Quick Summary: CARTMAN 39-Piece Home Tool Kit Review
- Content Type: Hand Tested Review
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Last year, I avoided spending almost $900 on repair services thanks to my home tool kit. This small set of tools proved its importance in my day-to-day life. No matter if you rent or own your space, unexpected household problems, like dripping faucets or wobbly cabinet handles, always seem to happen. After spending hours comparing tool kits, I learned something experts already know. Owning the right tools makes fixing things on your own a whole lot easier.
Most basic tool kits include all the tools you need to handle common tasks around the house without wasting space on unnecessary extras. You can use them to hang curtains or put together furniture, and a good set gives you both convenience and a sense of readiness. The ideal home tool kit should have the essentials, though what you need might depend on how old your house is or how confident you are with tackling projects yourself. In my opinion, the CARTMAN 39-Piece Home Tool Kit Set is one of the most useful options I’ve encountered. Experts test around 11 to 13 tool kits before recommending one, and this compact set has earned a permanent spot in my storage closet. Let me break down why this particular kit stands out.
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- Complete DIY Toolkit:Equipped with a wide range of tools for everyday fixes and DIY jobs, featuring a hammer, pliers, sc…
- Sturdy and reliable: Crafted with heat-treated steel and chrome plating for enhanced strength and corrosion resistance
- Easy organization: Features a plastic toolbox for easy organization and secure storage of your tools
What’s Included in the CARTMAN 39-Piece Home Tool Kit
When I opened the CARTMAN 39-Piece Home Tool Kit, I saw right away how useful it is for a compact kit. Unlike those big professional toolboxes, this small kit sticks to the basic tools you need for home jobs.
Tools You Get: Hammer, Screwdrivers, Pliers, and More
This set stands out because of its handy tools. Right in the center is an 8oz claw hammer. It works great for hanging pictures or doing small fixes, and it avoids the heavy bulk of contractor tools. The kit also has flathead and Phillips screwdrivers in three different sizes—small, medium, and large. These let you handle anything from tightening glasses to putting furniture together.
The needle-nose pliers came in handy when I needed to grab tiny items in tight spots. The 6-inch slip-joint pliers worked well for handling bigger jobs without any trouble. One tool I didn’t expect to rely on so much is the tape measure. It stretches up to 10 feet, which covers most measuring tasks around the house.
Some other must-have tools in the set:
- 8 sizes of hex keys (also called Allen wrenches)
- A wire stripper/cutter to handle light electrical jobs
- A utility knife with spare blades
- A precision screwdriver set for working on electronics
- 20 bits that fit an included bit driver
- Scissors to cut all sorts of things
- A small level
One thing I love is the small level. It has saved me from redoing work every time I hang shelves or wall art.
Small Case Design and Easy to Carry
The storage case stands out on its own. Even though it holds almost 40 tools, the whole set is just 10 inches by 7 inches by 2 inches in size. It fits in a kitchen drawer or on a closet shelf. Weighing about 3.3 pounds, you can carry it in one hand while moving between home repairs.
Every tool has its own slot in the molded plastic, so nothing moves around when you’re on the go. This setup also helps you notice if something is missing when you finish a project. It’s a small detail but one I’ve come to appreciate a lot.
The bright orange case doesn’t just make it easier to spot (though that’s handy when digging through a closet); it also feels pretty sturdy. After using it for six months and tossing it in my car trunk plenty of times, mine has no noticeable damage.
Comparing It to Other Basic Tool Kits
Compared to other beginner tool kits, the CARTMAN kit manages to blend quality with affordability. It’s not made for professionals, but the tools seem a lot tougher than the cheap, flimsy ones you find in dollar stores or giveaway packs.
Still, it’s missing a few features you’ll find in more expensive options. Take the WorkPro W009021A as an example. It provides a soft zippered case for tighter storage and uses tougher metal for its tools. On the other hand, the ANVIL Homeowner’s Tool Set adds extras like a larger bit selection but comes at about 40% higher cost.
What makes this kit stand out is its emphasis on useful staples rather than stuffing it with rarely-used extras to boost the piece count. Some kits, for instance, pad their numbers by tossing in a ton of interchangeable screwdriver bits. In contrast, every tool in the CARTMAN kit is included with a clear and practical purpose in mind.
The tape measure stands out because it performs far better than what you find in tool kits at this price. Many cheap kits either skip the tape measure or give you a weak 6-foot version that feels worthless.
This kit isn’t for professional contractors or hardcore DIY fans. It offers just what an average homeowner needs to handle basic fixes and common household tasks. Nothing extra, nothing missing.
Who Should Get This Tool Kit?
After trying it out, I can see who would get the most out of this small set of tools. The CARTMAN 39-Piece Home Tool Kit was not made with everyone in mind. Its compact size and the specific tools it includes work best for certain people.
