Make iMac boot disk on USB flash drive

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Two things:

Can I simply do an OS install to a USB flash drive from disks that came with my new iMac and thereby create an emergency boot source?

How big a flash drive do I need to get to also load Disk Warrior or TechTools as well as the OS onto the flash drive?

Actually, a third thing:

Where could I find out this information for myself, i.e., does "it" say somewhere OS takes X amt of space, Disk Warrier, X amt of space, etc.?

Thank you all for reading and your gentle, considerate responses.
 
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MacBook Pro 15" 2014, 2.2GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 250GB SSD, OSX 10.9.5 - iPhone 5s 16gb

bobtomay

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15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
Personally, I would recommend an external drive instead. Then use either SuperDuper! (cheap) or CarbonCopyCloner (free) to create a bootable backup.

Three problems solved in one:
a backup
a bootable backup to continue working when the internal drive dies until you have the time to get it replaced
a bootable backup with all your tools to troubleshoot and/or restore the internal drive in case of a faulty update, app install, etc.

16 GB flash drive: $20-$40
500 GB external drive: $60-$70
1 TB external: <$100
 
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Definitely go with the external drive like bobtomay noted.
I use CarbonCopyCloner on a 64GB thumb drive as a backup and you can boot from it. Trouble is, the thumb drive freezes up at times when using some apps.
 

bobtomay

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If you do go with an external, FW connectivity can be worth the additional money if you are moving large amounts of data. For use only as a backup/troubleshooting device, USB will be fine.
 

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