One of my younger cousins is leaving for college next week, and so I wanted to put together a small but handy tool kit to send off with her.
12 years ago when I went off to college, my older cousins (the new college-goer’s parents and aunt) put together elaborate gear kits for me and my sister to take with us, and so I wanted to do the same here. I even remember the tools I received as part of the kit too, and still have most of them – 2 screwdrivers, combination pliers, a small tape measure, a small tool box, and a flashlight.
If you do an internet search for “dorm tool kit” or similar, you will see some wild suggestions. These all-in-one kits typically have screwdrivers, pliers, and also hammers and levels even. This is silly, as most college students don’t hammer nails into the walls, they use poster putty or tool-free frame hanging kits.
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As a college freshman, I didn’t need many tools when living on campus. Even when I lived off campus, our apartment was already furnished. It actually took 3 years before I needed tools I didn’t have – I needed wire cutters and strippers to wire up a new home-theater-in-a-box audio system I purchased for my bedroom.
Following are the 5 tools and related products I decided would probably be most useful for a new college student. All of the items were purchased from Amazon and are already on the way to my cousins. I did have some help picking out some of the colors – thanks Tam!
1. Duct Tape: Duck Tape in Cool Colors
My cousin’s favorite colors are mint, cranberry, greens, and dark reds. Okay, so she’s getting some cherry-red Duck-branded duct tape. That’s close enough to cranberry, right?
Tie-dye colors were an option as well, but rolls with tie-dye and other such patterns cost the same price as the red tape, if not more, but you only get 10 yards of tape instead of 20.
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2. Multi-Tool: Leatherman Wingman
Leatherman’s Wingman (reviewed here) is an entry-level multi-tool at an affordable price point. I figured it had a reasonable enough feature set that a young lady might find useful – scissors, screwdrivers, pliers, a bottle and can opener, a clamshell plastic packaging opener, and of course a strong knife blade.
The Wingman should be able to handle most tool needs a young college student might have. If other needs arise during her freshman year, I probably wouldn’t have anticipated them anyways.
A Leatherman Juice might be a little more visually appealing, but I couldn’t justify the added expense for a multi-tool she might not even use. I bought myself two of these since they first came out in 2011, so it’s not as if I bought my cousin a tool I wouldn’t use myself.
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Price: $20.50
3. Keychain Tool: Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Classic
Translucent Ruby is kind of like cranberry, right?
My wife has been carrying a Victorinox Swiss Army Classic pocket knife on her keychain for a couple of years now, and she seems to like it a lot. I think the scissors are what get the most use. If a tool gets my wife’s approval, you know it’s good.
With this keychain-sized tool, you get a small knife blade, a nail file, small screwdriver, spring-action scissors, small tweezers, and an emergency (and replaceable) toothpick.
I debated for a bit about whether to get her this Victorinox, a Leatherman Style, or Leatherman Style CS, but ultimately went with my gut instinct. The Style and Style CS just look a little too masculine, whereas the Victorinox seems to have a more universal neutral appeal.
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Price: $13.25
4. Flashlight: Fenix E01 LED Flashlight
The Fenix E01 LED flashlight won’t win too many awards, but it’s compact, usably bright, and runs off a single AAA battery. It’s on my best LED flashlights under $20 list, and it doesn’t look like it will be bumped off anytime soon.
The E01 is an excellent keychain/purse flashlight, but can also be tossed into a nightstand or junk drawer.
If my cousin ever needs, or thinks she will need, something bigger and higher powered down the road, I have a couple of spare mini Maglites I can be easily convinced to part with. But until then, the E01 should suffice.
Other colors are available, but I figure orange/gold might be nice.
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Price: $12.75
5. Tape Measure: Komelon Touch Lock 10-Foot
The tape measure my cousins gave me over a decade ago is a 10-foot tape and featured a compact circular casing. It didn’t have a lock, and was branded under Walmart or Target’s house label, or similar. I used it quite a bit throughout my college years, and use it occasionally even now, at least during those times when I can find it.
I couldn’t find a similar tape to what I have, so I found the next best thing – the Komelon 3110 touch lock tape measure.
When living in a dorm or college apartment, a 10-foot tape is all you really need. When arranging furniture, moving appliances, or buying a small bookcase or storage rack, a 10-foot tape is plenty.
The Komelon tape measure is said to have a magnetic back, which I suppose means you can stick it onto a refrigerator for easy and visible storage.
“Colors may vary,” but I hope that I luck out and get the green one. That looks close to mint, right?
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Price: $10
At this price, I’ll probably pick one up for myself as well.
