Can anyone recommend an 'essential' toolkit for occasional DIY?

C

Caveat

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I'm talking about jobs like maybe putting up shelves, tiling, that kind of thing.

I'm aware of what is generally required but all too frequently I've fallen into the false economy of buying cheaply.

If someone could advise on what to look out for - e.g have been told not to bother getting a drill without hammer action and below a certain power output - and maybe advise on reasonable (but not very high spec. or expert) quality brands/items etc it would be helpful for me (and I'm sure for many others).

Anyone?
 
Basics you should have first are hammer, set of screw drivers, utility knife, pliers, rule/straight edge, tape measure and level, maybe add a vice grips, wire cutters, and general purpose hand saw.

Get a range of screws, nails, wall plugs as well, you can buy inexpensive kits of these. Couple of adjustable wrenches will handle the plumbing basics.

A decent cordless drill/driver is almost a must-have. If you need to do any serious drilling in masonary down the line, a mains impact(percussion) drill is the way to go.

Bosch do a good DIY level range of tools (green bodied tools, pro level are blue). After that, DeWalt, Makita, Hitachi power tools are very good, but maybe beyond the needs of an occasional user.

Tiling tools are generally inexpensive, even electric tile saws can be got for less than €100 now. Basics here are notched trowel, tile cutter, grouting float, and maybe a tile nippers.

After the basics above, it's down to what tasks you have in mind, and just add as you go on. You're already learned the false economy of cheap tools, so buy the best you can afford, or can justify spending the money on given the use you'll make of them. If you have any particular jobs in mind, let us know what they are and I and others can add to the above.

Sites such as Axminster, D&M, and MachineMart are like the proverbial sweet shop to tool buyers. Even after shipping, these can work out a lot cheaper than some of the larger multiples operating here. Usual advice of shopping around applies.
Leo

EDIT: D'oh! thought there were previous threads alright, but quick search didn't locate...not like I didn't post enough in that one! :eek:
 
Thanks a lot Leo

No particular jobs in mind yet - just want to be better equipped the next time something comes up.

Someone else had mentioned the green Bosch range to me as a "reasonably priced, reasonable quality" option.

I'm thinking of the likes of Stanley as a minimum (quality wise) for manual tools (screwdrivers, knives etc) ?

I have some items of course, especially on the manual end but am thinking of just throwing out some of the poorer quality stuff - e.g. screwdrivers that ruin the heads of screws that they are supposed to fit :rolleyes: Have gone through 2 cheapo drills in the last 2 years - I think even the surface of hammer isn't exactly flat/flush :eek:

By the way - what's so good about an Estwing hammer? Is a hammer not a hammer (within reason) ? - they seem like a serious price to me.
 
Get a phase-tester... very handy for checking faulty wiring. You'll only need one once in a blue moon, but you'll be glad you have one when the need arises. They're only a couple of €.

Can of WD40 (spray on oil - a million and one uses you'd never have thought of see here http://www.wd40.com/uses-tips/ )

From experience I can tell you that cheap tools are more expensive in the long run, and a waste of money. Stanley are very acceptable.

If you're drilling concrete you need a very decent drill. If you're drilling a lot of concrete, it might be better to hire a serious drill from Sam Hire or the like.
 
If you need spanners / sockets, get Halfords Professional range. They're brilliant and have a lifetime warranty so if you break one, you can bring it back and have it replaced there and then.
 
Caveat said:
Someone else had mentioned the green Bosch range to me as a "reasonably priced, reasonable quality" option.
Click to expand...

Yes, they're good, as are Ryobi, will last and aren't too expensive.

Caveat said:
I'm thinking of the likes of Stanley as a minimum (quality wise) for manual tools (screwdrivers, knives etc) ?
Click to expand...

Yeah, they'll certainly do the job.

Caveat said:
...but am thinking of just throwing out some of the poorer quality stuff - e.g. screwdrivers that ruin the heads of screws that they are supposed to fit
Click to expand...

As soon as that starts happening you're as well off replacing it, same goes for bits for drill drivers. Nothing more annoying than bits that strip screw heads. I use [broken link removed] now, good, but not cheap.

Caveat said:
By the way - what's so good about an Estwing hammer? Is a hammer not a hammer (within reason) ? - they seem like a serious price to me.
Click to expand...

They're close to the Rolls Royce of hammers, top quality with thought put into their design. Their top of the line ones like [broken link removed] are designed to reduce fatigue, oh, and it looks good too, which is important of course. :D
Leo
 
The previous thread linked above covers most of this ground but I would just add to the discussion of Estwing hammers as follows: the are forged from one piece of steel, which is correctly hardened and tempered, so they are pretty unbreakable. Cheap hammers with poor quality wooden handles or light steel tube handles will not last as long or be as comfortable to use, especially if driving long nails! In more recent times I've found that you don't need to go online to buy good quality tools at keen prices; many of the specialist engineering/ builder's providers offer good deals on some smaller power tools. I'd especially recommend Bosch power tools, their green line are pretty good but their blue line are excellent and you can now get a 3 year warranty with this line. n
 
Thanks again all, very helpful.

Only problem now is that I will no longer be able to blame my tools for my bad workmanship...
 
Get yourself a copy of the readers digest DIY manual - woodies or atlantic should have it.
It explains what tools you need for most household jobs and has some great tips for budding DIYers.
 
Black & Decker range of cordless drills are perfect for what you want at a cheaper cost in B&Q/Woodies than Bosch etc. You should be able to pich up a 15.5V one with spare battery for approx €75
 
and....
Removes evidence tape glue from evidence tape after evidence has been processed
Useful!
 
Simply buy the tools what you need as you need them. Overtime, you'll have the best toolbox for your needs and cost will be spraid.
The tool you'll need for a job is always the one you don't have in your toolbox.:rolleyes:
 
A roll of 100 mile an hour tape aka Duck(Duct) Tape, the perfect partner for WD40.

Use WD40 when it is supposed to move and it won't, use Duck tape when it moves and it’s not supposed to..... ;-)
 
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