My motto has always been: use the right tool for the right job. This is something I learned very early: from the moment I started living alone, my father made sure I had a range of tools.
I am grateful for this. It's embarrassing (and sometimes expensive) to call a craftsman for a simple repair. Or you'll be caught off guard when you find that the dining room chair legs are wobbly before the guests are due to arrive and you have no words to tighten them up.
a hammer. The hammer is the workhorse of any toolbox. You can use them to cap paint cans, pull out the wrong nails, or drive safety signs into your flower beds. There are several types, including round heads, sledgehammers, and hammers, but a 16-ounce hammer with a forked and curved head on one side should handle most jobs and not be too heavy to use.
Screwdriver 4-in-1. Whether you need to tighten loose hinges, assemble a toy or replace a battery, this is the most affordable tool. It comes with two reversible drill bits, including two flat and two cross drill bits. They can be accessed inside and outside the screwdriver handle.
A set of pliers. The standard three-piece set includes a six-inch sliding joint, pointed and diagonal (or cutting) pliers.Thin-nosed pliers are especially effective in hard-to-reach places, while diagonal pliers are ideal if you need to cut wire.
Pliers for tongue and groove. These adjustable pliers are ideal for tightening threaded fittings such as sink drains and rotary knobs or valves. Use them to fix plumbing, stop a leak, change a shower head, or pull a stuck valve so you can use enough leverage to shut it off.
Socket wrench set. A socket wrench does the same job as a regular wrench, only more efficiently. Instead of buying dozens of keys, you can buy a single handle and different sizes of removable heads. A ratchet socket wrench allows you to turn a nut or bolt without having to reposition the tool on the mount - just like you would need to use a wrench - when there isn't enough room to turn it one full turn. A set of 25 sockets is enough.
Five tools in one. This cheap gadget could be the Swiss army knife of hardware. It is similar to a spatula with a wide, flat blade with a planing point, a square end against that point, and a curved cut. Use it as a can or bottle opener, scraper, paint roller cleaner, screwdriver, etc. It can even help remove stained windows.
Cordless drill with replaceable bits. The least intimidating of all power tools is the cordless drill. Prices start at around $35 and manufacturers usually make them with long-lasting rechargeable batteries. Even if you have to pay a little more, you can buy a complete set of drills - drills, screwdrivers, hexes, stars - to make it as versatile as possible. A good cordless drill will allow you to get the job done more efficiently than with your hands.
Post time: Aug-22-2022
