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Every good toolbox has plenty of basic tools, but what are the essential, quality tools you’ll need when starting off your toolbox? Walking into your local home improvement store can become very overwhelming as there are plenty of tools and plenty of aisles filled with tools. Here are the 10 essential types of tools you should have in your toolbox.
From gardening tools to electrical work to even woodworking, you’ll need the right quality tools to perform everyday tasks around your home. Narrowing down your essentials can appear to be very difficult. However, it can be relatively easy with a list to follow.
Safety Gear
- Comfortable safety vest made with breathable mesh fabric
- Premium quality vests meets ANSI/ISEA
- Silver reflective stripes with expandable elastic sides
- Breathable high visibility material and light for summer wear
In every toolbox, you should have some form of safety gear. This includes, but is not limited to, safety glasses, gloves, and you may choose to put a mask in your toolbox as well.
Safety Glasses
- BISON LIFE Everyday Safety Glasses, Clear Lens Clear Temple, Pack of 12 pairs.
- Incredibly light, all-around ballistic impact protection with a snug, comfortable, and secure fit that helps minimize slippage.
- Full coverage and Scratch Resistant coating for the best protection for your eyes and for the maintenance of the glasses.
Safety glasses are to protect your eyes from any sawdust, shards of metal or wood, from getting into your eyes.
Gloves
- Made of HPPE blended with spandex, steel wire and nylon. Comply with ANSI cut resistance Level 6, provide industry grade hand protection.
- Reinforced coating between thumb and index fingers offers extra endurance. Smart touchscreen design allows working with tablet or phone, work gloves for men and women.
- Rough black sandy nitrile finish on palm and fingers guarantees excellent anti-slip performance when holding glass/pipes, even in wet or oily conditions.
Any kind of work gloves should be in your toolbox. Whether they are working gloves, rigger gloves, or plastic gloves. These are used to protect your fingers and hands, as fingers can get jammed. Sometimes this is the safest option when working with any material to lessen burns, cuts, and exposure to any possible chemicals. For more information on when to wear safety gloves.
Masks
- BASE CAMP M Plus face mask is the third generation of BASE CAMP dust mask. Adopted EAPI filter technology and Advanced Nanotechnology.
- High-quality mesh materials, the dust face mask is 11.3% more breathable, strengthens the ability of air circulation, dissipates heat, also reduces moisture inside to ensure smooth breathing.
- Designed with adjustable hook and loop strap, the reusable face masks can be adjusted to fit most people for snugly fit.
In your toolbox, you should have a mask, not a surgical mask, but a dust mask. This type of mask is designed to limit the amount of dust that you breathe in. Though it is not as effective as a respirator, it is effective enough to limit some of the dust you will breathe in.
Utility Knife
- Heavy duty zinc-alloy utility knife with SK5 blade and rubber anti-slip cushion grip handle
- Retractable and adjustable blade slides open to 3 different blade lengths for exact cuts; easily retracts to lock safely when not in use
- Best for general and precision cutting: box cutting, arts and crafts, cardboard, carpet, drywall, rope, vinyl, leather, flooring, and wood
The most common cutting tool is the utility knife. This is a basic hand tool that everyone needs in their home. This knife is commonly used to open boxes and crafts. However, it does have more uses than only opening boxes and craft cutting, it can be used for many other things making it essential for your toolbox.
Utility knives, sometimes called Exacto knives, can be used for cutting drywall, removing caulking, or helping to cut wallpaper. If you’re using it to cut any smaller items, make sure to use a cutting board to avoid scratching surfaces.
Saw
- Our pro hand saw is designed for precise cutting including dovetails, miters, and tenons. The saw cuts through materials like wood, plastic pipe, plywood, wallboard.
- Induction-hardened teeth that stay sharp up to five times longer than standard teeth and produces smooth, sharp, and quick cuts.
- Anti-Slip Super Grip handle resists slipping and adds comfort, The handle size will work with any hand size from small to extra-large and is designed to help lessen fatigue when cutting. Unique handle design allows for superior cutting angle.
In your toolbox, a saw is one of the essential tools you will need. There are different saws that are used for different tasks depending on what you are looking to do. Your typical handsaw usually has two sets of teeth and is about a foot long. This saw is called a crosscut hand saw, it is a push it forward to cut through wood.
The best power tool to place in your toolbox would be a hacksaw. Hacksaws are smaller and cut through wood, plastic, and metal. It is used like a crosscut saw but pushing the saw forward. Here’s more information on using a hacksaw.
Measuring Tape and Small Level
- This laser tape measure includes two mode-131.2FT laser measurement and 16.5FT tape measurement.
