Putting Together a Household Tool Kit

If you're like most, you have many of thekit for more delicate jobs or construction.
necessary homeowner's tools. However, are theyNails and Screws
all in once place? Can you easily put your handsPurchase prepackaged sets of basic sized nails
on that tape measure or utility knife? What'sand screws at your local home center. Place them
more, when's the last time you could located thatin a small box with dividers for an assorted
brand-new hammer or the screwdriver set yourcollection that will come in handy when hanging
mother gave you last year for Christmas?pictures or making minor repairs.
Putting together a household tool kit with all theWire Cutters
basic tools handy makes household projects andToo many homeowners consider their everyday
repairs a simple endeavor. These basic tools mightscissors as being the tool of choice when it
be kept in a hall closet, kitchen drawer, or in acomes to cutting wire. Save those scissors with a
tool box in the mudroom. Choose a space in yourpair of wire cutters - ideal for craft projects,
home for your tool kit that is convenient andelectrical repairs, and other household projects.
within reach. Include in your basic took kit theseSpackle and Putty Knife
items:Spackle is necessary for filling in nail holes prior to
Tape Measurepainting or to repair scratches or holes in the walls.
A 25-foot tape measure will work well for mostA small tub of spackle will do nicely for the
home jobs. Whether you're measuring for aaverage homeowner. To apply the spackle, you'll
window treatment, or for new flooring, choose aneed a putty knife. Putty knives are also useful
tape measure that can handle your home'sfor scraping paint or repairing wallpaper. They
spaces. A smaller, 6- to 12-foot tape measure iscome in metal or plastic and can be purchased
ideal for shopping trips or for hanging pictures.inexpensively at your local paint store.
ScrewdriversFelt, Plastic and Carpet Dots
While you may have a full collection ofFelt pads can also be applied to the bottoms of
screwdrivers, two basic screwdrivers are a mustvases or other decorative items that may
for your household tool kit. Choose a flat headscratch a table surface. Plastic or rubber dots can
screwdriver and Phillips head screwdriver in abe applied to the back of a framed picture to
medium size, and both in good quality. Smallerkeep them level. Heavier carpet dots are used to
screwdrivers come in handy when you need toprotect chair and table legs from scraping
fix computer equipment or tighten a pair ofhardwood floors.
eyeglasses.Blue Painter's Tape
PliersResembling plain masking tape, blue painter's tape
Include in your kit an assortment of pliers inis blue in color and comes in several widths. Used
various shapes and sizes. Needle-nose pliers areby professional painters who use the tape to
used most often, but also include heavier pliersmask off areas they don't want covered in paint,
for removing nails or large staples. Wire cuttingblue tape can be removed from most surfaces
pliers are a must for wiring and craft jobs.without damage. It can also be used for other
Levelhousehold projects such as marking stud locations
No homeowner should be without a level. Awhen hanging a picture or installing molding. Blue
quality, sturdy level will provide much-neededtape can also be used to tape down runners of
assistance in positioning items such as shelveskraft paper to protect floors from dirt and
accurately. Levels are also useful for hangingscratches when moving.
pictures, drilling holes in a level line, or mountingUtility Knife
towel bars.A utility knife is useful for opening moving boxes
Hammerand packages. They can also come handy for
A medium weight hammer can cover mostwallpapering or craft projects. Homeowners have
household projects. Include other sizes in your toola variety of utility knives from which to choose.