Pipe Wrenches :
Every home should have at least two good Pipe Wrenches. I would recommend 12″ as a good size. Two wrenches are required to install a lot of plumbing fitting, one to turn the part and the second to hold the pipe. **

Strap wrench: 
Used to tighten or loosen round objects. Normally sold in a set of large and small sizes. Check the condition of the rubber strap before using, if worn or cracked, don’t use. **

Basin Wrench:
This is special use wrench, used to tighten or loosen the nuts and bolts on a faucet. If you are installing a new sink and faucet, try installing the faucet before installing the sink, much easier.

Adjustable wrenches:
I would recommend that you have a good collection of adjustable wrenches, from the smallest to at least a 16″ wrench. ** Or Slip Joint

Hack saw:
Used to cut copper tubing along with PVC or PVA plastic pipes.

Small torpedo Level:
Used to check the alignment of plumbing fixtures. Also used to check the pitch of drain lines.

Files:
Used to remove burrs from copper tubing and PVC /PVA plastic pipes.

Slip Joint Pliers:
Also known as Channel Locks. Used to secure larger nuts and bolts. **

Wire Brush:
Used to clean the threads of all threaded connections.

Pipe cutter:
Hand held tool used to cut copper tubing.

Miscellaneous Tool Box items:

Teflon Tape:
Used on all pipe threads with the exception of pipes used for Gas lines. These require special tape or special Pipe Dope. **

PVA Cleaner:
Used to clean PVA pipes before you glue them together:

PVC Cleaner:
Used to clean PVC Pipes before you glue them together.

PVC or PVA Glue:
There is a glue for each type of fitting, use the correct one only.

Vaseline:
Used to lubricate rubber seals in faucets, and water valves. Never install a rubber seal dry.

Emory Cloth:
Sand paper used to sand and clean copper tubing after cutting it. You can also use wet sandpaper for this.

Leak detector fluid:
Soapy solution used to check for leaks in gas lines, If you see a bubble, TURN OFF the gas and correct the leak or call the local Gas Company. Immediately. Never use a match to check for leaks in a gas line.

** Included in the Essentials of a Basic Tool Box

Related posts:

1. Household Tool Boxes – Electrical Repair Tool Box
2. Household Tool Boxes – An Upgrade
3. The Essentials of a Basic Tool Box for Homeowners

Basic Tools for electrical repairs:

Diagonal pliers, also known as Dykes:

Used for cutting electrical wiring. Diagonal Pliers have an insulating cover on the handles, make sure that the covers are in tact. Never use Diagonal pliers that do not have covering, in case you inadvertently cut into a live wire.  **

Linesman’s Pliers:  Used to twist electrical wires together, Linesman’s pliers also have insulated handles.  Make sure the handles are in good condition.

Utility Knife:  Used to cut the insulation coating of electrical wiring.  Have a supply of sharp replacement blades on hand.**

Needle Nose Pliers:  Used for working inside electrical boxes.   Select a sturdy pair.  Check the handles for good insulation. **

Electrical Fish Tape:  Used to pull electrical wiring through electrical conduit, or through the walls.  These come in either 25 or 50 foot lengths.

Fish tape lubricating grease:  Used to lubricate the wiring as you pull it thought the conduit or walls. Non corrosive, will not harm the wiring or electrical devices.

Drywall saw also known as a keyhole saw:  Used to cut into drywall when you want to install a new outlet or switch.

Torpedo Level: Small level used to verify that electrical boxes are installed level.

Wire stripers:  Pliers used to strip the insulation off of the individual wires.

Test Equipment:

Non Contacting voltage detector:  Used to determine the presence of voltage in any AC Circuit.

Digital volt Meter also known as DVM:   Used to measure the voltage in any AC Circuit, AC or DC.  DVM also can be used to measure resistance in household wiring (checking for broken wires)  Can also be used to check the fuses currently used in some electrical devices.

          A less expensive meter is an Analog meter, same capabilities as DVM, but uses a meter on a sliding scale to display voltages or resistance.  A little harder to read then the DVM, can be difficult to read in a dark location.

Clamp On Amperage Meter also known as Amp Probe:  Electrical device used to measure to amount of current flowing through a circuit.  The meter is “clamped” around the wires.  Available as an Analog or Digital meter, Digital meter will have an option to store to maximum current detected which is sometimes very helpful.

          NOTE:  Amp Probes are used on live circuits,  Use proper precautions when working on live or energized circuits.

Circuit breaker detector:  Used when working alone to determine which circuit breaker controls the power to the circuit you are working on.

** Also in the Essentials of a Basic Toolbox

Related posts:

1. Household Tool Boxes – An Upgrade
2. The Essentials of a Basic Tool Box for Homeowners
3. How Do I…..Replace a Defective Electrical Outlet?

If you are considering a corded Electric drill, look for a 3/8 chuck (the maximum size of drill bit shank that the drill will accept), with variable speed as a minimum.

If you are considering a cordless, look for at least an 18 Volt Lithium Battery. The 24 Volt are stronger, but may be over kill for every application and user.

Also, if you are considering a cordless drill, consider what other tools can use the same battery and charger.

