Essential Tools Every Man Needs

· Industry

There is always something to repair or fix around the house. And some of those interventions that require short tweaking are not attractive to professional tradies. To put it bluntly – no carpenter will visit your home to secure two new shelves for you.

Every man has to practice self-reliance in such instances. The challenge usually comes when the task at hand is really simple but you lack the proper tool to do it. This issue inspires home owners to invest in their own basic toolbox.

But where do you start? And how to determine the exact tools that would be essential for maintenance chores in your home?

Screwdrivers

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A set of screwdrivers is essential. You can tighten bolts and cabinet hardware, or you can use them to open utility cans (paint, oil). If you know your electrical circuits you can install light switches. Do make sure to get a set with most of the commonly used head sizes. Another alternative is to get add on screw bits that will enable you to do as much work as possible.

Tape Measure

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Using a piece of tape to measure exact distance will never get old. Especially with all those different components you can get from a home center only to discover their 10cm are not exactly 10cm. A cornerstone of every task where precise measurements are important.

Hammer

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Smooth faced hammed with some heft to it is very useful. Obviously you can drive nails into place, but also you can apply it whenever directed force is required, even if its putting together a furniture kit. Some have opposite end with curved claw to pull out nails.

Drill

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At some point you have to leave hand tools behind and go for battery power tools with extra juice. Your drill is typical example of a cordless power tool and you can put it to work in many different environments. Particularly if you have an extensive set of drill bits and screw bits. They are mostly used in woodworking, but with the right amount of power and appropriate drill bits you can also pierce through concrete.

Saw

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Handsaws are central to custom carpentry. You can, however, save your physical force for tasks you aren’t able to delegate. Getting an electrical cordless saw will cut through wood with only a fraction of the exertion wasted in operating a handsaw. Especially if you are dealing with fair sized planks. Circular saw cuts through them like a hot knife through butter. Mind your safety, though, for inappropriate use can actually cause harm.

Sander

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Another of those repetitive tasks which can be delegated to battery power tools. You can easily find DIY procedures to adjust your drill to function as a sander. These kind of shortcuts are not for everyone though, and the project may back fire. If you need to sand a surface use a sander. Using inappropriate tool for the task at hand is one of the top causes of injuries.

Grinder

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A staple of home tool kits that is used for cutting sturdy objects. The angle grinder in particular can get to spots you can’t cut any other way. Modern cordless angle grinders are fitted with a brushless motor – they will deliver more power in efficient manner. Ergonomics is also very important in these kind of power tools so look for rubber grips with non slip properties or design.

Toolbox

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Although not a tool in the strictest sense, toolboxes are a must have if you want to stay organized. As your tool set grows, putting them away for storage will become a burden once you finish for the day. You can potentially work your way past a tool case if you equip your shed with a lot of drawers and compartments. Hanging some of the tools on the wall can help keep them organized and within your field of view. Be mindful, though, if you base your tool storage around a building you will face issues every time you need to take the tools to other location.

Pliers

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They are very versatile too. Used to slice wiring, to straighten objects and to get a good hold of small objects. Some of the most common types include needle nose pliers, slip joint, side cutting, regular nose and other.

Utility Knife

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For every task that doesn’t require a proper knife. A sharp utility knife find it’s place in garages and car toolboxes as well as professional gear. You can use them to open parcels and boxes, to shave wood, to make markings and to cut just about anything. They are more safe than regular knifes. That is, if you replace the blades in a timely fashion, because cutting with dull utility knife is actually not safe.

Level

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Building a deck can’t be done without a good level. Truth be told, not everyone needs a level in their toolbox, but if you have one you will find that it can make your work easier. Hanging pictures, joining carpentry, and just about any surface that should hold stuff has to be done on a level footing.

Before splurging on comprehensive tool sets assess your needs. You can do a lot of home projects with only a fraction of these tools. At the same time, if you want to do substantial work on your own you’d probably need all of these tools at some point. So keep this in mind and get the tools that will make you self reliant home owner.