| A tool box that has all the right tools, and | | | | a Phillips. A few of these in different sizes |
| that you can get out and use easily, will | | | | should handle most jobs. Again, as you learn |
| make your life as a homeowner (or even a | | | | more, you may want to have a crosspoint or a |
| renter) infinitely easier. Gather all of the | | | | hex screwdriver as well. |
| common tools you need for just about every | | | | |
| job, invest in a sturdy tool box, and keep it | | | | - Pliers. Pliers enable you to grab things |
| in an easy to reach place, and each time you | | | | firmly. But there are also pliers that do |
| have a small problem like a picture falling | | | | more than grip, such as cutting pliers or |
| down, you will not be tempted to put it off | | | | crimping pliers for electrical work. But even |
| since everything will be ready for you. | | | | gripping pliers come in different types such |
| | | | as flat nose, round nose and needle nose. |
| After a while, you may feel you need extra | | | | |
| features and space, and a real toolbox will | | | | - Tape measure. You don't even want to start |
| give those to you. | | | | a job if you can't measure it. You can get a |
| | | | tape measure that is metallic ribbon in a |
| If you are just starting out in acquiring | | | | retracting case, but even if you just start |
| your tools, a small tackle box may serve the | | | | out with a cloth tap measure that you roll |
| purpose of a tool box, as long as it is | | | | up, you will need at least 25 foot length in |
| sturdy and big enough to hold the basic | | | | your toolbox. |
| tools. There are even tools boxes that have | | | | |
| molded spaces to fit the various tools | | | | - A saw. There are different types of saws |
| perfectly. | | | | depending on the material to be cut. A saw is |
| | | | simply a serrated blade with a handle and you |
| So what tools do you want in your toolbox? | | | | can have a hand saw, which may be enough for |
| Here is what you should have, at a minimum. | | | | a basic tool set, or a powered saw. A frame |
| | | | saw may be needed for larger jobs. |
| - A home repair manual. This is not a tool, | | | | |
| but you will use it often when you come | | | | - Putty knife. This is used for scraping and |
| across problems, so keep it right in your | | | | applying putty, but it has other uses as |
| tool box for reference. | | | | well. The flexible blade can be squeezed |
| | | | under many surfaces to help in removal. |
| - A hammer. No one can do without a hammer | | | | |
| for the most basic repairs such as if piece | | | | - Wrench. You will add leverage when you are |
| of trim is loose. A claw hammer has a claw | | | | turning nuts and bolts if you use a wrench. |
| that can remove nails. There are a lot of | | | | The open end wrench is the basic kind that |
| other kinds of hammers, such as framing | | | | you can lock to a certain size to grasp the |
| hammer, balpeen hammer, a mallet or a sledge | | | | nut or bolt. Other types are box end, |
| hammer. You will learn from experience if you | | | | crescent, socket and allen wrench. |
| need any of these. | | | | |
| | | | - Awl. Primarily used in woodworking, it |
| - Screwdriver. You tighten or loosen screws | | | | starts a hole before you start drilling, or |
| with a screwdriver. It is a simple enough | | | | you can draw a line with an awl to use as a |
| tool with a handle, shaft and head. The two | | | | guide for your saw. |
| basic kinds you should have are a slotted and | | | | |