We all find ourselves often doing some DIY projects at home be it building a crib, painting a wall, repairing a leaking water pipe or changing an electrical socket. For all of these projects certain tools are required to get the task done. It can be pretty difficult to know about which tools might be required or whether to purchase a particular tool or not. This guide will explain to you the functionality of 15 most commonly required and used tools in home projects. Before we begin with the list, stress have to be laid on the use of safety equipment and taking precautions while working on projects involving electricity. Only do electrical repairs or projects if you have experience or training otherwise it is recommended to hire a professional. Use goggles, rubber gloves and boots and safety helmets while working on projects. With the safety element discussed, let us begin with our list.
1. Digital Multi-meter
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| A Digital Multimeter Offering Various Functions |
Digital multimeter or simply multimeter is an integral part of home toolkit. It is used to measure some electrical parameters such as AC and DC voltages and currents. You can measure the voltages of batteries in your torch, remote controllers, electronic gadget etc to know if they need replacement or not. Many multimeters offer the functionality of measuring capacitance and resistance. Some also include the ability to measure temperature as in the picture above. Choose the best model according to your need as price increases as the features increase. If you are not sure about which model to buy then talk to the salesperson as they may be able to help you with it.
2. Tapes
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| Thread Seal Tape (Left) and Electrical Tape (Right) |
Tapes are an integral part of most home projects related electricity, electronics and plumbing. In the picture above, there are two different types of tapes. On the left side, there is a Teflon tape also known as thread seal tape. It is widely used to cover the threads of pipes and joints. On the right hand, we have a PVC electrical tape which is sometimes referred to as insulation tape. Insulation tape is used to cover the bare wires and to secure electrical wire joints. There different colors are available for insulation tapes but the most used colors are red, black and yellow. Red is often used for live wires, black for ground and yellow for earth.
3. Adjustable Wrench
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| Adjustable Wrench |
Wrenches are used to fasten nuts and bolts and are often used in plumbing. There are many different types of wrenches such as open-end wrench, combination wrench, adjustable wrench etc. Select the size of the wrench based on your project needs. It is recommended to buy adjustable wrenches as they can be adjusted according to need and they eliminate the necessity of buying multiple fixed size wrenches. You can also take help from a salesperson while selecting an adjustable wrench.
4. Wire Cutter
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| Wire Cutter With Insulated Handles |
As the name implies, wire cutters are used to cut electrical wires. There are different sizes available in them. Always buy wire cutters with insulated handles as they provide protection against shock. If you happen to have a wire cutter with damaged insulation then it is time to buy a new one.
5. Needle-nose Pliers
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| Needle-nose Pliers |
Needle-nose pliers are used for cutting or stripping wires. Their shape enables them to reach wires and cables in small pipes and hard to reach places. Nose pliers are often used in jewelry to bend or manipulate wires and strings. Similar to wire cutters, nose pliers also have insulated handles for protection against electrical shock. There are different sizes available with different grips. Choose the one which is most comfortable for you.
6. Soldering Iron And Solder
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| Solder (Left) and Soldering Iron (Right) |
Soldering iron and solder are used in electronics to attach components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, switches etc to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The soldering iron melts the solder and then this melted solder flows into the joints where it solidifies again after a few seconds. However, care is to be taken while soldering. Wear goggles and gloves for protection. A soldering iron stand is a must buy if you are going to purchase a soldering iron.
7. Screwdrivers
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| A Jeweler's Screwdriver Set |
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| A 6-in-1 Screwdriver |
Screwdrivers are one of the most used tools around the world. Screwdrivers vary in length and types of screws it drives. The end of the screwdriver is called its tip and it can be a plus type (Philips), slot drive (minus), Frearson etc. There are also sets for smaller screwdrivers as shown in the picture. These are called as Jeweler's screwdrivers. Also choose the right screwdriver for driving a particular screw. If the screwdriver is not of proper size then it can damage the screws. There are some screwdrivers with magnetic tips that can hold the screws making the task easy.
8. Precision Screwdriver Set
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| A Precision Screwdriver Set |
Precision screwdriver sets contain the bits that are less common or often referred to as 'secure bits'. Some of these bits are often used for electronics such as laptops, mobile phone, gaming consoles etc. The most used bits includes square, hex, pent, triangle and tri-point. For every bit, there are different sizes available. Choose the set which offers most variety according to your needs.
9. Hand Scrapers
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| A Set of Hand Scrapers |
Scrapers are used in a variety of projects related to different fields. They are extensively used for metal working, construction and painting jobs. The set of scrapers pictured above is used for masonry works as well as for painting jobs. Scrapers are used mainly for scrapping off unwanted materials from surfaces. They used for removing rust from metal and removing old paint from walls. There are different types of scrapers available for different purposes. The shapes of these scrapers also differ slightly. Choose the one which will be comfortable and durable according to the task.
10. Sandpaper
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| Sandpaper |
Sandpapers are abrasive materials used for rubbing off materials from surfaces to making them shine or smooth. They are also used to remove rust from metallic surfaces. Sandpapers are assigned numbers or other nomenclature based on their coarseness. Sandpapers can give a rough coarse finish or a smooth finish depending on the type of sandpaper used. Wear goggles and dust masks while using them as they tend to produce a lot dust.
11. Hammer
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| Hammer |
There are different types of hammers available in the market. Some are designed to be heavier for use in masonry works. There are some lightweight hammers for carpentry. Choose the one which suits you best.
12. Torch
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| Battery Operated Torch |
A torch is a must have in your toolkit. Without it, working in the dark becomes almost impossible. There are different varieties of torches available in the market. Some have rechargeable batteries while others use disposable batteries. There are some helmets too that have a torch mounted on it. It makes the job easier as it does not need to be held. It is best to have a couple or more of torches and emergency lights in the home for use during a blackout.
13. Voltage Tester
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| A Neon-lamp Voltage Tester |
This instrument is used to check the presence of current and voltage in wire. It can also be used to detect leakage of current. There are two broader categories of this tester. One is contact tester and the other is non-contact tester.
14. Saw
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| A Carpenter's Saw With Other Tools |
If you imagine yourself working on projects involving wood then a handsaw ( carpenter's saw) is a must have tool. There are some other saws that are used to cut through metals. However, saws tend to become blunt over time if used excessively. There are methods to sharpen their blades but use precaution while doing it. It is best to have it sharpened by a professional to avoid any damage to the blades. Use protective gear such as goggles, dust masks and gloves while sawing.
15. WD-40
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| WD-40 Lubricating Spray |
Last but not the least, WD-40 is just a wonderful spray that provides lubrication to surface where it is sprayed. If you have squeaking doorknobs and hinges then a puff or two of this spray will stop it for some time. It is also used to loosen some old rusted and over torqued screws. It can also be sprayed in padlocks and other machinery to decrease friction and free up the jammed parts. Check the precautions and care needed on the back of the spraying can.
These were some of the most wanted tools or put it this way, 15 tools you must have in your toolkit. Definitely there are lots of other tools but they may be rarely used for home DIY projects. Let us know what you think about our list in comments below. Is there any tool we left out?
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