30 Tools Every Homeowner Should Have
Whether you are a dedicated DIYer or just need a hammer to help hang up artwork, having the right tools to get the job done is essential when taking on any home improvement project. No matter what your skill set, below is a list of 30 tools every homeowner should have. Not ready to buy all these tools just yet? Remember, tool rental is available at The Home Depot.
You'll use an adjustable wrench to remove nuts and bolts. Also great for plumbing fittings.
Using a level to find straight lines and plumb sections of framing. Very useful for all types of building projects.
Anytime caulk or adhesives are in a tube form, a caulking gun is needed to apply them effectively.
A chalk line makes long straight lines. This is essential for any laying out of any home project.
Use a circular saw to cut lumber and plywood. Great for building and removal work.
A combination square allows you to mark boards for crosscutting.
These are extremely useful when scribing the cut line for flooring you lay next to the wall. It's also great for marking holes for cuts.
This saw is needed so you can correctly cut molding at inside corners. Ones with carbide blades can cut curves in tile.
A cordless drill keeps the workplace free of extension cords. Use it for drilling holes and driving screws.
Great for cutting electrical wiring when needed. Always work with unenergized wires before starting any electrical job.
Use this tool to square large framing members.
This tool can grip pipes and fittings or loosen connections when removing fixtures.
A full-size hacksaw can cut pipes and helps in removing rusted fittings and old sections of pipe and conduit.
Use this smaller hacksaw to cut in tight areas. Most use the same full-size blades as well as shorter cutting blades.
Use this with the cordless drill to bore big holes in wood and other materials.
This saw is used for cutting access panels, flooring, and holes for a sink, among other projects.
A layout square does many of the same things as a framing square and can serve as a guide when crosscuttng with a circular saw.
18. Magnetic Sleeve and Screwdriver Bits
Use these with your cordless drill/driver. The magnetic tip holds the screw, and the sleeve slides down over it to hold it steady for driving.
For cutting miters in trim, you'll need either a miter box or a power mitersaw.
You'll find a nail set handy for driving finishing nails below the surface for moldings.
A plumb bob hangs at the end of a line and provides a vertical reference.
These clamps quickly tighten with one hand-a real advantage. You can choose from several sizes to hold securely whatever pipe, wood, or material you are working on.
These bits bore through holes through framing or subflooring for pipes and cables.
This handy tool will locate studs in the walls. Get one that locates the stud by sensing its density, not the presence of nails.
Use a T-bevel to transfer angles from one surface to another.
A tape measure is a compact ruler made for all measuring tasks. A great size for almost all projects is 25 feet in length and 1 inch wide.
A toolbox handsaw packs a lot of cutting power into a compact size and makes quick work of cutting things down to size.
Use a torpedo level where a carpenter's level won't fit.
This handy knife does everything from sharpening pencils to cutting drywall.
A framing hammer, particularly the 16 oz size, is essential. It's heavy enough to drive framing nails yet light enough to do trim work.
Based on your project, this list may not complete all your tool needs. However, these are the basic tools essential for any homeowner.
Let us know what your essential tools are! We'd love to hear from you.
Joseph
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