This one is for you if you are interested in starting a DIY project. Before you start working on any project you need to make sure you have access to the right tools. You may already have access to most tools. Either way, it is good practice to have a well‐stocked toolbox. If you are serious about DIY or like to be organised we would highly recommend starting off by investing in a good toolbox.
Toolbox
There are a wide range of toolboxes on the market to pick from. MP Moran's toolboxes don't mess around when it comes to storing your gear. It has enough internal space to store all your tools along with extra compartments to accommodate related items such as nails. The best part is that it is water‐resistant and dust proof, thanks to the thoughtful designs.
Below are the 12 essential tools that you need for most DIY projects.
1. Hammer
At the core of any home improvement project is a hammer. Most traditional hammers have a typical claw design on the opposite side of the head for multipurpose use. One end is to hammer the nails in and the other is to remove them. Hammers are used for a wide range of applications that involve driving, shaping, and breaking things.
Experts say you should buy a 16‐ounce hammer since they are the most versatile of them all, with a curved claw and smooth head. This size is perfect for both delicate jobs where you just need to drive in nails, as well as heavy‐duty ones like repairing railings.
You can save a ton of money with the help of a good hammer since it lets you assemble simple pieces of furniture, rather than going for the pricier items that come in finished form. Plus, for the more difficult projects, a hammer lets you save money by demolishing stuff like old cabinets.
2. Spirit Level
Spirit levels let you know when your choice of frame is horizontal with the ground level. The vials of liquid on either side have air bubbles that change their position based on their relative position to the ground. For instance, if the bubble is right at the centre of the two lines, you are perfectly level. You can place this handy tool on a shelf and know if your items will slide off.
3. Screwdrivers
Plenty of things in your house are held together with the help of screws. They hold together lamps, furniture, cabinet doors, doorknobs, and outlet covers. This means that whenever you need to fix these things, you’ll need a screwdriver to remove the screws, disassemble the individual parts, and then put them back again. This is the one tool in your toolbox that you’ll need most often.
The two most common types of screws are the Philips with a small (+) sign in the centre and a flathead with a horizontal dash. Handling each type of screw is like a rock and scissors game and may require some trial and error. In some cases, you may need a special set of multipurpose precision screwdrivers to remove uncommon screws like Torx screws.
4. Tape Measure
A tape measure helps you make precise measurements over larger distances in your home. Common applications include measuring the length of your room to see if a particular item will fit. There are different lengths of tape measures to choose from, so make sure you choose the one that best fits your needs.
5. 20-Inch Handsaw
Handsaws have evolved to fill many cutting styles and niches. For the most part, a general‐purpose saw with medium‐sized teeth will be suitable for most jobs. Saws are used to cut different pieces of wood into different shapes for woodworking projects.
6. Adjustable Wrench
Devices in your house that are not attached with screws or nails are usually held together with the help of bolts and nuts. To loosen and tighten these machinations, you will need the help of a wrench. An adjustable wrench works great because it allows you to ‘adjust’ its size depending on the size of the nuts and bolts.
Most people believe you can make do with an 8‐inch adjustable wrench since most of your projects have to do with hard‐to‐reach and tight spaces. Wrenches help you save money on a long list of projects. For instance, you can use them to make minor plumbing repairs instead of enlisting the help of a professional. Wrenches also help with large jobs, from designing playground equipment to railings.
7. Putty Knife
A putty knife is mostly used to work putty over the edges of each pane of glass. They have evolved to accommodate a range of applications, including stiff blades, flat‐edge blades, chiselled edge blades, and flexible blades. You can also apply filler materials like drywall taping compound, wood filler, and scraping residue among other applications. When shopping for a putty knife, try looking for flexible stainless steel blades measuring 1.5 inches across. This is because they are narrow enough to fit into tight spaces but wide enough to quickly fill larger cracks.
8. Pliers
Pliers are made in various sizes and shapes, and they have several applications. They are most commonly used to grip round things like rods and pipes. Some are used to twist wires, while others may be used for electrical work such as splicing wires. Pliers are durable because of their powerful metal teeth that tightly clench an object. Their larger handles give you enough leverage to pull, twist, and bend them.
You will mostly need pliers to pull out nails, loosen nuts, remove plumbing fixtures, and straighten the power plugs bent out of shape. Make sure to buy locking pliers, also known as vice grips, since they have adjustable jaws that can be resized to fit nuts, bolts, and other fixtures. A good pair of pliers can help you with grunt work such as handling pipes as well as take care of delicate wiring.
9. Flashlight
Light doesn’t always reach all nooks and crannies. A flashlight lets you focus a powerful beam of light into dark crevasses and dimly‐lit basements. Not to mention the fact that if you’re dealing with power outages, then a flashlight comes in handy. Although most flashlights will do just fine, you can get more value for your money by paying extra for flashlights with LED bulbs. These bulbs have batteries that will last you a lot longer.
10. Duct Tape
The tired old pun that most things are held together by duct tape is true in most cases. Duct tape can be used for all kinds of quick fixes and repair jobs. There are four types of duct tapes you will need to include in your DIY kit.
- General-purpose duct tape: has an extra sticky tape with a woven backing that is easy to tear to your desired length. They can patch most things that are made of plastics and wood. They won’t work on devices made of metal such as silver and aluminium.
- Painter’s tape: is used to cover areas of the wall or surface that you want to cover before painting. This tape is specially designed to prevent paint from spilling over. You can also use painter’s tape to prevent scratches that harsh tools like wrenches and pliers will inevitably leave behind on the surface of pipes.
- Plumber’s tape: These tapes are made of Teflon. They help to form tighter seals on the threaded ends of pipes.
- Electrical tape: These tapes are designed to insulate the surfaces of electrical wires. They are usually made of vinyl which provides good insulation and stretches well. You can use them to repair cover pipes during the winter to prevent them from freezing and repairing damaged wires.
11. Drills
Electrical drills are probably the most versatile power tools you can buy. They are essentially two tools in one: a power driver and a drill. The drill allows you to make holes of varying sizes. If you swap out the drill bit with a screwdriver bit, you can drive screws at a much faster rate than traditional screwdrivers. This is especially useful when you’re working with a lot of screws and are running out of time.
Alternatively, you can also buy cordless drills . They are useful if you want to reach areas that lack electrical power and you don’t have a larger enough electrical cord. Cordless drills are not powerful but they are easier to use and should suffice for most DIY tasks. Do keep in mind that larger applications will require more power which cordless drills are not good for.
12. Detail Palm Sander
There are endless possibilities with detail palm sanders. They can be used to sand down edges on tables that you’ve just created or assist you in creating surfaces with distressed surfaces. Most palm sanders are very durable and can handle rough use.
Don’t Skimp Out on the Safety Gear
Most DIY jobs that require the use of harsh tools like hammers are risky. And if you’re working with power tools like drills and circular saws, the risk of getting injured becomes even greater. Whenever you slice, dice, and saw something, you will create sparks, dust, and flying debris that can cause severe injury to your eyes. We can’t stress enough just how important essential safety gear is when it comes to protecting you.
i) Goggles
Safety goggles will cover your eyes when you work with drills and saws because things will fly all over the place! They also protect you from chemicals that could splash into your eyes. Make sure your goggles are durable, lightweight, and the right fit for your face.
ii) Gloves
Get yourself a sturdy pair of work gloves that can protect you from all kinds of damage. A good pair of gloves should keep rough surfaces and splinters from scraping your skin. They also serve as insulation against electricity, heat, and cold. Do keep in mind they won’t work against blunt objects like hammers!
Hunting for essential DIY tools for your next home improvement project? Head on over to MP Moran to find them in one place!