Should I Get a Pink Household Tool Kit?

Over 20 years ago there was a sale on tool kits for women. The case could be either blue or pink. I selected blue

When it came in, I threatened DH and DS that MY tools better not be touched nor suddenly be missing.
DH was insulted. However, I achieved my goal. I have the pliers, wrench and screw drivers when I need them. I didn't care that the quality was not worthy of a professional carpenter's use--I'm not a professional. I just want a tool when I need it, and that tool to be in its place.

Go to Home Depot/Lowes and check out the tool kits. They have both pink and "men" sets. Check out the quality of the tools in the pink set, do they seem sturdy, strong, heavy, etc. Then make a decision. I personally wouldn't buy a pink took kit if there were other color options. And don't buy a pink took kit from a craft store.

Besides the things you mentioned, you'll also want pliers and screwdrivers with different size heads (both Phillips and Flathead). One tool that I personally use often is an electric handheld drill. Good for putting holes in walls and turning screws in furniture (just don't screw too tightly). I have my own small-ish one.

Yes - get your own tools. Personally I wouldn't go with pink - the quality usually isn't as good.

I DO have my own tools- some of which I've had since pre-marriage (and it'll be 25 years this year) and my own tool bag. I keep them on a shelf right inside the garage from the house. My problem is that DH finds them easier to find than his own (perhaps because I put things back?) and then I can't find them because he's borrowed them.

I have my own screwdriver/drill bit set. It's not pink, it's black and yellow and in a plastic case. Everyone knows it's mine and leaves it alone, or forgot it exists... if only my scissors, tape and special pens were the same way...

Only if it's quality. We received a tool kit from our mortgage company, when closed on house sale. Thought it was great, but terrible quality.

You should get whatever you want that will do the job you need it to do, color doesn’t matter.

I have my own set of tools, Ryobi drill and hot glue and set of chargers that work for both- and have my eye or a couple more of those things that work with that charging system. I have wrenches and screw drives, pliers and wire cutters, levels and anything I need for basic repair. All were “man tools” first. I have a pint of pink house paint that I had mixed just for the purpose of painting MY tools so they would leave them alone! A little masking tape and a foam brush and all my tools get that pink lady tool makeover. The guys want to borrow sometimes but I usually say no because I know they are gonna come back filthy and greasy and mine are easier than going find their own. Mine has a combination lock on it too! LOL I’ve caught them trying to” unofficially “ borrow stuff!

I also think you should shop for higher quality tools. I hide things that DH tends to 'borrow.' I keep a pair of pliers he often pilfers in with some of my sewing stuff that is still in the basement. He would never look there. He has plenty of tools but sometimes he gets into my tool box because it is convenient. You can always wrap Washi tape around the handles to designate that they are yours if you get things that look too much like his tools.

Another vote for not getting a set, and getting better quality stuff. I love @katiekitty’s idea to paint them if that will put a smile on your face and help you identify them. Doesn’t even have to be the whole thing, just a well placed stripe will do, in your favorite color. Ask what kind of paint they recommend for the particular surface. It might help to rough the surface just a little bit before you paint.

Also, I’m a “hell no” to the nonsense of people borrowing your items because you take better care of them and/or they’re easier to find than theirs…and then not putting them back or putting them back dirty. There would definitely be a padlock in place if that was the case. I’m all for sharing and helping each other out, love being helpful. But not like that. As a matter of fact when the whole family would go camping my in-laws would give me a really hard time (in a not-so-teasing manner) about how much I packed and what I packed. And then invariably someone would need something or what we brought really came in handy and they wanted to use it. But then no “okay, so maybe bringing this was a good idea” or even a thank you sometimes. I’ve stopped bringing extra linens or items we kept extras of and brought only in case others need it. If they were appreciate and not judgmental it would be one thing. But like the instance of them not putting them away after use or returning them dirty, no way.

