Toolkit Essentials: The 15 Must-Haves for Your Home

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Toolkit Talk: A well-rounded home repair toolkit - one that will light your way to the breaker switch on a stormy night and save your behind when the toilet bowl begins to fill - includes the following 15 items:

1 A standard claw hammer

2 An adjustable wrench

3 A tape measure





4 Screwdrivers (both standard and Phillips head)

5 A cordless drill and set of bits

6 Standard slip-joint, needle-nose and wire-cutting pliers

7 Hacksaw for cutting metals and plastics

8 Medium-size pair of tongue-and-groove pliers

9 A pair of locking pliers

10 General-purpose wood saw

11 Putty knife

12 Utility light and several long, heavy-duty extension cords

13 Dependable flashlight

14 Battery-operated stud-finder

15 Plunger for minor plumbing fixes.

Your essential tools will come in handy for routine repairs such as stopping leaks at the base of a faucet (with your adjustable wrench), or for hanging shelves or pictures (with your hammer, drill, stud finder, tape measure and level).

Needle-nose pliers are just the thing for reaching into tight spaces, twisting small wires, and holding small metal parts and nails in place for screwing or hammering.

Other tools for occasional projects:

-- an electric saber saw

-- a set of socket wrenches

-- a circular saw

-- an electric palm or orbital sander

-- an assortment of paint brushes

-- a staple gun.

-- an assortment of nuts, bolts, screws, and metal washers

-- rubber washers for leaky faucets

-- duct tape

-- several sizes of nails or tacks

-- fine sandpaper

-- lubricating oil for door hinges

-- a versatile glue

-- a container of liquid drain opener.

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