Pick The Right Tools For Your First Toolbox
With people spending a lot of time at home, more jobs around the house and garden can get done. If you’ve never even held a hammer before, then this is where to begin to pick the right tools for your first toolbox.
It’s not always practical to call in the experts, either because of social distancing or because of tight finances, so you are in exactly the right place for practical tutorials and ideas on how to do them yourself. Of course, if the roof flies off in a storm, then the roofers will have to come in and fix it, but there are plenty of things that you can fix yourself. All you need are the right tools and a bit of know-how. So, without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?
The first piece of advice that I’m going to give you is – don’t rush off to the hardware store and buy everything in sight that you think you might need. Nope, that’s not the way to do it. A good supply of quality tools for your first toolbox takes time, especially if you are going to continue maintaining your home yourself.
Ask Family and Friends For Unwanted Tools
Before even leaving the house, phone family and friends. Find out if they have any tools that they don’t need anymore. Trust me, there are always surplus tools to be had, especially if someone in your circle has answered the call of tools begging to go home with them. Secondhand stores are also a great source of tools for your first toolbox, so do that before you venture out to the hardware store.
Importance of Lists
Make a list and stick to it! Don’t allow the siren call of all those glittering new tools to sway you from your purpose, especially if you’re on a budget. If your budget is tight, then only buy exactly what you need to get a particular job done and start building up your tool kit that way. Also, don’t forget to tap up your family and friends for any tools they don’t need anymore.
Cool note: Buy the best tools you can afford. Not only are they safer, but they will last a lifetime with proper care.
List of Tools For Your First Toolbox
Adjustable wrench – It can grip a bolt head, hold a narrow pipe – actually it can be used for gripping all sorts of stuff. Cheap wrenches will be weak and the screw will stick annoyingly, slip, or wear out – don’t get a cheap one. A medium-priced one will be fine though, unless you are thinking of becoming a professional fixerer-upperer. (Yes, I made that word up.)
Medium-sized claw hammer – The claw is essential for pulling out nails when you need to, otherwise the hammer is good for smacking in nails to hang a picture and other jobs that require some rather satisfying hitting. If the hammer is uncomfortably heavy, then choose something that feels right for you. The hitting power is reduced on a lighter hammer, but if it’s too heavy for you, then you will be reluctant to use it. Choose a hammer that has a padded handle, not too squishy, and is one solid piece of metal from head to handle. Wooden handles can break or come loose.
Star/Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers – Small and medium in both to start with. You will want both flat and star. There is nothing more frustrating than proudly bringing out your solitary screwdriver only to find out that it is the wrong one. Larger screwdrivers are necessary for larger screws and bolts. Decide what you really need.
Pliers – Linesman and wire cutters. The linesman pliers are usually used for electric work, but you can use them for anything that needs twisting, turning, or yanking out. The cutting edge on the linesman pliers can cut through softer wire, like brass or copper. The wire cutters are dedicated to cutting through tough wire and have specially hardened cutting edges. You can do a lot with these two. (Note: Stainless steel wire will need special cutters, don’t use either of these for that job.)
Utility knife and extra blades – Very handy to have around for all sorts of projects. They are very sharp so always cut away from your hand or fingers. Keep the blade retracted inside the handle when not in use to avoid accidents and only allow a small section to protrude when using normally. When the blade gets blunt, snap it off carefully and use the next blade in the knife.
Flashlight – For those times when you have to stick your head into the Stygian darkness of the cupboard under the sink to find that leak. Remember to keep backup batteries. Later you may want to consider getting a more expensive headlamp to keep your hands free to do the job without having to hold a flashlight in your teeth, or balancing it on an edge only to have it plop into something gross.
Tape measure – Make sure it’s one with a locking mechanism. Tape measures usually come in three main lengths and unless you are planning on building something large, the shorter one will be fine. It’s very important to buy a good quality tape for accurate measurements.
Socket wrench set – You will bless the day you got one of these. The set comes with socket heads (the shiny stuff at the top), and a handle that works as a ratchet to tighten or loosen bolts.
Spirit level – Choose a small one to begin with. They are handy for leveling a picture or shelf. If the bubble is between the two black marks, it’s level.
Safety gear – Safety glasses or goggles and gloves at the very least. Always wear eye protection whenever you are working with tools, even if you wear glasses. There are special safety glasses and goggles that are designed to fit over prescription glasses.
A toolbox makes the most sense to keep all your new tools in, but a drawer will do for now.
Contact Me
If you have any questions or are not sure of anything concerning the tools for your first toolbox, you can ask your questions in the contact form. I’m here to help.
©Kerry Biddle 2020
Resources:
- Tools for Your First Toolbox – Image by Steve Sammon from Pixabay
- Screwdrivers – Image by M W from Pixabay
- Hammer – Image by WikimediaImages from Pixabay
- Linesman pliers – Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay
- Wire cutters – Image by Pashminu Mansukhani from Pixabay
- Adjustable wrench – Image by Dan Gorgone from Pixabay
- Tape measure – Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
- Utility knife – Image by ds_30 from Pixabay
- Flashlight – Image by WikimediaImages from Pixabay
- Spirit level – © Alekss | Stock Free Images
- Socket wrench set – Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
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