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9 Essential Tools for Your DIY Toolkit

Every home needs a basic toolkit to do simple jobs around the house (or flat). Think of all the DIY tasks a homeowner has to do such as painting and decorating, measuring windows for curtains or blinds, hanging pictures, putting up shelves, assembling flat-pack furniture and fixing your kid’s bike.

Without a basic toolkit, all of these things and more would be impossible. So, what DIY tools do you need for a basic toolkit? And what kind of tools do you need if you want to undertake more complicated projects? Let’s start with the basics.

1) Screwdrivers

#PreviewProductRating
1 Rolson 28852 Screwdriver Set - 8 Pieces Rolson 28852 Screwdriver Set - 8 Pieces Check price on Amazon
2 Draper Tools 865/44 44PC S.Driver Set+Stand Draper Tools 865/44 44PC S.Driver Set+Stand Check price on Amazon
3 STANLEY 6 Way Screwdriver STANLEY 6 Way Screwdriver Check price on Amazon

One of the first tools most new homeowners buy is a screwdriver. You need them for so many things these days it’s essential you have some at home. A general all-purpose 3 or 5 piece set is the perfect starting point, but you can also buy specialist sets such as this one for working on laptops, smartphones and other electronic equipment.

You don’t need to spend a lot on a set of screwdrivers, but if you plan on using them every weekend, it’s worth spending more than the average person. Think about storage too. Some screwdriver sets come with a plastic carry case or rack, while others come in throwaway packaging.

  • 10 of the Best Manual Screwdrivers
  • 10 of the Best Electric Screwdrivers
  • Choosing Screws

2) Hammer

#PreviewProductRating
1 Rolson 10019 Stubby Claw Hammer Rolson 10019 Stubby Claw Hammer Check price on Amazon
2 STANLEY STHT0-51309 16oz Fiberglass Curved Claw Hammer, 450g STANLEY STHT0-51309 16oz Fiberglass Curved Claw Hammer, 450g Check price on Amazon
3 Hilka 60201500 Pro Craft Fibre Glass Shaft Claw Hammer, 8 oz Hilka 60201500 Pro Craft Fibre Glass Shaft Claw Hammer, 8 oz Check price on Amazon

The best hammer for the average homeowner is a mid-weight claw hammer. So that’s 16oz (which usually refers to the weight of the head). This type of hammer lets you do two things – knock-in nails with the flat side and pull out nails with the claw side. Claw hammers are perfect for working with wood and plasterboard.

When you’re buying a claw hammer, also consider the length of the handle. Shorter ones don’t have as much power as longer ones.

  • 10 of the Best Claw Hammers
  • Different Types of Hammer for DIYers

3) Retractable tape measure

#PreviewProductRating
1 5 Meter Retractable Tape Measure Griplock Imperial Metric... 5 Meter Retractable Tape Measure Griplock Imperial Metric... Check price on Amazon
2 Stanley 1-30-656 Metric/Imperial Tape Measure with 25mm... Stanley 1-30-656 Metric/Imperial Tape Measure with 25mm... Check price on Amazon
3 Tape Measure,Kueimovi 3Pack Round Measuring Tape Retractable... Tape Measure,Kueimovi 3Pack Round Measuring Tape Retractable... Check price on Amazon

Basic retractable tape measures cost less than a fiver and even heavy-duty ones don’t cost much more. If you’re in the process of improving your home you’ll need one of these for all sorts of tasks – measuring room dimensions for carpets, wallpaper or paint, planning which furniture to buy and measuring windows for new blinds or curtains.

If you’re into making things you already know the value of a retractable tape measure!

  • 10 of the Best Retractable Tape Measures

4) Adjustable wrench

#PreviewProductRating
1 Stanley 090948 30 x 200mm MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench Stanley 090948 30 x 200mm MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench Check price on Amazon
2 Stanley 090947 6in MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench Stanley 090947 6in MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench Check price on Amazon
3 Silverline WR03 Adjustable Wrench Set 150, 200 and 250 mm -... Silverline WR03 Adjustable Wrench Set 150, 200 and 250 mm -... Check price on Amazon

If you don’t have a set of spanners, an adjustable wrench is the next best option. They’re used for tightening and loosening bolts, which are used in conjunction with nuts to hold stuff together when a screw or nail won’t do the job.

Typical examples include when working with metal such as attaching or removing bike wheels from a frame, putting together metal shelf racks or working on a car engine.

An adjustable wrench has a movable jaw section which is altered to fit the size of the bolt you want to work on. Once the jaw’s at the right size, you can tighten or loosen the bolt.

Cheap adjustable wrenches can be a little tricky to work with as the jaw grip can loosen and make the job harder. For this reason, it’s worth spending a fair amount on a strong tool with a good handle. Alternatively, buy a set of spanners.

5) Utility or Stanley knife

#PreviewProductRating
1 OX Tools OX-T220601 Trade Retractable Knife, Multi-Colour OX Tools OX-T220601 Trade Retractable Knife, Multi-Colour Check price on Amazon
2 Bosch Professional 1600A016BL Universal Folding Knife... Bosch Professional 1600A016BL Universal Folding Knife... Check price on Amazon
3 Stanley Sm9 Snap Off Blade Knives (3) 2 10 150 Stanley Sm9 Snap Off Blade Knives (3) 2 10 150 Check price on Amazon

The main feature of a typical utility knife is the retractable blade. This lets you carry the knife around with you and safely store it away without fear of cutting yourself on the sharp blade. The original manufacturer of this type of knife was the company Stanley, hence why people often call this tool a Stanley knife.

