Miscellaneous Hand Tools

Some of the most useful hand tools don’t fall into the standard categories of saws, wrenches, and so on.

A utility knife holds a retractable razor blade in one end. You can use it to cut everything from cardboard boxes to roofing shingles to the end of a dull pencil. A utility knife is always sharp, so it works far better than a standard jackknife. When its blade dulls, just replace it with a new one. But remember that the blade is very sharp and can cut your skin easily—always keep your other hand clear of the knife’s path.

Screwdrivers come in several different styles that are designed for driving various screws. Two main types—the flat-blade and the Phillips-head—can take care of most jobs. Flat-blade screwdrivers are classified by the width of their tip. Start with an assort­ment of four, consisting of 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", and 5/16" models. Phillips-head models are classified with a number scale that increases with the size of the tip. Start with an assortment of four, consisting of #0, #1, #2, and #3 models. Always match the size of the screwdriver’s tip to the size of the screw head. And never use a screwdriver as a substitute for a pry bar, paint scraper, chisel, or any other type of tool—the screwdriver’s sharp metal tip can break off and cause injury. (For more on screws and screwdrivers, see the Quamut guide to Fasteners.)

A drain plunger is indispensable for clearing up clogged sinks, toilets, and tub drains. Plungers come with either a fixed cup or a collapsible cup. Opt for a collapsible model with the deepest cup. In the open position it can free toilet clogs, and in the closed position it can unclog sinks.

Though a stud finder works via battery power, it’s essentially a hand tool, since you must move it manually across the wall or ceiling to detect framing members beneath the surface. It’s useful for simple tasks, such as hanging picture frames, and more complicated jobs, such as cutting holes in a wall without running into a stud or joist.

A staple gun helps you install staples that are too small to hold with your fingers and pound with a hammer—plus, they drive in staples in a straighter, more precise manner than you can achieve with only a hammer. A good staple gun handles fasteners from 1/4" to 9/16" long and helps with such jobs as reattaching upholstery and installing certain types of weatherstripping on windows and doors.

Most jobs around the house require a lot of light. Though a table lamp with its shade removed might work in a pinch, a trouble light mounted on the end of an extension cord is a much better solution. A standard trouble light uses incandescent bulbs and protects them with a sturdy plastic cage. This cage is usually equipped with a swiveling hook on top (for hanging the light from any convenient fixture) and sometimes a receptacle (for plugging in power tools or other extension cords). Newer models use LED (light-emitting diode) technology, which consumes less energy and is more eco-friendly than traditional light bulbs.

Twist drill bits allow you to bore holes in wood, metal, and plastic. Start with an eight-bit set that includes diameters of 1/16" to 1/2" (in 1/16" increments). Though you can drive these bits with a hand-powered drill, it’s much easier to use a power drill. (For more on power drills, see the Quamut guide to Power Tools.)

Spade bits, also called paddle bits, fit into a power drill with a standard 1/4"- or 3/8"-diameter chuck (which clamps down on the bit). Use them to bore large-diameter holes into wood and plywood. Get a selection of seven spade bits ranging from 1/4" to 1" in diameter (in 1/8" increments). Spade bits cut rougher holes than twist bits, but they’re less expensive and easier to maintain.