One of the main doubts that people have when starting out in the exciting world of DIY is precisely where to start.
The first thing we should know is what are the basic tools that should be taken as a starting point, not only for those who are starting out in DIY, but also for those who only want to carry out maintenance on their home.
With the basic tool kit, we will be able to carry out various tasks such as hanging a picture or some curtains, assembling a kit of furniture, replacing a plug, simple plumbing tasks, and many other tasks that can be carried out very commonly in homes.
In addition, I will design your basic toolbox for little money. I’m sure, for less than you think.
Audiovisual inspection of basic tools
Below we will see, in detail, each and every one of the tools that we should have in our basic toolbox, in addition to sharing keys to take into account when making the choice.
However, we wanted to also collect the aforementioned information in a video. Which will allow us to get a much clearer and more tangible idea about the material we are talking about.
How to select basic tools
Well, the first point, it is about deciding how we will do with our toolbox. We have two alternatives:
The first, buying the tools separately. In this way, we could make a fairly personalized team. But it is not the cheapest way.
And the other is to buy a pack of tools. There are really very complete packs. The only thing to be clear about is what tools we will need. And that is what we are going to see next.
I would recommend, as a starting point, the Teccpo 102-piece case. In very little space, it contains everything you may need. We will see it in detail below.
This kit comes in a sturdy plastic case, just thick enough to hold two tool bodies.
When opening the two closures, very comfortable to lock and unlock but at the same time safe, we find the following:
Hammer
A medium-sized hammer, ideal for the purpose we are looking for.
Pliers
Some universal pliers, and others with a round nose, for more specific and precision tasks.
Keys
Adjustable wrench, also medium-sized, which incorporates three additional holes that serve as open-end wrenches of different sizes.
Socket wrenches. Intended for hexagonal head screws, in 9 of the most common sizes.
And 22 allen keys. That, as you can see, there are practically all sizes.
socket wrench handle
It is ratcheting and reversible, for fast, effective and comfortable screwing and unscrewing.
Meter
A fairly robust flexometer of 5 meters in length.
screwdriver bits
Here we find 36 pieces, made up of different sizes for Phillips head screws, Pozidrive, Hexagonal, flat tip, Torx screws, square tip, and an adapter for socket wrenches.
And another 12 additional tips, but in this case of a longer length. They are specially designed for deep and recessed screws.
screwdrivers
A star screwdriver.
Another flat screwdriver.
And a screwdriver for the tips that we have seen previously. With the magnetized connection for a quick change of tips, and a more comfortable work.
Cutting tools
A cutter, which appears robust and of quite good quality.
And spare blades for the cutter.
other tools
Bubble level, which has three tilt readers. One horizontal, another vertical and a third at a 45º angle.
In addition, the base of the level is magnetized to fix it on metal surfaces and, in this way, facilitate the work.
A LED Flashlight, with 6 bulbs. Batteries are not included.
Well, with this briefcase made up of basic tools, you can do all kinds of home DIY. Including drills in masonry.
While writing this article, it just occurred to me to make a video in which I show how to drill, manually, in brick walls, and even in tiles, without the need for an electric drill. I am making a note to do so in the not too distant future.
However, if we wanted to go a little further, the only thing missing would be an electric drill and, of course, some bits.
Electric drill
The drill that I recommend for household tasks should have a minimum power of 500 or 550W. For homemade DIY, you don’t need more, but you don’t need less either. Of course, it should be a hammer drill, and I’ll explain why. Let’s take an example.
There are some tasks that are not usually given, but end up arising sooner or later, such as installing a ceiling fan or a lamp.
When carrying out this task, it is very possible to run into concrete, since a large part of the floors of the buildings are built with this material. And here, as we do not have a hammer drill, it is mission impossible.
A drill with the aforementioned characteristics can be found from €18 or €20. However, for a little more money, I would recommend a drill with a quality guarantee. For example, you have this one from Ryobi, which can be purchased for around €40.
Honestly, it’s pretty good for its price.
It has a keyless drill chuck, with a hammer, change of the direction of rotation to use it as an electric screwdriver, manual speed control, and trigger lock, in case we want to use it in stationary mode. More than enough features as a basic household tool.
Battery-powered drill
And if we wanted to treat ourselves, we could opt for a battery-powered drill.
Just as, in the case of the electric drill I do not recommend a power less than 500w, in the case of the battery I recommend that it be 18V. Not less.
It is true, that the price rises compared to the electric one, but not as much as you might think.
Specifically, the Ryobi drill from the One+ range, which appears in the previous photo, can be found for around €80, plus the battery. The battery is separate.
Now…, it’s a real blast! If you want to see it in full action, I advise you to watch the video of the tests that we carry out with it, in this link Drill driver 18V for DIY.
As a drill, by itself, without bits, it is of little use, the only thing we would lack are, precisely, the bits.
Therefore, I would recommend a set of drill bits for metals and another for concrete. No drill bits for wood, nor for masonry.
Remember that we are talking about a basic toolbox. If we wanted to make our first steps as DIYers, we would speak in other terms. But this is not the case at hand.
Ok, with that being said, why no wood drill bits, no masonry bits? The reason is solely economic.
Because metal drill bits are also suitable for wood. But the wooden ones are not suitable for drilling metal.
And the same goes for concrete drill bits.
Well, the drill sets should go from mm to mm. The metal ones from 3mm to 10mm. And those of concrete from 5mm to 10mm.
Well, we would have already configured a super complete basic toolbox for housework.
How much is the basic tool kit worth?
All that remains is to talk about prices, to get an idea.
Below are some images of these articles that, by clicking on them, you can see the different products and their prices, in the Amazon Marketplace.
-15€
DISCOUNT CODE: HRXOLLKX
Teccpo briefcase of 102 pieces.
Limited Time.
Ryobi tools, you can also find them at bauhaus Y Leroy Merlin.
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If we stick strictly to the 102-piece Teccpo briefcase, with the discount code it has right now, we’re talking about €45.
If, in addition, we included the electric drill and bits, the entire equipment would cost €100.
And if you have fallen in love with the battery-powered drill, which I would understand perfectly, you can take advantage of your birthday or your saint’s day to get it as a gift. It would be quite a gift.
To finish, just emphasize that these amounts of money should never be seen as an expense, but as an investment, since the money that we are going to save over time, I assure you, will be much higher.
I hope this article has dispelled the doubts of anyone who is thinking of getting a kit of basic tools for the home.
However, any question you want to make, you can leave it in a comment.
