Whether you’re a homeowner or an apartment dweller, you’ll have to deal with regular repairs around the home. No matter how handy you consider yourself to be, having a small tool collection will be invaluable for quick fixes without needing to call a handyman. Even if you have a landlord to call when the plumbing needs to be fixed, keeping a toolbox with these five must-have tools can help you repair furniture, toys, bicycles, and countless other items around the home.
1. Hammer. You don’t need to be a master carpenter to put a hammer to good use around the house. Protruding nails in finishing trim can be pulled out or pounded down with a medium weight claw hammer. A 16-ounce hammer with a nearly unbreakable fiberglass handle will run you about $12 at your local hardware store and will last for years.
2. Screwdrivers. It’s difficult to imagine fixing anything around the house without a set of screwdrivers on hand. So many different things are held together with Phillips head screws. Even changing the batteries in many electronic devices requires a screwdriver. A sturdy flat-head screwdriver works great for light prying too. Make sure you have the size you need with a 10-piece set for about $12.
3. Pliers. From turning stubborn nuts to bending stuck kitchen drawer slides back to where they should be, there’s no replacement for the right pair of pliers. Get a set that includes at least one of each of these types: slip-joint pliers for general use, tongue-and-groove pliers for heavier-duty wrenching, cutting pliers for snipping, and needle-nose pliers for tight fits. You can find a cheap set for as little as $10, or pay more for a higher-quality set made from stronger steel.
4. Tape measure. Before you go shopping, consult your tape measure. Finding the correct width for window blinds, the correct height for hanging picture frames evenly, and the correct area for a rug all begin with the correct measurements. Get one with a rigid tape to you can use it yourself to measure a room if you need to. A decent tape measure will only set you back about $5.
5. Level. Wouldn’t it be nice to just know that a picture frame was straight instead of just guessing? A level will solve this problem every time. If you’re only planning on using it for picture frames and decorations, a small 9 inch level should do just fine. A torpedo level has three vials that will tell you if the object is level, plumb (vertically straight), or at a perfect 45 degree angle.
These five tools are a pretty good start, but here are a few additions to your toolkit if you have the budget and space for a few more tools. A crescent wrench is great for simple plumbing fixes. A utility knife is safer than a kitchen knife for opening packaging and cutting thick material. Finally, a putty knife is just what you need for light spackling jobs.
What tools do you think every household should have?
Nicole Dz
Thursday 17th of July 2014
I have every tool mentioned and even more added to my tool box. They really come in handy when you need to make upgrades to the house or just fix something up.