DIY from a woman’s point of view

Tools for the Job

Using a blunt knife as a screwdriver; the heel of your shoe to hammer in a picture hook?

Using the correct tool for the job is safer and will give you better results; a basic toolkit needn’t cost a fortune.

On this page we’ll take a look at the tools you’ll need to get you started and at those that you will use for more advanced projects.

So what should your basic toolkit comprise of? I have argued long and hard about this, because, of course, every task that you undertake uses different tools.  I wanted to recommend just a few tools to start off with, the kind of thing that you find a use for, if not daily, then at least on a weekly or monthly basis. But no, my opponents argued, if you do that then you are going to be recommending that people buy things that they are never going to use, or you will miss something out.

Well of course that is perfectly true!

So I decided to suggest a few tools that I find very useful on a regular basis, and what I use them for, then it’s up to you to use your common sense to decide which ones you are most likely to use.  As you become more confident and move onto tackling more complex tasks you can add the extra tools that you need as you go along.  For every project or task that I guide you through, I will attach a list of the tools that you are likely to need to complete it properly and safely.

Toolbox

The one thing that we all agreed upon, though, is that the first thing that you need is a toolbox. You do need a toolbox - many tools have sharp edges or points and for this reason alone should not be kept in a kitchen drawer or in a shoe box or carrier bag in the cupboard under the stairs.

The most common type of toolbox is made of sturdy plastic and has a handle and a fastening lid.  Many have small compartments in the top; these are useful for storing small items, which would otherwise fall to the bottom of the box and be hard to find.

There are many sizes available on the market; steer clear of anything too small or too large.  Your toolbox will be useless if it’s too small to store your tools in or so large that it’s impossible to lift when it’s full. Look for a well built handle and a sturdy latching mechanism; the handle of a toolbox is generally attached to the lid, and the last thing you want is for the box to fall open when you’re carrying it to wherever you are working.

DON’T keep your toolbox in a place that you find difficult to access; you should be able to get to it easily when you need it.

DO get into the habit of taking your toolbox, rather than individual tools, to the job that you are working on.  This will ensure that you have everything you need with you and help you to remember to put whatever tools you have been using back in the box when you have finished with them, so that they can be found the next time you need them.  Make life easy for yourself!

Basic Tools for you to consider:

A pencil is a must in your toolbox. No matter how many you have around the house you can guarantee there won’t be a single one to be found just when you want one.  Used for marking materials to show cutting lines or drilling points, for noting measurements and making calculations and for scratching your nose when your hands are covered in something that you don’t want to transfer to other parts of your body.

A tape measure is another item that really should be in your toolbox. A metal one is best as it won’t stretch and become inaccurate over time.

A craft knife (with spare blades) is another basic item that has many uses.  For a start it can be used to sharpen your pencil. It will also come in handy for opening packages, trimming carpet or other floor coverings and a whole host of other common tasks.

Screwdrivers come in a whole host of shapes and sizes.  The three common ones are; flathead, crosshead and phillips.  Obviously the type you need will depend on the type of screw that you are using.  I have a socket screwdriver in my toolbox which I find invaluable. Basically this is a screwdriver handle with a socket at the end into which can be fitted the head that you require for the job in hand.  The heads, if they become damaged, can be bought separately.  I also have a small set of watchmakers’ screwdrivers which includes flatheads and crossheads and is useful for the really small screws that you find inside plugs and on the battery compartments of many toys.  More about screwdrivers and screws in a later section.

Hammers, similarly, are available in a bewildering array of types; ball pane, flat pane, claw pane, lump and sledge are all different varieties of hammer which I shall give more information about in a later section.  In my general toolbox I keep a small pin hammer which I use for hanging pictures and any other light jobs around the house which require the use of a hammer but not a great deal of brute force.