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The Essential Do It Yourself
Tools
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Most, if not all, homeowners have a toolbox, and DIY
(do-it-yourself) junkies can't live without one. However, because
tools can be so cheap and varied nowadays, there's a very strong
temptation to just grab one of everything at the hardware store
and then say that you're getting ready for any eventuality. This
results in a cluttered garage or tool area and, in many cases,
wasted money. Below are some of the bare necessities that your
tool box should contain. While they may not prepare you for
post-tornado house rebuilding, they will certainly suffice for
fixing that noisy door in the kitchen or for the regular
maintenance jobs around the house.
The Usual Stuff
These are the things that everyone has in their sets, the contents
of the usual toolbox. That's another way of saying "if you don't
have the following, get one now." These are tools that even your
grandfather had, so you'd probably be familiar with them already.
Screwdrivers are absolutely necessary tools. They come in two
general variations (the minus and the plus, formally known as the
flat or straight and the Philips, respectively), but can come in a
wide range of sizes. Just get the usual, fixed-blade, no-frills
models unless you're expecting to do some specialized work. The
teeny tiny versions of screwdrivers are called precision sets and
are handy to have around.
Hammers, like screwdrivers, come in a variety of sizes for
different jobs. Two should probably be enough for your needs. You
could get a medium size (usually 16 oz.) for regular jobs and a
larger size (usually 32 oz.) for the heavy duty work.
For plumbing and working with fasteners, you're going to need
pliers and wrenches. Usually, a couple of each (one of each type,
snub-nose and long-nose, for the pliers) will do. You can even go
the extra mile and get a wrench set, which has about 10 to 15
pieces.
Saws are obviously necessary tools if you plan to maintain any
wood or metal. For cutting metal, a hacksaw and a couple of cold
chisels will do. For wood, a chisel and a saw will suffice. To
save on space, you could get one of those handles that have a base
compatible with removable saw blades. The blades and the handles
themselves are small, and it's a great little multitool.
Your testing and measuring instruments are critical for
determining when you've done a good enough job. Make sure to
always pack some measuring tape, measuring tape, a measuring
square, a level, a voltage tester and an amp meter. Consumable
items are also important, so you should always have a couple of
pencils, electrical tape, sealant, lubricant, and an array of
screws, nuts, nails, and bolts on stock.
Not-So-Usual Necessities
Now that we've gone through the usual contents of the toolbox,
let's cover some of the other tool necessities. These are the
items your granddad probably didn't think of putting in the
toolbox, but are still ones you should have yourself. Of special
mention here are multitools, which have recently become very
popular and, more importantly, more affordable. They're those
multi-armed trinkets that have several attachments on them, hence,
the name and their ability to do several tasks.
Vise-grips and a utility knife
automatically fall into this category. They're great for any
number of tasks and should be a staple in your toolbox. Have at
least two vise-grips (plumbing jobs and clamping is usually easier
with two), while a six-inch knife should be good enough. A right
angle drive helps you get your fasteners into tight places and
impossible spaces and, while not absolutely necessary, will be
convenient to have around for several tasks.
Cleaning materials have recently become toolbox mainstays, and you
should always have some, too. A bit of anti-rust agent (WD-40
works great) and a toothbrush are absolute necessities for
cleaning and maintenance.
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