Final Thoughts
If I were shopping for a young man instead of a young woman, I might have made a couple of different product choices. For the keychain tool, I might have instead opted for the Leatherman Style or Style CS. Or maybe I would have stuck with the Victorinox keychain tool, but in a different color; it’s hard to say for sure. None of these options would have been wrong either way, but I felt the Victorinox to look less intimidating.
The same goes for the flashlight – the E01 is a safe pick, and is equally suitable for men or women.
When all was said and done, I was looking at a $60.09 total with free shipping from Amazon. That’s a little more than I anticipated, but I didn’t want to cut corners anywhere. These are tools that should last a while, especially with how infrequently they will probably be used.
My original list also included an adjustable wrench, a compact hammer/mallet, and a Picquic multi-bit screwdriver – the slightly smaller-than-full-size one that’s better for smaller handles – but such tools won’t come in handy in a dorm setting but will take up valuable space.
Do you agree with my choices? Disagree? Don’t be shy, tell me why in a comment.
John S
This is a breath of fresh air in terms of what someone in college might TRULY need. If somebody is going to build stuff/repair their car/etc in college, they will need real, quality tools (not to mention they probably already own some). If they are just an ordinary college kid, this seems like a really interesting and helpful list. And I like how compact it all is. Now, if you could bundle it together and put it in some cheap plastic toolbox, you’d have yourself a little money maker 😛 haha
Stuart
My college memories are starting to fade, but are still fresh enough that I remember not having much time for building or repairing things. The most I did was build a custom PC for myself, and all that required was a Phillips screwdriver or two.
I toyed with the idea of putting everything together in a small Pelican case, but that seemed a bit extreme. All the plastic tool boxes I could find are still a bit bulky, so I opted to just send these 5 items loose.
AndrewC
Big fan of everything on the list except the leatherman. A leatherman’s big attribute is portability, which isn’t a requirement here. Leathermans are so cumbersome to use, I would only recommend it if a person already has a standard set of tools. I would argue that you could buy a few individual tools cheaper than a leatherman that would function even better, and might even be just as compact. My dad was a farmer, and he could fix anything with these three tools in his pocket- I think these are a better option than a leatherman for either personal carry or for a dorm room.
pocket knife, preferably with a partially serrated edge
Philips screwdriver, regular or stubby
small adjustable, tongue and groove pliers
Stuart
I don’t really find Leatherman multi-tools to be cumbersome to use, at least most of the time. Multiple pliers and screwdrivers take up space and are more likely to be thrown to the bottom of a closet or left at home altogether.
I also toyed with the idea of getting her a utility knife, maybe one of those plastic-body snap-blade ones. But I think a standalone knife would have been a little too intimidating to use. The Leatherman Wingman has a partially serrated blade, but that’s not the tool’s sole function.
It was a tough choice, to decide on a Leatherman tool vs. separate tools, but I hope it was the right one. And if she doesn’t use it much, she can hold onto it and toss it into the glove box of her first car.
John
I’d probably add a multi bit screwdriver such as a Klein 32500 and a canvas pouch to hold it all such as a Klein 5139 (also available in colored sets as models 5140 and 5141 if natural canvas isn’t your thing)
Allen
Some sort of multi tool to do some basic adjustments on a bike. Find them an old 4 inch crescent wrench.
Dave L
My 2c: I like the multitip screwdriver idea. I WOULD suggest a small toolbox to keep things together. I might add a full-size Vise Grip with involute jaws, epoxy glue, super glue, a coil of steel wire and a can of spray lube (WD40 for metal, silicone for everything else). One more thing: An 8 inch half-round bastard cut file.
PeterH
Must be a guy thing. I’m sending a kid off to college, and I’m prepping a set of basic tools for her. My wife thinks that I’m just looking for an excuse to buy more tools. What’s wrong with that?
I considered the Leatherman multi-tool, but opted for a multi-tip screwdriver and some other stand-alone tools instead, such as a pair of slip-joint pliers, 7-inch locking pliers, and a utility knife. And I’m going to include a pair of safety goggles. I’ll pack it all in a soft-sided toolbag.
Hadn’t thought about a small tape measure, but the Komelon looks like a nice one to tuck in with the rest of the tools.
I wanted to get her a really bright flashlight for her car. Picked up a Coleman 250 lumen flashlight for $25. It’s almost too bright. (Never thought I would ever say that, but it could double as a spare headlight.)
Dennis
My first week of college I ran into a friend from high school that was a couple years ahead of me. When I asked him what advice he had, the one thing he told me, that has stuck with me (for what is now decades, I hate to say) “Carry a pen with you”. I can’t tell you how many times it has come in handy to have a pen in my pocket. I would recommend the Cross Ion that I carry, but I think they have discontinued making them. You can still find them here and there on Amazon, eBay and the like, but sometimes people have an “exaggerated” opinion of what something like that should cost. If you can’t find one for under $20, go with another brand.
