Mark Huberty wrote:

> My question to the list is: if you had 30lbs of tools to ship from the 
> US to Italy (cost, about $100) with this in mind, what would they be? 
> Keep in mind that Italy doesn't really have anything like Home Despot, 
> so ready availability of stuff locally is not to be assumed. Tailed 
> apprentices are also out, as much for lack of them in my inventory as 
> for personal preference. Basic gardening stuff (shovels, axes, 

Let me try to take a comprehensive crack at this, assuming that the 
cabinet will involve some rabbeting and maybe a drawer or two, and that 
you'll be doing some general factotum handyman duty as well.  Sorry for 
the inclusion of modern tools, but sometimes that's what you gotta 
have.  I bet I missed stuff, though, and am over the weight limit anyway 
-- and am sure others won't hesitate to express other opinions.

Layout:
Combination square
Mortise/marking gauge (superfluous but handy)
Small machinists adjustable square
Divider with interchangeable metal point/pencil so it can also be a compass
Tape measure
One of those cheap laser levels from Lee Valley (can be adapted for 
longer levelling onsite)

Sawing:
Rip
Crosscut (toolbox sized)
Backsaw (midsized)
Coping saw, I guess.

Boring:
Brace (with dual chuck capable of dealing with both tanged and round bits)
Auger bit set
Drill bit set

Driving:
Metrix multiposition ratchet driver for hex bits
Bit set from the Borg, with phillips, hex, straight slot, etc.

Whacking:
Plumb 16-oz claw hammer (fiberglass handle)
Fashion mallet onsite if needed.

Paring:
Set of Marples Blue Chip chisels, or equiv
1/4" mortise chisel, maybe superfluous if you chain-drill mortises

Planing:
#5 jack plane
low-angle block
1-1/2" rabbet plane (wooden)
#4 smoother if there's room
Generic spokeshave for shaping.

Grabbing:
Needlenose-style small vise-grip plier (superfluous but handy)
8" arc-joint plier
Needlenose plier with wire cutter.

Turning:
Adjustable wrench.  Crescent makes an 8" model with an oversized jaw 
that is pretty swell.
1/4" drive and metric sockets.  Also a hex to 1/4" drive adapter.

Miscellaneous:
Putty knife (useful for many things, not just putty)
Hyde scraper (lighter than oldtool types)
Locking blade utility knife (also usable for layout)
Swiss Army knife.  I favor the locking-blade models like the 
Adventurer.  A reasonable person might also look at the Leatherman Wave 
or Juice CS4, which I actually like better for travel.  The main purpose 
here is to have a working knife that might save you packing a separate 
awl and spare you changing bits on the screwdriver occasionally.

-- 
_________________________________________
Thomas R. Bruce (trb2@c...)
Director,Legal Information Institute
Cornell Law School
http://www.law.cornell.edu

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