Ideal for Renters, Dorm Rooms, and New Homeowners
The small size of this basic home tool kit makes it a good choice for people with little storage space. Renters and apartment dwellers often say this kit has all the tools needed to handle simple daily fixes without using up much room. Its compact size means you can tuck it almost anywhere, whether that’s under a couch, in a cabinet, or behind other furniture.
College students heading to dorm rooms might want to add this to their list of must-haves. Unlike large professional tool kits, this one gives just enough tools to deal with everyday dorm issues like hanging up pictures, fixing wobbly screws, or putting together flat-pack furniture. I’ve noticed its easy-to-carry design helps a lot when you need to assist friends with quick repairs around campus.
New homeowners run into a tricky situation. They need tools but might not want to spend a lot on high-end professional ones just yet. This set offers a great starting point and meets that need well. With more than 23,500 reviews on Amazon, buyers have rated it a solid 4.7 stars because it includes basic tools without making things too complicated for those just getting started.
The kit works great when tackling everyday household jobs like these:
- Putting up picture frames or wall decor
- Building furniture from store kits
- Fixing wobbly door handles or cabinet knobs
- Adjusting small plumbing issues like dripping faucets
- Doing light electrical work or appliance fixes
Users say the tools last long. A reviewer shared that they’d used their older CARTMAN set trouble-free for six years, which is pretty impressive given how budget-friendly the tools are.
Not Meant to Handle Heavy DIY Work
This kit offers a lot of versatility, but I have to be upfront about its downsides. It does not work well for demanding mechanical jobs or professional-grade tasks. Contractors and serious DIY folks will find themselves needing something more advanced pretty quickly.
The hammer in the set weighs 8 ounces. It’s perfect to hang pictures, but it lacks the weight needed for tougher jobs. The pliers also do fine with lighter tasks, but they struggle to deliver enough grip to loosen tight bolts or nuts, especially with things like car maintenance.
These tools hold up well for occasional use. However, they are not made to last through constant heavy work. I found this out the hard way when taking on more challenging projects. The screwdriver bits started wearing down after driving screws into hardwood, which showed where their limits lie.
This kit includes the basics you’d expect in a home tool set, but more specialized jobs will need the right tools for the job. If you’re thinking about major renovations, working on carpentry, or fixing up your car, you might want to either look into getting higher-quality individual tools or check out bigger kits made for those specific tasks.
Most experts see this as a beginner’s kit. It’s ideal for people who won’t rely on tools often but want something dependable to handle the occasional task. Think of it as the tool version of a reliable beginner car, not a fancy racing machine.
Real-Life Test: How I Avoided Spending $900 on Repairs
The real usefulness of a home tool kit shows when you use it. Over the past year, I kept track of how this simple CARTMAN set handled some household fixes. The results caught me off guard.
Fixing the Dripping Faucet with Slip-Joint Pliers
When my kitchen faucet started dripping nonstop, I thought about hiring a plumber. But I grabbed the slip-joint pliers from my tool kit and gave it a shot myself. It was pretty simple. I shut off the water, took off the faucet handle using the Phillips screwdriver, and used the pliers to get to the cartridge inside.
By following online steps, I figured out that a worn cartridge was causing the issue. I picked up a $16 replacement part and finished fixing it in less than an hour. Plumbers charge about $150 to $200 for the same job, so I saved around $140 on this one repair.
Building Furniture and Hanging Items on Walls
Later on, I used the tool kit to assemble furniture and put up items on my walls. The multi-bit screwdriver came in handy when I built a new bookshelf, and the hammer and level helped me hang everything straight.
The small size of the kit made it useful in these situations. Product descriptions highlight this: “It meets multi-essential household DIY and home improvement needs such as household repairing, furniture assembling, and woodwork.” The tape measure included in the kit helped me position wall-mounted items without guessing. This avoided expensive errors that might have needed a professional to fix.
Fixing Electricals and Small Appliances
The real money-saver showed up during electrical repairs. When my kitchen appliances started acting up, I used the precision screwdrivers from the CARTMAN kit to reach their internal parts.
Using the wire stripper/cutter and pliers, I replaced a broken cord on my coffee maker without any trouble. To handle harder jobs, the kit had everything I needed to replace outlet covers and do basic wiring. Electricians charge $75-100 an hour for those kinds of jobs, so it was a huge money saver.
I added a non-contact voltage tester to my basic tools. It helped me stay safe by checking if the power was off before I started repairs.
Over the year, I tracked at least seven fixes that would’ve needed a professional. The estimated savings from those repairs added up nicely:
- Fixing a leaky faucet: ~$140
- Assembling three pieces of furniture: ~$200
- Replacing electrical outlets: ~$150
- Repairing small appliances: ~$120
- Swapping out doorknobs: ~$90
- Adjusting cabinet hinges: ~$85
- Mounting a TV to the wall: ~$120
Just these seven tasks avoided service fees totaling about $905. This tool kit pretty much paid itself off many times in just a few months. It proves that having must-have tools at home isn’t just handy but also a smart way to save money.
