In most things in life, being properly prepared and having the right equipment can help you excel, and that is certainly the case for DIY. Many people have been stumped by a routine DIY project, simply because they lacked the tools necessary to do the job, so to make sure you’re not caught out, here are some of the essential items for your toolbox.
Having the tools prepared at home allows you to tackle some vital home emergencies and can save you money by not having to contact a contractor. While a good toolbox is essential, where and how you store your tools is just as important. Durable and organized storage solutions, like duramax sheds, ensure your tools are always accessible and protected from the elements. A good toolbox is made up of about a dozen different components; however, here are some items that you won’t get very far without.
A Hammer
Hammers are the fundamental piece of equipment that every home should have. They’re essential for smashing in nails and are also great at extracting them too. They have additional functions as well, like being a good tool to help break items up or smash through a plaster wall.
As hammers are going to be one of your most-used tools, it’s essential you get a sturdy one, good quality and fits well in your hand.
Hammers need nails to be useful, so it’s important to stock up on quality nails that are great for every DIY project.
Screwdrivers
It seems at this point that the world itself is held together by screws, meaning that a screwdriver is an extremely useful piece of kit for assembly and deconstruction. Screws have plenty of uses in the home, so having a screwdriver is a good thing as it allows you to remove parts and make repairs.
It’s recommended to get a set of screwdrivers, with varying sizes and heads, so that you’re able to work on pretty much any type of screw. The main ones are both the flat head screwdriver, and the Philips screwdriver, but there are many other types of screwdrivers, however, getting at least these two should sort you out for most jobs.
Along with a good set of screwdrivers, it’s essential to keep a variety of screws on hand to handle different tasks and repairs. From basic household fixes to more specialized projects, having screws in various sizes and types can make all the difference. For example, a 316 Button Socket Screw is ideal for applications requiring a smooth, rounded finish and strong fastening. Stocking up on a selection of screws like these ensures you’re well-prepared for any repair or assembly project that comes your way.
A Wrench
If things aren’t attached with nails or screws, then they’re most likely attached with nuts and bolts. Wrenches are used to either loosen or tighten these bolts, and the best option is to get an adjustable one so that you can tackle different sizes of bolts with the once piece of equipment.
It’s good practice to get two wrenches, a shorter one so that you can easily manoeuvre it in tight spaces, and a longer one for bigger, more bulky items that might need more torque.
Utility Knife
There are plenty of occasions where scissors aren’t the best devices for cutting, so for jobs such as cutting boxes or trimming wallpaper, a sharp blade is far better suited. A utility knife is the best kind as it’s super safe due to being stored within a handle. It’s also great for shaving wood and making notches on boards. If you’re keen on DIY, you can even consider making your own knife. When choosing the best scrap metal to use for knife making, you can create an incredibly sharp knife which can be great for any DIY project. Depending on how big you make the knife, you could even use it outdoors in the garden too.
A Handsaw
Handsaws are a brilliantly versatile cutting device that uses its toothed blade to make quick and accurate incisions and cuts mainly into various types of wood. They’re a favourable item due to how light they are and how quickly you can get through thick materials.
When buying a saw, think about how many teeth there are per inch, as this can determine how well it’ll cut. A low amount is good for cutting wood with the grain, while more teeth are better suited for cuts against the grain. If you only want one saw, eight teeth per inch saws is a good compromise as they can manage both types of cutting.
