Homeownership can be very rewarding, but as every homeowner knows, it also comes with a constant stream of projects. Whether it is for routine maintenance or occasional repairs, every homeowner should have a basic toolkit on hand. These are four of the most important items to include in yours.
1. Air Compressor
Air compressors have a surprising number of household uses. You can use your Farm and Fleet air compressor to air up a flat tire on your car or your kid’s bike, inflate pool tools, blow up balloons or inflate air mattresses. You can also use it to run pneumatic tools, such as nail guns, ratchet tools and paint sprayers.
2. Screwdriver Set
Many basic maintenance and home improvement projects, such as tightening cabinet hardware, opening the lids on paint cans, installing light switches or assembling furniture require the use of a screwdriver. You can probably get by with one flathead and one Phillips-head screwdriver, but some projects may require a tool that is larger or smaller than the standard size, so it is helpful to purchase a basic set that includes several of the most common sizes. Eventually, you may want to add more specialty screwdrivers, such as small models intended for repairing eyeglasses or opening computer cases.
3. Tape Measure
A basic 12-foot tape measure will come in handy if you need to measure your wall space to determine how much paint you need, measure your floor space to pick out a carpet, measure your windows to purchase new window coverings or figure out how wide your doors are before you order a new piece of furniture. Tape measures can also be useful for any sort of building project where you need to measure materials, such as building a set of shelves.
4. Hammer
A hammer is another basic tool everyone should have on hand. Hammers are useful for hanging pictures or shelves, assembling furniture and building things. Eventually, you may want to purchase more than one type of hammer, but a 16-ounce smooth-faced claw hammer is a good starter option. This type of hammer is versatile without being too heavy and the claw is useful for removing nails you are no longer using or fixing mistakes.
Whether you are an enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer or you just want to be able to handle basic tasks without having to call in a professional, it helps to have a basic set of tools on hand. Once you have a good starter set, you can add specialty items to your collection as needed.
