Essential tools for do-it-yourselfers
Metal box
Metal tool boxes are available in a number of sizes. We recommend a box with removable trays that is easy to transport to your work site.
Claw hammer
The claw hammer (the claw being the part opposite the peen) is designed to drive and remove nails in everyday carpentry and millwork. You would be well advised to choose a 16-ounce (450-g) wrought-iron hammer with a heft that affords a solid grip and east handling. Be sure that the head is securely fastened to the handle. You can buy hammers fitted with steel, fibreglass or wood handles. You should select the handle in keeping with the environment in which you are going to be using it. Where heat may be excessive, a wood heft may perform better. On the other hand, a humid environment calls for a steel or fibreglass heft. Steel handles are covered with a nonslip rubber wrap.
Nail punch
This tool is used to sink nails in wood in order to allow for a smooth finish in all types of carpentry work. It works with nails of different sizes: 1/32", 1/16", 1/8", up to 5/32". A practical tool, the nail punch can also be used to mark the position of screws on sheet metal (e.g.: air vents).
Screwdriver
A good screwdriver must be fitted with a nonslip handle and a tip that is perfectly machine-tooled. Your tool box should contain sufficient screwdrivers to allow you to handle minor tasks around the house. We recommend two Phillips screwdrivers (star-shaped tips) in different sizes, a few flat-headed models and two Robertson (green and red sizes, square head). You can also buy short and offset screwdrivers that are very useful in difficult-to-reach places. Do-it-yourselfers are often satisfied with a multiple-head screwdriver, a single handle to which one can attach every screwdriver head normally required for household use.
Combination drill/screwdriver
The electric combination drill/screwdriver is the perfect multi-purpose tool. It can drive a screw and drill holes quickly in just about any type of material. Choose a variable-speed, reversible-action model with a 3/8" (9.5 mm) chuck, in either corded or battery version. In choosing, bear in mind the kind of work you plan on doing and the level of comfort you wish. Corded models are generally more powerful, while battery models offer more flexibility. But be sure to properly evaluate the work you intend to do, because you're dealing with a major investment.
Metal measuring tape
The metal measuring tape is an essential tool, whether you're going to use it to determine the dimensions of a room, see if it's on the square, or measure the length of a pipe. Because it can be coiled in a small casing, it's easy to carry in one's pocket or store in a tool box.
Combination square
A combination square is fitted with a sliding ruler set in a double-sleeve casing (45° and 90°) and a spirit level. It's useful for tracing parallel or perpendicular lines for small jobs; it also works as a marking gauge, a depth gauge, a ruler, a carpenter's square or a mitre square. For more elaborate work, use a framing square. It's ideal for work on rafters, right angles, stringers, etc.
Scriber
Use a scriber to mark the position of a screw on a piece of wood or metal pipe.
Level
The multi-purpose spirit level is small (less than 12" or 30 cm) in length, can be used just about anywhere and is easy to store in a tool box. It's generally fitted with three tube gauges - one horizontal, one vertical and one diagonal (for 45° readings). This type of level is used on window ledges, among other things. For more specialized work, you may find it more practical to use a carpenter's or a mason's level. Because of their length (up to 4') they can be used on fences, concrete walls and other surfaces.
Handsaw
The handsaw is used for rough crosscutting of wood as well as for more delicate jobs. If you're only going to have one saw in your tool box, it's a good choice. Its blade should be made of heat-treated or stainless steel. Protect the blade with a plastic guard.
Back saw
For more accurate crosscutting, we recommend a back saw. It's fitted with a 14' square-tip blade (11 to 14 teeth to the inch). Used with a mitre box, it will cut wood at near-perfect angles.
Hack saw
You can use different blades, from 8" to 12" on a common metal saw and cut different types of metals. You should keep a variety of blades and use them as needed. For example, a tungsten blade will cut through hard metal, while a molybdenum blade is more suited to general use and lasts longer.
