A fully stocked toolbox can prove to be very beneficial as a homeowner. You will come across many DIY repairs and renovation projects. You will never fully realize how many items and tools you need until you have a couple of projects and repairs under your belt. It can be helpful to stock your toolbox prior to needing items, as you will find yourself running to the home improvement store multiple times. There are a few generic items that should already be in your DIY toolbox.
Tape Tape will be a necessary binding product for many repairs. It is also very beneficial for quick fixes, in the event you do not have the proper tools, which will likely be often. If your bathroom sink springs a leak, for example, you will need new hose clamps. You may even need an entirely new kitchen faucet, depending on the location of the leak. Although tape will not permanently fix it, it may hold off on, or reduce the amount of flooding that occurs while you gather the necessary hose clamps.
Nails Many products come with the required nails for installation. However, if you are building something from scratch or you are repairing something, you may not have the correct size of nail that is needed. Although there is a generic size of nail, you will find it useful to stock multiple sizes in your DIY toolbox. Custom fasteners and alternative nail sizes can usually be found at your local home improvement store or from a nail supplier store.
Screws Screws are another important item to have in your DIY toolbox. Most sizes of screws, including small screws, custom screws, and tiny screws are all necessary. They are generally better at holding items together or in the wall than nails are. A standard screw, the one you will likely use the most is a self tapping screw that is used to fasten fans to the case (and also ventilation related plastic parts like ducts, if your case has them). This screw is usually 10 mm long and usually has a flat head.
Some screws are also made to hold more weight and may be more appropriate for commercial grade projects. Commercial grade shoulder screws in standard sizes, as specified by ASME B18.3 for inch sizes and ASME B18.3.3M for metric sizes are available from most fastener and bearing distributors. Also, screws with fine threads are slightly stronger. This is because the smaller fine threads take up less of the available area. A one fourth UNF thread is about 14% stronger than its UNC counterpart. However, these types of screws are generally not needed for most household projects.
Tools Your small screws and micro fasteners are pointless if you do not have the necessary tools to use them. A strong and sturdy hammer will be used for many projects. You may also use the other side of the hammer to pull apart large items, which may be especially helpful in tearing out and installing flooring. A couple of high quality screwdrivers may be beneficial in screwing items into the wall for a more sturdy fit. You will need multiple sizes of screwdrivers to fit different screw sizes, including small screws and custom screw sizes from the screw manufacturer.
Tool cleaners Tools work best when they are cleaned and properly maintained. This goes for both the tool and the nails and small screws. Ensure that your DIY toolbox is in a temperature controlled area and that it is away from any moisture. If it is exposed to extremely cold weather or wetness, carefully inspect all items before using them on any household projects.
Homeowners are constantly improving and repairing important parts of the house. To prevent timely projects, ensure that your DIY toolbox is ready for basic projects. Equip it with high quality and properly maintained tools. Also ensure that you have a variety of sizes of both nails and screws. Have extras available of the standard sized screws and nails. Keep your DIY toolbox in a safe environment for easy access.