The DIY Dream – 8 Must Haves for the Home Handywoman

If you’re a handy chick who likes to get up close and personal with home DIY projects, you need a well-stocked tool kit. They come in all shapes and sizes, but the important thing is that you get the basics right. For instance, not everybody is going to need a three in one wood planer, but all DIY enthusiasts need a sturdy hammer and some good screwdrivers.

The problem with most tool collections is that there’s no organization.

People tend to get excited and buy expensive products, but they don’t always use them. They end up gathering dust in a garden shed because the purchase was made on a whim. Ultimately, you only need a few items to start with. You can build up your collection in stages.

This guide to creating the ultimate home toolkit will help you get the pieces in the right place.

The Toolbox

You can’t start a collection without having somewhere safe to put it. Strong, sturdy plastic containers are widely available and they lend themselves very well to tool storage. If you’ve got young children, it is a really good idea to invest in lockable chests.

Claw Hammer

The claw hammer is the multipurpose tool of the hammer world.

If you’re only going to get one, make it one of these. You can use it for levering out nails just as easily as driving them into wood, metal, or plastic.

Adjustable Wrench

Most high-quality wrenches are adjustable these days because you can’t swap it out for a new tool every time that you encounter a different sized bolt. This would take far too long, so use a wrench which is versatile.

Combination Pliers

You need a good pair of combination pliers for holding, turning, and pulling out different sized nails. Find a pair with a comfortable, no-slip handle so you don’t have trouble gripping when you’re levering nails out.

LED Flashlight

Many DIY fans forget to include a flashlight in their toolkits, but it is essential.

When you find yourself rooting around in the basement after a power cut or fixing a leak in the attic, you need a reliable torch. LED designs are extremely powerful and can be picked up at affordable prices.

Awl

The curiously named ‘awl’ is a little tool designed for making and starting off nail holes. It has a sharp end which is driven into the wood or plastic. The handle is normally rounded so that you can keep a firm grip while applying pressure.

Flat/Cross Head Screwdrivers

No tool kit is complete without a set of flat head screwdrivers.

In fact, you won’t get very far in most DIY projects without them. It is worth investing a little more for a premium product because they should last you many years. Pick up a set of cross head screwdrivers as well, so that you can deal with any nail you encounter.

Retractable Tape Measure

Retractable, lockable tape measures are widely available and really cheap to buy.

Most homeowners have a number of these in different places around the house. Just dig one out whenever it is time to start a new project.

Why DIY Is the Modern Woman’s Game

Every year, the number of women getting into DIY grows, because modern ladies are no longer content to leave the fixing, repairing, and creating to men. They want to get their hands dirty and experience the satisfaction that comes with having solved a problem. The power of DIY is often underestimated. It is soothing, relaxing, and extremely rewarding too.