Hey folks... mainly guys... got a post here that I think will be pretty helpful for anyone wanting to do some DIY stuff around the house, apartment, yard, or car. I got to thinking if I'm going to be posting things on how to do whatever-improvement projects yourself you might need a few tools.
Luckily my Dad and Grandad were always including me in projects and teaching me how to use tools. Once I started hitting high school and driving my own vehicle I decided to ask for tools around Christmas and birthday time. A few years later I have a pretty good collection of tools for a guy my age. However, when I moved into an apartment this fall I realized that it wasn't going to be practical to bring my entire toolbox. I simply wouldn't have anywhere to put it. So, I filled up my little box with the tools I figured would be most practical (and as it turns out I used these tools on probably 95% of all DIY projects) and brought that with me.
As I get more in-depth and focused on specific projects, I find myself needed more specific/specialty tools. There are 10 tools though that I draw from in almost each and every project I've ever done. So, in turn, I've compiled a list of tools that I believe every man who calls himself a man should have. Many will argue others need to be on the list, or that I've put something on here that isn't necessary but hey... these are just the tools I've used the most and have been most beneficial to me.
Starting off...
1. Tape Measure
In my opinion, the single most important thing a man can have. If I ever hear a guy say "Oh, I'll just eyeball it"... so help me God I will smack him right in the face. One thing I've learned the hard way is that if you don't measure something, and re-measure it.
It. Will. Not. Fit.
You don't need anything fancy. They make all sorts of different lengths and sizes and brands but I'll give it to you straight. Get the cheapest one you can while still being able to distinguish the 1/8" and 1/16" marks. If you don't know what I'm talking about....
2. Flat Head and Philips Screwdriver
These two tools could arguably and probably beat out my first recommendation for most commonly used tools in the toolbox. Whether you're opening something, hanging something, working on cars, or in the kitchen I almost guarantee that you'll need one of these guys. Always keep these around. I truly recommend having a set in your car, home/dorm, and wherever you work. These things work not only as screwdrivers but as small pry-bars, paint jar openers, you name it.
3. Hammer
Basic tool? Yes. Easier to use? More often than not, when working on a project, at some point you'll need a hammer. Whether it be used to actually contribute to the project or act as a stress-reliever or "attitude adjustment device" I would always recommend having one handy. The come in all shapes and sizes each one each one touting claims of better grip or better structure. If you're a professional carpenter or a contractor that may matter. But to you and I, any Ace Hardware or other locally owned hammer will do the trick.
4. Needle-Nose Pliers
Honestly, there isn't much to be said about this particular tool other than the fact that you need one. They always come in handy, more often than not as a retriever than an actual tool. By that I mean you drop something in a place where your hand doesn't quite fit... but your needle-nose does! They're also pretty handy working with bailing wire or even electrical wiring (as long as the grips are wrapped in rubber!).
5./6. Wrench Set/Socket Set
If you have a car, truck, motorcycle, vacuum cleaner, or anything more sophisticated than a cardboard box... then at one point or another you're going to need one of these wrenches. They're designed for nuts and bolts and a lot of things in between. The set I have run between 1/4" through 5/8". This is pretty standard once again, this will be more than enough to suffice for anything you'll be needing outside some pretty extensive automotive work. A socket set is more or less is the same thing as a wrench set with a few advantages and a few disadvantages. The advantage is you can use them to tighten and loosen a bolt much quicker than you could with a wrench due to it's ratcheting ability. The distinct disadvantage to a socket wrench is the fact that it has an incredibly limited facility in the sense that it's super hard to use as anything other than a socket. A wrench on the other hand is easily converted to a make-shift hammer or pry-bar or any other creative device you may need. While handy around the house this is definitely a group of tools that I use on automobiles more than anything else. You would be incredibly surprised at how much money you could save by having a set of tools to loosen a few bolts and replace a part.*
*A little known (or at least realized fact) is that more often than not that's all you're paying an automotive technician to do. This is less so now I'll admit simply because automakers are designing dealer-specific parts which means only dealers have the unique tools needed to loosen/tighten certain things. But for those of you with older cars and/or a willingness to at least try it, you might as well save the money you'd be paying in "labor" (ie. tightening/loosening) since you're already paying for parts!
7. Channel Locks
8. Electric Drill
More often than not, an electric drill is a tool of ease rather than of necessity. In my experience I use my drill as an electric screwdriver in order to save time and energy. Is this strictly necessary? Arguably, no. But let's get real here. If you're spending all day building shelves for your closet or pantry you do not want to be putting in those screws by hand again and again. Frankly you can't even afford the time it would take! In addition, you'd need to pre-drill those holes for the screws or else you're going to split your shelving materials.
That is where the electric drill becomes a necessity. You can't exactly hand-bore these tiny pre-drill holes today. I could keep talking but it would be rather pointless.. The simple fact is, you should get one of these. Don't kid yourself and go out to the Home Depot and buy the latest model with an 18V lithium ion battery etc., etc. The one I have pictured is an old one Reina's dad gave me. I have to recharge the battery every hour or so but hey.. it was free and it works for almost everything I need it too.
9. Hex Wrench Set
If I had been writing this particular bit 5-10 years ago I wouldn't have put this particular tool on this list. However, recently I'm beginning to see hex bolts more and more frequently. Foreign cars definitely have them and surprisingly I've seen them in a lot of household items with "some assembly required". So, despite only an emerging presence in the modern DIY sphere I'm including it in the must-have list. I think than in the next five years or so we'll be seeing things requiring a hex wrench more and more. Regardless, it's a handy thing to have around. And on a side-note; to make it easier on yourself go to your local hardware store and pick up one of these all-in-one numbers like the one pictured. Otherwise you'll always be loosing track of them - especially when you need one in particular.
10. Multi-tool/Leatherman
If you're a man, and you don't already have one of these... you can't call yourself a man. You should also immediately get up from you computer and get one from your local hardware store. You're still here.... Oh, you've already got one? Good for you man. There really isn't much to say other than the fact that is hands down one of the most useful and practical tools a man could ever own. Pocket-knife. Pliers. Screw-driver. Can-opener. File. Ruler. The list goes on and on and varies depending on which exact model you get but it doesn't matter because whichever one you get: You'll use it. So get one.
- -
So there you have it fella's (and ladies). My personal list of 10 tools every man who's a man should own. If you have any that you would take away or add please comment about it with a little explanation of why! Enjoy and remember that DIY season is only a few more days of cold away! Below is a list of upcoming DIY projects I'll be blogging on this spring.
- Indoor herb garden
- Cheap and easy flower gardens
- Home oil, oil-filter, and air-filter change
- Storage shelving
If you have a car, truck, motorcycle, vacuum cleaner, or anything more sophisticated than a cardboard box... then at one point or another you're going to need one of these wrenches. They're designed for nuts and bolts and a lot of things in between. The set I have run between 1/4" through 5/8". This is pretty standard once again, this will be more than enough to suffice for anything you'll be needing outside some pretty extensive automotive work. A socket set is more or less is the same thing as a wrench set with a few advantages and a few disadvantages. The advantage is you can use them to tighten and loosen a bolt much quicker than you could with a wrench due to it's ratcheting ability. The distinct disadvantage to a socket wrench is the fact that it has an incredibly limited facility in the sense that it's super hard to use as anything other than a socket. A wrench on the other hand is easily converted to a make-shift hammer or pry-bar or any other creative device you may need. While handy around the house this is definitely a group of tools that I use on automobiles more than anything else. You would be incredibly surprised at how much money you could save by having a set of tools to loosen a few bolts and replace a part.*
No comments:
Post a Comment