Basic home toolkit: 15 tools worth owning first and what each one is for
TUREFF• •0
You do not need a garage full of equipment to handle most jobs around a home. A small, sensible set of hand tools covers hanging pictures, assembling flat-pack furniture, tightening loose fittings and most small repairs. Buy decent quality for the tools you use most, and borrow the rest.
The 15 tools worth owning first
- Claw hammer: driving and pulling nails. A medium weight is easiest to control.
- Screwdriver set: flat and cross-head (Phillips and Pozidriv look similar but are different; a mixed set covers both). A handle with interchangeable bits saves space.
- Tape measure: a 5m tape with a lock covers almost every job in a home.
- Spirit level: for shelves and pictures. A short one fits in a drawer; a longer one is better for shelves.
- Utility knife: with retractable, replaceable blades. Use it for opening boxes, cutting carpet, trimming and scoring.
- Combination pliers: gripping, bending and cutting wire.
- Adjustable spanner (wrench): one tool for many nut and bolt sizes, including tap and radiator fittings.
- Allen keys (hex keys): flat-pack furniture uses them constantly. A folding set does not get lost.
- Cordless drill/driver: the one power tool most people use. It drills holes and drives screws far faster than by hand. Get two batteries if you can.
- Drill bit set: wood, masonry and metal bits are different; a mixed set is the practical start.
- Stud and cable detector: tells you where studs, pipes and live cables are before you drill.
- Handsaw: a general-purpose saw for cutting timber to length.
- Pencil and a small square: marking straight lines and right angles accurately saves mistakes.
- Filling knife: for filler in holes and cracks, and scraping paint.
- Wall plugs and a box of assorted screws: the hardware you will reach for every time you put something on a wall.
Safety gear
- Safety glasses: whenever you drill, saw, chisel or hammer above head height.
- Dust masks: for sanding, drilling plaster and anything dusty.
- Work gloves: for rough materials, though take them off when using drills, which can catch fabric.
- Ear protection: for loud power tools and long jobs.
Always switch off the electricity at the consumer unit (fuse box) before touching any electrical fitting, and detect for cables and pipes before drilling into walls.
Storage
- A small toolbox or a tool bag keeps the essentials in one place, so they are ready when something breaks.
- Clear boxes with compartments are ideal for screws, wall plugs and small fixings.
- Keep blades retracted and sharp tools in a case, especially with children in the house.
- Store batteries indoors at room temperature, not in a cold shed.
What to borrow or hire instead
Many tools are used once or twice a year. Rather than buying, consider borrowing from friends, a library of things or a hire shop for:
- Hammer drills and SDS drills for heavy masonry work
- Tile cutters and wet saws
- Floor sanders and wallpaper steamers
- Ladders taller than a step stool, if you rarely need the height
- Mitre saws and circular saws for a one-off project
Buying tips
- Buy the tools you need for the next job, rather than a giant kit full of things you will never use.
- Spend more on the tools you hold most often: screwdrivers, a drill and a tape measure.
- If you choose a cordless drill, staying with one battery system makes later tools cheaper.
- Look after your tools: wipe them, keep them dry and replace blunt blades.
Which tool did you find you could not live without? Share your list or ask for advice in the comments.