Tool School: Tool Box Basics and Beyond
It doesn't matter where you live, or whether you rent or own your residence. "As long as you have four walls and a roof to call home, sooner or later there's going to be something to repair, install or update," says Paul Holstein, COO of CableOrganizer.com. Here are some essentials for every tool box.
Tool Box: If you're going to be investing in a collection of household hand tools, be sure to protect those investments by storing them in something sturdy and protective. Fortunately, when it comes to tool boxes, rugged doesn't have to equal enormous or costly. There are a wide number of options available at all price points - even for small homes where storage space is minimal.
Hammer: The most important hand tool of them all, you'll use a hammer for everything from hanging pictures to installing decorative molding. A great option is the claw hammer that features a steel head on one side and a claw - the crowbar-like nail-pulling lever - on the other.
Tape Measure: You can't put a price on accuracy, especially when it comes to home improvement. Incorrect estimates can end up costing you both time and money, so save yourself the trouble by simply keeping a tape measure in your tool box.
Level: Wondering if that picture you're hanging or chair rail you're affixing is straight? Sounds like you could use a level. While today there are many high-tech laser levels available, standard torpedo levels, which use air bubbles in three clear, liquid-filled vials to give you visible proof of a surface's level, are still a great and economical choice.
Screwdrivers: Because there are so many different screw designs, it's a good idea to stock your tool kit with different types of screwdrivers. A screw's "drive type" is defined by the shape or design stamped into its head, which a screwdriver blade fits into in order to drive or extract it. To save money and tool box space, you can always opt for a multi-bit screwdriver.
Pliers and Wrench: Both pliers and wrenches provide extra grip and leverage for projects around the house, but owning one of each is best since they're cut out for slightly different jobs. Pliers are great for pulling out nails, bending and even cutting wire. A wrench is the tool to grab when you need grip combined with extra torque for tightening and loosening pipes, or turning nuts and bolts.
Utility Knife: A utility knife - also called a box cutter, razor knife or carpet knife - is made up of a hollow plastic or metal handle that houses a retractable razor blade. Utility knives are incredibly useful tools for any do-it-yourselfer, regardless of his or her skill level. They make quick work of slicing through cardboard, drywall, carpet, thin plastics and even linoleum.
