DIY Equipment Checklist: What Do You Need In Your Toolbox?

Whether you’ve always been a DIY fanatic, or you’ve just discovered your love for assembling things during lockdown, you should know that being rightly equipped for that next big project is so important. After all, every good DIY project starts with a good toolbox. 

However, with so many tools and knick-knacks to get your head around, it can be a task in itself when it comes to making sure that you’ve got all the necessary gear to work with. With that in mind, experts at the Case Farm – a manufacturing retailer who specialise in custom cut toolbox foam – have listened to these concerns and compiled their very own DIY equipment checklist for you.  

1. Spanners and Sockets

Let’s start with the fiddly bits. As you may already know, spanners act to provide a grip over a nut or bolt to allow for easy turning. From ring to open-ended, there are many different types of spanners, and it’s all about finding the right one that caters to your currentproject. 

Likewise, a socket operates on a single handle that can be fitted to maintain various grips. Both a spanner and a socket follow the same principle as a screwdriver – you have to make sure that you’ve got the right size and that you turn carefully to avoid damage to the nuts and bolts. 

2. Screwdrivers 

Don’t forget to include these in your toolbox! It is essential that you choose the right head for your screwdriver, and this choice should be dependent on the type of screws you are currently working with. The three main types of screwdriver head are: 

• Phillips Head: Cross-shaped screws tend to be a good match for this head. 
• Allens Head: Hexagonal-shaped screws tend to fit into this type of head. 
• Slot head: This type of head fits into a single wedge, meaning that it is a good match for the simplest of screws. 

It’s important to note that using the wrong type of screwdriver could cause damage to the screw head. More importantly, when it comes to operating your screwdriver, it is important to turn steadily rather than press hard. 

3. Pliers

Even though they’re not an essential addition to your toolbox, pliers are still useful when you need to loosen tough nuts and bolts, or when you’re simply requiring some extra grip. When it comes to choosing the right set of pliers for your project, there are a variety of options including: 

• Vice Grip pliers: Ideal for when you are dealing with stuck bolts. 
• Adjustable pliers: These come typically equipped with a longer handle to provide additional leverage. 
• Needle-nose pliers: These can go into tight spots and are perfect for when you are working with smaller nails.

4. Hammers 

Without giving too much of a generic textbook definition, hammers are typically used to assemble parts, drive nails, and break apart smaller objects. A claw hammer is the most popular type you’ll find in any toolbox, as they are generally ideal for most projects. However, if you are looking to push the boat out with your hammer collection, you may be interested in: 

• A Ball Pein hammer: Ideal for working with smaller nails. 
• A Club hammer: Weighing slightly more than the average hammer, a club hammer is recommended for light demolition work.
• A Mallet: This type of hammer is typically used to tap wood joints. 

5. Utility Knife 

People do tend to forget about the importance of utility knives in a toolbox. Nonetheless, this tool is highly useful for carving markers, cutting through bindings, or simply opening boxes. 

Before working with a utility knife, you should first make sure that the blade is very sharp, as you’ll find that a dulled blade will become very resistant to whatever it is that you want to do. Speaking of sharp blades, it is important to be highly careful when dealing with such a tool!

6. Clamps 

If you intend to hold items down or press objects together, a clamp is your best go-to tool. However, a clamp does not just come in one form, and the type of device that you use will depend on your project. Check out the following clamp varieties below: 

• Spring: Generally best to use if you intend to hold down lighter objects. 
• Bar Clamps: In this type of mechanism, two clamps can be moved along one bar, and these are normally equipped with a quick-release function to speed up the process. 
• G-Clamps: This traditional type of clamp can be secured at the edge of a table and then tightened using a handle. 

7. Spirit Levels 

When it comes to hanging photos and ensuring that anything you build is horizontally perfect, you can always trust spirit levels. A basic spirit level is coined as a carpenter’s level or mason’s level. This typically measures from 24 to 96 inches in length, with angular sides allowing it to operate as a straightedge. 

When dealing with any sort of spirit level, it is best to first place the tool on a surface or against a wall for marking. You can then use your spirit level a second time to make sure that everything is horizontally and vertically perfect after the work has been carried out. 

8. Measuring Tape 

The measuring tape in your toolbox should be spring-loaded and its measurements should include dual scales for metrics and imperial units. With any typical UK measuring tape, you’ll find measurements for centimetres and inches, millimeters and ⅛ inches, as well as  metres and feet. 

You’ll find that using your measuring tape is an easy task – simply run out your required length and make a note! 

9. Torches 

The torch you decide to use for your project must be suitable for your needs. Make sure you give particular consideration to the metres, lumens, hours, and beams of your torch. 

When using your torch, it is best to move the device slowly and steadily to attract the best levels of lighting. You should make sure that your torch is long and thick enough for you to hold with your hand. However, you may find that a penlight is a more necessary alternative when you are dealing with tighter places. 

10. Safety wear 

Last and most certainly not least, we have safety wear, and the following items should definitely belong in your toolbox: 

• Gloves: Your protective gloves should be thick enough for cushioning purposes, yet tight enough to help your fingers operate your tools.
• Eyewear: Protective goggles should shield your eyes from any flying particles, bright lights, fumes and sparks. 
• Ear protection: Whether you are sawing or hammering, DIY work can be very noisy. Investing in a pair of construction earbuds, or heavy-duty earbuds for the most complex of projects is recommended.