I agree. The comfort level is even more of a factor for me, hex keys are just uncomfortable to use.

Kid sized Kinco work gloves exist!

After having kids, there are always missing screws, bolts and nuts that need to be replaced at the hardware store. Lately, I can’t get through a project without my 3 yo running off with parts (Frustrating, but excited that he wants to “play tools”). It’s so much easier to keep a running list of parts to pick up when you go to the store than to take a pocket full of parts to size at the store. And often a missing bolt is the difference between running an expensive jogging stroller (or scooter, or seesaw, endless baby stuff) for another year or buying a new one.

For an HD alternative, the Channellock 758 long reach diagonal flush cutters are really nice.

That’s what I have. For what it’s worth, I think they’re great. Quite a bit larger and more expensive than the “mini” Klein’s in this post though. They do an excellent job on cable ties and are suitable for wiring too. I really like the size and handle shape.

I’ve eyeballed some “mini” flush cutters a few times, but haven’t pulled the trigger. My Channellocks seem to do everything I need.

Admittedly, I’m somewhat of a Channellock fan. They make some nice, good-quality pliers that don’t cost a bundle (compared to say, Knipex, NWS, etc.). I used my 337’s (short diagonal pliers) to cut a small bolt the other day. Powered through it without much effort!

That did not strike me as an appropriate use, but I had them in my pocket and was away from my shop working on a tractor. After I did it, I paused and worried I might have damaged the blades – nope, still look great.

I always recommend a 3″ stiff angled scraper as a basic tool for new homeowners. You can use it for scraping and while it’s not the same as a real drywall knife it’s close enough and works great for doing basic homeowner drywall repairs.

I worked at furniture stores for awhile. My go to for assembling is
Hex bits with an m12 clutch drill, a a 90 degree adapter (I like the DeWalt ones personally) and a flex shaft adapter. Throw in a a couple thin bodied
metric wrenches and you are ready to furnish a whole house. (Or in my case several thousand square feet of showroom floor.)

*but I agree with someone above about the coin opener…I need to pick up one of those

You get that and a utility knife, and you can do the vast majority of kid related things. I’ll assume most everyone here has hammers, so I’ll leave that out.

Most 📦 I open with my Leatherman – and lots of them I don’t even open the blade, just bang it sharply against the tape seal and it pops open enough.

Diaper boxes I open from below – Pampers are glued on the bottom and it’s easy to pop it open.

I understand that hearing loss is cumulative, so I don’t doubt this may have started prior to my daughter’s birth, but she actually damaged my right ear by screaming in it at a few weeks old. She’s pushing 2 now and I still can’t hear any loud noises in that ear without hearing/feeling a crunching noise, kind of like a blown speaker. That kind of ear damage NEVER heals.
Years of wearing hearing protection to try to be safe in machine shops, etc, and I did not think to do so with my 3 week old. Live and learn.

Fully wireless earbuds, because if a baby sees the wire, they will constantly be grabbing at it. Same reason why new moms cut their hair short and stop wearing dangly jewelry and necklaces.

When we moved into our current place, a friend gave my wife some picture hangers and a 7 ounce Stanley claw hammer. I thought at first it was a toy, but it’s perfect for putting art on the walls, not just for her but for me too.

It was a pretty insightful housewarming gift, really.

I also really like the Slice auto retracting ceramic bladed box cutters a lot. Have the handle looking one in the garage for breaking down boxes that’s gotten quite the workout. I’m tempted to get the keychain one…but I don’t need to be carrying any more crap than I already do.

We seem to be thinking about very different sized tools.

Here’s an image of a Wera bit ratchet with 4mm hex bit next to a 4mm hex wrench.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPG7VEQjq-f/

Some brands’ standard hex keys are longer than others, but I don’t think I have any 4mm hex keys shorter than that bit ratchet.

Because the bit ratchet won’t flex, you can bear down on it for more torque, but I would generally reach for a 1/4″ drive ratchet for that.

Sometimes during long jig assemblies I run the fasteners down with the bit ratchet and then use the L-wrenches to apply final torque.

On the wire clips I like that I’d use a cheaper brand perhaps. but regardless I would agree you either need that or a slim form of diagonal cutters.

Utility knife – I use the Olfa now exclusively. to the point where I’ve bought probably 6 or more that I’ve given to people.

Decent pocket knife works there to.

Precision driver – while i agree nice to use . My 6 in 1 has a number 1 phillips that works fine for most toys I’ve touched.

Furniture assembly – That’s exactly how I ended up buying the Bondhus hex bit set – they make them with ball end too – 1/4 hex drive – speed 1 on the impact driver works great and the 12V screwdriver works even better. Same with a set of bits.

Otherwise I agree with the idea that a ratchet and bit holder works wonders. The bits can go from power driver, to ratchet holder to screwdriver too. stubby bit holder.

Agreed on the Pozidrive need, but I’ve run in some with a philps and being gentle works pretty well.

also best parenting tool that I use the most – my smartphone. Look up info, or magnifier app to read bottles, etc etc.