Back in the day, the original Stanley knife was a simple tool made from metal with a sliding switch-like mechanism on top for retracting or using the blade. These days, you can still buy utility knives that follow the classic design, but you can also buy them with plastic and folding bodies.

A new utility knife will come packaged with at least one blade, and you can buy replacements when the original(s) have worn out.

  • 10 of the Best Utility Knives

6) Pliers

#PreviewProductRating
1 Rolson 11207 Combi Pliers - Multi-Colour, 150mm Rolson 11207 Combi Pliers - Multi-Colour, 150mm Check price on Amazon
2 Draper Redline 68001 160 mm Heavy Duty Pliers Set with Soft... Draper Redline 68001 160 mm Heavy Duty Pliers Set with Soft... Check price on Amazon
3 Draper Redline 67925 160 mm Combination Pliers with Soft... Draper Redline 67925 160 mm Combination Pliers with Soft... Check price on Amazon

Pliers are gripping tools that help you bend, twist, straighten and pull things that you can’t bend, twist, straighten or pull with your fingers. A pair of pliers has a metal gripping end and metal handles covered with rubber.

They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. With the two most common being long-nose pliers and combination pliers. Ideally, you’ll have one of each type in your basic DIY toolkit.

  • 10 of the Best Pliers

7) Torch

#PreviewProductRating
1 H&S LED Torch Super Bright CREE T6 Torch Zoomable Waterproof... H&S LED Torch Super Bright CREE T6 Torch Zoomable Waterproof... Check price on Amazon
2 Linkax LED Torch LED Flashlight Adjustable Focus Handheld... Linkax LED Torch LED Flashlight Adjustable Focus Handheld... Check price on Amazon
3 RECHOO LED Torch Rechargeable, 2000 Lumen Super Bright Torch... RECHOO LED Torch Rechargeable, 2000 Lumen Super Bright Torch... Check price on Amazon

It might be tempting to use your phone as a torch, but there’s always the chance you might drop and break it. For this reason, it’s worth investing in a torch so you don’t have to take the risk next time you’re working in a dark closet or trying to find something in a dimly lit shed or garage.

Something small with a powerful beam is all you need for a basic home toolkit. Torches running on LED bulbs tend to have a longer battery life than the rest.

  • 10 of the Best LED Hand Torches

8) Spirit level

#PreviewProductRating
1 Stanley Shock Proof Torpedo Level 230 mm/9 Inch 0-43-511 Stanley Shock Proof Torpedo Level 230 mm/9 Inch 0-43-511 Check price on Amazon
2 Rolson 54462 Alloy Spirit Level, 450 mm Rolson 54462 Alloy Spirit Level, 450 mm Check price on Amazon
3 Stanley High Impact Abs 3 Vial Level 24in 1 42 476 Stanley High Impact Abs 3 Vial Level 24in 1 42 476 Check price on Amazon

Spirit levels help you check that a surface is perfectly horizontal or perfectly vertical. They come in a range of lengths to suit every task. You can get short ones for checking the level on the pictures and paintings you’re hanging or longer ones to check the level on a new patio or timber structu

  • 10 of the Best Spirit Levels

9) Screws, nails and other hardware

#PreviewProductRating
1 SEQUAL® Box of 100 High Performance Multi Use Wood Screws... SEQUAL® Box of 100 High Performance Multi Use Wood Screws... Check price on Amazon
2 Screw Assortment Kit,215 pcs Self Tapping Screw DIY Cross... Screw Assortment Kit,215 pcs Self Tapping Screw DIY Cross... Check price on Amazon
3 Grub Screws Metric Thread (Mixed 40 PACK) A2 Stainless Steel... Grub Screws Metric Thread (Mixed 40 PACK) A2 Stainless Steel... Check price on Amazon

Most people buy screws, nails and other hardware as they need them. The problem is, you can’t pop into your nearest DIY store and buy screws or nails in anything other than multipacks. So, you might only need a couple of nails for a job, which means there’ll be plenty left over for another time.

It’d be stupid to throw these things away so store them for future use. Same goes for screws and anything else you might buy for a project or that comes with something you’ve bought (nuts, bolts, allen keys, rawlplugs etc). Keep them all safe and well-organised and you’ll save money and time in the long run.

Bonus: Toolbox

#PreviewProductRating
1 Stanley STST1-75517 Essential 16' Toolbox with Plastic... Stanley STST1-75517 Essential 16" Toolbox with Plastic... Check price on Amazon
2 Stanley STST1-75521 Essential 19' Toolbox with Metal... Stanley STST1-75521 Essential 19" Toolbox with Metal... Check price on Amazon
3 STANLEY FATMAX Waterproof Toolbox Storage with Heavy Duty... STANLEY FATMAX Waterproof Toolbox Storage with Heavy Duty... Check price on Amazon

Storing your tools in a particular location helps protect them from damage and helps you quickly find what you’re looking for. If you store your tools in the garage and need to do some work in your house, you can pick up the toolbox knowing you have everything you need with you. There’s no need to keep running backwards and forwards for each bit of kit.

Look for a toolbox with a top lid divided into smaller compartments and a larger storage area underneath for some of the gear listed above.

  • 10 of the Best Portable Toolboxes

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This article was last updated on October 8, 2020 Filed Under: DIY Tools

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Dave's DIY Tips is all about helping beginner and intermediate DIYers learn more about all aspects of home improvement.

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