 |
Basic tools includes screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, utility knife, measuring tape and a hammer—purchased for just $10 as a set. The tool box was another $10.
Pliers come in all sizes and shapes for special tasks. Buy them as you need them.
Eventually you can purchase open- and closed-end wrenches, a socket wrench set or two, allen wrenches, and some specialty wrenches that save time and frustration.
These basic painting tools (tray, roller, cover, handle, and brush) are all you need for touch-up painting jobs.
|
What's a tool, anyway? A tool is a mechanical implement that cuts, turns, grabs, attaches, or provides some other useful function. To fix things around your household you'll need at least a few basic tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, drills, and pliers. There are additional tools for specific jobs, such as a toilet plunger, level, clamps, paint brushes, caulk gun, etc.
Which tools do you need in your Fix-It Toolbox? The basics we recommend include:
- A good quality 8- or 16-ounce curved-claw hammer for installing and removing nails
- An adjustable wrench (6-, 8-, or 10-in. long) for tightening and loosening bolts
- A set of screwdrivers or a combination screwdriver with assorted tips (standard and phillips) for tightening and loosening screws
- Adjustable pliers (6-, 8, 10-, or 12-in. long) for holding or turning things
- A basic multimeter for testing electrical voltage, current, and resistance (see Testing With a Multimeter).
That's about it. For less than $25—including the cost of a small toolbox or tool apron to hold everything—you can have the basic tools you need to fix hundreds of things in your household. Just make sure you buy at least medium quality. A $3.00 hammer is hardly worth three bucks. A $10.00 hammer may last you many years. Besides, you'll probably save the cost of the tools on your first repair—and you get to keep the tools!
You also can expand your budget to upgrade any of the basic tools covered here. For example, you can invest a couple dollars more to get a better set of screwdrivers or even a power screwdriver with assorted tips. If you want add on to this basic toolbox to make tasks easier—or to make even more repairs—you can get:
- Hand or power drill with assorted bits for drilling holes in wood, metal, or plastic
- Wire stripper for cutting and removing the outer wrapper (insulation) from around wires
- Retractable-blade utility knife for cutting softer materials such as plastics
- Measuring tape for measuring the height, width, or depth of various materials
- Hand, hack, or power saw for cutting wood, plastic, or metal (depending on the blade used)
- Set of wrenches (open- and closed-end) with standard (inches) and metric (millimeters) sizes for bolts and nuts
- Socket wrench set with standard (US) and metric sizes using 1/4-, 3/8-, or 1/2-in. ratchet drives for bolts and nuts
- Allen wrench set for tightening and loosening allen-head screws and bolts
- Files are useful for removing excess metal, plastic, and wood.
A basic tool kit for painting projects will include:
- Paint brushes or paint pads for applying paint and other finishes to smaller surfaces (better brushes will cost more, but will last a lot longer)
- Paint roller (frame and cover) and tray for applying paint and other finishes to larger surfaces (a better quality roller cover will last for years and be easier to use)
- Cartridge gun for applying caulking and other sealers
- Scrapers and sandpaper for removing paint and other finishes from wood, metal, or plastic
- A-frame ladder or sturdy step-stool for reaching higher locations
|
Related Articles
Related Tips
Related Videos
