When it comes to making basic home repairs no man wants to look like Tim Allen’s character Tim ‘The Toolman’ Taylor, from the 90s sitcom Home Improvement. Therefore, we’re highlighting 10 things every man needs in their toolbox to complete basic home repairs. We asked the folks at Canadian Tire and Mike Robert, Business Development Manager for the company’s Fixing Division, for their choice picks.
Hammer
When you think of completing home repairs the first tool which pops into mind is the hammer – no toolbox is complete without it. This rates at the top of Robert’s must-have items because it can “be used for driving nails into wood, as well as completing small demolition jobs.” There many types of hammers to pick from but he recommends you “choose one that isn’t too heavy.”
Get it: Mastercraft Maximum One-Piece Steel Ripping Hammer, $29.99.
Flathead Screwdriver
If you ever peeked into your dad’s toolbox at home you’ll notice that he has not one, not two, not three but countless screwdrivers for every screw shape imaginable. You’ll need this item to drive or hold objects together and screwdrivers with flatheads can also be employed for different uses, like light prying and scrapping.
Get it: Mastercraft Maximum 51-Piece Screwdriver Set, $69.99.
Saw
It slices and cuts through wood, we’re talking about the saw a general purpose tool you’ll need for trimming branches off trees and bushes, or cutting lumber for projects around the house.
Get it: Stanley FatMax Saw, $28.49.
Needle Nose Pliers
Another tool which rates high on the list of must-have items for your toolbox is needle nose pliers. They come highly recommended by Robert because they’re perfect to use “for any household project that requires you to cut, bend and grip or strip wire,” and because of its long and skinny shape it’s especially useful for getting into small openings.
Get it: Mastercraft Mini Needle Nose Pliers, $7.99.
Cordless Drill and Bits
Here’s the power tool you been waiting for – the cordless drill. Nothing feels more manly and powerful that a piece of machinery which can drill holes into sheetrock or drive screws into wood. Plus its reversible feature comes in handy when screws need to be removed from an object.
Get it: Mastercraft 20V Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill and Driver, $149.99.
Locking Pliers
Whenever you’re fixing things around the house it’s always useful to have an extra hand. While you won’t be able to magically grow one on the spot we have the next best thing – locking pliers. This versatile tool can be used as pliers, a pipe wrench, an adjustable wrench, wire cutters, a ratchet or as a clamp.
Get it: Vise-Grip 2-pack Locking Pliers Set, $31.99.
Tape Measure
Another essential item to have on hand is a tape measure. This is another one of Robert’s tops picks because “measuring is required for just about every project – indoors or out.”
Get it: Mastercraft Tape Measure, $15.99.
Ratchet Set
For larger household projects having a ratchet set is ideal if you need to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts. Its mechanism allows you to tighten a nut without having to remove and refit the wrench after each and every turn making home repairs easier.
Get it: Mastercraft Maximum 7-Piece Universal Ratcheting Wrench Set, $99.99.
Crescent Wrench
For versatility the crescent wrench, or the adjustable spanner as the say in the U.K., is an adjustable wrench with a sliding jaw which changes the width of the tool allowing you to use it on different size nuts and bolts.
Get it: Channellock Wide-jaw Adjustable Wrench, $25.99.
Level
Say goodbye to crooked pictures and uneven surfaces when you reach for the level (aka: spirit level) to get jobs done and inline. There are many different types of levels available, such as ones made from an aluminum frame to high tech versions which use a laser beam for precision accuracy.
Get it: Stanley Torpedo Level, $15.99.
