Must-Have Tools for the Beginner Home DIY’er

Guest Blogger #694, Entry #1636, September 24, 2012

With tightened budgets a lot of us are being forced to learn to do some home repairs on our own.  Do-it-yourself or DIY projects can actually be fun if we have the right tools and knowledge! But you can’t get the job done right unless you have certain tools on hand, so here is a list of some basic items that every DIY person should add to their supply closet or garage.

Ensure you are ready for your weekend gardening and DIY projects

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Ladder:

It doesn’t need to be big, but you will need at least a step-ladder on hand as most projects call for one at some point in time.  Shop around for a sturdy, preferably locking, step ladder that has at least 3 to 4 steps. If you would like to have a longer ladder on hand but have little storage, then look for a ladder that collapses down into a smaller one for storage purposes. There are a lot of ladders on the market, so shop around for the one that meets your needs. See Globe Ladders Ltd for a selection that will fit your job and budget.

Screwdriver:

A screwdriver is a must have for everyone. The good news is that you really only need to buy one. Buying a multi-head screwdriver (the kind that contains multiple heads inside the cavity of the handle) will meet all your needs in one easy tool!

Ratchet set:

There are some pretty fancy ratchet sets on the market, but you will just need a basic set; one that comes with 19 to 40 pieces – anything over that will get too expensive.

Hammer:

You must have one good solid hammer for all those pictures that you will want to put up or popped nails that you will want to fix.

Picture hanging kit:

Most hardware stores have a complete kit for hanging pictures. Look for a kit that has plenty of different hooks that can carry between 10 to 40 pounds of weight, and get one that has extra wire for hanging.

Simple tools for DIY jobs and crafting are good to have on hand

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Level:

If you are going to be hanging pictures, putting up shelves, or installing pretty well anything on your walls, you will need a level in order to get the job done right the first time (and avoid all those extra holes in your wall). There are quite a few levels on the market; you can buy a rather large, long one, or really small ones that are the length of your pinky finger, or there are even laser light levels that send a level beam of light across the wall. Have fun – the choice is yours!

Whatever your project for this weekend, stock up on the right tools first to avoid endless trips to the hardware store midway through the project.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.