It’s Tool Time
We’re asked pretty regularly for a list of our must-have tools and while we’re sure we’re forgetting something, here’s a rundown of our all-time favorites (most of which we store in the kitchen cabinet to the left of the stove- yes, we know we’re weird).
- Hammer and crowbar (no explanation required)
- Flat head screwdriver (for using with screws but also with a hammer as a makeshift chisel to pop off baseboards and trim)
- Tape measure (we have a huge beat up old Stanley one that we love)
- Phillips head screwdriver (another self-explanatory item)
- Plumber’s Putty, Liquid Nails and plumber’s tape (three major problem solvers that are always nice to have on hand)
- Box cutter, Exacto knife, straight razors (for everything from cutting vinyl tile to scraping paint off of a window or mirror)
- Channel lock pliers (we have a big one and a small one- they’re amazing for turning old rusted believed-to-be-unturnable nuts and bolts)
- Wrenches of all sizes (although we usually reach for the channel lock first since it’s such an all star)
- Needle nosed pliers (good for detail work and also handy since they have the wire cutting thing in the middle of the… uh, nose? mouth?)
- Level (because wonky is never a good look)
- Cordless drill (we have a little one for smaller jobs and a big manly battery operated one for the major stuff)
- Sandpaper (we like our electric sander but use regular old sandpaper and elbow grease far more- and we haven’t found sanding blocks that we like better than cheap sheets of sandpaper, so we stick to those… and save a few bucks while we’re at it).
- Caulk, a caulk gun, spackle and a putty knife (because it’s all about fixing those holes and cracks before painting- remember paint magnifies flaws instead of hiding them)
- Painter’s tape, high quality angled paint brushes (we love this one), paint trays, a roller extension rod, and high quality not-foam rollers (foam riles up paint and leaves you with more bubbles than the good quality wool and poly ones)
- An assortment of nails and screws (these are just things you should always have on stand-by so you don’t have to drive to Lowe’s or Home Depot fifty times per project thereby looking lame to the people at the cash register- we speak from experience here)
So there it is. A handy breakdown of our favorite tools. And since we know we’re forgetting something (or have yet to discover some life-changing tool) definitely let us know what you can’t live without when it comes to getting ‘er done.
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Comments
Can’t live without my trusty staple gun. It’s the one you push, not squeeze and my hubby gave it to me for Christmas a couple of years ago. I’m also in love with his chop saw, after using it to put down 5 rooms of laminate flooring all by myself! …But of course, that doesn’t fit into a kitchen drawer..
All very useful and important tools! We have our to the left of the stove in the kitchen too. How funny!
We have some essential tools in the drawer to the left of our stove too. I sense a trend here….
We’re loving that so many of you keep your tools in the kitchen. And we’re seriously enjoying all the other tools that you guys are taking the time to mention! What an awesome master list this has become. We definitely see a few that we neglected to mention in our roundup- and a few that we have yet to try! Fun…
xo,
s (& j)
Hello Youngsters!
In response to Sheila’s question about a tool kit for her daughter… My parents bought the one linked below for me when I went to college, and five years later I am still using it! I am about to move into my own house and can’t wait to put it to work there as well. Everything has stayed in great condition. Oh and the hammer is lightweight (only 7 ounces) but packs a punch. I know it’s unavailable on the Amazon link but a little bit of Googling should do the trick!
http://www.amazon.com/Barbara-BK24214-30-Piece-Signature-Tool/dp/B0000CE1BE
P.S. Love your blog! Can’t wait to put some of your ideas to work… and I’ll have a drawer to the left of the stove just begging for some tools! :)
Thanks so much for chiming in with that advice Becca! I’m sure Sheila will appreciate your recommendation and we love that you took the time to share what worked for you.
xo,
s
I know you mention you prefer good old fashioned sandpaper to an electric sander, but for those of us who would rather use a sander, is there one you recommend? I’m looking to refinish/paint some furniture…
Thanks!
Hey Jen,
We actually don’t have a specific brand that we prefer. Any “mouse sander” will do the trick! And they’re pretty affordable too. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
How can you live without Quake Hold? I think someone else called it Poster Putty, but out here in California we call it Quake Hold. MAN that stuff is FABULOUS.
Nicole at Making It Lovely said once that she could not live without her 5-in-1 tool, but I’ve never used one. My toolbox has pretty much the same stuff as yours. Oh, and I could not live without my ratcheting screwdriver either. So much easier on the wrist.