No matter what you are trying to build or repair, you will always need to have the right tools for the job. This includes everything from tools to protective gear to those fixings to keep things together. If you are a new DIYer, here is the ultimate tool guide to ensure that you have the right tool at hand as needed.

 

  • Hand vs Power Tools

 

The first question most newbie DIYers ask is whether they can get by with hand tools like screwdrivers and hammers. There really is no easy one-size-fits-all answer to that. It actually depends on what you are doing and the amount of pressure you will need to apply. Whether you are drilling a hole or hammering nails, there are both hand and power tools available for the job. Most often you can get by with a hammer, for example, but on those rare occasions that you will be hammering hundreds of nails, you may want a nail gun. This also means that you’ll need an air compressor, so it helps to read up on how this kind of equipment works, for safety if for no other reason!

 

  • Knives and Multi-Tools

 

Let’s step aside for just a moment and consider all those other ‘little’ tools many people forget about when ordering materials and tools for a project. Don’t forget that you may need such things as box cutters and knives as well. Box cutters come in handy when it’s time to take everything out of the cartons they’ve come in and knives serve an invaluable function as well. Some people use things like carpenter’s chalk to mark lines when measuring and cutting wood whilst others make notches with their Swiss army multi-tool knives. It’s up to you what you use, but always have at least one of each on hand. You will need them at some point. That’s almost guaranteed!

 

  • The Nuts and Bolts of Any Job

 

There was a time in the not so distant past that the UK used primarily double-threaded screws. These were used because of their strength but with the common use now of chip or particle board, single thread screws have become much more popular. You can spend a huge amount on screws if you don’t shop wisely, so do check out the availability of Tradefix screws online so that you get quality screws at reasonable prices. Unfortunately, the nuts and bolts of any job boils down to the fixings you use, so do shop with care. Get the right screw, nail, bolt or fixing for the materials you work with and it will be a job that lasts and withstands any weight or abuse thrown at it.

In the end, there really is no ultimate guide to the tools you’ll need because every task requires a different set of tools. The ‘ultimate’ guide will advise you to do your research well prior to commencing any project whatsoever. If you are working with wood, for example, you’ll need wood screws which are pointed but when fixing metal, you’ll either weld or use metal screws” to add: “most likely using one of these multi-purpose tools.   Take the time to understand what you are trying to accomplish.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X