Sharon Bowers - Shop Class for Everyone: Practical Life Skills in 83 Projects: Plumbing · Wood Metalwork · Electrical · Mechanical · Domestic Repair

O ne Sundays to-do list might include anything from fixing a leak, to painting a shelf, to banging down stray deck boards, to putting a new blade on the lawn mower, to hanging a picture. How can you predict what youll need next Sunday? You cant, which is why your home tool kit needs to be flexible, completeand organized! A trip to the hardware store for a screw or tool that you know is hiding somewhere in the garage can turn a two-minute fix into a two-hour job. Having the right tool on hand can also be the difference between an easy DIY job and a costly call to the handyman. Spending $200 on tools now can save you many times that amount later.

Hammer. You cant go wrong with a lightweight framing hammersuch as a 20-ounce, smooth-faced model with a straight claw.

Screwdrivers. A medium and a large Phillips ( + ) and flathead ( ) are great places to start.

Tape measure. A 1-inch-wide, 25-foot-long tape measure is indispensable. Make sure its high enough quality to assure a working lock and well-made retrieval spring.

Pry bar. A short cats paw pry bar will do just fine to pull nails and lift floorboards.

Locking pliers. Why burn your own grip strength to hold pliers closed? Instead, a pair of versatile, locking Vise-Grips are essential for keeping most things pinched around the house. Consider a pair of Irwin 10-inch curve pliers.

Needle-nose pliers. These are meant for electrical workto bend and cut wiresbut youll use them for everything from pinching tiny screws to pulling large splinters.

Slip-joint pliers. The most common pliers are two-position, slip-joint pliers that allow you to close tight in one position and grip large objects in the other. Plastic-coated or otherwise, padded handles are a plus.

Wire cutter/stripper. Go with a multi-sized wire cutter/stripper, which youll use when rewiring lamps and hanging light fixtures.

Voltage detector. Youll need a voltage detector to help locate the source of the trouble in light fixtures, circuit breakers, wires, and cables.

Cordless drill. Look for a variable speed, reversible, twist-lock model with a good set of bits. In addition to a kit of standard bits in a range of sizes, you might want a couple of spade bits, a masonry bit, a hole cutter, and bits used for driving screws (Phillips and flathead).

Chisel. Get a wood chisel, and try to keep it for shaving wood off a loose door jamb instead of opening paint cans.

Saw. A straight handsaw will cut boards quickly and even trim the odd tree branch in a pinch.

Level. You can get a pen-sized laser level for about the same price as a four-foot bubble level, and you will find pros who swear by each. Pick one or the other.

Stud finder. Yes, you can knock on the wall until the hollow sound goes solid, but while you hone your 2 4 divination skills, get a stud finder.

Utility knife. A retractable-blade utility knife will do everything from cutting carpet to opening boxes.

Carpenters square. Carpenters use an L-shaped or triangular steel or aluminum square when building with 2 4s. Youll want one around to double-check the angles of the broken picture frame you tacked back together.

Staple gun. A well-made, hand-powered staple gun is essential for hanging holiday lights and tacking upholstered furniture. Make sure the gun you buy accepts staples up to " and ask a salesperson if you can give the staple gun a few test squeezes before buying. Buy a range of staples" and " are the most useful.