The BASIC Fix-It Tool Kit contains tools needed for simple household repairs. Tools are heat treated and chrome plated to resist corrosion, and contained in a handy blow molded case.
The Fix-It Club offers simple instructions on how to troubleshoot and repair or recycle household things more than 500 household things that break. An important part of any repair is selecting easy repair tools for the job. Here are some practical suggestions for easy repair tools and home repair tool kits.
Tool Basics
A tool is any mechanical implement that cuts, turns, grabs, attaches, or provides some other useful function. To perform major appliance repair, small appliance repair and most other repairs around your household you’ll need at least a few basic repair tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, drills, and pliers. There are additional repair tools for specific jobs, such as a toilet plunger, level, clamps, paint brushes, caulk gun, etc. You can find basic repair tools at local hardware stores or online at Fix-It Club Tools.
Basic Repair Tools
Which repair tools do you need in your fix-it toolbox? We recommend these basics:
- A good quality 8- or 16-ounce curved-claw hammer for installing and removing nails
- An adjustable wrench (6, 8, or 10 inches long) for tightening and loosening bolts
- A set of screwdrivers or a combination screwdriver with assorted tips (standard and Phillips) for tightening and loosening screws
- Adjustable pliers (6, 8, 10, or 12 inches long) for holding or turning things
The BETTER Fix-It Tool Kit contains all the tools necessary for most household projects. Tools are heat treated and chrome plated to resist corrosion, and are contained in a sturdy blow molded case with a built in carrying handle for convenient storage.
That’s about it. For less than the cost of replacing many broken household things, you can have the basic repair tools you need to fix hundreds of things in your household. Just make sure you buy at least medium quality. A cheap hammer is hardly worth its price. A medium-quality hammer may last you many years. Besides, you’ll probably save the cost of the tools on your first repair — and you get to keep the tools!
Better Repair Tools
You also can expand your budget to upgrade any of the basic repair tools covered here. For example, you can invest a couple dollars more to get a better set of screwdrivers or even a power screwdriver with assorted tips. If you want to add on to this basic toolbox to make tasks easier — or to make even more repairs — you can get these:
- A basic multimeter for testing electrical voltage, current, and resistance.
- Hand or power drill with assorted bits for drilling holes in wood, metal, or plastic
- Wire stripper for cutting and removing the outer wrapper (insulation) from around electrical wires
- Retractable-blade utility knife for cutting softer materials such as plastics
- Measuring tape for measuring the height, width, or depth of various materials
- Hand, hack, or power saw for cutting wood, plastic, or metal (depending on the blade used)
- Set of wrenches (open- and closed-end) with standard (inches) and metric (millimeter) sizes for bolts and nuts
- Socket wrench set with standard (U.S.) and metric sizes using 1/4-, 3/8-, or 1/2-inch ratchet drives for bolts and nuts
- Allen wrench set for tightening and loosening Allen-head screws and bolts
- Files are useful for removing excess metal, plastic, and wood.
The BEST Fix-It Tool Kit is a versatile array of tools for a wide variety of household projects. Tools are heat treated and chrome plated to resist corrosion, and are contained in a sturdy blow molded case with a built in carrying handle for convenient storage. Features an easy-to-use cordless screwdriver with 20 versatile tips.
In addition to common screws and screwdrivers, you may occasionally run in to spanner and Torx fasteners. Both are designed to resist tampering. A spanner bit has a notch in the middle (for fasteners sometimes found on coffee makers). Torx fasteners have six points. In addition, Torx tamper-resistant screws have a post in the center that makes it even more difficult to open (found on some microwaves). If you need to get past one of these fasteners, you can purchase these special tools at larger hardware stores or auto parts centers.
Basic Painting Tool Box
A basic tool kit for painting projects will include these items:
- Paint brushes or paint pads for applying paint and other finishes to smaller surfaces (better brushes will cost more, but will last a lot longer and spread paint more easily and evenly)
- Paint roller (frame and cover) and tray for applying paint and other finishes to larger surfaces (a better quality roller cover will last for years and apply paint more easily and evenly)
- Cartridge gun for applying caulking and other sealers
- Scrapers and sandpaper for removing paint and other finishes from wood, metal, or plastic
- A-frame ladder or sturdy step-stool for reaching higher locations
These basic painting tools (tray, roller, cover, handle and brush) are all you need for touch-up painting jobs.
Fix-It Work Area
One of the keys to quick repairs is having a convenient place to work. Tools, standard parts, and good lighting are all together in one place. And it’s a place where you can leave things spread out if needed without complaints or losing parts.
Like where? To start, a corner of the dining room or a spare room will work. Parts and tools can be in a small tool chest or even a cardboard box. Nothing fancy, just efficient. Or you can use a small desk in an extra room or in your garage. A used student desk can be purchased for less than the cost of a repair and will give you working surface plus storage for tools and parts. Someday you may have a fix-it bench in the garage (as we do), or even a separate shop, with all the tools you’ve purchased with the money you’ve saved by fixing things yourself.
–Dan “The Fix-It Man” Ramsey
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