"Toolbox essentials"

[PFSchaffner]

Don't know about you, but I've been Facebook-bombed this week with
that ad from Popular Mechanics ("The Thirty Tools every tool box should
have" or whatever.) A piece of blatant advertising that takes no account of
the size of your box, or what kind of jobs you do. But it did make me
go look to see what my smallest everyday toolbox (actually a little Bosch 12"
x 8" sachel) had in it.  This is the one that lives in the car, visits the office,
and goes with me on trips. I don't defend the contents, but here they are,
a hodgepodge. (I do love the little Disston-type iron saw handle, bottom right:
it will comfortably hold a hacksaw blade, recipro-saw blade, and even a
putty knife blade, as shown.)

[OkieTools]

Good set up. I think, not that it matters, there should be some level of generally common tools in everybody's tool rig, what ever those may be. But in the end you got to make it your own, because after all your the one that's going to be useing it right. I'll have to look up that PM article.

[Chillylulu]

Dad always said vice-grips were his #1 road kit tool, adding that they could hold something together until you could get a replacement.

Chilly

[turnnut]

as the old farmer would say about his truck & tractor tool kit,  " a good piece of baling wire."

Ford Model-T owners also carried baling wire.

[Bill Houghton]

Those articles always make me roll my eyes.

I've recently started using the little calipers I have like the ones you show over to the right (below the side-cutting pliers).  They're right handy when I go to the hardware store and need to measure something, because they fit in the change pocket in my jeans.

[PFSchaffner]

the little calipers [are] right handy when I go to the hardware store and need to measure something, because they fit in the change pocket in my jeans

I reach this moment into the change pocket of my jeans and find...
a little 3" Lufkin caliper.

Great minds.

[Northwoods]

Tom (rest his soul) and Ray would also advise a bottle of Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

[Aunt Phil]

You forgot the Sledge Hammer.
Can't get much going without a sledge.
Always perfect for delicate adjustments, including ATTITUDE adjustments.

[Analog]

I just returned from a vacation cruise with my wife. Spent several hours repairing a broken luggage handle with a multi-tool. I definitely need to pack more tools when traveling. Especially if  there is no hardware store around.