handy with tools, but a few basic tools can help you accomplish small projects on your own without relying on your hubby to do them all.
Downside is that tools can be quite expensive, and it’s easy to end up with too many tools that don’t offer much help.
So, here a simple list of the top five basic tools every home should have.
1. Hammer
There’s no doubt about it – a hammer is one of the most important tools you can have around the house. The most versatile type of hammer is a
claw hammer, which has two flat prongs on the end through which you can pry out a nail. The claw can also work to pry other things, like tiles from a bathroom wall or linoleum from the kitchen floor.
2. Screwdrivers – Phillips and Flat Head
These days, you can’t even change batteries on a kid’s toy without a screwdriver. And you’ll need a set of each – they usually come in three sizes, so you’ll need
six screwdrivers. The uses for these tools around the house are too numerous to list here, but everything from assembling furniture kits to hanging pictures requires a screwdriver.
3. Needle-Nose Pliers
You’ll find more uses for this tool. Needle-nose pliers can be used for anything from making jewelry to working on your home’s wiring
(*Hey, be careful there!). A couple of sizes won’t hurt – sometimes the smaller size is good for tight places. The larger ones are excellent for any job where you need to grasp and move something within a small space.
Some needle-nose pliers come with a
wire-cutting blade at the base near the plier’s hinge. This makes a 2-for-1 tool if you can find it. Speaking of wire cutters…
4. Wire Cutters
Even if you have the cutters on the needle-nose pliers, it’s a good idea to have another set of wire cutters as well. You can more easily “nip” a wire in a tight place if you need to without the “nose” of the pliers in the way. Wire cutters are very handy, even for decorating (like cutting floral wire).
5. Tape Measure
A good tape measure with a
lock feature (so the tape doesn’t whiz back into the case the moment you take your finger off of it) is indispensable around the house. You’ll use this tool to center pictures, measure furniture, and determine the size of your house’s rooms and/or yard. If you’re thinking about getting windows replaced, fencing put in, carpeting put down, or any similar job, you’ll need a tape measure.
These are just the top five – feel free to add on more as you think of them! But it’s good to start with the basics.
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