If you cannot entrust such a responsible task as home repair and renovation to strangers, you need to have some tools at hand to handle your DIY projects.
A man’s home is his castle. But nothing is imperishable in this world. Neither are our castles. Our apartments and houses simply cannot withstand the test of time. Therefore, we start noticing cracks in the walls here and there, peeling paint, squeaky floor, leaky roof, and many other little and big things around the place that require our attention. And what’s the first thing you start thinking about when you decide to repair or renovate your home? It’s definitely a set of basic tools wherewith you can resolve the main problems in a home.
A Starter Tool Kit
If you intend to tackle your household projects yourself, you’re just bound to acquire a basic tool kit. It shouldn’t contain any professional tools usually used by handymen. You can get by with a good old 16-ounce hammer, Allen wrenches, also known as hex wrenches, a utility knife, a tape measure, pliers, and a screwdriver. Such things as scissors, levels, and safety goggles may also come in handy when performing simple fixes.
And now let’s take a closer look at the three must-have tools for homeowners. You will also want to have them at hand when carrying out your own home repair projects.
1 Hammers
It may seem that there is nothing easier than choosing a hammer. But in reality, this may become quite a challenge for a beginner DIY-er.
The first thing to look at when selecting your hammer is the head and their uses. The claw hammers are some of the most commonly used carpentry hammers. They typically have a round head for knocking in nails and the claw for easily removing them. They come in many variations and choosing the right one for you comes down to the size of the job at hand and personal preferences. You may want to opt for smaller hammers to do small finishing jobs and larger ones for bigger jobs. Also, pay special attention to handles. Note that those having a plastic or wooden handles may loosen or break through repeated use. So, you would be well-advised to refrain from choosing cheap hammers. Chances are they won’t be suitable even for light-duty jobs.
2 Wrenches
Specific projects require a specific type of wrench. And some innovative features may tempt you to upgrade from that traditional set of wrenches that was handed down to you. The adjustable wrench isn’t a precision tool, but it’s super versatile. All you need to do is adjust the jaws to fit various fasteners and can quickly reset your grip. Another wrench worth adding to your collection of tools is a pipe wrench. It’s a heavy duty tool well-suited for plumbing and heating projects. It’s designed to dig in and create its own teeth marks in pipe and hen release. If you’re removing your radiator or running gas pipe to the grill, a pipe wrench is your best bet. Offset wrenches are another variation that gives you a little extra clearance on hard-to-reach areas.
3 Screwdrivers
Another tool without which you won’t be able to perform even the simplest of your DIY projects is a screwdriver. There are dozens of possible combinations of screwdriver types and sizes. And one of the most commonly used screwdrivers is a square screwdriver, also known as a Robertson. This type of screwdriver may come in handy when, say, attaching your cabinet to a wall. A Robertson is also believed to provide a firmer hold than other conventional screwdrivers. Another screwdriver which is considered very helpful for round-the-house use is a Phillips. Just like its Robertson counterpart, it’s self-centering, which allows a tighter fit and less slippage than flat-head screwdrivers.
As with other tools, the selection of your screwdriver depends on the job you intend to do. Thus, you may find single-slot tools particularly useful for joinery and carpentry project, while crosshead screwdrivers can be great for power driving.
Hopefully, today’s article will help you put together a basic tool kit and do some awesome home improvements.