Toolbox Must-Haves

Have you ever needed a tool to fix something in your house and didn't have the right tool? There comes a point in everyone's life that you need to have some tools of your own. A variety of hand tools are great to have for small home improvement tasks and craft projects. They are essential for do-it-yourself  projects, and putting together almost anything other than Ikea furniture will probably require a the basics.

Keeping a small toolbox  on hand is the best way to make sure you're prepared to complete most simple projects, without a trip to the local hardware store. If you're looking to collect a large supply of tools, you may want to pick them out on your own; otherwise, most hardware stores stock home tool kits  that come in cases or tool bags. For women who are instantly confused upon entering a hardware store, check out the tool kits designed specifically for the smaller hands of women,  which come in feminine colors. You don't want to become the annoying neighbor who is always asking to borrow a hammer  or screwdriver  so here are some essential objects everyone should have in their toolbox. 

The Basics

Essential Tools
Tool Storage  The organization of tools is necessary so you can easily find them every time you need them. Toolboxes  are made out of a variety of materials including metal and durable plastic. There are also boxes with wheels that are easily transported. A tool bag  is compact easy to store and easy to move around. Great for a person with just a few tools with no intention of collecting more.	Hammer  The hammer is one of the oldest tools know to man. Hammers come in a variety of types, so it's important to choose the one most suited to your tasks. The best hammer for a person is one that fits comfortably in his or her hand and completes the job. For an ergonomic hammer, check out the Stanley Fat Max Xtreme Anti-Vibe Hammer,  which features a handle built with 24 stabilizing pins to lessen reverberation by 30 percent.	Wrench  A wrench is a basic tool used for tightening or loosening bolts or nuts. Adjustable wrenches  save the space that an entire wrench set requires. Check out the Crescent R2 RapidRench.  It instantly adjusts to fit 38 socket sizes and loosens just as quickly as it tightens. Allen Wrenches  have a hexagonal tip on both sides and are designed for easy use in small areas.	Screwdrivers  Screwdrivers helps to insert or release screws and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Phillips head  screwdrivers, are to be used with a Phillips head screw which features two crossing slots. Standard screwdrivers  feature a flat head  and are used for screws with a single slot. The OXO Good Grips screwdriver  is a non-slip 4-in-1 precision screwdriver with 2 double ended magnetized bits and costs around $6.	Level  The use of a level in a project ensures that objects will not slide off your shelves and that your pictures are not crooked. Makes sure objects won't be crooked when hung on a wall. A Bubble Level  or Spirit Level  is the most common type used Laser Level  is becoming more common. It creates an accurate straight line without marking up walls with a pencil.

Tape Measure  Every time you go to hang a picture or a curtain rod, a tape measure helps ensure you hang them at the desirable height. More useful than a standard ruler. Pick one that is 25-feet long, easy to hold and comes with a locking feature.	Pliers  Pliers are a great tool for gripping and bending small objects. Needle nose  or long nose  pliers are generally used in bending and manipulating wire. Slip-joint pliers  feature a thick nose and allow for a strong grip on objects with their serrated and contoured teeth.	Wire cutter  Wire cutters are similar to pliers but when their only purpose is cutting and stripping wire. Typically used by electricians and jewelers. Useful for scrapbooking and other craft projects that may involve wire decorations.	Utility Knife  Also known as a box cutter,  a utility knife is great to have on hand due to its variety of uses, including cutting, scoring and trimming. Box cutters have a hollow handle to store extra blades. You won't have to run to the store if one breaks.	Scissors  Who can ever find a pair of scissors when you need them? Store a pair in your toolbox and have you won't have to leave your project to go and hunt down a pair in the house.

Other Useful Items

• Safety Goggles 
• Nails 
• Wire 
• String 
• Electrical Tape 
• Fastener Kit 
• Duct Tape 

Popular Manufacturers

• Craftsman 
• Husky 
• Kobalt 
• SK 
• Snap-On 
• Stanley 

Related Products

Hand Saw	Drill	Stud Finder	Power Saw	Nail Gun

External Links

• DIYnetwork.com: Typical toolbox essentials.
• Rd.com: Reader's Digest's tool school
• EHow.com: How to organize a toolbox?
• Lowes.com: A do-it-yourself beginners toolbox.