Essential Tools For Your Tool Kit

When buying hand tools, value for money is important. On the other hand, quality is important, especially for equipment like chisels or screwdrivers. Here we look at the essentials every DIYer should have in a basic tool kit in NZ, how to select them, and a few tips on getting the best results.

Tape measure

With such a variety of cost-effective tape measure models available, there is no excuse for getting frustrated with a sad, old one. These durable tools can last a builder years and even through a wet and muddy winter. Try a high-quality one and you'll see what it means to get what you pay for.

Good measuring tapes have a tip that slides by a millimetre or two, accurately compensating for measuring over something (tape pulled tight) and measuring inside something (tip pushing against a surface).

Avoid letting the tape retract at full speed back into its case. Run the tape between finger and thumb to slow it down and clean it off in the process. This will help prolong the tool’s life and protect the tip, keeping your measurements accurate.

Knife

Get a quality knife with solid, comfortable side grips and always refill it with sturdy blades. Spending more on blades will pay you back two-fold, as they will last longer, you'll spend less time and expend less energy achieving better results.

There are two common knives to consider:

1. 1. Retractable blade: Available in a large selection of blade shapes and qualities. These knives are standard in a builder's apron.
2. 2. Retractable with snap-off blades: Allows you to break off a small piece at a time to expose a fresh tip. These can be cheaper when you are using them on tough materials or cutting through onto concrete and are easily replaceable. The blades are available in two widths, 9mm and 18mm, but just one shape.
3. Tip: Avoid the temptation to expose more than part of one breakable section at a time to get a longer blade, as they can end up breaking.

Hammer

A hammer is a hammer, right? Mechanic's ball pein, geologist's rock hammer, panel beater's timber mallet and cooper's hammer... the list goes on.

If you have an old hammer in the tool kit, you might be very surprised to know how effective a newer tool would be. Think about 30-year-old golf clubs alongside modern clubs, improvements you could not have imagined.

There are some basic variations in carpentry hammers that we'll cover here to help you make a choice.

The choices are endless, straight/curved claw, fibreglass/steel shaft, vinyl/leather grip, magnetic nail starter and weight-forward.

When it's time to upgrade, a useful hammer for DIY carpentry should be between 16oz and 20oz. A heavy hammer (22oz +) might drive nails in faster, but it requires more energy to lift and swing.

Choose your hammer based on:

1. 1. Intended projects
2. 2. Comfortable grip. Some grips are specifically designed to reduce shock.
3. 3. Comfortable weight. A hammer that feels nicely balanced will seem lighter, but will often be more expensive. A 'finishing hammer' of 16 oz is a handy tool around the house.

Swing your hammer as an extension of your forearm, keep both in line. Swinging the hammer with your wrist is very tiring and inaccurate.

If the hammer seems to slide off the head of the nail when hitting it, you should align yourself better with the nail. You can sand the surface of the head of the hammer to help with this, but bear in mind you may void the warranty on good-quality hammers. The other option is to buy a hammer with a milled face.

When you accidentally leave bruises in timber (hammer mark), you could try applying moisture in the hope that the wood will swell and hide the dent. Again, you may need to align yourself better with the nail. Alternatively, stop driving the nail a little early and use a nail punch to finish.

Saws

You most likely have a number of saws hanging around, some fresh and sharp, some old and sharp and several blunt ones you don't want to throw away. You can find basic saws for $10-$20, however, anyone who has a saw with a beautiful timber handle will know plastic handles never come close.

Saws can be a bit of a mystery at first glance, so a couple of useful terms can often be found on the tool packaging:

TPI: The number of Teeth Per Inch. Sometimes 'points' per inch is used, so a saw with 14 points per inch will have 13 teeth per inch.

Kerf: The thickness of the cut, not the thickness of the blade.

Saws are usually stamped out of a piece of sheet metal. The saws worth looking at are then hardened along the teeth. Anything without hardened teeth is a waste of money.

How many teeth are best? Generally speaking, saws with fewer teeth will cut faster; saws with lots of teeth per inch will cut more slowly but with a cleaner, more controlled cut and a finer surface finish.

Modern timber saws are a combination of the older Rip and Crosscut saws. The teeth are sharpened like chisels to tear/split timber with the grain (Rip saw) and sharpened like knife blades to cut across the grain (Crosscut).

Other useful saws to have in your tool kit include:

Tenon saw: Generic name for a family of saws with a stiffening rib attached to the side opposite the teeth. With fairly fine teeth (13-15 TPI) and often used with a mitre box for cutting specific angles, like a 45-degree mitre on architraves.

Coping saw: A fine blade held in a small steel frame under tension and used in a similar fashion as a jigsaw. The teeth on the blade face towards the handle, so cutting is done on the pull stroke, which helps avoid blade breakages by keeping the blade in tension.

