Home Toolbox Contents

Most homes have or need basic tools to fix or repair simple items. By including these tools to your workbench, or garage, you can greatly increase efficiency or save time and money by doing simple projects around the home yourself. The following list of tools is essential for most home repairs:

1. Hammer - a 16 ounce claw hammer can be purchased for under $12.00 and is invaluable.

2. Screwdriver set- both flat head and phillips head screwdrivers are essential.

3. Level- Levels are important to insure that hanging projects are pleasing to the eye. Picture frames, photos, shelves and other hanging items should be checked. Even a simple "bullet level" will straighten most items with accuracy.

4. Electric drill- Many projects require holes to be drilled through surfaces. A set of drill bits should include sizes ranging from 1/8" through 5/8" in 1/8th inch increments. The most common drill bit size is 1/4". An electric drill can also double as a power screwdriver. There are many inexpensive battery drills available, that will allow you to move about freely without being anchored to an outlet.

5. Saws - Handsaws can be used for most cross-cutting needs but require patience and a good amount of manual dexterity. Electric jigsaws can be used to scroll cut irregular shapes and can be used in cutting wood up to 3/4" fairly easily. For cutting dimentional wood (i.e. 2x4's or 2x6's) an electrical circular saw is the most efficient tool to use. Make sure you read all manufacturers literature for safety instructions. There are a couple of saws you should also consider. A hacksaw is used for cutting metal. A keyhole saw is used for cutting holes in drywall while a coping saw is used for fine and intricate cutting.

6. Pliers/wrenches- A pair of pliers is great for gripping but not for tightening or loosening nuts because the nut will lose it's edges if the pliers slip or you grip too tight. A crescent wrench or box wrenches should be used to loosen or tighten nuts. A crescent wrench adjusts in size to the nut and if properly fitted, it will not damage the nut edges.

7. Squares - In order to insure alignment in corners, a builders square, or a speed square is needed. A square can be used to check the ends of lumber for accurate cuts. They can and should be used to draw perpendicular cutting lines in wood.

8. Tape Measure - used to measure lengths and widths of surfaces. Essential for accurate cuts. One of the most common sizes is 25 feet.

The above list is prettty basic. In future articles I will list out more tools that can be used aound the home for repair projects. If you have all of the above tools, you will be able to tackle most repair jobs. There are special tools that may be needed for drywall repair, such as a box cutter and taping knife. I plan on writing instructions to repair or build projects designed to save you money by doing the labor yourself. I will list out the tools needed and the procedures to tackle those types of projects. I hope you find this information useful. I have been building homes and commercial projects for over 25 years and I taught a high school program called Building Trades for 5 years in Louisiana.