Ten Tools Everyone Should Own

During the course of a normal life, you’re likely going to face something that needs to be fixed or upgraded in some way. More commonly, that means calling someone to fix the problem you’re currently facing. And, as someone who has spent a good bit of his life in the construction field, I think most people should have a fair sense of their skills, and when they’re out of their depth, call a professional.

With that caveat said, I want to offer you ten tools that I think will make you more capable of fixing your own problems, whether at home, the office, or in your car.

A Quality Hammer

Most “kits” of tools come with a hammer, often a miniature ball peen or framing hammer that would be great for pounding nails into a shoe, but unless you’re a cobbler, you’re going to want a more serious tool.

I recommend getting a standard carpenter’s or framer’s hammer that is a comfortable weight for you, and also has a claw for pulling nails. I know it can look intimidating to a lot of new homeowners, but with some practice, the hammer becomes an extension of your hand when getting work done.

A Real Tape Measure

I see a lot of those small tape measures hanging on hooks at checkout lines in big box stores. Those are great for measuring fish and waistlines, and very little else. I recommend getting a tape measure that’s at least 25’ long and has a rigid tape so that when it comes time to tackle a real project where precision matters, you’re not stuck with inadequate tools.

I’d also avoid spending too much: the fancy magnets, lasers, and whatever else they’re putting on tapes now are gimmicks unless you have a specific purpose for them. Also, your neighbor is going to borrow it and not return it, so best not to spend too much for that reason, too.

A Utility Knife

For years, I used one of the old school utility knives which has a retractable blade. They work, but changing the blades was often a pain in the neck, especially when wearing gloves. Nowadays, we can do better.

A lot of tool companies now make folding utility knives that take the standard blade, and can usually have that blade changed in just a few seconds. If it comes with a pocket clip, even better to keep it on you when you’re working.

A Socket Set

Your car and home, if you take a closer look, have an awful lot of bolts holding them together. While the sticker price of a socket set can be a little overwhelming, I think getting a set and being done with it is the better choice over buying a ratchet and the one or two sockets you may think you need for any one project.

Having the full set, you’ll avoid multiple trips to the hardware store to get the correct size socket, and you’ll be prepared for most things.

A Combination Screwdriver

Whenever I’m putting together my tool bag before a day of construction work, I make sure my combo screwdriver is part of the kit. These are not often the most solid drivers and can be a bit wobbly, but they beat carrying six or so drivers in my pocket.

With these, the major bonus is being able to switch between several driver types and sizes on the fly: this is especially useful when installing or uninstalling things light lights, cabinets, and car parts. My current driver has been with me for over a decade, and the only way I’m likely to part with it is if I lose it.

Quality Drill and Bits

A lot of big-box stores sell “drills” that barely work on a good day, and have little to no torque. Instead, if you have projects to do that are more difficult than changing out a smoke alarm, I recommend getting a quality drill.

If you time things right, for example, a holiday sale, you can often get a drill and a set of bits on an awesome deal that comes in a hard case, with a charger and extra battery. With a quality drill, a lot of more difficult projects become much easier.

5 Way Painter's Tool

These oddly shaped little tools are some of my favorites because they’re so versatile. Generally, they’re good for painting. Specifically, they’re meant to scrape rollers down, open and close paint cans, function as a small pick, and scrape paint off of surfaces.

Outside of painting, I find myself using mine as a small wedge or pry bar around the house, even for getting into packaging that needs to be pried open. It might look strange, but having all those different sorts of edges comes in seriously handy.

A Heat Gun

Stop borrowing your wife’s hairdryer when you need a source of hot air. A good heat gun, even though you might not use it a lot, is a lifesaver when you need it.

In a quality heat gun, I look for two things. First, make sure there are multiple heat settings. Second, a built-in stand is a must. Since I use mine mostly on cars, here’s a tip: put your hand on the paint right next to where you plan to apply heat to remove decals: if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for the paint.

A Punch Set

Sometimes, you’re going to run into things that need a little tap to get in, or out, of the spot they’re currently stuck. If you have a friend who is into firearms or other small machines, they have a little set of punches in a roll.

I recommend getting a punch set that has knurled handles that have a flat spot on the end: this makes it a lot easier to apply force, pressure or blows with control. That will keep you from destroying whatever small thing you’re working on.

A Tool Belt

To do any job, you need exactly three hands. As human beings, that is a problem for us. A tool belt will keep your tools closer, which will help you avoid having to keep things on nearby surfaces you can’t quite reach when you need them. I like a single bag that I can move around, as opposed to two or more that are locked into the back of the person. That way, I can move and pack the bag accordingly.


I’ll admit to being a tool nerd, and I could list important tools for days. But, the ten I listed here will be a good start, and should help you accomplish more things that you need to get done.
About author
G
Garrett is a writer and commentator based in the South. His areas of expertise lie in cooking, fashion, and the outdoors among others. He has been writing and educating professionally for years, and enjoys creating online discourses around positively masculine spaces.

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