Thursday 18/06/15
In last week’s blog I said one of the things everyone should have in their home is a basic toolkit. Among the feedback I received, someone asked me what should go into a basic toolkit, which is an excellent question. A toolkit can be as big as you want or need it to be, depending on your experience and abilities. Toolkits are a contentious issue for some people. They are expensive to purchase, especially if you aren’t a tradesperson or someone who enjoys doing DIY projects. If you don’t fit into either of those categories, you might believe a toolkit to be nothing more than an expensive dust collector. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Hand tools are like anything else in life; you get what you pay for. If you purchase the cheapest tools in the shop, I guarantee you they will fail at a critical moment (especially if outside in a storm). Not only is this inconvenient, you then have the added expense of replacing the broken tool. As a teenager I found this out the hard way with a flat tyre and a cheap wheel brace (which I broke undoing the nuts – and smashed my knuckles into the ground). I reinforced that lesson a little later with a cheap pair of multigrips (which were never able to grip anything).
While cheap tools are basically useless, you don’t need the most expensive tools in the shop either. Obviously, a $30 hammer should be better quality than a $5 hammer, but a $200 hammer is a waste of money. Basically, if you buy the right tools, you should get many years (if not a lifetime) of use.
The only way to guarantee value for money is to purchase tools made by reputable brands. I advise you to exercise caution if you see a “budget range” offered by those companies. Do your research, as in some cases the tools are made in a different factory and the quality of those tools is poor.
You can purchase a basic, premade toolkit for around $150 - $200, but it will be a one-size-fits-all solution (and possibly of a lesser quality than you would expect). I advise you to build your own toolkit, piece by piece. This allows you to own individual tools that suit your requirements. It might cost a little more, but you’ll avoid the disappointment of owning tools you’re not quite happy with.
Basic Toolkit
- Claw hammer. You need one with a head that is heavy enough to pound nails into wood, but not so heavy you can’t wield it properly. Hold a few different hammers to see which one sits properly in your hand. What suits your friend won’t necessarily suit you. The best handle is the one that suits you. Wood, fibreglass and solid metal handles are good; but I’m not a fan of tubular handles.
- Flathead screwdriver. If you have at least three different sizes in your toolkit, you’ll be able to handle most tasks.
- Phillips head screwdrivers. Again, you’ll need at least three different sizes in your toolkit.
- Adjustable wrench.
- A set of combination wrenches (the ones that have a ring at one end and a C-shape at the other end).
- Socket wrench set (these do the same job as combination wrenches, but are easier to use for some tasks).
- Bull nose pliers (the ones with the with the broad, flat tip)
- Needle nose pliers.
- Utility knife.
- Tape measure.
- Wrecking bar/pry bar: 15-24 inch (one of my favourite tools).
- Set of Hex Keys (Allen wrenches).
- A bag of galvanised nails.
- A bag of self-tapping screws.
- Roll of duct tape.
- A sturdy toolbox to keep your tools in.
You’ll notice this toolkit doesn’t include a saw, chisels or files. Nor does it include any power tools. Those are extra tools you can invest in at a later date, as you need them. The above kit contains the bare basics that will help you fix most of the mundane day-to-day problems that can happen around the house.