When it comes to repairing your house, it’s important to have the necessary tools and materials on hand to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Understanding the basics of home-repair tools can be extremely helpful in the long run.
If you’re looking to build a basic toolbox, there are a few common repair tools you should include. These might include a hammer (either 14 or 16 ounces), standard and Phillips screwdrivers, pliers, an adjustable wrench, a basin wrench, a 2-inch paintbrush, a handsaw or power saw, a hand drill or power drill, assorted fasteners, and glues and adhesives for wood and plastic.
But what other tools will you need? In this article, we’ll explore a variety of tools for measuring, cutting, drilling, nailing, tightening and loosening, holding, clamping, testing, painting, and more. We’ll also take a look at which tools are essential and how to use them safely.
One important thing to keep in mind when buying tools is to invest in good quality. High-quality tools are not only safer to use, but they are also more durable and can last a lifetime with proper care. You can usually tell a quality tool by its machining: the metal parts are smooth and shiny, and the tool fits comfortably in your hand. Cheaper tools, on the other hand, often have rough or defective metal parts and crude machining, which can be dangerous to use.
While high-quality tools may cost more initially, they are worth the investment in the long run. Cheap tools are often poorly made and can break easily, which can lead to accidents. In addition, high-quality tools will save you money in the long run, as you won’t have to replace them as often.
Some essential tools for home repair include measuring tools, saws, drills, fastener tools, and tools for electrical and plumbing repairs. Let’s take a closer look at each of these categories.
Measuring Tools
Accurate measurements are important for just about every home-improvement project. Whether you’re measuring distance or ensuring everything is plumb, level, and square, having the right measuring tools is essential. Some basic devices for measuring and marking include a flexible tape measure (at least 5/8-inch wide), a ruler, a combination square, and a framing square.
Check out our Power and Work Tools Image Gallery for more pictures of common measuring tools.
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Carpenters use different tools to ensure that their work is accurate and precise. One of the most important tools is the square, which helps in cutting straight edges on plywood and hardboard. The standard size for a carpenter’s square is 18 to 24 inches for the body and 12 or 18 inches for the tongue. However, for small jobs, a combination square is easier to use as it is smaller, typically only 12 inches long. The body of this square slides along the blade and can be set at any point with a thumbscrew. It can also be used for leveling and marking work, as well as a depth gauge, miter square, and a straightedge and ruler when the blade is removed.
Another type of square is the try square, which looks like a small carpenter’s square with a wood or plastic handle. The measurements go across the metal blade, not the handle. This square is used to test the squareness of edges in planing and sawing work and can also be used to check right-angle layouts. Its tongue has a maximum length of 12 inches and can be used as a straightedge, ruler, and depth gauge.
Levels are also important tools for carpenters, and two- and three-bubble levels are standard for most leveling needs. Levels can determine both horizontal and vertical levels when laid flat against a vertical surface, which is often needed when hanging pictures. They are made of either wood or lightweight metal, such as aluminum, and their lengths range up to 6 feet, with 30 inches being the most popular size. The edges of a level can also be used as a straightedge.
A chalk line is another tool used for marking a straight line over long distances, such as for replacing wallpaper or flooring tiles. A stud finder comes in handy when finding the studs behind walls to hang a heavy item, for example.
When it comes to cutting, carpenters use various handsaws to match the needs of different cutting jobs. The crosscut saw, for instance, cuts across the grain of wood and has five to ten or more teeth per inch to produce a smooth cut in the wood. It is used for cutting plywood and hardboard panels and for cutting miters (angles).
“Ripsaw” is a type of saw that can cut wood along the grain, which is also called “ripping”. Its teeth are spaced three to five teeth per inch, making it capable of slicing through wood like a chisel. However, the final cut of a ripsaw is rough, and the wood usually requires sanding to achieve its final measurement. On the other hand, a backsaw has a reinforced back to stiffen the blade and closely spaced teeth like those of a crosscut saw, resulting in a smooth cut. It is used for making angle cuts and trimming molding and is designed for use in a miter box. A keyhole saw has a 10- to 12-inch tapered blade and is used to cut openings for pipes, electrical boxes, and almost any straight or curved internal cuts. Meanwhile, a coping saw has a thin blade secured with two pins at the ends and is used for ripsaw and crosscut tooth spacing. Lastly, a hacksaw is used to cut metal, plastic, and pipe.
