Streamline Your Supplies

All You Need in Your Tool Kit

• A putty knife, for removing old caulk or opening paint cans.
• A standard flat-nose claw hammer (12 to 16 ounces) with a steel head.
• A multihead screwdriver: Phillips-head, flathead, and Torx (six-point star shape).
• A 12-volt cordless drill, for DIY work, like hanging curtains and mounting heavy art.
• Assorted fasteners: a kit with nuts, bolts, washers, anchors, and nails in various sizes.
• A C-clamp, for holding together glued pieces while they dry.
• Duct tape, for quick fixes, like patching a torn bicycle seat.
• A metal tape measure that’s at least an inch wide, so it won’t flop when extended.
• WD-40, for loosening rusty hinges.
• An adjustable wrench, instead of a set with different sizes.
• Needle-nose pliers, for minor jewelry repairs and pulling out small nails.
• Slip-joint pliers, which adjust to grip items of various sizes.
• A crosscut saw, 14 to 16 inches long, for small carpentry projects.

The Experts:

• Ken Brooks, owner of Northbrook Construction Management, in North Bend, Washington.
• Tim Chopko, carpenter in Newark, Delaware.
• Janet Rickstrew, cofounder and CEO of girl-friendly tool company Tomboy Tools (tomboytools.com).