Are you a new homeowner or renter who has no idea on which tools you need to buy for home remedies and projects? Read on and start making your checklist.You may have been watching home project videos or have read or seen home styles that you would like to incorporate in your own space. And you will begin to wonder how to achieve that. So naturally, you will be needing tools. Building your own home tool kit can be confusing and taxing at first, especially if you have no experience.Fret not, here’s the list of tools you need to start from and invest on. Cue: start small. Then piece-by-piece, you already own a comprehensive kit for more specific uses for home remedies and DIY projects.
What to consider
Owning a home tool kit is like preparing your emergency kit. Each item in the kit is well-thought of according to use. You would be needing repairs inside your home from time to time, and calling a repairman ever so often can be tiresome and more expensive.The first thing that you should consider is a tool that you can use frequently or regularly. Simple projects and repairs usually need a basic tool which comes in handy for most occasions like hanging a picture frame, tightening loose nails and hinges, rearranging furniture, or quick-fixes.Next would be the quality. Since the first tools you would be purchasing are the most basic, which also means that they are the tools that you would be using regularly, opt to buy the long-lasting, high quality ones even if they are on the expensive side (but they are still the cheaper tools that you can ever own). Logic here is that these are the tools that will stand the wear and tear, and are often pulled out of your toolbox more frequently. Good quality ones can actually save you more in the long run. Do not be afraid to ask the hardware guy at the store for recommendations. They sure know their tools.
Build your home tool kit
Screwdriver
A screwdriver is a hand or machine tool that is used for insertion or removal of a screw with its head. It has a handle, a shaft and ends with a tip. The tip varies depending on the type of screw you are using. You only need to torque, or turn or twist with force, the handle to be able to loosen or tighten the screw.There are different kinds of screwdrivers, which can be identified by the tip. The tip is shaped specifically for different screw heads. And the two most basic screwdrivers you must own are Flat Head screwdriver and Phillips screwdriver.The flat head screwdriver is the most common type. The steel shaft is flattened, forming a wedge-shaped tip. It is used for a straight or slotted notch in the head of the screw. This type of screwdriver is the most used and most versatile tool as there are many materials that need flat edges to be removed or installed. It can also be a substitute tool for a lot of things like chisel, paint-chip remover, nail-puller, among other things.The Phillips screwdriver, on the other hand, is hard to miss because of its “X” type of tip. Unlike the flat head screwdriver that best fits in a one-slot head, the Phillips screwdriver would not slip out of an x-slotted screw. It is self-centering with its pointed-edged heads in the shape of a cross. The advantage of using a Phillips screw and cross-type screw is that once it reaches the maximum torque, the screwdriver naturally slips out of the head. This means that the screw is now securely tightened into its place.
Pliers
The pliers are a must-have multi-use tool that every home tool kit needs. And yes, most houses do have one in their arsenal. They are used for cutting, bending or straightening, gripping or holding metal materials, mostly wires. And perform everyday tasks like fixing bicycles, kitchen sinks, installing rods and wires. There are tons of pliers available but the most basic are slip-joint, water-pump, lineman and locking.The slip-joint pliers are good for gripping and bending materials. They are great for handling. The mouth of the pliers have two levels of teeth: flat and serrated. The flat is near the jaw, which is usually used for gripping small objects. While the serrated is farther from the mouth and is used for gripping bigger objects.The water-pump pliers, as the name suggests, are good for gripping pipes. But the water-pump pliers are not merely for plumbing jobs and not the only tool for plumbing. These pliers can also be used for turning nuts, bolts and a variety of industrial work pieces.The lineman’s pliers got its name from the job that transpired in the invention of the telegraph. The linesmen’s jobs were so dangerous that a third of their population died because of electrocution. Hence, the birth of the lineman's pliers. The design lowers the risks of being electrocuted, while being able to perform the job of cutting, gripping, straightening and twisting wires, cable and small metal components.The locking pliers are basically handheld clamps. Also referred to as vise-grips, these pliers are best used for holding materials in place. When using other tools, you might exert too much effort or strain on your grip. This is when you would reach for locking pliers as it does the job well. Think of it as an extra hand when doing a repair or a project.
Flashlight
You would probably think that why bother buying a flashlight if your cell phones have built-in features? Well, the answer is simple: in emergency situations such as power outages, better conserve your phone’s battery for emergency calls.There are tons of flashlights to choose from that are available in the market. Aside from your budget, you should also consider the following: light output, battery life, durability, impact and water resistance.Light output is measured in lumens or the intensity of brightness of the light that comes out of the flashlight. The more lumens, the higher the light beams will be and farther the distance the light will travel.Also take into consideration what type of battery the flashlight uses, whether it is non-rechargeable or rechargeable. Non-rechargeable batteries may seem cheaper at first, and also more convenient as most stores carry these, but it is suggested to opt for the rechargeable ones as they hold longer battery life and can save you more in the long run. Batteries are considered hazardous wastes or non-recyclables and would contribute to waste more, so instead of buying tons of non-rechargeable batteries, buy the ones that you can use often and longer.You want your flashlight to stand the test of time and survive in unfavorable conditions. A flashlight’s durability is often overlooked, but is actually a very important component when purchasing one. Does it still work after being dropped at a certain height? Will water splashes affect its functions? Accidents can happen anytime, and it is best to invest in a tool that can withstand tough conditions.
Sum up
Now that you have finally bought your first three types of tools for your home tool kit, you can start exploring and adding more in your toolbox. As you work on more projects, you will get to see firsthand which tools you still lack that will definitely make your life easier. And oh, don’t forget to secure your tools in a safe place but easy to locate.