Perhaps before buying a tool box start buying your tools and see how much space you’ll need. I second the laser level, at least just a regular level. If you do a lot of hanging items they make kits and helpful tools that you might. Do a bit of research and see what you like best. Another recommendation for a hand drill and some basic bits. Depending on what you’d use it for it may not need to be one of those larger, stronger ones.

Our home is a two-story so we have our big tools and a tall Craftsman toolbox on wheels in the garage. Then we have a toolbox in our laundry room. Besides the typical screwdrivers of both types in common sizes we also have regular pliers, needle nose pliers, a measuring tape, levels (including one that goes on the corner of a frame, very handy), picture hanging nails, a carpenter’s pencil, hammer, mallet, and a set of allen wrenches. Our toolbox isn’t large enough so these are stored separately, but different sized 3M command products and various sized batteries. Oh and Velcro strips in white, black and grey to wrap around cords. We probably use those more than anything else in the toolbox.

I have my own tool box. It’s just a small, grey and red plastic tool box. Big enough to hold what I need. I started off with inexpensive (think Harbor Freight quality) items, mainly because my DH scoffed at the idea and thought it was a waste of money. It’s upstairs because it was a convenient location for * me*. Of course, DH kept raiding it and/or complained about the quality. I’ve slowing replaced most of it with Craftsman or better quality.

I originally outfitted a toolbox for myself because his gigantic, on wheels, 5 ft tall tool chest is out in the garage. Plus, I can never find what I need. I also have a dedicated drawer in the built in desk in the kitchen on the main floor that has a few screwdrivers, pliers, tape measures, and a hammer or two in it. I have a smaller number of similar tools in the basement. Can you tell that I hate running up and down the stairs looking for tools and I hate going out to the garage when it’s super cold?

If it’s a small job, DH uses “my” tools. If a job needs sturdy or more sophisticated tools, he goes and gets his own.

My mom had one of those flat plastic tool kits that were popular years ago. Her case was baby blue and all tools had handles that color. She used to get so aggravated when Dad would borrow the few tools she kept in a kitchen drawer. I think someone bought the kit for her for Christmas one year. I inherited it when she died. I gave it to my daughter when she moved into an apartment. Handy little things those tool kits are and good for light duty tasks.

I was tired of everyone grabbing my tools because I put them back where they belonged. I had good quality tools, but I put pink duct tape around the handle(s), so that everyone would know which ones were mine. A few times, they did disappear, but were easily found because of the duct tape. 😆

When I moved into my first apartment at 19 my parents bought me a pink tool set. Started dating my now husband shortly after and he had no issues using and taking those tools wherever he needed them.  Needless to say it didn't work for me to be sure I always had tools where I knew they would be. 24 years later and the only thing I still have of that set is the screwdriver that you can swap the bits out on and it lives in my kitchen drawer

I love pink and happily pay more to get stuff in that color provided the quality is on par with the regular industrial colors. But having said that, you can get spray paint in all colors of the rainbow and one can will paint a lot of tools.

On a related note, years ago DH worked part time in a small engine shop fixing lawn mowers and snow blowers. The guy who ran the shop painted all of his shop tools with metallic gold paint. That way if someone “borrowed” a hammer or screwdriver or whatever, he would know that it was his and everyone knew the gold tools belonged to him and needed to be returned to the shop.

ETA: Whatever you end up getting, the thing to do is to keep your set in a different area from where all the other stuff is kept. Find a closet or cabinet or other out of the way place where you can access it when you need it but where other people won’t normally think to look. I keep a very small set of things in my desk drawer down in my basement studio. No one ever thinks to look for a pliers, tack hammer, screwdriver or box cutter in a desk drawer and since I always put my stuff back it’s always there when I need it.

If you want a pink set then yes get them I personally have a pink basic set in a case and the quality is fine for what I use it for. Like you, I was tired of rummaging through my husband's hot mess of a tool chest when I just needed a basic hammer/screwdriver etc.

I keep my set in the closet in my craft room away from my husband and son.