What are the handiest tools for your toolbox

When you’re starting a new project, or need to make a quick
repair, the first thing you’ll do is grab the toolbox.

But making sure the right tools are in it will make doing
your job a lot easier.

In this article, we discuss the handiest tools to have in your
toolbox, for home repairs and professionals.

Handy Tools for Home Repairs and Maintenance

Pliers

Gripping or bending things is far easier with a set of
pliers.

They multiply your hand force to provide you exceptional
grip strength without much effort.

We recommend choosing “parallel-action” pliers, as the jaws
close in parallel, which provide much better grip than scissor-type pliers
(learn more about
parallel pliers here).

Hammer

A toolbox essential, the hammer is used to hammer in nails,
chisels, and general maintenance work.

The claw hammer is the most common and useful, with the
“claw” referring to the non-striking end, used to extract nails.

Side Cutters

Side cutters are ideal for DIY cutting tasks, provide
exceptional cutting power with little effort.

They offer really high leverage, allowing you to cut through
really hard wire.

Look for HRC 64 induction hardened cutting edges (like these cutters from
Maun), to ensure the cutting blades last for many years of use.

Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead)

For stubborn screws, you will need a screwdriver in one size
or another. Phillips-head screwdrivers are great for loosening and tightening screws
quickly.

Flathead screwdrivers are for heavier-duty work when more
torque is required to turn the screw.

Adjustable Wrench

Wrenches are essential for working with nuts, bolts,
plumbing connection points and auto parts. The adjustable crescent wrench is
the first choice for many DIY tasks as it can be adjusted from end to end to
fit almost anything from nuts and bolts to spark plugs.

Other wrenches may include spanner wrenches for specialty
jobs like installing taps or bathrooms fixtures, pipe wrenches for plumbing
projects, hexagonal Allen keys for furniture assembly and Allen wrenches for
automotive use.

Straight Edge

A straight edge provides a solid edge where you can mark and
cut straight lines across various materials, offering a safer alternative to a
plastic ruler.

Choose a precision
engineered straight edge for a more accurate cut.

Tape Measure

Tape measures are essential for accurately measuring
materials, where an incorrect measurement could lead to expensive mistakes.

Look for a tape measure that is marked in both standard and
metric units, and find one with a locking mechanism as an extra bonus.

Cordless Drill

A cordless drill
helps to screw and unscrew screws more quickly than a screwdriver, working on
rechargeable batteries to remove the need for a plug-in cord.

They’re ideal for a
range of jobs, including assembling furniture, drilling floorboards and fixing
a garden gate.

Clamps

Clamps are also incredibly important when working on any
type of woodworking project or any job that involves gluing two items together.

Specifically, wood clamping is necessary for cabinet
building to hold components together until glue dries properly. They come in
multiple sizes, shapes and strengths, so make sure you have the correct ones
before starting the task at hand.

The strongest toolmakers clamps you can get are these from Maun, which pack a
punch despite their small size.

Level

This time-saving tool helps achieve level measurements
quickly and precisely, ideal for hanging shelves or building walls.

Handy Tools for Professional Trades

Multi-tool (for electricians and
plumbers)

A multi-tool is a
power tool that oscillates quickly with a variety of possible attachments,
helping you conduct a wide range of tasks.

It can be used to
saw, sand, cut and polish.

Impact Driver

An impact driver is
a power tool that uses high torque to drive screws and bolts. It delivers
rotational and concussive force, making it easier to install fasteners in hard
materials like wood, metal or masonry.

Circular Saw

A circular saw is a power tool that uses a rotating blade to
make straight cuts in wood, metal or other materials. It is one of the most
common and versatile power tools in a woodworker’s arsenal.

Utility Knife

A good utility blade is the perfect tool for precision
cutting, scoring and trimming of woods, metals, plastics and other materials,
making it a crucial tool in any home or workshop.

Whether you simply need to cut open boxes or want to create
intricate wood carvings, a quality utility blade will be your go-to tool.

Olive Cutter (plumbers)

Olive cutters offer
an easy way to remove old olives from pipework, without damaging the pipe that
remains in place.

Olive pullers
damage the pipe, so are not a good option.

These olive cutters have a plier version, which makes them easy
to use with one hand.

Extension Cord

An extension lead is a cable with multiple outlets that
extends the reach of an electrical device from a wall socket. They’re ideal
when doing a job in a hard to reach area, ensuring your corded power tools can
still be used.

Protective Gear

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to reduce
exposure to a variety of hazards when performing maintenance tasks. This
includes items like safety glasses, gloves, earplugs, hard hats, dust masks and
work boots.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our post on the handiest tools for your
toolbox.

Browse our related posts below, or contact us with any
questions:

• Best
  Tool Kits
• Best
  DIY Tools
• DIY
  Tips
• Types
  of Pliers
• Best Pliers Sets