List of Hand Tools for DIY Projects For the Beginners

We Need a Guide as Quality, Durability of the Tools More Important Than Quantity. Here is a List of Hand Tools for DIY Projects For the Beginners. This topic not exactly new on this website, in previous articles we talked about power tools for cutting, drilling. We want to make an easy list in this article. First and foremost important matter is not to buy any crap cheap Made in China hand tools. We have a guide for organizing electronic components at budget – in that way you can try to save budget. Some tools you can buy from local shops around villages, small towns – those are made by blacksmiths. They will be heavy duty, intended for professional outdoor works. But buying a Made in China cheap screwdriver (as example) from online shops is practically just bad idea. A good hand tool passes through multiple generations. Also look for sales for cheap rate, used tools etc. Second thing is that, if you read more number of similar well written articles on the web that will deliver you huge idea. Of course number, type of tools depends on what you’ll do more frequently but there are some common hand tools since our grandfathers ‘era. Sometimes, we have some inherited hand tools but for many reasons we need to buy another one. Our target is not to make the list too costly, we are listing the essential components. If any experienced reader wants to add something, please do not hesitate to email us using our contact us form.

List of Hand Tools for DIY Projects For the Beginners

Hammer : One of the oldest hand tool on this earth with huge variations available depending on usage. We usually need a bigger, a medium sized and a small hammer. The bigger one usually become dedicated for everyday rough usage. These days some hammers have a nail starter, which is a groove with magnet to hold a nail to nail at one shot with one hand. It works for medium sized nails. These days, some modern-style hammers have lighter head and a longer handle, which may feel odd to unused. It is not easy to buy the right hammer. There are various types of hammer heads. Ball Pein hammer normally used by various engineers and it’s head is round. Basically various tools can be added on the opposite of striking side to serve as multiple purpose tool. Claw hammer is quite common variant. Sledge hammers or club hammers are “real classical hammers” – their both sides have striking surfaces.

Hand drill : We discussed about power drill in our previously published article. Usage of hand drill has been restricted to finer works or as a backup tool.

Handsaw, Hacksaw : Any type of handsaw is a toothed cutting blade with a handle. It is useful for cutting wood because it is simpler, safer, cheap to use than a power saw. It has limitations due to amount of energy needed to cut. We discussed about power cutting tools in our previously published article linked above.

Screwdrivers : Most of the power drills of today has some way to use as screwdrivers. Also, separate electric screwdrivers do exist. We usually need handful of normal screwdrivers with various heads to easily open up things or apply screw.

Pliers : Pliers needed to grasp onto something so we can pull or turn it. We can use pliers for loosening nuts, pulling out nails, pinching wires and so on. Obviously, we need various types of pliers, at least one with wider tip and another one should be long nose plier. Long nose/needle nose plier need to be tested while buying from shop grasping paper with it’s tip. If a long nose plier can not grasp a paper & slips on attempt to tear away the grasped paper, it is basically just another plier.

Knives : There are various type of knives for various DIY works for cutting various type of materials. Some knives need to be handmade by local blacksmith.

Adjustable Wrench : A pair of adjustable wrenches is nifty hand tool to grasp nut and screw or unscrew bolt. As the gap can be adjusted, it decreases the need of dedicated wrench of particular sizes. Fixed wrenches, however has usage and while working one will understand the exact need.

Soldering iron : A soldering iron does more than soldering electrical and electronic components, wires. It is most easy way to add molten metal between two metal pieces.

Multi meter : Probably many needs a multimeter for regular need for checking voltage, resistance. Need of multimeter depends on type of DIY work. We have popular multimeter guide for dummies.

Clamp meter : We are not sure if you ever need for your work but we often need for household works. We do have guide for clamp meter.

Chisel : At least one for metal cutting and one for wood cutting needed.

Protractor cum depth gauge : It is an engineering measurement tool which practically serves multiple purposes. Try square is a fixed tool for making right angle in wood works.

Mini bench vice/vise : Performing an image search on web will reveal the tool. It is useful to grasp a thing needed to be cut or being drilled. Clamp-on vises are light-duty portable vises for wood, plastic and light metalworking. They can be clamped at the edge of the table. An engineer’s vise is a powerful vise but it’s base needs to be fixed on the table by means of screws.

G-clamp : Again, performing an image search on web will reveal the tool. It is also a tool to grasp a thing needed to be cut or being drilled like vice but gives access to different angles. It is not exactly for the beginners.

Measuring tapes, scale : Metal measuring tape, scale are basic tools and needs no description of need.

Spirit level meter : Possibly your smartphone will serve basic purpose.

Not Exactly Hand Tools but Ubiquitous :

Painting brush : Needed to dust off something.

Glues, Tapes : Glues and electrical insulation tapes are of everyday need.

Protective googles & gloves : Important, if you do not want to cry later out of pain.

Two plastic tubs, toothbrush and sponge : Cheap, Made in China or local made will work fine. One tub is for soaking in kerosene like solvent, another for soaking in water. Tools themselves need soaking, greasing after a time.

Some sort of LED light with magnifying lens : Cheap, Made in China will work fine.

Sandpapers : There are sandpapers for wood and metal. Sadly, sandpapers die faster if not kept out of reach of moisture.

Conclusion

There are readymade kits from good manufactures of hand tools. However, they tend to add unwanted tools and buying all stuffs together not always cheap. Everyone will agree that there is no end of hand tools to buy. We listed as minimum as possible.