-
The Home Toolbox Essentials
Tools are in abundance. I love tools. And I also realize that my passion and experience on home maintenance may be of help to you. In an earlier article I identified the first two tools every home owner needs. The first was a ladder. The second was a good wet-dry vacuum. The third is a simple tool box assembled with the essentials.
Here is what that essential tool box should include:
- Tool box or plastic tote
- A flashlight and an extra battery or charger stored in the box
- Screw driver set with flat and cross bit drivers (old school and simple)
- Outlet tester and voltage tester (I show many of my clients mine as an example)
- Ratchet set with standard and metric sockets (basic 1/4″ or 3/8″ driver is all you’ll need)
- Utility knife and some extra blades
- Box of rubber gloves (I use these for everything that I don’t want to touch!)
- Sharpie marker
- Mechanical pencil
- Tape measure
- Roll of quality masking tape (countless uses!)
- Level (plastic is preferred and one that can fit in your box)
- NOTE: You’ll continue to add to this as the minor repairs and projects roll on!
Some extras to the three essentials are:
- Powered pressure washer
- Kneepads
- Head lamp
- Dust mask
- Electrical extension cords (if you get a 10′, 20′ and 50′ cord they can be combined to 80 feet! 14-gauge wire is a light weight size that is fine for most uses, but a 12-gauge is even better though a bit clunkier).
- Hammer
- Fasteners (miscellaneous nails, hooks and screws in a jar or dividing container)
- Straight edge razor with extra blades
- Box of bandaids (they help with cuts and blisters)
- Quality cross-over pruning shears (hand held and larger loppers)
- Powered blower (I’m a big fan of electric powered rather than gas units)
- Small container of shrink less spackle (this stuff is amazing at fixing minor holes in walls)
- Cordless screwdriver and drill
