Take time to choose your tools carefully

Tag : Hand Tool Screwdriver
Take time to choose your tools carefully Story Discussion Font Size: Default font size Larger font size
By Margaret Slaby
McClatchy Newspapers | Wednesday, July 30, 2008 | No comments posted.
Bill Massey has been a handyman for 18 years. He has hungsheetrock, replaced doors, and remodeled kitchens and bathrooms.Sometimes, though, he has been flabbergasted by the jobs homeownershire him to do.

"I have been out for some really silly things that people should beable to do themselves," says Massey, who works for HandymanConnection, which has offices in Fresno and Bakersfield, Calif."I've been called out to hang pictures and put up curtain rods. Ifyou've got a tape measure, a level and a hammer, you should be ableto do that on your own. The price of these basic tools could verywell pay for a repair guy."

Tony Johnson of Johnson's Handyman Service in Fresno, Calif., saysall homeowners should keep a few basic tools close at hand.

"A lot of people today are doing their own repairs or hooking uptheir own stereos," he says. "You have to have the right tool to dothe job."

But don't cut corners when it comes to cost, experts caution.

"When you're buying tools, quality is somewhat of an issue," Masseysays. "I'm not saying to go out and find a Snap-on truck and buythe most expensive tool you can, but don't buy something cheap,either."

Many tools come with limited lifetime warranties and are well worththe few extra bucks, Johnson says.

And although a traditional toolbox is fine, Handyman Connectionowner Nick Dvorak suggests a canvas caddy. These come in varioussizes. Tools are stored vertically to eliminate rummaging around.Prices generally start about $15.

Ready to assemble your own household toolbox? Johnson and Masseyare here to help.

Screwdrivers: Aim for both small and medium Phillips and flat-head. Ascrewdriver can help remove the cover on a TV remote control tochange the batteries, tighten door hinges and assemble shelves ortoys. A flat-head is perfect for prying the lid from a can ofpaint. Price each: $4-$10.

Pliers: Stock your toolbox with each of these pliers: needlenose,channellock and linesman, Massey says.

Needlenose have pointed ends and are used for small projects, suchas holding wires while repairing a pair of eyeglasses, diggingsomething out of the garbage disposal or removing hair from ashower drain.

Channellocks have adjustable jaw openings with gripping teeth andare perfect for using on round objects, such as loosening the lidof a jar.

Linesman pliers (also called flat-nosed) have serrated jaws forgripping. They often are used for cutting wire.

Price each: $6-$18.

Hammer: Buy a smooth, claw-faced hammer with a metal head and wood orfiber- glass handle. Johnson suggests one that's 8-10 ounces. Ahammer's good for the obvious -- pounding in or removing nails --as well as putting the lid back on a can of paint or prying open awood crate. Price: $7-$20.

Tape measure: A 16-footer is "not too big and not too small," Massey says. Usethis tool when measuring space for appliances or furniture orcentering pictures on a wall.

Price: $8-$18.

Drill: While an electric drill with a 50-foot extension cord probablywill do, it's nice to also have a cordless one. "Sometimes youdon't have access to power, so you can't use an electric drill,"Massey says, "but with a cordless, you have to make sure thebatteries are charged."

Pick up an assortment of drill and driver bits. Use a bitattachment to turn a drill into a power screwdriver. Attach adriver bit to remove screws. Price: Drills start at about $40-$50. A 10-piece drill/driver set goescosts about $10.

Handsaw: With a serrated metal blade (and often a wood handle), this toolis perfect for small jobs, such as cutting tree limbs, fence board,baseboard, PVC pipe or door trim. Price: A 15-inch wood-handled handsaw will cost $10-$18.

Level: A bubble level has liquid-filled vials; the bubble moves to thecenter of the vial when an object is level. Massey recommends a24-inch-long level. Price: $15-$25 for a 24-inch bubble level with aluminum frame.

A laser level projects vertical and horizontal laser lines and isperfect for hanging items on the wall. Price: about $15.

Crescent wrench: This tool, which has a head shaped like a crescent moon, has asliding jaw that changes the wrench's width.

It's perfect for tightening or loosening bolts, such as on pipesunder the sink. Johnson says it's also handy for tightening abicycle's seat, handlebars and pedals. An 8-inch crescent wrenchshould do the job.

Price: $13-$17.

Retractable-blade utility knife: This tool, also known as a razor knife, can open cardboard boxes,slice through packaging tape or string, and cut linoleum.

Price: $3-$10.

Flashlight: A must-have when working under the kitchen sink or searching forthe fuse box during a power outage.

Price: About $4 and up.