These are the tools every do-it-yourselfer needs
Hanging a painting, fitting a plug or fixing a leaking tap; DIY starts with the right tools. But what are the essentials to have in your toolbox? From tape measure to screwdriver and from claw hammer to multimeter, Grottendieck Bezuidenhout puts together the essential tool set.
Many jobs around the house are easily done yourself. It saves money and brings satisfaction. But keep in mind that large, difficult or dangerous projects are best left to a professional. There are plenty of tips & tricks online. However, if you are unsure whether you are taking the right steps, do not hesitate to contact us!
Toolbox
You are ready and raring to go! But then ... Where did I put that hammer?! Nothing worse than scouring the house for tools. The solution? A toolbox. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but a sturdy model immediately serves as a sawing table, chair and step. And for the right size: check how much space you have in the storage cupboard or basement. You can’t really go too big.
Tape measure, hammer, screwdriver…
Next come the basics. As a rule of thumb, if you’ve ever seen it in a professional's back pocket, you will need it often. That belongs in your basic kit.
Tape measure of at least 3 meters (because as the Dutch say: ‘meten is weten’),
Claw hammer, allowing you to also pull out nails,
Screwdrivers (crosshead & flathead),
Allen keys,
Wood saw,
Utility knife,
Level,
Pencils (lots of pencils),
Flashlight.
Pliers
Cutting, stripping and grabbing wires; Pliers are used in any circumstance. Minimal are the regular pliers to cut wires and cables, a pipe wrench that we mainly use with water pipes and a pair of stripping pliers to expose the end of electrical cables. Combination pliers, as the name says, are a perfect addition simply because of its many, many uses.
Spanner set
Although you can use the pipe wrench to tighten bolts and nuts, it is not ideal. The sharp edges on the pliers can easily cause damage. So if you frequently work with nuts and bolts, a spanner set is a good investment. Because each size has a separate spanner, you are bound to a complete set. In most cases an 8-part set, starting at 8 millimeters is sufficient.
Battery Powered drill
A cordless drill makes every DIY-project so much easier. From screw bits to wood, steel and concrete drills; with the right accessories, the cordless drill is your best friend. And it doesn't have to be a big and bulky tool. Small drills today are so powerful that most professionals use them.
Safety equipment
Everyone should have sturdy gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection and a mouth mask at home. For work with electricity - only do this if you are confident in your ability! - a multimeter is recommended. This way you can always check whether there is no current running through wires and surfaces.
Renting tools
Sometimes you need a circular saw, belt sander or steamer for that one big project. For this it is usually cheaper to rent products. Grottendieck Bezuidenhout rents out most of the large tools and equipment, including mobile scaffolding and heavy duty vacuum cleaners.
