & brace drill
1 set metal bits & hand drill
1 large ball peen hammer
1 small ball peen hammer
1 shop hammer
1 soft faced hammer w/set of faces
1 straight claw hammer
1 curved claw hammer
1 rip blade hand saw
1 cross cut blade hand saw
1 hack saw w/several blades
1 set sponges & rags
2 ripping chisels
1 large crowbar
1 small crowbar
1 large pry-bar
1 large pipe cutter
1 pipe reamer
1 set pipe threaders
1 set pipe taps
1 set bolt threaders
1 set bolt taps
1 set tub-faucet socket wrenches
1 basin wrench
1 set faucet handle pullers
1 small copper pipe cutter
1 large copper pipe cutter
1 copper pipe flaring tool
1 closet auger
2 plungers
1 15' light sewer tape
1 50' heavy sewer tape
1 set wire brushes
1 set soft bristle brushes
1 chain hoist
2 come-along winches
2 sets small clamps
2 sets large clamps
1 set small clevises
1 set large clevises
several short log chains
several long log chains
several wire cables w/spliced-in thimble eyes
several coils of rope, cord & string
several coils of soft steel, stainless steel, copper & brass wire
several coils of electrical wire
several coils of electronic hook up wire
large assortment of pipe (copper, steel, black iron, pvc, cpvc, etc)
large assortment of tubing (copper, aluminum, pvc, cpvc, plastic, etc)
large assortment of hose (rubber, plastic, butyl, etc)
large assortment of nails
large assortment of screws
large assortment of bolts, nuts & washers
large assortment of electrical hardware
large assortment of electronic hardware
1 set of measuring instruments
1 large soldering iron (non-electric)
1 small soldering iron (non-electric)
1 small propane torch
1 large propane torch
1 Acetylene welding & cutting outfit
1 pick
1 mattock
1 light sledge hammer
1 heavy sledge hammer
2 double bit axes
1 garden rake
1 yard rake
1 mortar hoe
2 garden hoes
6 50' 3/4" heavy duty garden water hoses
4 25' 3/4" heavy duty garden water hoses
4 25' 5/8" heavy duty garden water hoses
2 GI folding entrenching tools
2 long handle, curved round point shovels, small blade
2 long handle, curved round point shovels
2 short handle, curved round point shovels
2 long handle, straight round point shovels
2 long handle, curved square point shovels
2 short handle, straight square point shovels
2 short handle, straight sharpshooter shovels
2 short handle, curved snow scoop shovels
2 short handle, curved grain scoop shovels

Measuring tools
plumb bob
level
square
compass
protractor
rule
scribe
guideline string
chalk stick
wax stick
lumber measure

Field work tools
axe
shovel
felling saw
mallet
wedges
sledge hammer
rock drills
pick
mattock
block & tackle
chain hoist

Carpentry tools
adze
froe
heavy mallet
crosscut saw
rip saw
broadax (to square logs for cabin building) (12" log gave 8" timber)
hewind dog (to hold logs in position while squaring
light mallet
rasp
wood chisels
brace drill & wood boring bits
finishing saw
draw knife
plane
carving knife
sanding stone
pipe auger & reamer to make wooden pipe
(one end shaved down to fit taper at other end)

Miscellaneous tools & equipment

Assembly tools
pliers
screwdrivers
hammer
clamps

Maintenance tools
oil cans
grease pots

Sharpening tools
metal file
honing stone
strop
saw sharpening tool
grinding wheel (foot powered)

Metal working tools & equipment
files
hacksaw
sheet metal brake
snips
nibbler
hole punches
riveter & rivets


Storage areas for
Garden seed, equipment & supplies
non-hybrid seeds
soil turning spade
utility shovels
soil rake
planting hoe
cultivating hoe
planting dibble
short handled digging trowel
short handled cultivating rake
row marking stakes & string
tuber harvesting fork
corn husking pin
scythe & wooden fork (to cut & handle hay)
harvesting knives
harvesting striking stick
harvesting sickle (grains - wheat & rye)
seft & wooden mat hook (grains - wheat & rye - hold straw with mat hook)
grain cradle (scythes with light wooden racks to catch the cut straw)
(for small grains)
thrashing flails
gathering baskets, buckets, boxes & bags w/shoulder slings or belts
wheel barrow
hand pump pressure sprayer
hand pump spray cans
irrigation ditch control gates
pest control devices
(scarecrows, spinners, traps, decoys)
scythe hammer & anvil to straighten nicks, whetstone to sharpen blades

Orchard equipment
grafting knife
pruning sheers
pruning knife
pruning saw
step ladder
extension ladder
pick knives & tools
pick baskets & buckets
storage baskets & boxes


Primary woodshed w/gathering & storage equipment
Covered storage area w/
firewood stacking racks
fire suppression system
Outside covered & uncovered work areas
Storage cabinet & racks w/
felling saw
felling wedges
wedge hammer
crosscut saw
buck saw
sawbucks
cant hook
axe
splitting maul
splitting wedges
sledge hammer
log skidding tongs
log skidding sled
log skidding chains & boomers
log skidding cable
log stacking racks
log stacking rack brackets
cover tarps/sheeting
firewood processor

Coppersmith & tinsmith tools & equipment
Optical products tools & equipment
Mechanics tools & equipment
Wood working tools & equipment (finish work, furniture & cabinetry)

Cooper's tools & equipment
drawknife
hand adz
plane
cooper's windlass
compass
croze (curved base plane to cut groove for barrel heads)
pod auger (to make bung & spy holes)
soaking/steaming troughs
forming/shaping racks/presses