Pros and Cons of the CARTMAN Tool Kit
Every basic tool kit you find for home use has its good and bad sides, which can make a big difference to different kinds of users. After spending months testing out the CARTMAN 39-Piece set myself, I’ve figured out where it performs well and where it doesn’t.
Good Stuff: Easy to Carry, Budget-Friendly, and Organized
What stands out most in this tool kit is how well it keeps everything in place. The molded slots in the tough blow-molded case hold every tool securely, so you can always see what’s there and spot if something’s missing. Weighing 3.3 pounds, it’s super easy to move around. I’ve liked how simple it is to grab and carry from room to room or even take to a friend’s place when helping with small repairs.
The small size of this tool kit makes it easy to store in tight spaces like apartments. I’ve stashed mine in kitchen drawers, on closet shelves, and even behind furniture when necessary. Its usefulness is matched by the affordability, offering solid value compared to paying professionals to handle simple fixes.
One standout in the kit is the magnetic-tip screwdriver. In my testing, it handled cheap screws without harming its own bits, which is an impressive quality to find in lower-priced tools.
Downsides: Not Built for Complex Repairs
This simple tool kit has its flaws. The box cutter raises safety issues because the blade doesn’t lock securely. It sometimes slides open when you’re not expecting it, which matches a review from Reviewed.com calling it “dangerous.” The scissors are another weak spot. Their plastic handles bend while cutting, which makes them seem unfit to handle tougher jobs.
Some basic tools in the kit work fine for simple tasks, but they don’t hold up when the job gets harder. A review from HGTV described the kit as feeling “incredibly cheap,” which I found a bit harsh, but the thin-necked hammer does feel underpowered for anything beyond light tasks.
How Tools Hold Up Over Time
Most parts performed well during testing and handled wear and tear without much trouble. The chrome-plated, heat-treated construction stands up to rust just like the product claims, and all the tools follow important ANSI standards.
Plenty of Amazon reviewers mention their kits have lasted over six years for basic home projects. My personal experience has been the same so far. However, professional testing showed some items, like the plastic components, failed after two years. How long this kit holds up comes down to how it’s used. For small, occasional fixes, it should work for quite a long time.
Should You Buy the CARTMAN Kit? Weighing Value Against Other Options
Judging toolkits means looking at the balance of what you pay versus what you get. While testing this budget-friendly kit, I kept asking whether what it offers is worth the price.
Price vs. Performance Breakdown
The CARTMAN kit sits at the lower price range, costing around $20. It does a decent job with simple household repairs despite its low price. This makes it ideal as a beginner’s set or a backup for people who use tools occasionally. That said, a few pieces felt quite flimsy. The small hammer, for example, felt more like a toy than something you’d count on for real work.
Comparing to ANVIL and WorkPro Kits
The ANVIL kit, sold under Home Depot’s brand, feels a bit tougher to use but comes at about 40% higher price. On the other hand, the WorkPro W009021A adds extras like a zippered soft case that fits into smaller spaces more easily. Both options give better screwdriving tools. The ANVIL set includes a driver handle with 30 bits to cover most screws used at home.
When Should You Switch to Separate Tools
Going forward, think about buying better individual tools after figuring out the ones you use the most. Experts often suggest this strategy: “If you want a better toolkit, we recommend purchasing higher-quality individual tools—starting with our picks for hammer, screwdriver, and tape measure.” These improved tools provide greater durability, better performance, and extra features for the tasks you do often.
Conclusion
After using the CARTMAN 39-Piece Home Tool Kit for all kinds of home fixes, I can say this small set gives great value at a low cost. Over the last year, these tools handled tasks like fixing leaks and putting furniture together without any trouble.
These tools aren’t the kind a professional might use, but they hit a good mix of being useful and budget-friendly. The bright orange case fits in my closet and is always ready when something needs fixing. Inside, the tools stay organized, so I can grab what I need without searching around.
The biggest proof of this kit’s value is in the money it saved—around $900 on repairs I didn’t need to hire someone else to handle. That kind of return makes it easier to overlook small flaws like the hammer that feels more like a toy. As I get more confident with repairs, I can always replace tools one by one and still keep this set as a handy backup.
So, whether you’re a student fixing stuff in your dorm, just moved into a small apartment without space for a big toolkit, or someone who needs basic tools now and then, the CARTMAN kit is worth thinking about. Hardcore DIY fans might outgrow what it offers, but for most renters and homeowners, it’s got the essentials to handle common household repairs in one simple little box.
Using the right tools makes tough repairs feel much easier to handle. This budget-friendly kit presents a chance to skip repair costs and gain repair know-how with a little money and effort.
Disclaimer: Based on personal experience; prices and reviews accurate as of September 2025.
