Home Tool Kit
Home Tool Kit
Essential for home repairs
A home tool kit is essential for every home, because somewhere a long the way you will want to “fix” something yourself. Home repairs and maintenance are not difficult for the average person – it’s just knowing “how” to carry out a particular repair.
The tool kit shown above is a good start for the home owner to start out with. Simply add the tools not included. Here are items I recommend you start with.
Hammer
Hammers come in a vast array of sizes and weights. For women I suggest you a purchase a “claw” or “finishing” hammer that has a fiberglass or composite handle. Ideal weight for most women would be 14 – 18 oz. Once you get over the 20 oz hammers they may cause aching muscles in your arm if doing a lot of hammering.
Hand Saw
Hand saws also come in a range of shapes and sizes and many have been designed for a specific purpose . Most homeowners will find a “general purpose” or “cross cut” saw will be sufficient for the majority of jobs.
A “cross cut” saw gets its name as it is designed to cut across the grain of timber.
A “ripping” saw on the other hand is designed to cut along the grain of the timber.
A “general purpose” saw will usually cut across the grain and with the grain. The traditional “cross cut” and “ripping” saws look the same to look at, so make sure you purchase a “cross cut” or “general purpose” saw.
One other thing to keep in mind is to check the “number of teeth per inch” the saw has. All you need to remember is this. The more teeth per inch, the finer the cut. The average cross cut saw will have 8-12 teeth per inch. If you want a much finer cut then find a saw that has more “teeth per inch”.
Multi-grips
A must for your tool kit as they are adjustable and therefore useful for a multitude of jobs around your home including:
- Gripping onto pipes
- Nuts under the vanity sink, laundry or kitchen sinks
- Removing and tightening gardening or irrigation fittings
- Removing the spindle from a tap.
Screwdriver set
Buy a small set that comprises a mix of sizes and lengths. At some time or other you will find a use for all of them. There should be a mix of Phillips heads and flat head screw drivers in your set.
Measuring Tape
An 8 metre (26 foot) retractable tape. You will be surprised how often you use this. If you need an exact measurement then a measuring tape will not be sufficient. However, I find endless uses for my measuring tape. For example:
- Measuring up an area for tiles
- Measuring walls for a paint job.
- Measuring for new kitchen cupboards
- Measuring up retaining walls
Pliers Set
The most economical method is to purchase a set with 3-4 different pliers in the set as you will find a use for all of these at some time or other. The set to the left includes a bullnose, needle point, multi grips and snipping pliers. You will find each one useful for doing the following:
- Holding on to short screws or nails when starting to drive them in, as it keeps your fingers out of the way, or any other tight spaces.
Multi-grips for pipe work and any other thing that the standard pliers won’t open up wide enough to take an object. - Snipping wire or cutting off a nail head to use as a drill bit.
Safety glasses
A must when working with any type of tools
- There are a wide range of safety glasses available.
- Protecting your eyes is of the utmost importance when working with any type of tools around the home.
- When it comes to choice of safety glasses look at what sits comfortably on your face and provides adequate protection.
- Glasses that wrap right around the side of your face provide the best protection.
- However, if you wear spectacles they may fog up your glasses. You can buy safety glasses that minimize fogging but you will pay more for these.
Level -
To begin with a 600 – 90o mm (2ft – 3ft) level will cover most jobs around the home. What will you use a level for?
- hanging picture frames
- wall tiling, wall papering, hanging doors, e
Rulers
A straight edge steel ruler is essential. A steel ruler around 600 mm (3ft) ruler will cover most jobs. A shorter 300mm (12inch) ruler is also handy to have around the home
Steel Square
A steel square is an essential part of any tool box, particularly when it comes to cutting timber of any size or shape. By placing a square across the timber and marking with a sharp pointed pencil and then marking down each side, will help you cut your timber straight and square – absolutely essential when joining two pieces of timber together – if you don’t want a gap showing.
Cordless Drill
Purchase a “brand name” cordless drill with a battery voltage of at least 14.4 volt cordless drill such as Makita, Bosch, Dewalt, Black and Decker as they have proven to be reliable over the years. Also include a basic set of drill pieces. Around 9 – 17 drill bits in a pre-pack will meet most of your needs. I personally have found a 12 volt inadequate for most purposes. When it comes to power tools its the old adage – “you get what you pay for”. Buy junk and that is exactly what you will get!
Tool Box
Although I have my tools hanging on the wall behind me, if you are just starting out buy yourself a small tool box that will comfortably store the Hammer, Multi-grips, Cordless drill and drill set, Steel square, Measuring Tape, 300mm ruler and safety glasses.
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