| Most, if not all, homeowners have a toolbox, | | | | plan to maintain any wood or metal. For |
| and DIY (do-it-yourself) junkies can't live | | | | cutting metal, a hacksaw and a couple of cold |
| without one. However, because tools can be so | | | | chisels will do. For wood, a chisel and a saw |
| cheap and varied nowadays, there's a very | | | | will suffice. To save on space, you could get |
| strong temptation to just grab one of | | | | one of those handles that have a base |
| everything at the hardware store and then say | | | | compatible with removable saw blades. The |
| that you're getting ready for any | | | | blades and the handles themselves are small, |
| eventuality. This results in a cluttered | | | | and it's a great little multitool. |
| garage or tool area and, in many cases, | | | | |
| wasted money. Below are some of the bare | | | | Your testing and measuring instruments are |
| necessities that your tool box should | | | | critical for determining when you've done a |
| contain. While they may not prepare you for | | | | good enough job. Make sure to always pack |
| post-tornado house rebuilding, they will | | | | some measuring tape, measuring tape, a |
| certainly suffice for fixing that noisy door | | | | measuring square, a level, a voltage tester |
| in the kitchen or for the regular maintenance | | | | and an amp meter. Consumable items are also |
| jobs around the house. | | | | important, so you should always have a couple |
| | | | of pencils, electrical tape, sealant, |
| The Usual Stuff | | | | lubricant, and an array of screws, nuts, |
| | | | nails, and bolts on stock. |
| These are the things that everyone has in | | | | |
| their sets, the contents of the usual | | | | Not-So-Usual Necessities |
| toolbox. That's another way of saying "if you | | | | |
| don't have the following, get one now." These | | | | Now that we've gone through the usual |
| are tools that even your grandfather had, so | | | | contents of the toolbox, let's cover some of |
| you'd probably be familiar with them already. | | | | the other tool necessities. These are the |
| | | | items your granddad probably didn't think of |
| Screwdrivers are absolutely necessary tools. | | | | putting in the toolbox, but are still ones |
| They come in two general variations (the | | | | you should have yourself. Of special mention |
| minus and the plus, formally known as the | | | | here are multitools, which have recently |
| flat or straight and the Philips, | | | | become very popular and, more importantly, |
| respectively), but can come in a wide range | | | | more affordable. They're those multi-armed |
| of sizes. Just get the usual, fixed-blade, | | | | trinkets that have several attachments on |
| no-frills models unless you're expecting to | | | | them, hence, the name and their ability to do |
| do some specialized work. The teeny tiny | | | | several tasks. |
| versions of screwdrivers are called precision | | | | |
| sets and are handy to have around. | | | | Vise-grips and a utility knife automatically |
| | | | fall into this category. They're great for |
| Hammers, like screwdrivers, come in a variety | | | | any number of tasks and should be a staple in |
| of sizes for different jobs. Two should | | | | your toolbox. Have at least two vise-grips |
| probably be enough for your needs. You could | | | | (plumbing jobs and clamping is usually easier |
| get a medium size (usually 16 oz.) for | | | | with two), while a six-inch knife should be |
| regular jobs and a larger size (usually 32 | | | | good enough. A right angle drive helps you |
| oz.) for the heavy duty work. | | | | get your fasteners into tight places and |
| | | | impossible spaces and, while not absolutely |
| For plumbing and working with fasteners, | | | | necessary, will be convenient to have around |
| you're going to need pliers and wrenches. | | | | for several tasks. |
| Usually, a couple of each (one of each type, | | | | |
| snub-nose and long-nose, for the pliers) will | | | | Cleaning materials have recently become |
| do. You can even go the extra mile and get a | | | | toolbox mainstays, and you should always have |
| wrench set, which has about 10 to 15 pieces. | | | | some, too. A bit of anti-rust agent (WD-40 |
| | | | works great) and a toothbrush are absolute |
| Saws are obviously necessary tools if you | | | | necessities for cleaning and maintenance. |