Wheelwright's tools & equipment
spoke shave

Gunsmithing/reloading/bowsmithing/arrowsmithing tools & equipment
complete gunsmith tool & equipment fit including barrel riflers & straightners
complete gunsmith supply & parts stocks
complete bowsmithing tools, equipment, & supplies
complete arrowsmithing tools, equipment & supplies
reloading equipment and supplies for .17 to .50BMG brass cartridges
reloading equipment & supplies for .410 bore to 10 gauge shotgun cartridges
progressive reloader setups for primary cartridges
single stage press for secondary cartridges
bullet casting equipment
in use powder magazine
quantity powder storage magazines
1,000 meter shooting range w/multiple target set ups, chronograph, and clay bird thrower

Attached open-air blacksmith area w/
Winter enclosure walls
Personal equipment
heavy gloves
face protector
leather apron
leather leggings/chaps
leather boot spats/gaiters
Horseshoeing tools
hoof pick
hoof rasps
horseshoe nail hammer
nail nippers
horseshoe nail trim file
Metal forging tools
forge
anvil
hammers
tongs
cutting chisels
bellows
quench tank
tempering tank/bed
annealing bed/oven
fluxes
surface hardening material
brazing rod
welding rod
Metal casting tools
melting furnace
melting pot
dipping ladle
casting sand bins
casting sand recovery screens
fluxes
mold boxes
item molds
fill tube & air release tube molds
mold cooling & disassembly area
sprue nippers, cutters, & files
finishing files
finishing sanding/rubbing stones

Mineral/earth/rock products processing shed
Medicinal mineral & rock preliminary preparation tools & equipment
Lapidary work area w/tools & equipment
Flint/obsidian knapping tools & equipment
Gold & silver working tools & equipment
Petroleum products refining tools & equipment

Masonry/stone tools & equipment
rough stone storage area/bins
finished stone storage area/bins
brick & block storage area/bins
clay, straw, sand & lime storage bins
sledge hammer
drills
pick
mallet
wooden/fiber splitting wedges
stone cutting chisels
stone breaking pliers
stone trimming chisels
hammer
setting mallet
brick, block & stone hods
mortar mixing trough
mortar hoe
mortar scoop
mortar hod
mortar trowel
mortar presser/scraper
work area w/brick & block molds
mixing trough
dipping ladle
smoothing trowel
trimming hammer/tool
drying racks/area

Pottery & ceramics tools & equipment
clay bins
clay grinding & mixing bowls
mortar & pestal
water dipper
clay mixing paddles/spatulas
pottery wheel
pottery shaping tools
drying racks
glaze component storage containers
glaze mixing containers
glaze dipping containers
glaze painting brushes
pottery molds
work bench
wash up/clean up tubs
kiln
cooling racks
storage shelving

Glass making tools & equipment
silica sand & scrap glass bins
glass melting furnace
glass melting pot
glass dipper
glass handling tongs, paddles & cutters
glass molds
glass blowing tubes, stands & tools

Ore smelting tools & equipment
ore & scrap storage bins
treatment mineral & alloy component storage bins
coke/coal fuel storage bins
smelting furnace
smelting pot
molten metal dipper
smelting furnace & pot handling tools
pig molds
mold cooling area
pig storage area

That was what I was looking for. Granted most of this will not be in your tool box, but it does need to be at your BOL. I suggest using these items instead of power tools to become used to them. I don't have it all either but pick up what I can when I can.

Just a note Jerry, there a multiple different kinds of axes. I have a double bit feller, 2 single bit fellers and 4 single bit limbers. I watch people try and limb with a feller and it's rather humorous (the axe bounces back), the head shape makes an enormous difference in how much effort you put out to do the job and if you try and fell with a limber it loses it's edge in about a dozen swings. Usually a couple times a year I bring the hardware out just to keep in the swing of things, but my personal preference involves 2 stroke mix and at least 70cc's

You also missed basic tools for clothing & footwear repair. I keep a 1lb spool of waxed thread, a sewing awl, 6 heavy needles and 6 fine needles for footwear, canvas & leather repair this is aside from my 25lb tackle box full of leather working tools and the 4 6/7oz double shoulders I keep around for sheaths, holsters, slings and belts.

I also finished you book, very good read. I forwarded it to my wife down in TX. I'm on pins and needles for the next one.

SCpatriot wrote:What about fabrication and construction? In a long term event you have to consider this. You will not be able to run to the hardware store, Lowe's, etc... You will not be able to operate power tools, air tools, etc.... Any suggestions.

This is the exact reason we have been hitting flea markets and such to gather HAND POWER tools like old time tools.


And SC

After looking at the list and thinking about it abit,it suprises me that I have about 90% of those tools and quite a few others not listed.A big one that was missing was metric wrenches,sockets asst.extentions,asst.wobbles,ratchet adapters,and a breaker bar.Others were gear pullers,slide hammer,Ring clamp,cylinder hone,cutting/oxy acetylene torch,asst.welding vise grips,small forge,asst.wire brushes,solder/sweating iron,PVC cutter,MM/SAE tap and die set,Micro screwdrivers,tach light,asst.sand paper,and feeler gauges.There are probably duplicates from your list Jerry,and some missed that I have at home.I inherited a whole 2,400sq.ft shop full of tools when my Dad passed on.He had this competition with his brother about,"He who die's with the most tools wins".Now its me that has them,and then some.Matt

Here's the thing postal, probably 90% of the population has no clue as to what the things on the list are, much less how to use them. I have very little woodworking tools but was a mechanic for close to 10 years so I have the small arsenal of Snap On and Mac including the specialized stuff I'll probably never use again that's vehicle specific. I think that's where those of who can will excel, those who can't are going to pay dearly. Hope they have LOTS of precious metals or barter material because my prices will triple.