I have lived with 3 men. The first and third were useless about fixing anything never mind building. The second was blind but he still knew the difference between pliers and a wrench.
My most used tool is the cordless screwdriver.
I have built a desk and a bookshelf (both electric and hand saw, level, hammer and screwdriver), sanded down a buffet (sander and a screwdriver to remove and replace doors) and refinished it, reupholstered a sofa and chairs (screwdriver and staple gun), built a small porch on the back of the house and even climbed on the roof to shingle it (hammer, nails, level).
I've always done all the repairs and upgrades around the house:
- remove standard light fixtures and replaced with fans/lights (screwdrivers)
- hung all the curtains, stripped the walls of wallpaper and either put up wallpaper or painted the walls (although he did help with the painting) - (screwdrivers, paint brushes)
- have have always taken apart broken appliances and fixed them (best and most cost-saving were the vacuum cleaner and microwave) - (screwdrivers)
- built and/or repaired my computer (screwdrivers and pliers)
- taken apart both a wheelchair and a scooter and replaced the batteries
Probably a lot more things that I can't think of now.
Both my parents were very handy with tools. The kids were often recruited to help by handing tools to them so we all learned how to do these things - one of the few positive things I learned from either of them.
I know i have a better toolbox than some men I know and when repair men come to fix my power chair they often say they have to go back down to the truck to get a certain tool. Invariably I have it in my tool box and they are always impressed.
I have a large and small yellow box with frequently used tools. But I also have a bin that is stashed at the bottom of a closet filled with all the tool I don't use too often but can't part with
