Essential Tools You Need for DIY Projects

Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or you tend to rely on professionals or skilled friends to do most of your home repairs or projects, a fully stocked toolbox is a must for any home. But what are the essential tools for DIY work around your house?

Each home project will have different requirements, such as speciality tools or materials, but we’ve put together a list of the tools and equipment we believe are essential for most situations.

1. Nails and screws in various sizes

It’s always useful to have nails and screws in the house, for anything from simple repairs to creative projects. Each DIY project will have different requirements when it comes to fittings, so it is best to keep stocked up on a selection of screws and nails in various sizes.

2. Hammer

A hammer is a DIY staple for driving nails into wood, removing old nails in the case of a claw hammer, tapping wall plugs or dowels into place, breaking up materials in conjunction with a chisel, and many more applications. There are specific hammers for different applications, but a standard claw hammer is good for general use.

3. Screwdriver

A screwdriver is definitely one of the essential DIY tools for fixing or removing screws, but screws come in different sizes with varying shaped heads that require a specifically shaped screwdriver – the main two being a flat head and a Phillips's head. A good way to cover all bases is to get an adjustable screwdriver with a set of interchangeable bits.

4. Drill

If there’s one power tool that is considered a DIY essential, it is a drill. Drills are useful for a range of projects around the house and it’s worth investing in a good drill with decent power, battery life, and perhaps a hammer setting if you need to make holes in tough materials, such as concrete and masonry.

5. Pliers

Pliers are versatile tools that come in many variations. They can be used to twist wires, grip something round such as a pipe or rod, bend or straighten materials, tighten or loosen fittings, remove old fixings, or cut wires. No toolbox is complete without at least one set of pliers, but to cover all bases, you will need a few different pairs.

6. Spirit Level

Spirit levels are essential tools for many DIY projects. A spirit level ensures the surface that you are working with is level, for both aesthetic and practical purposes. Spirit levels can be used for anything from making sure a painting is hung straight to checking that patio slabs are laid level. If you have room to store it, it’s worth getting both a small spirit level for those decorative jobs and a larger level for landscaping projects like laying patios and decking.

7. Tape Measure

Everyone should have a tape measure in their toolbox! Tape measures are used to measure the distance and size of both materials and spaces. It is important to measure thoroughly before buying or cutting any material to avoid mistakes – ‘measure twice, cut once’ as the saying goes. It is a good idea to get a tape measure that has both centimetres and inches on it, in case you are following instructions for a project that uses imperial measurements.

8. Masking Tape/painters tape

Redecorating is one DIY task almost every homeowner does at some point and, as well as your brushes and paint, you will want to stock up on some masking/decorator’s/painter’s tape. Proper preparation makes redecorating much easier and taping allows you to keep lines straight and prevent you from having to repaint surfaces you didn’t want to alter.

9. Utility blades/Stanley knife

A utility knife, commonly known as a Stanley knife in the UK, is used for cutting clean, sharp lines in a huge range of materials such as veneer, carpet, vinyl and more. Even if you don’t think you’ll be cutting much, you’ll

be surprised how many times you end up using a Stanley knife!

These are all essential tools for a range of DIY projects and repairs around the house, but if you find that you have a knack for DIY, you’ll soon be looking for a bigger toolbox!

If you need to stock up on any of these items, then come and visit the hardware store at our Crediton yard, you’re sure to find everything you need.