|
 Renovation
Tips
You are here: House
& Home • Renovation Tips
10
Tools Every Do-It-Yourselfer Should Have
Just how many
tools does it take to keep the roof over your head from crumbling
around you? Not as many as you might think. Equipping the workshop
can be compared with equipping the kitchen. Every good cook knows
that even with all the electric conveniences, basic kitchen hand-tools
remain indispensable. The same is true for the workshop – with
this “barebones” list of basic hand tools, you’ll be
able to accomplish many projects:
-
Screwdrivers
(6 total): 3 sizes of slotted (standard) and 3 sizes of Phillips head screwdrivers.
- Awl
- Claw
Hammer: 16 oz. would be sufficient weight for most jobs
- Adjustable
wrenches (2): small and medium
- Pliers
(3): slip joint, tongue & groove long handled pliers, needle nose pliers
- Level
- Utility knife
- Retractable,
metal tape measure
- Small
all-purpose saw
- Safety goggles
Plus, it's
good to have the following equipment on hand: an assortment of nails,
screws, tape (electrical, masking and duct), sandpaper, a brush-on
super glue.
The World
of Power Tools
Power tools
are to the do-it-yourselfer what food processors and electric mixers
are to the cook: you don't absolutely need them to get the job done,
but once you try them, chances are you'll wonder how you lived
without one. If you're ready to explore this realm, we recommend two:
Keeping
Your Tools Together
Keeping your
tools organized can save valuable time, so choose a home for your
tools, and put them back immediately after you are finished with
them! If you choose a traditional toolbox, check out the many
options, because many tool boxes can be much more than just a place
to keep your tools organized. Some have very useful information
molded/printed on them – like nail and screw sizes, measurement
conversions, straight edge/rulers, and so on. Choose the one
that’s right for you.
Of course,
just as gourmet cooks have very specialized tools and equipment, so
do avid do-it-yourselfers. As your skills grow, so will your tool
needs. Just buy your tools as you need them – when you tackle
wallpapering, buy the special wallpapering tools, and so on. Good
luck and happy hammering! |