Sanders:
Random Orbital sanders: whether cordless or corded, these sanders are one of the essential sanders for anyone doing woodworking or home repair. Look for one with hook and loop heads.

Detail sanders: also known as cat or mouse sanders. These are great tools for finish sanding particularly in the corners that the random orbital can not reach.

Belt Sander: Great for the removal of large amounts of material. Can leaves ridges or valleys in your work if the sander is left in one spot too long. Not for every day use.

Socket Set: A good tool box will contain a good set of ratchets and sockets. I would prefer a 3/8″ set over a 1/4″ set. This is one place you don’t want to buy cheap. unless you like having bruised or broken knuckles. Cheap ratchets will often slip or break at the most inopportune time, usually resulting in injury to the user. The same thing can be said about the sockets. Spend the money, it’s not much more then the cheap ones.

So there you have my suggestions for an upgrade to the Basic Tool box we presented in the first article. Stay tuned for articles on more toolbox suggestions for homeowners including electrical and plumbing needs.

Related posts:

1. Your Woodworking Tool Box – The Uncool Tool List
2. Woodworking Tool Stores

A Complete set of screw drivers:
Select a set that has a handle that is comfortable in your hand. If yours are broken, bent, or the handles are held on with tape, it’s time to replace them.

Claw Hammer:
Select one that you can easily swing, Pick it up and practice driving a nail, if it’s too heavy, select a smaller one. Look for an Ergonomic handle.

Tape Measure:
Tapes come in a multitude of lengths, look for one that is at least 12′ long. Extend the tape, make sure that you can retract the tape easily, also check that the tape is stiff enough to take a horizontal measurement without collapsing. Also make sure that the end of the tape is secure.

Allen Wrenches:
Also known as Hex head wrenches. An amazing number of products today are assembled using Allen wrenches. Consider getting both an English and Metric set.

Level:
Every home should have at least one good level. Stay away from the Plastic levels. Look for a sturdy wooden or metal level. Consider at last a 24″ level.

A Square:
Look for a good metal square: Used to check that your work is at the correct angle(s)

Wrenchess:
I could write a whole book on the different types of wrenches, and the pro’s and cons of each, but that is for another time. Your tool box should include the following wrenches.

Combination Box End Open End Wrenches both in English and Metric sizes.

12″ Pipe Wrench, make sure that the mechanizing moves smoothly.

Adjustable wrenches, also known as Crescent Wrenches. These wrenches come in varying sizes and qualities. The cheaper wrenches tend to slip and will damage the heads on the nuts you are trying to secure or remove, Please avoid these, check that the adjustments move smoothly, both in and out.

Strap Wrench: useful for securing hard to hold round objects.

Pry Bar:
Useful to remove those stubborn nails or to give some leverage for lifting heavey items. Large and small pry bars are indespensible for home repair project.

Pliers:
There are several different types of Pliers that you should have in your home tool Kit.

Vise Grips Pliers: very useful for removing that rusted rounded off nut.

Wire Cutters, also known as Diagonal cutters. Make sure that the handles have a good cover and the cover is intact. If you should contact a live electrical wire, the handle covers will offer some protection against shock. Better to turn off power first.

Channel Lock Pliers, also known as Water Pump Pliers. These come in many sizes and shapes, Very useful for connecting and tightening hoses, and water lines.

Needle Nose Pliers: as the name implies, a long Nose, very useful for working in a tight location. Available as both straight or curved. One of each would be a good addition to your tool kit.

Stud finder:
No not that type, the type that is used to locate studs in the walls. very useful for hanging pictures and shelving.

Flash Light, and spare batteries

Jewelers Screw driver set:
Very useful for removing those battery covers on all those toys.

Tweezers:
For removing splinters

Clamps:
There are a surprising number of applications for clamps in the everyday home repairs. Look for both Spring clamps, and a couple of 12 or 16″ bar clamps.

Sand Paper:
Some place in your tool kit, you should have a selection of sandpaper or sponge sanding blocks.

Electrical Outlet tester:
A simple plug in device that will check if a suspected outlet is working correctly. Also will check for possible wiring errors or problems.

Garbage Disposal Wrench:
I know that every new garbage disposal comes with one, but are you sure where yours is. Nothing replaces this when your disposal is stuck.

There are other things that while not really tools, should be in your tool kit:

Electricians Tape:

Teflon tape:
Used when installing plumbing fixtures, such as a new shower head.

Hose Washers:
Used in the end of garden hoses.

Electric ties:
Also known as tie wraps or cable ties, these plastic strips have an amazing number of household uses.

Collection of molly bolts:
Used for mounting pictures in dry wall.

W-D 40 or Silicon spray:
Used to lubricate stuck or binding hardware.

Small can of light weight Plaster:
Also known as Fast Patch. Used to patch small dings or fill nail holes in plaster walls.

Inspection mirror

Utilities Knife and spare blades

And probably the most important addition;

 A Good First Aid kit:
Including Band Aids and Antiseptic spray or ointment

Having these items on hand in yur home should cover most basic repair needs.   In future posts we will put together a suggested tool box for more specific uses such as plumbing and electrical repairs.

Related posts:

1. Your Woodworking Tool Box – The Uncool Tool List