Last Friday night, I was reminiscing about my time in college. How great it was living in a dorm, a frat house and an apartment. But then I remembered all the times it sucked. Little repairs were always popping up, a door once needed to be replaced because someone went headfirst through it at 2 a.m., and other annoying problems kept taking time away from my partying … I mean studying.
Acme Tools has a massive selection of tools. I combed through its catalog to find five relatively inexpensive, compact products that could be game-changers for your kid in college.
These will not turn them into a licensed contractor. They might, however, prevent an unstable desk from remaining unstable for an entire semester.
SKIL 4V Rechargeable Screwdriver with 42-Piece Bit Kit
College furniture only has two modes: brand new or falling apart for no reason.
This rechargeable SKIL screwdriver comes with a 42-piece bit set, an LED light and a handle that twists for working in tighter spaces. It even includes a cam screw sleeve made for ready-to-assemble furniture.
That makes it useful for assembling desks, tightening door hinges, fixing wobbly chairs and repairing the questionable bookshelf your kid bought online for $14. It is small enough to live in a desk drawer instead of taking over the closet.
Milwaukee 17-Key SAE and Metric Folding Hex Key Sets
At some point, the tiny Allen wrench that came with the futon will disappear. It may happen during move-in. It may happen five minutes after move-in. Either way, it is gone forever.
This Milwaukee set includes nine SAE (not the fraternity) and eight metric hex keys packed into two folding handles. The keys rotate up to 270 degrees for better access, and the high-contrast markings make the correct size easier to find.
You’ll need these for furniture, desk chairs, bikes, and anything else with hex bolts. The best part? The keys stay attached to the handle, so they’re way less likely to disappear under a mountain of dirty laundry.
Master Lock 6-Foot Combination Cable Lock
Campus bicycles have a strange habit of disappearing.
The Master Lock 8114D has a 6-foot braided-steel cable, a protective vinyl coating and a resettable four-dial combination. It is flexible enough to wrap around a bicycle rack and self-coils for easier storage.
Your kid will not need to keep track of another key, which is good because there is a decent chance they are already looking for their room key.
Campbell Hausfeld Digital 12V Tire Inflator with Light
Low tire pressure always shows up at the perfect time: immediately before an exam, a road trip or an eight-hour drive home for Thanksgiving.
This compact 12V inflator lets the user program a desired pressure up to 100 PSI. It automatically shuts off when that pressure is reached and includes an LED light for nighttime roadside use.
The included sports needle and inflation nozzle can also handle footballs, basketballs and other inflatables. Intramural sports may not be serious, but I am telling you, it is.
First Alert EZ Fire Spray
Eventually, somebody will put a frozen pizza in the oven at 2:30 a.m. and completely forget about it.
The First Alert EZ Fire Spray comes in a compact aerosol-style container and is intended for common household fires involving grease, paper, fabric, wood and electrical equipment. Its small size makes it easier to store in an apartment kitchen without sacrificing an entire cabinet.
Have your student read the directions before an emergency and check the residence’s rules before bringing it along. It should support the building’s existing fire-safety equipment, not replace it.
bonus
Your college student will need a vacuum. No ifs, ands, or buts, they need a vacuum.
