What are the handiest tools for your toolbox
2nd Feb 2023
When you’re starting a new project, or need to make a quick repair, the first thing you’ll do is grab the toolbox.
But making sure the right tools are in it will make doing your job a lot easier.
In this article, we discuss the handiest tools to have in your toolbox, for home repairs and professionals.
Handy Tools for Home Repairs and Maintenance
Pliers
Gripping or bending things is far easier with a set of pliers.
They multiply your hand force to provide you exceptional grip strength without much effort.
We recommend choosing “parallel-action” pliers, as the jaws close in parallel, which provide much better grip than scissor-type pliers (learn more about parallel pliers here).
Hammer
A toolbox essential, the hammer is used to hammer in nails, chisels, and general maintenance work.
The claw hammer is the most common and useful, with the “claw” referring to the non-striking end, used to extract nails.
Side Cutters
Side cutters are ideal for DIY cutting tasks, provide exceptional cutting power with little effort.
They offer really high leverage, allowing you to cut through really hard wire.
Look for HRC 64 induction hardened cutting edges (like these cutters from Maun), to ensure the cutting blades last for many years of use.
Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead)
For stubborn screws, you will need a screwdriver in one size or another. Phillips-head screwdrivers are great for loosening and tightening screws quickly.
Flathead screwdrivers are for heavier-duty work when more torque is required to turn the screw.
Adjustable Wrench
Wrenches are essential for working with nuts, bolts, plumbing connection points and auto parts. The adjustable crescent wrench is the first choice for many DIY tasks as it can be adjusted from end to end to fit almost anything from nuts and bolts to spark plugs.
Other wrenches may include spanner wrenches for specialty jobs like installing taps or bathrooms fixtures, pipe wrenches for plumbing projects, hexagonal Allen keys for furniture assembly and Allen wrenches for automotive use.
Straight Edge
A straight edge provides a solid edge where you can mark and cut straight lines across various materials, offering a safer alternative to a plastic ruler.
Choose a precision engineered straight edge for a more accurate cut.
Tape Measure
Tape measures are essential for accurately measuring materials, where an incorrect measurement could lead to expensive mistakes.
Look for a tape measure that is marked in both standard and metric units, and find one with a locking mechanism as an extra bonus.
Cordless Drill
A cordless drill helps to screw and unscrew screws more quickly than a screwdriver, working on rechargeable batteries to remove the need for a plug-in cord.
They’re ideal for a range of jobs, including assembling furniture, drilling floorboards and fixing a garden gate.
Clamps
Clamps are also incredibly important when working on any type of woodworking project or any job that involves gluing two items together.
Specifically, wood clamping is necessary for cabinet building to hold components together until glue dries properly. They come in multiple sizes, shapes and strengths, so make sure you have the correct ones before starting the task at hand.
The strongest toolmakers clamps you can get are these from Maun, which pack a punch despite their small size.
Level
This time-saving tool helps achieve level measurements quickly and precisely, ideal for hanging shelves or building walls.
Handy Tools for Professional Trades
Multi-tool (for electricians and plumbers)
A multi-tool is a power tool that oscillates quickly with a variety of possible attachments, helping you conduct a wide range of tasks.
It can be used to saw, sand, cut and polish.
Impact Driver
An impact driver is a power tool that uses high torque to drive screws and bolts. It delivers rotational and concussive force, making it easier to install fasteners in hard materials like wood, metal or masonry.
Circular Saw
A circular saw is a power tool that uses a rotating blade to make straight cuts in wood, metal or other materials. It is one of the most common and versatile power tools in a woodworker's arsenal.
Utility Knife
A good utility blade is the perfect tool for precision cutting, scoring and trimming of woods, metals, plastics and other materials, making it a crucial tool in any home or workshop.
Whether you simply need to cut open boxes or want to create intricate wood carvings, a quality utility blade will be your go-to tool.
Olive Cutter (plumbers)
Olive cutters offer an easy way to remove old olives from pipework, without damaging the pipe that remains in place.
Olive pullers damage the pipe, so are not a good option.
These olive cutters have a plier version, which makes them easy to use with one hand.
Extension Cord
An extension lead is a cable with multiple outlets that extends the reach of an electrical device from a wall socket. They’re ideal when doing a job in a hard to reach area, ensuring your corded power tools can still be used.
Protective Gear
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to reduce exposure to a variety of hazards when performing maintenance tasks. This includes items like safety glasses, gloves, earplugs, hard hats, dust masks and work boots.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our post on the handiest tools for your toolbox.
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