For more complicated cutting tasks, power saws are used. These can be intimidating, and safety measures must be observed at all times. A circular saw is a portable electric tool that can be adjusted to cut miters and pockets in most building materials with several blade options available. A table is also available as an accessory to mount the circular saw to work as a table saw. A saber saw, also called a jigsaw, uses a 4-inch blade driven in an up-and-down or reciprocating motion. It can make smooth fine-line or contour cuts either with or across the grain and is the power counterpart to a keyhole and coping saw.
In terms of drills and fasteners, there are different types available in the market. Power drills have three sizes of chuck to hold drill bits in place: 1⁄4-inch, 3⁄8-inch, and 1⁄2-inch capacity. The 1⁄4-inch chuck has a limited range of drilling operations and is the least expensive type of electric drill. It can handle 1⁄4-inch drills in metal and 1⁄2-inch drills in wood, but should not be used for difficult jobs.
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Handheld and electric drills are crucial tools for home repairs.
A 3/8-inch drill can create holes of the same size in metal and holes up to 3/4 inches in wood. Moreover, this tool can be used with a hole saw to cut holes of up to 3 inches in diameter. Many 3/8-inch drills have a hammer mode that allows drilling in concrete, and a reversing feature that aids in removing screws. A variable-speed drill is another useful tool to own; the rotation can be started slowly and increased gradually. Various attachments and accessories such as wire brushes, paint mixers, and even a circular saw attachment are available.
Power drills are available in two types: corded and cordless. Cordless drills, which have an onboard battery and usually come with a recharger, are increasingly popular.
How to Choose the Right Drill BitThe drill bit you choose depends on the drill you’re using. The following table will assist you in selecting the appropriate drill bit.
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There are two main types of hand drills that are commonly used: the push drill and the hand brace. Push drills are best suited for making pilot holes and for setting hinges, while the hand brace is particularly useful when working in tight or restricted spaces due to its ratcheting mechanism.
Fastener tools are often the first tools selected for a handyman’s toolbox. These tools are used to apply fasteners such as nails, bolts, and adhesives. Examples of fastener tools include hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, and clamps.
Hammers are the most popular fastener tool and the carpenters’ curved-claw nail hammer, weighing 16 ounces for men and 14 ounces for women, is a good size. It is used for driving nails and other fasteners, with the claw at one end of the head used to pull nails out of wood. A flat-face hammer is best for beginners but it is more challenging to drive a nail flush to the work surface with this type of hammer. A rubber mallet is useful for un-sticking painted windows or for light hammering on surfaces that can be damaged. Other specialty hammers include ball-peen hammers for working with metal and mason’s hammers for brick and concrete projects.
Screwdrivers are also essential for a toolbox, with every toolbox requiring one set of high-quality screwdrivers that are only used for tightening and loosening screws. Different types of screwdrivers are available, based on the screw head each is designed to fit. These include standard head, Phillips head, and Torx head screwdrivers.
Wrenches are used to turn a bolt head or nut, with the appropriate wrench selection depending on the fastener’s design and size, as well as how difficult the fastener is to reach. Wrench types include open end, combination, adjustable, and Allen wrenches. It is recommended to pull the wrench towards you instead of pushing it away to reduce the chance of injury if the wrench slips. Box end wrenches are used where there is room to place the wrench mouth around the fastener, while open end wrenches are used in locations where box end wrenches cannot encompass the fastener. Combination wrenches have ends that perform specific tasks, with one end open and the other closed or one end offset and the other straight. Adjustable wrenches can be used on a variety of fastener sizes, but they are less stable than fixed-size wrenches and can easily injure you or damage the fastener.
When it comes to repairing or maintaining items around the home, it’s important to have the right tools on hand. Three types of tools that are particularly useful are wrenches, pliers, and clamps.
Wrenches come in a few different varieties, including adjustable, socket, and Allen. While adjustable wrenches can be handy when the correct size isn’t available, they can also cause damage to fasteners. Socket wrenches are a safer and easier option, as they fit over the fastener. Allen wrenches are used for fasteners with a hexagonal hole in the head and are available in L- or T-shape handles.
Pliers are like an extension of your fingers, only stronger. They’re used for grasping and holding parts, but should not be used as wrenches. Slip-joint, groove-joint, needle-nose, and locking pliers are all common types. Slip-joint pliers have two settings in the handle, groove-joint pliers are similar but use an elongated hole in the handle with grooves, needle-nose pliers have jaws that come to a point, and locking pliers can be adjusted and locked to hold a part in place.
