where is the best place to buy a tool box and what do you think are the basic things to include and are there any additiona items worth considering?

If you just need it for basic home stuff try Robert Dyas. I would have said Wembley market but you don't live in london so RD is a good shop for home repair and DIY stuff.

Try to include philips and flat screwdrives of "big" and "medium" sizes. A hacksaw, a hammer, pliers, two adjustable spanners (decent ones that can lock/hold), a set of allen keys, a stanley knife. You could top it off with a soldering iron, a stern wire brush and a hand wallpaper stripper and sander if you think you may need them. That should do for getting on. If you have no more complicated stuff than this a plastic box for about £10 should do you. You don't need a big fancy metal box unless you have lots of expensive tools you use at work.

Don't go getting screwdriver and spanner sets with oodles of different sizes, chances are you'll only use about two or three. If you do get a power drill make sure to pay a bit since there's no point in getting a weak one. Also get metal and wood bits for it and use properly or you'll blunt/bend them too quickly. Don't go using it in masonary, if you have to drill a masonary/concrete wall just hire the thing from HSS or wherever, works out cheaper.

^^ thanks
i have screw drivers but they are all random sizes and i had bought them in sets. looks like i will take my time and invest in some decent tools. i like putting things together, although hubs always says i should leave them for him to do but .... its nice to have a go myself.

question.........does that mean the DIY starter sets are not worth it. as i was considering getting one like this Buy Challenge 48 Piece Household Starter Tool Kit. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .

My query would be the quality of the kit...too often these type of cheap sets is that the things like the screwdrivers /spanner falls apart as soon as you apply a bit of pressure on a tough screw...

LD now you is a sister I like..Got some draws and stuff that need putting together..You wouldn't mind would you..

I just got my bredrins who are in the trade to buy me decent stuff to further K's point..Got to know what you are buying nuff of that cheap stuff is shite.

^well fredb i will be a mother of 2 boys soon so i must show them that a woman is not about being dependant. plus they will benefit from a mum who can do for herself in spite of the fact that she is married. they will have a dad that cooks and a mum who can DY

@ALL mmm ok guess i will leave the pre-made kit and just buy bits little by little. i wil start with a better set of screw drivers.

LD Twins..always wanted twins myself. Fingers crossed all goes well. A big positive difference between modern women and contemporary women is your attitude. My mother, aunt etc would not have a clue neither would they need to, because nuff man about to do that stuff.

Our women eg sisters, ex's without exception even though they have men who are busy and will and can do these things aint waiting on you and as a man makes my life much easier. Plus you know women already their home is like a jigsaw puzzle and if one piece or two aint right..they can't rest until it is done and either distress man or more rationally do for self...

You can buy a variable speed hammer drill for silly money these days from B&Q.
It will serve you well for whatever purpose you want, and when it breaks throw it away.
An electric extension lead is very handy.

fred b i am not having twins. i already have 1 boy and am told my 2nd child will be a boy.

but yes it does stress hubs out when i am on at him to do stuff so i just do stuff myself. he complaining that i should just wait for him but time is of the essence

i bought some tools from ikea. i know they are not topstuff but they do what it says on the box and only cost 3.99.

Go for the well known brands when you can, DeWalt, Bosch etc etc

They tend to be heavier than the cheap makes as they're professional and are made to last, can't go wrong with them.

the ones i picked up in ikea was a tool set for 3.99 has screwdriver with changeable heads, and other bits.

it was impulse