Put Together a Basic Household Toolkit

It's not uncommon for most homeowners and renters to have a plethora of tools for home maintenance projects. These tools have accumulated over the years to fix leaky faucets, aging refrigerators, old cars and crooked door hinges. It's also not uncommon for these same tools to be haphazardly stored without proper organization; tools are left in the garage, attic or closet to collect dust and cobwebs until the next urgent, quick-fix project. Make your next do-it-yourself project easier by putting together a handy household tool kit. Having the basic, necessary tools on hand in a convenient storage container will make your next home repair hassle-free. When creating your household tool kit, be sure to include the following tools.

When choosing the right drill, consider the range of repairs that require this handy device. Though drills are most often used for carpentry, they are often used in, literally, tight situations. Opting for a powerful cordless drill may be the best tool decision you've ever made. Cordless drills, like those offered by Makita, combine strength with convenience, and come with rechargeable batteries. Before purchasing a drill, be sure to test its weight; large batteries, while delivering high levels of power, often cause the drill to become unbalanced and heavy, causing tension and soreness in the hands and forearms. When when storing your cordless drill, be sure keep it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects.

Bonus: In addition to drilling holes for screws and nails, cordless drills are also compatible with screwdriver bits, making insertion or removal of screws a breeze.

Though a rudimentary tool, all hammers are not created equal. They come in a variety of sizes and weights, depending on their intended function. Types of commonly used hammers include: claw hammer, upholstery hammer, rubber mallet and sledgehammer. Most often, a medium weight claw hammer, such as a 7 to 12 ounce Stanley hammer, will be sufficient for at-home projects such as hanging pictures, installing shelves or building a tree house. When choosing a hammer, be sure to test the handle for comfort; hammers often come with rubber or plastic-lined handles that eliminate blisters and splinters.

Bonus: Rubber-ended hammers not only provide added comfort, but also absorb impact vibrations.

Also known as box cutters, carpet knives, or razor blade knives, utility blades are a great all-in-one tool in a compact package. These knives are handy for cutting both thin and thick fabrics (such as wallpaper or carpet) to designing craft projects or simply opening packages. When choosing a utility knife, look for a lightweight, durable design that will make replacing rusty or dull blades easy.

Bonus: Look for utility blades that offer a protective locking mechanism to eliminate dangerous accidents, like those produced by Stanley.

Hand screwdrivers are one of the most crucial elements to your at-home toolkit. There are a wide variety of screwdrivers available on the market. Choosing between a regular flathead screwdriver, a Phillips cross-slot, clutchhead, hexagonal or a torx screwdriver can be overwhelming, especially when finding one to suite all your at-home project needs. Instead of purchasing one of each type of screwdriver available, invest in three screwdrivers: one flat head screwdriver, a Phillips head screwdriver as well as an 8 or 10-piece screwdriver set (perfect for repairing eyeglasses or fixing computer hardware).

Bonus: Carefully examine the quality of the blade when choosing a screwdriver; check the finish on the blade, as well as the type of metal used.

Other additional items you may consider including are a tape measure, pliers, level, painter's tape, and nails and screws. This at home toolkit will help you accomplish all of your do-it-yourself projects. From hanging family portraits to installing new gutters, with an organized, easily-accessible household tool kit, you'll no longer dread your next Saturday afternoon that's laden with fix-it tasks.