Putting Together a Household Tool Kit

If you're like most, you have many of the necessary homeowner's tools. However, are they all in once place? Can you easily put your hands on that tape measure or utility knife? What's more, when's the last time you could located that brand-new hammer or the screwdriver set your mother gave you last year for Christmas?

Putting together a household tool kit with all the basic tools handy makes household projects and repairs a simple endeavor. These basic tools might be kept in a hall closet, kitchen drawer, or in a tool box in the mudroom. Choose a space in your home for your tool kit that is convenient and within reach. Include in your basic took kit these items:

Tape Measure
A 25-foot tape measure will work well for most home jobs. Whether you're measuring for a window treatment, or for new flooring, choose a tape measure that can handle your home's spaces. A smaller, 6- to 12-foot tape measure is ideal for shopping trips or for hanging pictures.

Screwdrivers
While you may have a full collection of screwdrivers, two basic screwdrivers are a must for your household tool kit. Choose a flat head screwdriver and Phillips head screwdriver in a medium size, and both in good quality. Smaller screwdrivers come in handy when you need to fix computer equipment or tighten a pair of eyeglasses.

Pliers
Include in your kit an assortment of pliers in various shapes and sizes. Needle-nose pliers are used most often, but also include heavier pliers for removing nails or large staples. Wire cutting pliers are a must for wiring and craft jobs.

Level
No homeowner should be without a level. A quality, sturdy level will provide much-needed assistance in positioning items such as shelves accurately. Levels are also useful for hanging pictures, drilling holes in a level line, or mounting towel bars.

Hammer
A medium weight hammer can cover most household projects. Include other sizes in your tool kit for more delicate jobs or construction.

Nails and Screws
Purchase prepackaged sets of basic sized nails and screws at your local home center. Place them in a small box with dividers for an assorted collection that will come in handy when hanging pictures or making minor repairs.

Wire Cutters
Too many homeowners consider their everyday scissors as being the tool of choice when it comes to cutting wire. Save those scissors with a pair of wire cutters - ideal for craft projects, electrical repairs, and other household projects.

Spackle and Putty Knife
Spackle is necessary for filling in nail holes prior to painting or to repair scratches or holes in the walls. A small tub of spackle will do nicely for the average homeowner. To apply the spackle, you'll need a putty knife. Putty knives are also useful for scraping paint or repairing wallpaper. They come in metal or plastic and can be purchased inexpensively at your local paint store.

Felt, Plastic and Carpet Dots
Felt pads can also be applied to the bottoms of vases or other decorative items that may scratch a table surface. Plastic or rubber dots can be applied to the back of a framed picture to keep them level. Heavier carpet dots are used to protect chair and table legs from scraping hardwood floors.

Blue Painter's Tape
Resembling plain masking tape, blue painter's tape is blue in color and comes in several widths. Used by professional painters who use the tape to mask off areas they don't want covered in paint, blue tape can be removed from most surfaces without damage. It can also be used for other household projects such as marking stud locations when hanging a picture or installing molding. Blue tape can also be used to tape down runners of kraft paper to protect floors from dirt and scratches when moving.

Utility Knife
A utility knife is useful for opening moving boxes and packages. They can also come handy for wallpapering or craft projects. Homeowners have a variety of utility knives from which to choose.

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