Clamps are essential for some home-repair projects, like holding parts together while glue dries. Spring clamps are inexpensive and used for small jobs, while C-clamps come in a wide range of sizes.
type of wire, such as a light switch or an electrical outlet, is properly connected. When the test probe is touched to the wire and the alligator clip is attached to a ground connection, the tester will indicate whether the circuit is complete or not. This tool is especially useful when working on electrical circuits that are hidden or difficult to access.
Volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM): A VOM is a more advanced electrical testing tool. It can measure voltage, resistance, and current. It is used to diagnose more complex electrical problems and to troubleshoot electrical systems. It consists of a digital or analog meter, test leads, and a range of settings for measuring different electrical values.
Plumbing Tools
Plumbing systems are essential for the proper functioning of your home’s water supply and drainage systems. Common plumbing problems include leaking faucets, clogged drains, and broken pipes. To fix these problems, you’ll need a variety of plumbing tools, including:
Pipe wrench: A pipe wrench is a heavy-duty wrench used to tighten and loosen pipes and fittings. It has sharp teeth that grip the pipe or fitting and a long handle that provides leverage. Pipe wrenches come in different sizes for different types of pipes.
Plunger: A plunger is a tool used to clear clogged drains. It creates suction that dislodges blockages in the drain. There are two types of plungers: cup plungers and flange plungers. Cup plungers are used for sinks and tubs, while flange plungers are used for toilets.
Drain snake: A drain snake is a long, flexible tool that is used to reach deep into pipes to clear clogs. It has a coiled metal wire that can be turned manually to break up blockages in the pipe.
Conclusion
In this section, we’ve discussed some of the basic tools that electricians and plumbers use to diagnose and repair problems in electrical and plumbing systems. With the right tools and a little knowledge, you can tackle many common home repair problems on your own.
To identify the source of an issue with an electrical system, it is necessary to locate the specific component that is conducting electricity. A continuity tester and VOM, or multitester, are two tools that can be used to accomplish this task. The continuity tester and VOM are depicted in the image above.
but also can be turned to access hard-to-reach areas. This tool is useful for installing and removing faucet nuts and other plumbing connections.
A plunger is a must-have tool for any homeowner. It’s used to unclog drains and toilets by creating suction and pushing out blockages. There are different types of plungers available for different jobs, so make sure to choose the right one for the job.
Teflon tape, also known as plumber’s tape, is a thin white tape used to seal threaded plumbing connections. It’s wrapped around the threads of a connection before it’s screwed together to create a tight, leak-free seal. Teflon tape is available at hardware stores and plumbing-supply houses.
A closet auger, also known as a toilet auger, is a specialized tool used to unclog toilets. It has a long, flexible cable with a curved end that can be inserted into the toilet’s drain to break up blockages. Closet augers are available at hardware stores and plumbing-supply houses.
With these tools and a little know-how, you can tackle many common plumbing problems on your own. However, for more complex jobs, it’s best to call in a professional plumber.
The wrenches have the ability to flip over to the opposite side so that you can turn them without removing the wrench itself. A set of socket wrenches is useful for removing packing nuts from recessed areas, as well as for household repairs like fixing tub and shower fixtures. When changing a toilet seat, a wrench or deep socket wrench may be necessary, while a spud wrench may be needed to remove a toilet for replacement or repair. Plumbers’ snakes come in various lengths, with a closet auger being designed to clear clogs in toilets. When it comes to painting, selecting the right tools is just as important as selecting the right paint. Paintbrushes generally fall into two categories: natural bristle brushes and synthetic bristle brushes. Synthetic brushes are ideal for use with water-based latex paints, as natural bristle brushes can become limp when exposed to water.
of every painter’s toolkit.
Invest in high-quality paintbrushes, even if it means spending a little more money. Top-quality brushes make painting tasks quicker and more manageable, and they can be cleaned thoroughly to look like new for the next job. A good brush will last for many years of home maintenance. When buying brushes, look for those with long, tapered bristles, particularly on narrow brushes. The bristle length should be about one-and-a-half times as long as the width of the brush, except for wider brushes. Check the bristles for flags or split ends, which indicate better paint-spreading capabilities. Choose brushes with smooth, well-shaped handles of wood or plastic that fit comfortably in your hand.
