I have always loved tools.  I could spend the entire day at the hardware store.  I sometimes joke about packing a lunch and heading to the nearest home improvement store just to walk the aisles and check out all the new tools and gadgets.  And the smell of pine in the lumber aisle, in my opinion, is better than the smell of popcorn at an afternoon matinee.  As a teenage girl of 16, my friends were collecting  fashion magazines and learning how to give themselves manicures. I, on the other hand,  was reading how-to magazines and re-roofing my parents’ home.  Today, very little has changed. I still love tools, enjoy fixing things, and look for an excuse to make a trip to the hardware store. If anything has changed, it’s how much more I enjoy building things, and the size of my tool box.

Here are the tools everyone should own in a basic home tool box.  If you want to learn more about any of the tools, visit our Tools Library.

A 25’ retractable tape measure.  It has been my experience that there is always a room I want to measure with a dimension beyond 12 feet, and this is why I prefer a tape with a 25’ length.

 Adjustable Wrench   An adjustable wrench can be a substitute for a ratchet and socket set when you don’t own one. The moveable jaws are good for tightening and loosening most nuts and bolts.

Channel Locks Channel locks are the perfect tool for gripping oddly-shaped objects and larger nuts.

Circular Saw The workhorse of power saws.

Claw Hammer A claw hammer is the ideal tool for driving and pulling nails.  A 16 oz hammer is a manageable weight.  In addition to weight, other considerations should be a sound grip and a comfortable feel in the hand.

Cordless Drill with variable speed, a reverse and forward and quick charge capability.  There are advantages to both cordless and corded drills.  I have several corded drills, and there are many positives with owning one, such as longevity (they last longer than cordless).  Also they’re more powerful. But if you’re only going to have one, let it be cordless.  They’re convenient!

Eye Protection is a MUST!

Locking Pliers  A good pair of locking pliers has an abundance of uses.  The gripping action is like having a second pair of hands, and loosening a rounded, striped nut is no longer a challenge when you own a pair of locking pliers.

Needle Nose Pliers are a handy tool to have for working in tight spot.

Plunger  Have kids?  Enough said.  

Screwdrivers, Phillips and Flathead   Screwdrivers, regardless of whether they’re flathead or phillips, are the unsung hero in a tool box.  They’re that one tool, that if you don’t have one, it’s difficult to improvise.

Set of Allen wrenches  I have put together my fair share of RTA (ready to assemble) projects, and often, an allen wrench is all you need.  It’s for this reason, no tool box should go without one.

Speed Square A speed square’s compact size makes it easy to handle.  It squares up lumber quickly and helps in determining angles almost instantly.  It’s one of those tools that once you own one, you wonder what took you so long to purchase one.

Torpedo level  is the perfect compact level for home projects. Whether you need to level a dishwasher or a hang a picture, it’s the perfect device for determining true horizontal or vertical.   

Wire Strippers   This is a valuable tool when performing most electrical tasks.  They’re ideal for  projects where insulation needs to be stripped from wire. 

Utility Knife  Nothing cuts like a utility knife. Pocket knives have they’re place but if you’re looking for accuracy and ease of operation, a utility knife is hard to beat.

Let me just say this, I don’t believe in buying cheaply made tools.  They just don’t last, you use them a few times and they’re rubbish.   Do yourself a favor and invest in solidly made, well-known name brand tools with a sound reputation.  Build your tool box up over time, like I did.  You don’t have to purchase every tool all at once.   In addition, visit garage sales, and you might be surprised at the tools you may find.  Take your time, purchase quality items, and your tools will serve you for a life-time.

BY LEAH BOLDEN,  SEE JANE DRILL

Where Beginner Home Improvement Enthusiast Come to Learn