As a young man I always found my father’s work bench to be fascinating. A collection of misfit tools, handed down from generation to generation, it provided us with everything we needed to get the job done. Bike repair? Grab a wrench. Changing oil? Pull out the oil pan and funnel. Recklessly hammering nails to wood? Well, that one was an unauthorized use of tools behind Dad’s back, but you get the gist.

There wasn’t a job that needed to be done that we didn’t have a tool for.

Flash forward twenty something years and I’m building up my own impressive collection of tools; Some purchased, some gifted, some powered, some old school, some handed down, some cordless and others acquired. Sure, I’ve had to rent a few here and there for bigger jobs, but for the most part I’ve been able to tackle most home improvement projects with what I have. Sure, there may be a stripped screw head or other collateral damage along the way, but I’ve gotten by.

There are a few, however, that as a Dad you didn’t know you needed — until now. Here are the EOT “5 Tools You Didn’t Know You Needed” List:

1. Sawzall

Better known as a reciprocating saw, the sawzall is like having a portable saw anywhere you need it. Branches, nails, studs, copper, metal — you name it — this saw can cut just about anything you throw at it. And, it is also “found in surgery and dental surgery, where they are used in operations that require cutting or grinding of bone“, according to Wikipedia.

 

2. PB Blaster 

WD-40′s white nemesis, PB Blaster is a deep penetrating lubricant that is really a low viscosity oil. What makes it so great? This stuff can be used as a lubricant, cleaner and corrosion stopper. It can also be used to remove chewing gum and adhesive stickers, lessen friction on metal-stringed musical instruments, displace moisture on and within electrical ignition systems, various gardening purposes and household repair tasks.

 

3. Offset Screwdriver

This was one of those tools I didn’t know I needed until I went to fix a pedestal sink. The space between the wall and sink was so tight that I nearly gave up before a neighbor that does contractor work loaned me his. What a life saver! Since then I’ve purchased my own and have used it several times since on other projects too. The best part? It’s under $10!

 

4. Adjustable Ratchet Wrench

If you’re like me you’ve had to fix bikes, put together play structures and do an assortment of odd jobs that require taking your socket wrench outdoors. And as a result, you probably have 400 sockets lying around the yard, in the trash, around the basement and in the garage. The adjustable ratchet wrench is a life saver when it comes to this problem. With the flick or your finger you’re spinning from 1/4″ to 3/8″ and not having to fumble around with loose sockets.

Before I get to the last one, I need to preface this by saying that I’ve purchased a few houses in my lifetime. Just about each one has come with this item, so I’ve never had to buy one, but stay with me — they come in handy.

 

5. Post Hole Digger

Yes, a manual post hole digger is one of the most useful tools I’ve owned. Unlike their powered brother, the auger, a post hole digger can make holes at varying widths without having to change bits. And, these things are nearly indestructible. Also, they come in really handy if you have to fish a dead, frozen cat out of your lake.

Yes, you read that right: My kids were checking out the lake freezing over this past week when the conversation went something like this:

“Dad! We found a fox frozen in the lake!”, they yelled up the hill to me.

“What?” I said, pausing while raking leaves.

“It’s a fox! Come see!”

So I did, and sent them away. Someone’s poor kitty saw some minnows through the thin ice, went after them and, as you can see below, ended up sleeping with the fishes. The cat was submerged, sans a little of the fur on its back, into the ice and was stuck.

This left me with two choices: Leave it, and possibly run into a decomposing cat in the lake this Summer while swimming, or fish it out now. The problem is, this kitty was full of water and about 25 pounds of dead, frozen weight. And, the cat was about 10 feet away from shore.

I broke up a little ice by the cat with a long branch that was cut down earlier in the year and pulled the cat closer to shore with it. Once it was within my reach, I tried using a rake to get it out. No dice, as kitty was too heavy. I then went into the garage and got out the one tool that I knew could withstand heavy weight and hold tight. Kitty’s dead, frozen body made it out of the lake thanks to the pole digger. Now if I can just find that damn shovel.