There are different types of paintbrushes available in various sizes, including wall, trim, and sash brushes. Wall brushes are ideal for spreading paint over the most surface, while trim brushes are perfect for woodwork and for “cutting in” around windows, doors, and corners before painting walls with a roller. Sash brushes have an angled bristle end, making close work easier, especially when painting around windows. Disposable foam brushes are also available in smaller sizes used for interior or exterior trim painting.
For large, flat surface areas like walls and ceilings, paint rollers are a time-efficient solution. Use paint brushes for trim work and around windows and doors, then use rollers to fill in the big blank spaces. Rollers for painting flat areas come in varying widths, but the two most common sizes for interior jobs are 7 inches and 9 inches wide. Paint rollers intended for wall or ceiling painting have handles made of plastic or wood that may have been hollowed out and machined to accept an extension handle. Choose the metal-rib version for easier cleaning and less likelihood of sticking to the inside of the roller cover.
The toolkit for painting includes various types of roller covers, which should be chosen based on the type of paint being used. These covers are made of different materials like lamb’s wool, mohair, Dynel, acetate, or polyurethane foam and are labeled according to which paint they are best suited for. The nap or pile length also varies from 1/16 inch to 1 1/2 inches, and longer naps are better for rough surfaces while shorter ones are ideal for smooth surfaces. The roller covers come with a tube that slides over a plastic or cardboard frame, and the paint is absorbed from a tray and released when rolled over a flat surface. Paint trays come in 7-inch and 9-inch sizes and are made of aluminum or plastic. The 9-inch tray is more popular as it can be used with either a 7- or 9-inch roller. Some trays have hooks to attach them directly to a ladder, and to make cleaning easier, disposable plastic tray liners or aluminum foil can be used to line the tray. With these tools and some effort, you can give your home a new look.
FAQ
1. What are some essential tools for home repair?
There are several tools that are essential for home repair, such as a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, a wrench, a level, and a tape measure. These tools are useful for basic repairs around the house, such as hanging pictures, fixing loose screws, and tightening bolts.
2. What should I look for when buying a hammer?
When buying a hammer, it is important to consider the weight and size of the hammer. A heavier hammer is better for driving nails into hard surfaces, while a lighter hammer is better for smaller nails and delicate work. It is also important to choose a hammer with a comfortable grip that fits well in your hand.
3. What type of screwdriver should I use for different screws?
The type of screwdriver you should use depends on the type of screw you are working with. A Phillips-head screwdriver is used for screws with a cross-shaped indentation, while a flat-head screwdriver is used for screws with a single slot. It is important to choose the correct size screwdriver for the screw to prevent damage to the screw or the surrounding material.
4. How do I choose the right pliers for the job?
There are several types of pliers, each designed for a specific task. Needle-nose pliers are ideal for working in tight spaces or bending wire, while slip-joint pliers can be adjusted to grip objects of different sizes. It is important to choose the right type of pliers for the job to ensure the best results.
5. What is a level used for?
A level is used to ensure that a surface or object is level or plumb. It is useful for hanging pictures, installing shelves, and other tasks that require a straight and level surface. A level can be a simple bubble level or a more advanced laser level, depending on the task at hand.
6. Why is a tape measure important for home repair?
A tape measure is important for measuring distances, determining the size of materials needed, and ensuring that everything fits properly. It is useful for a variety of home repair tasks, such as measuring for new curtains, determining the size of a new piece of furniture, or measuring the dimensions of a room.
7. How do I properly care for my tools?
To properly care for your tools, it is important to keep them clean and dry, and to store them in a cool, dry place. You should also regularly check your tools for signs of wear or damage, and replace any worn or damaged tools as needed. Proper care and maintenance of your tools will help ensure that they last for many years.
8. What should I do if I am not comfortable with using certain tools?
If you are not comfortable using certain tools, it is important to seek help from a professional or experienced friend. Using tools incorrectly can result in damage to the tool, damage to the surrounding material, or even injury. It is better to seek help and ensure that the job is done safely and correctly.
Brody is a skilled craftsman and gardening expert. From renovating living spaces to cultivating lush gardens, Brody’s knowledge and passion shine through, inspiring readers to embark on their own home improvement and gardening journeys with confidence.
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