- Press the FUNCUNITS key to switch the mode of Meterk laser tape measure, followed by area measurement, volume measurement, Pythagorean measurement.
- 40m/13.21ft, laser measurement accuracy: +/- 2mm，It’s available to operate continuous measure, accurate distance can be read within the effective range while moving，Class II laser production<1mW power output.
Before getting to cutting, you will need to measure out your project. It is important to keep a measuring tape in your toolbox to properly measure out your project, space, and materials. This way you are not wasting material by cutting it too short or making it too big. It will make them all the correct length, based on your measurement.
Keeping a level in your toolbox and a measuring tool will also help in keeping your project level and even.
Pliers
- Material: The Pliers body is made of high-quality CR-V steel, with overall heat treatment, higher hardness and long lifetime
- Production technology: twice heat treatment of the cutting edge, harder, cutting edge CNC processing, thinner, labor saving 30%, more convenient to use
- Hanging hook design: the tail hanging hook design is convenient for hanging and can prevent falling when working at height
When a nail or a staple gets stuck in a piece of wood, you will hope you have a pair of pliers in your toolbox. Pliers are a great extra to have in your toolbox, they can be used for gripping objects that are in awkward places, or get a grip stronger than that of your hand.
You will want to get a set of pliers as they vary in use. Though pliers are commonly used as a wire cutter or stripper, they are an essential tool for your toolbox.
Screwdrivers
- Alloy-steel blades are heat-treated for strength and durability.
- Coated with a satin-nickel finish.
- Comfort Optimized handle for high & low torque applications.
Screwdrivers are great to keep in your toolbox as they are not as powerful as a drill, however, they will get any screw in. They are perfect for installing light switch covers, opening the cover for batteries, screwing in screws that are on smaller projects.
Drill and Drill Bits
- The left hand drill bits are made of high-quality high-speed steel. It has high hardness and durability, and it is easy to disassemble damaged screws.
- Laser etched markings of sizes on bits that organized in the heavy-duty and lightweight plastic case for easy storage and transportation.
- The spiral flutes designed to enter deeply into the metal as you turn the tool for increased grip. Mechanic Cobalt Drill bits are designed to drill counter clockwise into screws and blots to loosen them easily and quickly.
When the project is too big for a screwdriver, it is time for a drill. A cordless drill is an excellent addition to your toolbox. When you need to place a screw into the wall, for example, the drill makes it easier to put the screw in the wall. Using a screwdriver would be much more difficult.
Be sure to have a variety of drill bits in your toolbox. It is essential, as different screws use different heads. It is frustrating when you have to make a run to the hardware store, for that one bit you do not have.
Clamps
- 14-piece nylon spring clamp set with 3-3/8-inch clamps (x6), 4-1/2-inch clamps (x4), and 6-1/2-inch clamps (x4)
- Securely holds items in place; ideal for photography, woodworking, crafts, backdrops, and other projects
- 3 jaw-open sizes: 2-1/4 inches, 1-3/4 inches, and 1-3/8 inches
Clamps are an excellent addition to your toolbox as they will hold things in place while you work on them. They are useful when cutting a piece of wood or gluing something together. It will make your project that much easier.
Hammer
- Durability: overstrike protection where fiberglass handles are most prone to break
- Improved grip during use: over mold grip
- Driving and pulling nails
Every toolbox needs a hammer. A hammer can be used for many things. It can take down drywall, plaster, or drive in a nail. It can be used for simple things like, hanging a picture frame, or pulling out a nail. Either way, having a hammer is extremely convenient to have in your toolbox.
Sander
- The electric sander has 3-position grip for control and ease of use in many applications
- Compact size gets into tight spaces and maximizes user control
- An included detail finger attachment can be interchanged to help sand hard to reach spaces
- Hook and loop system helps make paper changes easy. Dust Collection: Yes, Canister
Having a sander in your toolbox can be extremely useful. Sandpaper alone will help to file down any rough paint, and drywall repair patches. As wood gets used, it can get rough, and you’ll want to smoothen it out with a palm sander, or an orbital palm sander. This will help to bring wood products back to life again.
This is essential, as when the wood begins slivering often, or an old desk or dresser needs new life, the sandpaper will do just that. Or even before applying a fresh coat of new paint, as it will make the paint stay better, and appear fresher without nearly as many lumps.
Though finding the essentials for your toolbox can seem difficult, consider your upcoming projects. Take into account what will be needed for your upcoming projects and what steps you will need to follow, then reassess your needs for your toolbox.
