Putting Together a Basic Tool Box for Your Home

Even if you are not a do-it-yourself type person, there are basic tools that every home should have in their tool box. None of these tools are very expensive, and you will probably find a million uses for them after you have them. By putting together a basic tool box for your home you'll have the right tools on hand when small odd jobs arise. Here are the tools that should be included in a basic tool box:

A Hammer
There are hundreds of uses for a hammer besides just pounding nails. The hammer is probably the most versatile tool that you can include in your toolbox. Whether you use it to put a nail in the wall to hang a picture or use the claw end of it to pry up an old board once you have a hammer you will likely find yourself constantly reaching for it to tackle a variety of jobs around your home.

Screwdrivers
No basic tool box would be complete without a couple of screwdrivers. At the very least you should get two screwdrivers for your toolbox. One should be a flat head screwdriver and the other should be a Phillips head. Like a hammer, screwdrivers are good for a wide variety of uses besides just screwing in screws.

They can be used for everything from prying open a can of paint to poking holes in your lawn to help aerate it. Since screwdrivers are cheap you may want to invest in several different sizes so you have a variety on hand to choose from. Even a set of very small screwdrivers can come in quite handy when it comes time to replace a battery in a watch or adjust a pair of eyeglasses.

A Tape Measure
Tape measures are another inexpensive item that you will get a lot of use out of. There are always measurements to be taken and having a nice tape measure on hand will make it easy to get the size of anything you need. A good investment is at least a 25' retractable tape measure, which should run you around $10.00 or less for a basic model.

A Pair of Pliers
Your pliers don't have to be anything fancy, but they are a great tool to have on hand. Try looking for pliers that are adjustable to you can grab a variety of things with them. For even more functionality, look for a pair of pliers that also has a wire cutter.

Optional Additions to Your Tool Box

While these tools aren't necessary, they are a great addition to a basic tool box and will allow you to more things around your house.

A Socket Set
A basic socket set can come in handy in a variety of circumstances. Look for a set that has both Metric and Standard sockets to make the most of your socket set.

A Carpet or Utility Knife
Carpet knives are great for cutting carpet and cardboard, but can also be used for a variety of craft projects and other applications.

A Level
Either a standard level or a laser level can come in handy for hanging things on your wall like picture frames or shelves. Using a level will help you to be sure that things are hung straight and can give your wall mounted items a much more professional look.

A toolbox with these basic tools will allow you to tackle most easy projects around your house. You may also want to consider getting an assortment of screws, nails and other fasteners to add to your toolbox as well.