Home repairs are an inevitable part of being a homeowner. Things are bound to break and crack, but that doesn’t mean you should call in a professional every single time. Also, you will be inclined to change the look of your house from time to time, and take up a couple of DIY projects. So, like any good homeowner, you will need to have a toolbox full, and quality essential tools to finish any job that may come up around your house.
Essential Safety Gear
Your safety should always come first! So, even before you start your next DIY project, or a serious home repair job, you need to reach for a pair of safety goggles and work gloves from your toolbox. Make a habit of wearing them every time you use your tools. The goggles will protect your eyes, while wearing gloves protects your hands from punctures, thorns, cuts and bruises, and makes you ready for work. Also, before you start using any tools, make sure you know the safety rules of using hand-held tools.
Measuring Tape
If you want to make all your jobs precise, you will need a single 25-foot tape measure. Find one that has a strong metal or rubber casing, and make sure the numbers are printed front and back. Apart from that, you should also make sure the tape is wide enough, so you don’t need assistance measuring longer horizontal or vertical lines, like the height of a room.
Hammer
A hammer is an all-purpose tool, which is always handy for a number of jobs around the house, like driving and pulling nails, smoothing out twisted metal, and chiseling wood. For a general purpose hammer, choose a rip-claw 20-to-30 oz. with a longer wooden or fiberglass handle that can withstand some serious hits and pulls.
Locking Pliers
A pair of locking pliers with a 10-15-inch curved jaw is another versatile tool that should find a place in your toolbox. The curved jaw means it can easily grip round objects, like pipes, when you have to do some in-door plumbing repairs. Also, make sure it has a built-in wire cutter, which makes any wiring job a whole lot easier.
Screwdrivers
Every good toolbox is filled with screwdrivers of numerous sizes and lengths. However, for all-purpose use, you only need two – a flathead and a Phillips model. Look for a driver with switchable heads, which is really handy, especially when you know you have different types of screws around the house and yard. Quality is also important, so make sure you go for proven brands of screwdrivers.
Power Drill
According to the tools experts in Sydney, power tools have become a necessity, even when it comes to essentials. Having a reliable drill and drill bits is a great investment and saves time on a number of DIY and home-repair projects. Choose a cordless drill with switchable extensions, like a screwdriver head. You will have a reliable multi-purpose tool that will make screwing shelves, mending furniture or putting up the TV easy, and as an added bonus – it saves room in your toolbox.
Circular Saw
Being precise, an electrically powered circular saw is essential, since with a 7-inch blade, you will be able to cut plastic, wood, even metal. If you’re buying a circular saw for the first time, make sure it comes with a carbide-tooth blade, since it lasts four times longer than a regular one. This is essential if you frequently cut nails during your carpentry projects, or you will frequently have to cut metal.
Ultimately, once you get these essentials, any job around the house will prove to be an easy chore. All that’s left to do is put on some safety gear, get your toolbox, and start working.