Sometimes doing handyman work around the house is not just a matter of saving money. It can be a passion. Some people enjoy fixing things and doing the hard work. If you fit this description, there is one thing you should do: buy your own handy tools.
Just like beginner painter invests in their first paints and canvass, you should start building your toolbox, too. You might need a few toolboxes. Start with the most basic ones first, then move on to power tools. In no time, you’ll become an official DIY master.
Before you proceed, you must know that not every project or issue at home can be DIY-ed. If you have the experience, you can change your boiler or furnace on your own. However, for more complex jobs, you’ll need help from a heating company. They can take care of floor heating and ventilation issues, just like how an electrician should care for electricity problems. That said, a great DIY master knows the scope of their work and must have the following tools to help them finish their projects:
Basic DIY Toolbox
Your toolbox should contain the essential hand tools to deal with things that need some fixing. You can get a complete hand tool set from most hardware stores. The hand tools included are a hammer, scissors, pliers, screwdrivers, a wrench, a vise grip, files, and squares. You also need to get nails, screws, wire nuts, and other small parts.
If you have no budget to buy a whole toolbox, you can set aside a budget from time to time to buy them one by one.
Painting Supplies
Of course, most DIY projects need you to get creative with colors. You don’t need to buy all the painting supplies in one go. You already probably have a few tins of paint from previous DIY projects.
The most basic ones you need are various brushes, some tins of acrylic paint, and precision tools. Don’t forget to always keep a pencil or two in your toolbox.
Plumbing Tools
One typical emergency at home is a busted pipe or a clogged drain, so these tools are essential. Invest in good pipe cutters, gasket cutters, sink plungers, pipe tapping tools, and threading sets.
Cordless Drill
A portable drill is every DIY lover’s best friend. It’s practically mandatory to have at least one drill, cordless or not. With the cordless feature, you can take your work anywhere. A cordless drill set usually comes with a set of various drill bits for your different drilling needs.
Tape Measure
For some projects, a ruler is enough, but others will require you to use a tape measure. There are many types of tape measures with different features and what you can call add-ons. Get a tape measure that has measurements down to the fractions so you don’t burden yourself with math.
Saw
Many DIY projects are pure carpentry, so get this one tool that you can use for cutting woods. There are different kinds of saws such as jigsaw, hacksaw, circular saw, and more. You can invest in a regular mechanical saw. If you are not going to be dealing with a lot of serious woodwork, you should be okay with just that. Otherwise, invest in an electric saw.
Safety Tools and Equipment
Using tools like cutters, hammers, and saws can sometimes result in injuries. Make sure that you also protect yourself. Invest in a good pair of gloves, durable goggles, work boots, dust masks, and knee pads. Get a tool belt both for ease and safety.
Ladder
Get at least one sturdy ladder. You will surely use this in your future projects. Simply hanging decors would require a ladder. You will also need it for painting walls and cleaning gutters.
Storage or Organizer
Once you have a lot of tools in your arsenal, being disorganized will be your enemy. It’s easy to lose a pencil in a sea of more complex tools. It’s a pain to look for your screw box when you are in a rush. To avoid this, make sure you always organize your tools.
You must have a storage rack where you can arrange everything according to the frequency of use. The tools that you use most of the time should be easily accessible.
Aside from traditional racks and boxes, it can be helpful to use a pegboard. It’s easy to use because all you need to do is mount it on a wall and place your most-used tools. Just make sure to put your tools back to where you got them.
You can also get a multi-level storage box. This one is helpful, especially if you don’t have a workshop. It keeps all your essential tools in one place, which you can bring anywhere. Get one that has drawers for storing bolts, nuts, screws, and nails.
The list might be on the long side. You can check online marketplaces to look for secondhand tools you can buy so you can save some money. You don’t need brand-new tools or the latest ones. It’s all up to your skill to create DIY masterpieces, plus a few of the tools you need for each project.