The basic set of tools every woman should have
It is not a secret that 99 percent of tools are marketed towards men. Because of a perceived lack of knowledge, women are often taken advantage of by the male-dominated repair and maintenance industry. It almost appears that the system is set up to leave women unprepared to address their own household projects and maintenance. There is no reason why women should be any less capable of performing the basic DIY projects or making minor repairs around the home than men. According to the first step for women in becoming more independent in this area is acquiring your own basic set of tools.
Ant Projects, Gauteng’s number one handyman services in Centurion, Pretoria, Midrand and Johannesburg have assembled a list of the nine basic tools that every woman should have. If you don’t know what you even would do with a wrench, it is ok, tools will come in handy at a time when you least expect, but most need it. Basic intuition will help you to figure out what kind of tool you need for which project. Whether you have just moved into your own place or are still renting it is always a good time to start building your own set of tools — so next time, you won’t have to call the handyman and fork out some money you would rather have used for something else.
A Toolbox
You will need to store all your handyman tools in one place so that you know where to find it when needed. When you start with a project i.e. in the bathroom, you don’t want to keep getting up and making trips to a storage closet for the different tools you need. Maybe you are living in a small apartment and already short on storage, you will have to think about where you are going to store your tools and buy the right shaped toolbox accordingly. We suggest buying a reasonably sized box that will easily slide under your bed.
Hammer
Hammers are useful when you want to drive a nail into the wall or have to assemble pieces of furniture. If you are not sure how to narrow down the options here is some valuable advice: Stay away from hammers with plastic handles that could easily separate from the head of the hammer. It is best to buy one with a curved claw back for easy removal of nails. A 16-ounce head weight is recommended for ordinary household projects — it is not so heavy that it’s unwieldy in your hand, yet heavy enough to get the job done. A short 13-inch handle will also make using it easier.
Screwdriver Set
Another essential tool you’ll definitely use on a regular basis is a screwdriver, A small variety screwdriver set will give you more flexibility with the size of screws you can work with. Average household projects usually don’t require heavy-duty screwdrivers, so there really is no need to spend more than a few bucks on these. Should you happen to break or lose one, you won’t feel bad about the money lost.
Tape Measure
A tape measure is super handy to have around your house. Unless you are exceptionally well at it, eyeballing those measurements will leave you feeling frustrated — especially when it comes to redoing something or returning a big purchase that end up being the complete wrong size. A slim version tape measures up to 25 feet in length and is lightweight enough to go in your bag when you shopping for furniture or that special picture.
Basic Set of Pliers
Pliers can be used for bending or cutting wire and they’re great for gripping and bending just about anything. There is no need to splurge on a complex set of pliers, unless you’re planning on tackling a job that requires a specifically sized type of plier,
Basic Set of Wrenches
Wrenches are used for loosening and tightening bolts and nuts, which make them very useful if you ever need to assemble a large structure like a swing set, or need to do a plumbing job in your house. Adjustable wrenches will work for various sized nuts and bolts, making them a smart initial purchase if you’re stocking your toolbox without a particular project on the horizon yet.
A Flashlight-Task Light Combo
Yes, your phone does have a flashlight. But when the power goes out, you don’t want to waste the battery because it’s your only light source. When you need a bright task light, it’s not the best idea easy to prop up a phone so that it shines in the right direction. What you need is an adjustable light that can be propped up at almost every angle, preferably one with a magnetic base that sticks to cars or stainless appliances, or a hook so you can hang it on cabinet doors, etc. This little light must go with you where you need it.
A Laser Level
Anyone who has ever “eyeballed” the straightness or height or of a frame, only to realize the following day how off it really is, knows how important it is to own and easy-to-use laser level The wall-mounted kind has putty and a magnet that allows you to stick it to the wall, that way the laser showing you a level line will stay up through the entire project.
Step Ladder
Ladders come in various sizes and it is not the easiest thing to store in a small townhouse or apartment. A step ladder that enables you to reach the ceiling is all that you really need. You just want to be able to change lightbulbs or hang curtains or reach the top shelf without risking your safety by standing on a chair. A 4-step step ladder with a slim profile, will get you nearly 4 feet off the ground safely.
