Basic hand tools are all that is needed for assembling things or making repairs around the house.

Below is the second half of my list of the hand tools everyone needs to have in their house.

9. pry bar: A flat pry bar or WonderBar is great for removing molding, siding and paneling,
prying up flooring and shingles, and as a lever for shifting heavy objects. Be careful if you use it as when things come loose they can shoot across the room or into your eye.

10. wood chisels: You can buy these individually or in a set. The best all round size is the 3/4” but I would buy a set which usually includes a ¼” a ½” a ¾” and a 1” chisel. Again I keep saying this but buy quality as they sharpen better and stay sharp longer and nothing is more frustrating then trying to use a dull chisel.

11. clamps: A Quick-Grip pistol grip clamp is a great tool. It’s a third hand. I’d choose a 12″ clamp. They are good but don’t hold things quite as tight as a C or bar clamp. A combination of clamps is best for different types of jobs. One clamp is never enough so buy 3 or 4 minimum as they always come in handy.

12. stud finder: A stud for finding wooden framework inside your walls. This is very helpful if you are going to hang a heavy object on the wall and you need to attach it to studs. I have a Zircon unit but there are also good ones by Studsensor.

13. putty knives: here again there are different sizes. A 1” is good for scraping and using different fillers and putty. 2.5” is good for small fills in walls before painting and for scraping. A 5” or 6” is what is needed for larger fills. They are not expensive so I would buy a few different sizes. Don’t buy the plastic ones they will only frustrate you and make the job harder than it needs to be.

14. hand saws: There are different types of saws. A hand saw is for cutting bigger pieces of wood while a coping saw makes delicate scroll cuts in wood. A hack saws is for cutting metals. More and more these cuts are being made with power tools though I find myself using hand ones almost every day.

15. pliers: Hand pliers are useful for gripping, twisting and holding things. Needle nose pliers hold fine things and reach into tight spaces while regular pliers are used for working on electricity or wrenching out a nut. Vise grip pliers snap onto things to hold though cheap ones don’t hold well at all. One regular needle nose and one regular or electrical plier would meet most people’s needs.

16. caulking gun: A caulking gun is used for caulking around tubs, showers, basins, sinks, etc. for applying construction adhesive, caulking around windows and doors to reduce air leaking into and out of your house and for repairs before painting and repairs to both the outside
and inside of your house. Do not get a super cheap one. They flex and break and frustrate you.

I am going to repeat myself here just in case you haven’t read part #1 of the Top 16 Hand tools for jobs around the House. If you have read it go back and enjoy part #1.

There are a ton more hand tools you could have but having these will allow you to get most jobs done.

My philosophy, if you are going to buy tools don’t buy the cheapest. They never make the job as easy as it should be. They brake easy and wear out quickly. Tools are an investment and they will last for years if you buy quality. At the very least buy a medium quality tool if and only if you will only be using it on the very odd occasion.

My final thought. Always work safe! Wearing safety glasses when cutting or hammering is always best. Knowing how to use a tool properly and using it for only the job it was intended for will save many injuries.

Posted by Dave McIntosh on Saturday, December 20th, 2008 at 4:49 pm.