Most Needed Home Hardware Tools

Home hardware tools are very useful in making home repairs and other activities done in and outside the household.

The 15 most needed home hardware tools are: First on the list is the hammer. The most common type used is the claw hammer. It is used to hit nails, fit parts and break objects. It consists of a head and a handle wherein most of the impact should go to the head part so it can drive force while doing home repairs. It is often hand operated although there are mechanical operated hammers in the market. Other hammer include upholstery hammer, construction hammers, drilling hammer, ball-peen hammer, cross-peen hammer, mallets, splitting maul, stonemason's hammer, geologist's hammer, lump hammer, gavel, tinner's hammer.

Second is the hand drill. It is very important in woodworking activities. It consists of a handle and a chuck. It is used to drill from 1mm to 9mm holes size. Handles are turned clockwise and implemented vertically. To ensure safety in using this tool it is important to securely clamp the material first and to use goggles while drilling.

Third is the handsaw. It is a cutting tool used to cut wood. It is also known as panel saws, which have one flat, sharp edged feature. The blade part is usually crosscut or ripped teeth. There are numerous types of saw used at home but a handsaw is important for carpentry jobs.

Fourth is the screwdriver which has two types - the standard and Phillips. It is used to slot in and tighten or loosen and remove screws. It consists of the handle and shaft where the tip engages with the screw. It is also known as the turn screw.

Fifth is the tape measure - a portable and flexible ruler used to measure materials. It consists of a stiff, curved metallic ribbon that can be extended; yet is retractable and turns into a loop.

Six is the pliers, which are used in turning, bending, holding, and even cutting objects. It is composed of the pair of handles, the pivot and the head part jaws or edges. There are several types of pliers: the gripping pliers, adjustable pliers, cutting pliers, crimping pliers, rotational and the special purpose type.

Seventh is the wrench, which is also known as the spanner. It is used to fasten or twist nuts. The most usual shapes are called open-end wrench and box-end wrench. Open-end wrench is made of two opposite U shaped openings while the box end wrench is with enclosed openings.

Eight is the voltage tester used to test an electric flow current. An ideal voltage tester should be able to test a rate up to 500 volts. It is composed of a neon bulb with two insulated wires next to the bulb housing. Ninth is the clamp, which is used to fasten, hold, and secure a device when a force is applied. Clamps can either be temporary or permanent. In UK and Australia when the clamp is for permanent use, it is referred to as cramp. Tenth is the knife - another sharp edged hand held tool used for cutting. It consists of a blade and a handle. As a tool, it can be grouped into wood carving knife, utility knife, and electrician's knife. Wood carving knife is definitely used for wood and has short and thin blade. Utility knife is used to cut sheet materials like boxes. Electrician's knife is used to cut electric wires.

Eleventh is the vise, a mechanical tool used to hold a work piece which allows carpentry to be performed. It is composed of one fixed jaw and another parallel jaw.

Twelfth is the file or hand file, which is used for shaping materials, that are bound for cutting purposes. It is consist of a hard steel bar with sharp and parallel teeth. As a tool used for general work, the hand file must have parallel and narrowed set of teeth.

Thirteenth is the levels, which are also known as spirit, level or bubble level. It is an instrument used to determine whether a surface is level or plumb. Carpenters' levels are made of materials like wood, aluminum or other compound materials. Traditionally it is made of a short and wide piece of wood with a small porthole where the tube is placed.

Fourteenth is the marking tools, which include materials used to determine precise measurements used when doing home repairs. Some materials include marking knife, striking knife, scratch awls and chalk line.

Fifteenth is the adhesive. It includes all types of glues like multipurpose glues, glass and ceramic glues, and metal glues and fillers plus plastic glues. Multipurpose glues include school glues and epoxy. Glass and ceramic glues are used for glass repairs. Metal glues and fillers are used for pipe and gutter repairs. Plastic glues are used for plastic materials.