Hand Tools for Every Job

By Clint Thomas

Equip a Work Belt with the Most Often Used Tools and Gadgets.

Some things can only be learned through experience. One area in which this is resoundingly true is the contents of the seasoned DIY guy’s tool belt. After having spent the past 14 years working on several houses in some form or fashion, I have filled my tool belt with a collection of tools and gadgets that I consider to be, not only essential, but almost universal to any project.

Admittedly, some tools are specific to a particular job, such as a taping tool for applying joint compound or a paintbrush. However, I have found that I consistently use a small battery of tools in just about every job that I work on.  Whether I am hanging drywall, framing a wall, installing ceramic tile or changing electrical fixtures, I always seem to need the same basic set of tools. In fact, I am able to grab my well worn tool belt and not have to think about what tools that I might need, other than power tools or any specialty tool.

Must Haves

I suspect that my most used tool is my tape measure. The old adage of “measure twice, cut once” is very sound advice. I keep a 25-foot tape measure on my tool belt at all times, and I always make sure that I have at least one pencil for marking the measurements. In order to sharpen the pencil and also to cut a plethora of other items, I have a utility knife with a retractable blade. I make sure to keep a supply of new razor blades in the handle of the utility knife.

A good utility knife can be used for a little bit of everything. Most of today’s models can store an extra blade or two inside the handle.

The tape measure will likely get the most mileage of all your tools. A 25’ to 30’ tape will suffice for most jobs, big and small.

Another often used tool is my triangular Speed Square. This is a very handy tool for simple measuring, drawing straight lines and marking angles. Once a person becomes familiar with its use, it becomes almost as indispensable as the tape measure.

I complement this item with a bevel square and a compass. Having spent the past ten years renovating a Victorian “painted lady,” I have had many occasions to use a compass to draw a circle or to transcribe a contour from one piece of molding onto a piece of new stock. You might not use a compass too often, but when you need it, you’ll be very thankful that you have one on hand.

A torpedo level quickly confirms plumb or level and easily fits into a toolbox or belt. Some of the newest models, such as the Johnson level shown, include features such as magnets and even glow-in-the-dark bubble vials.