Also handy to have nowadays is a USB drive, or multiple USB drives. You might want to consider a Swiss Army knife that has USB stick built in. Kill 2 birds with one stone.
I don’t know if those fall into the category of tools or office supplies, but I think they are tools.
Also a lighter. Those of us that don’t smoke tend to forget that they may need some fire at some point. But I’m guessing a smoker (of some form or another) is easy enough to find on campus.
I also second the motion of a multibit screwdriver. Screwdrivers on multi-tools are always a pain to use, it’s just so much easier to have a standard size screwdriver. Just bought a Milwaukee 10 in 1, like it so far. Ive also had good luck with Klein, Wiha, and some Craftsman models. The added bonus to the Klein electrician multibit screwdrivers is they also tend to have a couple nut drivers as part of the package that may come in handy.
TJ
I would really hate to spend much money on any 1 thing because I think in dorm or off campus setting stuff will disappear. So I’m thinking Harbor Freight on a few things. For example their 12′ $1.49 tape measure is actually pretty good.
Some other thoughts:
At some point I would think she would working on a computer so a micro-screwdrive set might be pretty handy.
If she is going to be riding any kind of modern bicycle a Park Tool AWS-10 hex multi-tool is essential IMHO.
A cheapie 5 in 1 screwdriver like an HDX (Home Depot) for around $3.
Stanley 99E. Around $4 and still the best utility knife.
For the flashlight I would try to go with something AA, they are a little more common and easier to come by in a pinch.
Hope this helps.
Stuart
I figure that if she will have a bike and needs a bike tool, she’ll ask for a recommendation or look towards Amazon.
As for a lighter – open flames aren’t allowed in a lot of dorm rooms. No candles, no incense, no burners of any kind. In the dorms I lived in, we weren’t even allowed to have toasters.
Dave
What, no Ikea wrench? I grew up in construction so I always had tools with me; even at college. I went to help a friend move one day and he started telling me about his special tool from Ikea which he named ‘the Ikea wrench’. I laughed and told him it was an Allen wrench and they come in all sizes, and I even had a bit that fit on my Dewalt drill and he didn’t have to spend an hour taking all those screws out by hand. I still give him a hard time about that.
Mac
Cool list.
Agree with everyone on the multi bit screwdriver.
The usb flash drive is a pretty good idea too, though most likely she’ll be synced to their servers or at least Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, etc.
I’d probably go with the smallest box you can find that would fit it all. Doesn’t have to be a tool box, but maybe a craft box, or the likes.
Tojen1981
The multitool and victorinox seem a little redundant to me.
I would replace the victorinox with a gearwrench microdriver set. IKEA/big box store furniture is put together with Allen head fasteners and the included wrenches are often lost or don’t come with the furniture at all.
As another poster mentioned, a cheap tape measure would be another place to cheapen the kit up some.
Stuart
Perhaps, but the Victorinox she can carry with her, and the Wingman she shouldn’t.
The Wingman might even be unlawful to carry in an educational environment, as well as certain urban areas and states.
Besides, I know few women who carry around full-size or even pocket-sized multi-tools, but a couple that carry mini keychain-sized tools.
joe
I personally would add self written pamphlet regarding common house hold issues. Examples:
If the he lights go out, check the GFI breaker first.
If the toilet is over flowing, immediately remove lid and sit down flapper or shut off the cut off water valve.
Etc etc… and withing the instructions also say which tool to use.
All bundled in a compact toolbox with build in combination lock.
Stuart
In some dorms 2 students share each room and the bathrooms are communal. In others, there are suites or small apartments with a single shared bathroom in each. In both configurations, the toilets are typically tankless.
If there’s a problem with the lighting, water pressure, windows, or locks, students living in dorms should usually call maintenance.
joe
I am a maintenance guy at the moment. Believe me when I tell you that both parties being educated about such issues makes it easy on both parties.
Lighting is mostly cause by overloading the breaker. The A/C and the stove have their own dedicated breaker, which is topically 40-50amps here in the US.
Regular outlets, only carry a 15amp breaker because they are not expected for a refrigerator or a heater be connected to it.
Just by understanding that alone lest you know that you can dry your hair while the A/C is running and not be afraid to overload the breaker.
I get calls for the simples things. Some people get locked out of their apartment. Why? Because they did not know how to use a key to open the lock.
So, they not understanding how a lock works, just locked them out for at least one hour or more. They would want to break a window which will come out of their pocket and do stupid stuff.
