I’m still currently trapped at the bottom of pile of cardboard boxes using a roll of bubble wrap as a pillow by night and trying to claw my way out with the serrated edge of a tape gun by day (Seriously, how can it being taking this long to pack up the house?!), but yesterday I felt so deeply moved by love for my IKEA FIXA tool kit that I had to stop everything, take photos of it, and shed a tear or two in honor of its place in my life.
Thanks, sleep deprivation, for making me overly-emotional about interchangeable screwdriver bits!
So, after all these years of renovating, I’ve amassed a pretty nice tool collection. Good stuff, most of it contractor-grade. “Real” tools. And yet, somehow I always seem to just grab the IKEA FIXA tool kit I bought for $7.99 years ago, because it’s easy and everything is right there and it all works. Everything fits in its own slot, nothing gets lost. No fuss, no muss, no frills.
The “17-piece” part of the description on IKEA’s website makes me laugh. I guess they’re counting each individual screwdriver bit? Those bits are awesome, though. Multiple sizes for Philips and flathead, an awl, crossheads, and even hex bits—handy for assembling IKEA furniture! ($7.99!!!!!!)
My favorite thing in the FIXA tool kit is the hammer. It’s nice and heavy, perfect for lightweight construction or just putting nails in the wall. It feels good in the hand, unlike most cheap hammers. The best part is that it comes with a little rubber cap for the head, so it can also be used as a mallet! Genius.
The entire FIXA series (I also love those sets of nails and screws) was designed by Henrik Preutz (his Instagram is great), an in-house designer at IKEA. I don’t have any experience with the power tools, but I’m really curious. Have any of you tried them?
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YES!! I was similarly moved by my FIXA set on Saturday while doing a few small projects. I was thinking how it is literally *the* best housewarming present for someone moving out into their first apartment or home. My set (2007?) must be the iteration before yours because my wrench doesn’t have a plastic/rubber handle and no mallet cap for my hammer. Jealous!
That’s definitely a great housewarming present!! Or for a college student moving into a dorm, even—everybody needs tools.
When I moved into my freshman year dorm, my dad got me a tool bag with a bunch of stuff- some new things from Home Depot but also various bits and bobs he plucked from his basement that he thought might be useful (sandpaper, a bit of wire). During the first few weeks it was amazing to have, not just for my own stuff, but for helping out other people on my floor. Truly the best present for a college student is a little fix-it kit.
I love it too! I loved it so much I bought the screwdriver/drill set when I was in a bind and it’s much better than I expected! Especially for the price. I’ll probably get a nice drill set one day when I start doing more intense projects but that set has been great for my small home projects right now.
That’s good to know, Rachel! I noticed they even have a hammer drill in the line now, which is great since that’s not a tool many people need often—but when you need it, you need it.
I must have bought mine before you because my packaging looks a little more “dated”. However, all of the tools inside are fabulously basic and it’s always my go-to!
Yeah, now that I think about it, my original/older one (which has been relocated to my office) is in more of a clamshell kind of case, and it’s not as cute. I think this design is about 3-4 years old.
I LOVE my Fixa! I call them “my lady tools”.
I have the little power drill and love it. I also own a mega heavy duty Ryobi drill with 17 torque levels but I often reach for the little IKEA one because it’s easier to hold upside down, sideways, etc. OR I keep 1 with the drill bit and 1 with screw bit for efficient alternating. It does come short for heaviest duty applications, but I’ll probably get an impact driver soon for drilling into masonry, etc.
I love the Fixa tool kit. My husband has all kind of “real” tools but I have my Fixa kit and for small / everyday projects it’s perfect.
(Mine isn’t as pretty though.)
Yes! Of all the things I’ve bought from Ikea over the years this is probably my favourite (after daim bars maybe). I got mine 10 years ago on that first “I’ve just moved out of my parents house” ikea trip, and even though we have loads of tools now it’s still the one I automatically go for if I need to fix something.
I absolutely love this kit! I bought 2 of them for my boys as a gift. They keep them in their room and we have used them a lot. So hot tip: They make great birthday gifts for kids….boys and girls alike!
So happy you posted this!
I have the $12 IKEA screwdriver and I also feel like a bit of a nut because it is my go-to tool. If I’m on projects with others they’ve got their clunky ryobis and black&decker drills that either are corded or have giant batteries that need to be charged. Not the IKEA one though! You can use it corded or cordless easy-peasy and it comes in that nice small box – just like your hammer set. Its perfect (though I’m sure there is a limit to its ability, I’d never be able to drill concrete or something).
I’m unreasonably pleased to see a post on this $7.99 tool set.
When I bought this a few years ago, my husband scoffed. Like, why would I need that when we have an entire garage of tools? I told him that, duh, obviously it was to keep inside the house so I wouldn’t have to brave the unpredictable southern CA weather. I’m lazy, in other words. 🙂
I use that set all the time, my husband uses that set all the time, and now our sons use that set all the time. I’d pay twice as much and would still be a very happy customer.
Somehow it doesn’t surprise me that you get it, Jules. 🙂
I just sent my son off to college with the FIXA set. I have the drill in my office (psychiatry, not a lot of room for tools), and I’d say it’s adequate. The bits broke pretty quickly, but it works for small jobs. For larger jobs, I bring my husband’s drill from home.
We got this set as a housewarming present from our realtor. I love love love the hammer (though the rubber head is on permanently for me) as it is a decent size for my small hands. But the pliers and screwdriver didn’t work out so well – the screwdriver lost its magnet, and the pliers rubber slips off. But the electric screwdriver sounds like it might be perfect for my light needs as I can barely get the battery on/off on our full-size cordless screwdriver.
Thank you for the tip on Henrik Preutz’s IG! I’m now following him as well as fellow IKEA designer Andreas Fredriksson (@ikeadesignerandreasfredriksson). And I need to pick up a FIXA tool set! I have an old set of their wall hanging hooks, but did not know about the tools. Very glad I stumbled on your blog.
Anyone else have trouble screwing the bits in the head? I can’t figure out if I’m doing it wrong or if I broke something. Surfin the internet hard for an answer!
You don’t screw them in, Alexis, just insert them directly.