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Your Toolbox: The Essential List

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I have my very own toolbox. It’s khaki and has my initials stenciled on the side. If you know me or have spent any time reading this blog, the fact that have a “pretty” toolbox should be no surprise to you.

A few weeks ago, my friend JJ at the Blah Blah Blahger asked me to share with her readers the contents of my toolbox. It was such a fun post – a “show me what’s in your purse” post for the DIY gals. I enjoyed writing that post and thought you might like to check it out in case you missed it (or in case you want to put together your own custom colored, initialed, and filled-with-essentials toolbox).

I wrote:

For our five year wedding anniversary, my devoted husband gave me a toolbox.

I know what you are thinking…”A toolbox?” Well, there was a diamond necklace inside of it, so don’t feel too sorry for me, okay?

Along with my beautiful necklace, he also filled my toolbox with some essentials. You see, he’s really picky about his tools and we both decided that I needed my own basic set. Too many tense situations have erupted over me using his tools in ways that he has deemed harmful to the tools (not to myself), so this gift was a long time coming.


The toolbox was originally Home Depot orange, but DH figured I’d want to paint it with plastic spray paint anyway. He knows me so well! Now it’s all pretty and Lindsay-like!

If you don’t have your own set of tools or are looking to add to your current collection, here’s a list of my “any gal” must-haves:

1. Cordless screwdriver/light duty drill – I have a Ryobi 4-volt from Home Depot, and I am very happy with it. It has enough power to drill a light duty project (like adding the hinges to my makeover desk) and plenty of power to take the wrist pain out of manually driving screws.


2. Tape measure – Seriously, I can’t live without this thing. I have this nice 25-foot metal tape measure, a fabric measuring tape, a yardstick, and more rulers than you can shake a stick at. When you are working on DIY projects, precision is key to having great results. Find a tape measure that feels sturdy in your hand and look for one that has a long rigidity length (i.e. how long you can extend it upwards before it starts to bend).

3. 8-in-1 hand screwdriver – When the cordless screwdriver won’t do the trick, definitely have another screwdriver on hand. I love mine because it’s green it has eight different bits in the handle so I can pretty much use it for any size and type of screw.

4. Painter’s tape – I think blue painter’s tape is one of the greatest inventions ever. This is the tape you use to paint straight lines and mask off the areas you don’t want to paint, but you can use it for all sorts of things, such has holding trim in place while the glue dries, marking touch up spots on a piece of rehabbed furniture, and holding a set of hardware together so the screws don’t get lost. It’s pricey as far as tape goes, but I think it’s well worth it.


5. Light Duty Hammer – I actually don’t use a hammer very often since Tom has explained to me why it’s better to use screws than nails in most situations (they don’t pull out of surfaces as easily as nails do), but it’s always good to have one on hand…even it if it’s just for closing a paint can.

6. Precision screwdriver set – It’s nice to have a set of small screwdrivers for those tiny little screws that crop up out of nowhere. A set of 6 is pretty cheap, so they are definitely a good tool to add to your toolbox.


Of course, we have many, many more tools than this, but these are the necessities I wanted to have of my very own. What’s in your toolbox? Anything I need to add to my must-have list?

I’m very excited since I found out tonight that I will soon be the proud owner of a pink tool belt! I won a giveaway from the Remodeling Guy, so I’m very excited to add that to my collection. You better believe there will soon be lots of Charlie’s Angels style pictures of me wearing the tool belt and holding my cordless screwdriver.

Now that I have a tool box AND a tool belt, I need more tools! What are your essentials?

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  1. Betty Jo says

    Linday, are you reading my mind?

    When my hubby unexpectedly passed away last Oct I had to move; twice. It’s been very difficult and until just recently I’ve not had much desire to decorate my surroundings. I’m finally settled in an apartment, have been here now for two months. but I’ve yet to put a single thing on my wall. Then I discovered your blog, and your husband’s directions for putting up shelves, etc. My hubby was not Tim the Tool Man but he did put everything up for me, etc. He kept his tools in one of those rubbermaid type thingys that I can hardly lift. So I bought a tool box just for me. It is pink canvas trimmed in black. But, I’ve yet to put a thing in it, as I simply didn’t know where to begin. Until I found this post, that is. I’m honestly not sure at this point if my tool bag is going to be large enough to keep all the tools you’ve recommended, plus the drill your husband mentioned. So, I might have to use it for something else and get a nice box like yours and paint it the color I want. What an incredible idea that was! I’m going to be posting about my pink tool bag, possibly next Satruday as a part of Pink Saturday. If I do, I’m going to link to thiis post of yours if you don’t mind. Perhaps there are other ladies out there that will be grateful for your help as I am. Thank you! ♥

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  5. Michelle says

    I love how you gave your toolbox a makeover! I have a tiny toolbox. I actually have to keep my hubby from stealing stuff out of it. He has two of his own, but mine is upstairs and his are in the garage. One thing I would add to the list is a level. I find it useful when hanging pictures, painting straight lines,etc. I have a tiny one that hangs from a string or sits on a picture.

    Reply

  6. Centsational Girl says

    Those are the bare necessities girl. I use my studfinder all the time. And I can’t live without my staple gun and hot glue gun, but those might be considered “indoor” tools. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post ! Yeeee haw !

    Reply

  8. Carolyn says

    Awesome. Thanks for posting this. I come from a family with lots of tools, but my husband doesn’t. I really need to get myself a toolbox and tools like yours.

    Reply

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