Tool Basics | |
An old adage in the building business states: "By the tools you will know the workman." For the pro, it's always smart to buy the best tools available. While quality tools are a definite plus for the homeowner, in some instances buying pro-quality tools may be overkill. For example, if you are not a dedicated do-it-yourselfer, you might buy a "good" electric drill for occasional and light duty, rather than paying the price for the "best" drill that is intended for daily or heavy-duty use by a pro. For hand tools, however, quality is essential, even for tools that will see only occasional use. The reason is that, in buying hand tools, cost savings between cheap and quality tools are small, at most. Buying a cheap hammer, for example, might save a couple of dollars. It also might mean buying a hammer whose head can chip, with possible injury to the user from flying steel. The blade of a cheap saw may bend and the teeth become dull if the blade is of inferior steel. Chisels must have sufficient steel quality so the blades will take and hold a sharp cutting edge. Give some thought to tools as you purchase them. Will the drill be used to build a house, or will it see occasional use for pre-drilling screw holes in plaster? Buying a Basic Tool Kit While a basic tool kit can come in handy, even for the apartment dweller, a tool kit is mandatory equipment for the homeowner. A basic kit might include a small carpenter's claw hammer, perhaps a 14-oz. finishing hammer. This will let you do minor projects such as installing drapery hardware, or putting new weatherstripping around a door. Buy a small pair of pliers with wire-cutting jaws. This plier can be used for small gripping jobs and for cutting picture wire. Also for gripping and tightening loose nuts, buy a 6-in. adjustable wrench. A boxed set of 1/4-in. drive sockets can also be useful for working on some furniture and appliances. A small file is useful for smoothing metal objects and for sharpening jobs. A wood rasp and a sanding block with a variety of sandpaper can be used for smoothing wood. Buy a variety of screwdrivers, and use them for driving and extracting screws. Do not use the screwdriver as a prybar for separating wood parts or for prying the lid off paint pails. You will damage the screwdriver and may damage the object you are working on, called a workpiece. Using the wrong size screwdriver can damage the screw head so it cannot be removed. Buy at least 3 sizes of both slot and Phillips tip screwdrivers, to handle any size screw. For any wood cutting chores buy a small handsaw. For all-around use choose a 10-or 12-point combination saw. For versatility in cutting, you can buy a saber saw with a variety of blades that will cut wood, ceramic tile, or metal. If you are putting together a very basic tool kit, consider the multi-use tools shown in camping or automotive catlogs. For example, tools are available in a plier configuration, but may have a wrench on the tip of one handle and a hammer on the tip of the other handle. One favorite tool is a Swiss army officer's knife, which has two knife blades, a screwdriver, a corkscrew, a scissors, a leather punch, a bottle opener, a can opener, and even a toothpick in one small pocket knife. The knife is used almost daily. Written by Gary Branson Reprinted wiht permission. Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |