Having the right tools will make all the difference to the standard of work that you carry out in your own household, and the speed at which you can complete it, once it becomes necessary. It pays to invest in good tools, they say "you get what you pay for" and quality tools will last for several years. When choosing your tools, use your eye, and a little knowledge, to judge good quality: Wooden parts should be smooth with neatly finished edges, metal parts should be virtually free from machining marks and screw heads should be evenly set. http://www.property-coach.co.uk/home-and-property-information/tool-box/how-to-choose-a-hammer.htm http://www.property-coach.co.uk/home-and-property-information/tool-box/how-to-choose-a-scredriver.htm

Keeping your tools together in a large wooden box, or a plastic tool holder with compartments, will ensure you can always put your hands on the tool needed, when a job becomes necessary in the house. Always protect your tools from damp by storing in a dry place, clean your tools after completing a task and lightly grease them from time to time to prevent rust. http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php?id=16295

In learning how to stock a toolbox you will be noting useful tools, and understanding how to equip a household toolkit, which will cope with most common jobs around the home. You may need to add specialist equipment for some jobs such as upholstery, wood finishing or electrical repairs.

In each section of this guide you will find a specific toolset, the types of tools that belong to that set and how each may be utilized within the home. This will allow you to choose the tools that you need to complete tasks required within your home.

Below you will find a number of different types of saw and their uses:

General Purpose Hand Saw This has a stiff blade and small cutting teeth (about 3 per centimeter/8 per inch) and is generally used for cutting wood.

Hacksaw A hacksaw is useful for many small cutting jobs, especially sawing through metal pipes and rods. It is wise to keep a supply of spare blades, as they can break easily and do need to be replaced frequently. An ordinary small Junior Hacksaw is adequate for most tasks.

Tenon Saw Also known as a back saw, because it has a stiffening bar on the back edge (opposite the cutting edge), allowing for more precise cutting than with other types of saws, due to better control. Tenon saws are normally used in woodworking for precise work, such as cutting miters, dovetails or tenon joints in cabinetry and joinery. Because of the stiffening bar, the tenon saw has a limited depth cut, they usually have relatively closely-spaced teeth, often with little or no set.

There are other types of saw available, but unless you have a specific hobby or passtime, the above saws are sufficient for household use. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/g.e.malthouse/Stanley%20Page%2016.pdf<ref>

You will need at least two types of screwdriver, and each in two or three sizes. You may choose to keep standard hand held screwdrivers or opt for a ratchet screwdriver in which you can utilize the appropriate screwdriver attatchment:

Carpenter's (Flat Head) Screwdriver These have a tapered, straight, flat tip and will cope with most jobs. The tip of the screwdriver should be slightly less than the width of the screw slot you are working with, otherwise surfaces may get marked if the screwdriver tip is too wide. It is advisable to carry two sizes, a 1/4 inch and a 1/2 inch will deal with most household jobs.

Crosshead Screwdriver Also know as a Phillips crosshead screwdriver. Used for screws with a "cross" head slot. Again, keep two sizes, a 1/4 and a 1/2 inch, to cope with the majority of tasks.

Electrical Screwdriver Much the same as a carpenter's screwdriver but has a much smaller, finer flat head, which can be used for tiny fiddly screws. If it is an insulated electrical screwdriver, it will have a protective covering to prevent electricity being transmitted through it, to your hand. http://www.property-coach.co.uk/home-and-property-information/tool-box/how-to-choose-a-scredriver.htm<ref>

Hammers should be carried in two types, one small and one large.

Large Hammer This should have a 16oz (454g) weight head, which should be firmly fastened to the handle. The large rounded end should have a smooth face, and be free from any machining marks. It should have a claw at the other end, which may be used to lever out old or crooked nails.

Small Hammer You would use this for light work, and it should have a small tapered end for light nails, such as panel pins and tacks. The head weight would normally be approx. 8oz (225g) http://www.property-coach.co.uk/home-and-property-information/tool-box/how-to-choose-a-hammer.htm<ref>

Other types of hammer which may be included are:

• Small lump hammer -
• Ball pane hammer -
• Rubber mallet -

Aside from the main tools already discussed above, there are various tools that do not fit into any particular category, other than they should be part of a household toolbox.

Drill This can be: Hand drill, usually used for home furnishing crafts, as they are manually controlled and therefore slower and more precise, electric drill, used for heavier work, such as fixing. A variable speed will allow you to drill a wider range of surfaces.

Drill Bits Manual or electric, your drill will require bits, that is the part that actually drills the hole, and is interchangeable. A selection of sizes between No.6 (1/8inch) to No.14 (1/4inch) is recommended, in two types; wood drill bits, and "twist" drill bits. Twist bits are used for making holes in brick or stone.

Bradawl This tool looks like a screwdriver, in that is has a handle and a shaft, but the end of the metal shaft has a point on it. This is used for spiking and twisting a pilot hole in a piece of wood, before using a screwdriver to screw in a screw, which makes inserting a new screw easier and more precise.

Pliers A very useful cutting, levering and pulling tool; make sure you buy a good pair.

Staple Gun Extremely useful for quick craft ideas - use it for upholstery, covering a headboard, stapling carpet edges and fixing permanent drapes. Try before you buy and make sure you have the necessary strength in your hand to work it.

Straight Edge Useful for measuring, marking and trimming.

Tape Measure Acquire a long one that locks into an open position. The most useful come with inches on one side and cm on the other.

Spirit Level Enables you to accurately mark, for fixing objects perfectly horizontal or vertical.

Craft (or trimming) Knife An essential for craft work, make sure the blade retracts back into the handle for safety purposes. There are special blades available for different materials, ie. hooked blades for floor coverings. Always keept a spare selection of blades. St Michael - Practical Homemaking Crafts - ISBN 0904230546<ref>