Tools Every Homeowner Should Have: Part 2

Time for Part 2. Get out your notebooks!

Disclaimer-Captain DIY and DIYtoFI.blog highly recommend exercising extreme caution when attempting DIY projects. Not everybody can do everything, and some things should only be done by professionals. Keep your digits attached, and keep the insurance company off of your back. Do it right or call the right people!

Okay kids, it’s time for another  addition of Tools Every Homeowner Should Have! Just because these tools weren’t involved in the first episode doesn’t mean these are any less important. At least that’s what I tell them, don’t want my inanimate objects feeling bad.

This next round of tools brings us a little closer to Ultimate DIY Get Stuff Done Level, so grab a notebook and pay attention. Today we start with something that will possibly save your marriage. That’s right, I said it.

Ear Protectors

These bad boys keep the noise level of the power saw you’re forcing through that nail you can’t see in your scrap wood down to levels that won’t cause deafness in your golden years . You may have to have people repeat themselves when you’re wearing them now, but you won’t have to when you’re not wearing them from year 60 until death. Have you tried to have a conversation with an old-timer carpenter? You’re better off just emailing them. And think of the appreciation your partner will have for this humble piece of gear when they don’t have to go hoarse yelling at you to get your attention because your TV is waking up your neighbors in the cemetery next door.

Saw

Granted, the saw in the picture is a hacksaw made for cutting metal. While this is an incredibly useful tool, the more important version would be the wood saw. I just seem to have, er, misplaced mine at the moment. Looks like a tool organizer is going to be a part of the next list. A power saw, such as a circular saw or reciprocating saw , is great for saving your energy during a job, but a manual saw is a twentieth of the price and it will get the job done.

Level

This one is great, especially if you don’t want people’s reactions to your projects to be something along the lines of, “interesting”. Keep your bits level and plumb , and it’ll not only make your life easier in terms of helping you stay square, it’ll keep your projects looking less like a Dr Suess drawing and more like the sketch on that Denny’s napkin that you made halfway through your Tall Stack.

Extension Cord

Can’t have too may of these! Wherever you are working, you can be sure there will not be a receptacle anywhere nearby. They abhor work, and scurry off to the farthest corner of the room as soon as they sense its approach. Always have a heavy-duty extension cord with at least 14 AWG or larger . By the way, with wire size, the smaller the number the larger the size. Go figure.

Speed Square

This is a critical tool if you plan on making any cuts to anything and hope to have those cuts end up anywhere near straight and square . Not only does it give you a nice 90 degree angle, it has all kinds of markings that presumably give you other great angles and things as well. Nobody really knows what all of those markings are for, but they look cool anyway.

Adjustable Pliers

If there’s one rule to fixing stuff, it’s Try Hitting It . If that doesn’t work, try squeezing it and turning it. Adjustable pliers can grab onto just about anything you need them to, and they come in sizes ranging from I Hope I Don’t Rip My Needlepoint Doing This to This Is my Pliers-Carrying Wheelbarrow. They are directional though, so make sure you are putting force in the right direction. Otherwise you’re fighting yourself, and we don’t need pliers to help with that, do we?

Pencil

You’re gonna need to mark where to cut the board, you’re gonna need to write down those measurements, and you’re gonna need to jot down the lunch order for the contractors you hired to fix your screw-ups. You’re gonna need a pencil . If you really want to look like you know what you’re doing, you’re definitely going to want a carpenter’s pencil , not just some boring ol’ number 2. Remember, get the right tools for the job, and people will realize how awesome you are and show their respect and gratitude with frequent displays of subservience. I think, I don’t actually know this from experience.

Well, that wraps up another edition of Tools Every Homeowner Should Have. The tools listed here are pretty much essential for most home repair projects, and certainly for any home addition projects as well. Once again, a better quality tool will cost more initially, but it will surely save you money in the long run. Get the right tool for the job, and it will go as smoothly as you allow it. Now get out there and make the Captain proud!

Missed Part One? Check it out here.