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Have you ever tried to saw through a steak with a dull knife? Or cut a piece of fabric with scissors that aren’t as sharp as they used to be? While these are minor annoyances, replacing worn cutlery or cutting tools can be a major expense. But you can reduce wear-and-tear on your sharp tools to make sure they last.
Following are some tips for keeping tools in shape. [Read more…]
Wear and tear are a given when it comes to home ownership, and it’s anybody’s guess as to what will need to be fixed next. Whether you’re a brand-new homeowner or have been in your house for years, it’s never too late to make sure you’re equipped with the best tools for doing everyday repairs or bigger tasks.
The following essential tools will come in handy in a variety of different circumstances and play a part in maintaining your place. Having these at the ready will save you some frustration so you won’t have to go next door when the pipes under the sink are leaking or a cabinet comes off its hinges.
1. A screwdriver set: Adjustments to door latches, cabinet doors, appliances or anything else will need to be made, and at these moments, you’ll find yourself reaching for a Phillips or flathead screwdriver. Whenever something’s on the brink of falling apart, you’ll be glad that you have set of screwdrivers at hand to accomplish the task.
2. Tape measure: Before you haul a piece of furniture into a room, before you rearrange the furniture that’s there or before you saw into a piece of wood, you’ll need to take a measurement first. A tape measure will give you the answers you need and save you some time and trouble.
3. Hammer and nails: Inevitably, something will need to be tapped back into place around the house, or else a stray nail may need to be pulled out and replaced. If you need to hang a picture or secure something together, a hammer is what you’ll need.
4. Utility knife: If you have a pocket knife, you’ll undoubtedly find that it can only do so much, and for many projects, you’ll need something a little sturdier. A utility knife can be used both indoors and outdoors for many different tasks. One with replaceable blades is the best choice.
5. Pliers: Even if you think you won’t need this, a situation will occur when you’ll need to pull, bend or hold something in place. You can invest in a set of them that includes needle-nose, wire cutters or square top ones for any and all projects.
6. Wrench: When a fastener on a pipe under the sink needs to be tightened or you need to fix your bike, an adjustable wrench is the device you’ll need. You can also use this for basic work on small machinery or even on your car engine.
7. Power drill and bits: Putting up shelves and cupboards are great storage solutions, and you’ll need a power drill to get them up securely. You’ll probably run into other tasks, such as drilling deck screws, and a power drill will save you from picking up some blisters.
8. Putty knife/scraper: Nobody’s perfect, and when doing some home improvements you may accidentally put a hole in the wall you didn’t mean to, or when removing an old switch plate, part of the wall comes with it. A putty knife will help you patch that up and can also be used for scraping peeling paint.
9. Hand saw: Whether it’s for cutting down small limbs outside or sawing through stray carpeting or flooring, you’ll need a safe and effective way to do it. The ergonomic designs with rust-proof blades in the stores these days are not your grandfather’s hand saw.
10. Flashlight: This is something you might not think of as an essential toolbox item, but if your electricity goes out or you’ve got repairs to make in the basement, a good source of light will be essential.
In addition to all these items, some runner-up tools to have in your arsenal would be a caulking gun, an extension cord, a broom and dust pan, an Allen key, a sturdy step stool or ladder and some duct tape. Maintaining your home requires some effort, and being prepared will go a long way toward staying on top of the tasks that crop up from time to time. Having these 10 tools at the ready will prepare you for whenever something needs to be repaired, improved or assembled, and with this gear, you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood.
Power tools make any project go faster. Whether you own and use an extensive collection of power tools, are in the market for your first one or rent the tools you need, have you considered wearing protective gear? It keeps you safe and helps you finish projects injury-free.
Protective Accessories
1. Gloves
You use your hands to turn the tool on and off and maneuver it. You also hold onto or steady the materials you’re cutting, drilling or screwing. Don’t wear thin gardening gloves. Their thin fabric will keep your hands clean but won’t protect your hands from running blades or sharp debris.
Instead, choose heavy-duty work gloves. They’re made from thick fabric and include sturdy grips. They protect your hands and make sure your fingers stay attached during any project.
2. Glasses
Sparks, sawdust or wood chips often fly from the materials you weld, cut and drill. If the debris enters your eye, your eye could be damaged or you could lose your eyesight. You might wear eyeglasses or sunglasses and think that’s protection enough. But, it’s not.
Wear protective eyewear. The thick plastic protects your eyes, fits over your eyeglasses and extends around your temples. When you wear protective glasses, you preserve your eyesight.
3. Hearing
Power tools are noisy. Even if you only use a power tool for a few minutes, that noise can permanently damage your ears’ nerves. Don’t rely on thin ear buds to protect your hearing.
Choose ear protection that’s designed to reduce harmful noise levels. It could be earplugs or earmuffs. Make sure they fit you and stay in or on your ear. You never want to wear dirty earplugs, so always carry a spare pair and wear them every time you use a power tool!
Protective Clothes
4. Shoes
You’ll stand up to use your power tools, and you’ll need to walk around the work site. Flip-flops, sandals or sneakers won’t protect you from slipping on sawdust or protect your feet from a power tool that slips out of your hand.
Always wear heavy work boots. They should include non-slip soles and steel toes. Make sure they lace up and protect your ankles. Whether you work in your garage or on a construction site, wear sturdy work shoes whenever you use power tools.
5. Pants
No one wants to wear long pants during hot summer months, especially if you’re cutting firewood with your chainsaw or repairing your home’s shutters with your drill. Shorts won’t protect your legs from flying debris or power tool accidents, though.
Wear long work pants or overalls as you use power tools. The protective pants are made from heavy fabric that’s also flame resistant. They often include plenty of pockets that hold your multi tool, tape measure and pencil. When you wear pants, you protect your legs during every project.
Using power tools makes your repair, renovation and hobby projects go quickly. And, they’re fun to use. No matter how experienced you are with these tools, always wear protective gear. It could save your life.
Obviously, I am NOT a man; but my dad had this notion that he would have a son as his first child – what guy doesn’t, anyway? So anyhow, growing up, I got to spend a lot of time with my dad as he tinkered with his motorbike and has he did jobs around the house. Looking back, I realize now that there are certain tools that a man simply has to have. In keeping with the spirit of Father’s Day, I thought it would be great to create a list of the tools that should be part of every guy’s arsenal – father or not.
1. Hammer. You never know when you might need to hit something hard. Seriously, a hammer is a very handy tool and you can never have one hammer too many (at least that’s what my dad said).
2. Power drill. This is a very handy tool, and you can use it for a variety of jobs. Curtain rods, photo frames, chandeliers, shelves – all these would need a power drill to be installed.
3. Duct tape. Just watch an episode or two of MacGyver and you will know what I mean. Duct tape can be used for anything. And I mean anything.
4. Tape measure. There is nothing worse than buying a new air conditioner or any other piece of furniture only to find out that it will not fit where you want it to. The solution? Measure, measure, and then measure again. Oh, and make sure you write the measurements down.
5. Pencil. Of course, you need a pencil to write those measurements – oh and make sure you have a piece of paper handy as well.
What are your must-have tools?