Where both parties benefit the most is if the resident understands in the first place how to avoid such things.
I do this for a living stu, I have my two cents to give based on personal experience :)….
have a good day.
Stuart
The maintenance guys here have similar stories to tell. During the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, there had to be an email sent out to everyone saying a clogged toilet is not an emergency.
In all the dorms and student apartments I lived in, there weren’t any wall-mounted air conditioners, we had floor fans or (lousy) central cooling. Except for the furnished apartments, we were only allowed small refrigerators.
I’m just trying to say that college students don’t need the type of tools that a young adult might need for their first real apartment or first house.
Living in a dorm is kind of like going away to summer camp for 8 months out of the year.
Or, some have likened dorm rooms to prison cells.
Noah
I”m only two years out of college, so here are my thoughts.
More and more college dorms are becoming like fancy hotel rooms and less like prison cells. Private bathrooms, HVAC units in every room, and so on. I stayed in the older dorms at my school, but I had friends in the new fancy ones (which they keep building more of).
Duct tape is an essential. I would have included an allen wrench set, because almost all dorm furniture is built with hex fasteners. A multi bit screwdriver, even a simple 6 in 1, can be very useful.
Most schools have a “weapons” policy that forbids knives in dorms. Of course I broke that. A Vic Classic is a great idea, very useful, and small enough that its not seen as “threatening”. I would also get her a nice pair of Fiskars scissors. Don’t relegate scissors to “office supplies”, they can be a very useful tool.
I think I would have gotten her a flashlight, even if just one of the AAA LED models, or a classic Minimag.
So, to summarize:
Hex keys
Multi bit driver
Duct tape
Vic Classic
Good scissors
Flashlight
SteveR
Stuart–I wanted to get my thoughts down quickly, so I haven’t read the other posts. Duct tape is a no-brainer; there are so many uses for it that I’ve lost count. There are some cheaper duct tapes, which are kinda thin; not like the sturdier ones I’m used to using. It tends to tear in a straight line, so I do it by hand, usually; scissors aren’t always required. A Leatherman? I can’t recall too many women who have one, or felt they needed it. Perhaps a better choice would be an Olfa utility knife with snap-off blades. It’s great for opening packages, cutting wrapping paper, string and other such jobs. I bought a Leatherman years ago; I didn’t like having it on my hip, and individual tools made more sense. It’s always seemed like a tool that MacGyver would have a use for, but it didn’t work for me. She may already have a few screwdrivers in a drawer or in her car for emergency use, and those should suffice. The keychain Swisss Army knife is the better alternative for a young lady; it’s compact, has a few useful tools on it and will always be with her. The flashlight is a handy item; she can find the lock to her apartment in the dark, and check out what’s going on if there’s a sudden power failure. They’re also nice for reading a menu in a restaurant that feels lighting isn’t necessary ( I was in one recently). Yes, you can use your cellphone for that, but if the battery dies….The tape measure is another no-brainer; everybody needs one, and usually several times a week . The 10-foot length seems appropriate for her needs.
As far as a bag or other carry case for these items (the ones that aren’t with her all the time), I would suggest a small plastic tackle box; one that opens and cantilevers would be good. That will be big enough for these items, plus a couple full-size screwdrivers and other tools she picks up over time. It can be purchased at Walmart or a sporting goods store for not much money. I’m not big on putting tools in a junk drawer, as they tend to get lost amongst the other stuff there. The tackle box will have its own place in a closet or under the sink, and all the tools will be in one spot when needed.
jesse
Multibit ratcheting screwdriver, e.g. Megapro, or maybe a cheaper big box brand like Kobalt or Husky.
fred
My undergrad days were in the mid-60″s – and my first dorm (John Jay Hall – named after an alumnus who started his career a few years earlier than mine) then had little in the way of amenities – and nothing much that you would be able to fix. The showers/toilers were down the hall and wiring was then so inadequate as to allow a clock radio but no TV or hot plate (Microwaves were not commercially available) When my kids went to college in the 90’s – a toolkit was useful for fiddling with your computer so a multi-tip screwdriver and nut-driver were useful. While not exactly a tool – I recall that a rubber doorstop also came in handy. They also brought a few essential bicycle tools.
Dave L
A pocket knife style Allen set (small, English and metric) is a great idea. An inexpensive tool box or bag can be taken from place to place. If small enough you could put it in a backpack. I like the Gorilla duct tape best-it’s more expensive but much better. Lighters are handy for unfreezing car locks by heating the key and also for ravel-proofing nylon cords, etc.
TJ
I found the Komelon Touch Lock’s at Menard’s for $3.99 regular price.
They’re actually pretty neat.
Not sure why Amazon charges so much.