No matter how innovative your ideas or careful your workmanship, no home improvement project can succeed without the proper tools. Before you begin your next DIY endeavor, make sure you obtain these items listed after the jump.
Multipurpose Magnets
Home improvement projects inevitably involve small metal items, including nails, screws, and washers. Keeping track of such items is difficult, and an otherwise quick DIY project will be significantly slower if you have to frequently stop your work and search for them. Magnets have the potential to speed up this process substantially. Home improvers should have at least two magnetic products:
- Magnetic Strips- You can mount a strip on your wall or on the side of your workbench and hang screws, nails, and washers against it. This allows you to quickly find and obtain the small metal pieces you need for projects.
- Handheld Magnets- If you drop a metal piece on the ground, you can find and recover it by simply waving a large handheld magnet over the area. Not only does this save you time while looking for lost nails and screws, but it lowers the risk that you will leave a sharp object on the ground for others to step on.
In addition to helping you store and find other tools, magnets themselves are easy to store. Simply hang them against your refrigerator, toolbox, or other metal item and you can easily find them whenever you need them.
Measurement Metrics
Any changes you make to your house affect its value and longevity, making proper measurements essential for DIY projects. To make the right measurements, you will need:
- A Level- This will tell you if shelves, strips, and other wall-mounted items are properly aligned— an essential characteristic when drilling something into your wall.
- A Speed Square- Designed for measurements that involve 90 degree angles, speed squares are ideal for cutting boards or making improvements to corner areas of your home.
- A Tape Measure- A standard measurement tool, this item is essential for measuring items that do not go in a single direction.
- A Ruler- In addition to measuring small spaces, rulers provide a valuable straight edge.
The more accurate your measurements, the less likely you are to make mistakes, saving you from costly corrections and even more expensive repairs to your house.
Savvy Sanders
Sanding is crucial to a variety of DIY projects, especially those involving wood or certain types of metal. Ideally, you should have two separate types of sanders:
- A Power Sander- This will allow you to sand large areas quickly and with minimal effort. Look for one with a pointed edge so that you do not miss tight corners.
- Sandpaper- This is necessary to sand small, fragile items for which a power sander is not appropriate. It also helps you touch up power sanding work on larger items.
Sanding is nothing to take lightly. Not only does it make the item you are creating smoother and prepare it for painting, but it also reduces the risk of splinters and cuts from that item. This is no small matter if you have children.
Staple Shooters
A staple gun provides a valuable alternative for holding items together. Many materials are too light or too fragile for you to insert nails and screws into them, but need to be held in place with something more sturdy than glue. Staples are a happy medium between the two alternatives, and a staple gun will drive them in deeply enough for a secure hold.
Saw Selection
The greater the variety of cuts you can make, the more flexibility you will have in remodeling your home. Your selection of saws should include:
- A Jigsaw- This type of saw is ideal for cutting intricate shapes. Opt for one with variable speed, as this will give you maximal control while you cut delicate materials.
- A Mitre Saw- Designed to cut at a variety of different angles, this type of saw is indispensable for shortening or reshaping items before and during a project.
- A Circle Saw- Suited to building decks and other large items, circular saws cut not only wood, but also tile and even metal depending on the blade.
Along with the saws themselves, buy ANSI Z87.1 goggles, gloves, and other items to keep yourself safe while cutting.
Just as saws, levels, and magnets enhance the interior of your home, sturdy siding, insulated roofing, and energy-efficient windows strengthen the exterior. For more information on these and other home improvement resources, contact Exterior Medics today.
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