Beginning DIY

Having the right tools to hand will make all the difference to how easy a job is and what results you get. But, it's worth noting that you do not need to spend a fortune or necessarily buy a whole load of tools or equipment to tackle most making or mending jobs.

A basic toolkit is all that is really required to allow you to accomplish a wide variety of tasks and basic DIY jobs around the home and garden. I would always say that it pays to buy the very best tools you can afford, in the long run it will pay dividends and the tools will last longer and stay sharper. None of the tools need to be unduly expensive, but stay away from the very cheap low end market.

Some projects will undoubtedly require specialist tools and equipment, and of course you will need more specilised skills to carry out the job, this really goes without saying. Sometimes you can substitute in alternatives or at worst simply hire the tool you require. This is more often the case when the tool will only ever really be used the one time - it's hardly worth spending the case on a one off. If you cannot hire the tool you could always buy it with a view to selling it later on either by the newspaper or a popular web auction site.

A basic tool kit will comprise of at least the following items:

A Claw hammer - probably a 16oz hammer is the best weight to get for your main hammer.

A screwdriver set - you will need at least a small, medium and large slotted head driver plus two sizes of cross head. A ratchett driver with interchangeable bits is a good alternative to separate screwdrivers. Simple sets can be picked up very cheaply at some of the large DIY wholesalers.

Tape measure - I would recommend a measure of at least 5 metres in length to cover all possible uses in the home and probably more importantly in the garden. Tape measures are extremely cheap, but again spend that little bit extra and it will stand the test of time. Cheaper measures will jam and sometimes shatter.

Pliers - plumbing jobs usually require a large jawed plier while smaller more delicate jobs a smaller, padded jaw and therefore I would recommend a good set of adjustable pliers from a manufacturer such as Bahco.

Lastly, lets not forget where you are going to keep you basic toolkit. A wide mouthed bag or alternatively an open tote bag shouldn't cost the earth and is essential to keep your tools in good condition away from the damp and the possibility of rust or mould. How many times have you needed a tool and been left scurrying round in the shed to find it? Everything in its place is without the motto to adopt when looking after your tools, and it also makes them more portable.

Making tools easy will help you have the right equipment on hand when you are working and thus will alleviate one of the stresses that usually accompanies DIY around the home. It makes sense to have a tool kit to hand for when you need it and it doesn't have to cost a fortune.