Hacksaw: Cutting metal and plastic. Care must be taken when replacing blades to fit the vertical cutting face of the teeth facing towards the front of the saw.

Saws have teeth usually set to cut in just one direction, on the push stroke. This is when the most effort should go into pushing and keeping on track with your cut.

File

Files are made for working with metal, while rasps generally have coarser teeth and are used for woodworking. Files are available in very fine to very coarse, from flat to full round and triangular. The teeth are usually on all faces of the file and point towards the front end, just like most saws; therefore, the cutting (filing) action happens on the push stroke. Too much weight on the file during the pull stroke can actually round over the tips of the teeth, resulting in a blunt file.

There are vast differences in hardness available and, therefore, longevity. Steel hardness is measured much like a cricket pitch, by pushing a key into it and measuring the force required to make an indentation. You won't find this measurement on the packaging of a standard file; however, cheaper files will usually equal softer steel.

Screwdrivers

In a similar way to files, the heads or tips of screwdrivers can be very soft to very hard. The tips make the difference between causing damage and frustration or getting a great result with minimum effort:

Flat (Slotted): Tip is one straight line with two points of contact between the screwdriver and the screw.

Phillips: Tip is in a 'cross' shape, which creates four points of contact. It is important to use the correct size tip to match the screw. The tip can jump out of the screw head, and in fact, it was designed to allow this to happen, to intentionally damage the screwdriver tip and not the screw.

Pozidriv: Looks a lot like a Phillips, but the 'teeth' have a steeper angle, resulting in it handling more torque. The screws have a second 'cross' imprinted in the face of the head. It is not so critical to match the correct sizes of the tip and the screw. The screwdriver tip can still jump out of the screw head.

Square drive (Robertson): Four points of contact. No forward pressure is required toward the screw because the tip cannot jump out of the screw head. Correct size match required. This is extremely popular among trade people on a building site.

A small diameter handle will turn faster than a large diameter, but with less turning force (torque) able to be applied. A large-diameter handle may increase comfort and will allow greater turning force when needed, but you'll be turning it a little slower.

Handy options to look out for are:

Magnetic tips: Useful for holding very small screws.

Interchangeable bits: Buy one handle with a range of screwdriver tips in a set. The connection between the handle and bit is a standard-size hexagonal shape, so there are endless choices and replacements available.

Chisels

Chisels are designed to tear or split timber apart, not to cut it. Straight-tipped woodworking chisels come in widths from 6mm up to 50mm wide with a bevel of 30°. The sharper your chisel, the better your results. Less expensive chisels will probably not be alloyed steel (blended for hardness and toughness). An increase in price should accompany quality and longevity.

Basics of use: Always hold the tool with the angled/bevelled face against the work. Take small slices at a time. With sharp chisels, you should use no more than hand pressure for most work. Try to work in line with the wood grain as much as possible.

Basics of sharpening: Firstly, new chisels are usually sharp but not honed when sold. Honing is achieved by rubbing the chisel on an oilstone, alternating between the bevelled edge and the back of the blade.

When sharpening, it is important to keep the blade cool. If you use a high-speed grinder, the hardened and tempered chisel blade can be damaged by heat, resulting in the tool blunting faster. Regular honing using oil and an oilstone is the easiest way to keep chisels working.

Square or set square

Here is a tool to always keep on hand. A square is useful for:

1. 1. Marking out a 90° line
2. 2. Marking out a 45° line
3. 3. Measuring (built-in ruler on both sides)
4. 4. Measuring depth (sliding the ruler through the butt/handle)
5. 5. Setting a measure and marking it again and again at speed.
6. 6. Levelling (many have a built-in vial or 'bubble'), used as an inaccurate guide only.

With a sliding square, there may be inaccuracy over time as wear occurs within the slide. You can check this quickly by finding a very straight edge and marking a line 90° off the edge, then turning the square over and marking the line again next to the first line. They should be parallel.

Get one. Look after it. Keep it on hand. If you can afford a much larger fixed steel square, these tools are a very useful addition for marking out sheets of ply or MDF.

Sandpaper

While not technically a 'tool', you would be amazed at the difference high-quality sandpaper will make to your enjoyment of your work. Next time, buy a sheet or roll of the best sandpaper available to compare with your usual brand. You'll notice a difference; you'll use less, it won't clog up as much, it will do the job faster, and you'll recommend it to your friends.

Ready to upgrade your tool kit?

Having a good range of basic tools in your tool kit really makes projects fast and enjoyable, hopefully creating better results too, especially when you know how to make your tools work for you.

Browse Trade Tested’s full range of hand tools, including socket sets, ratchet spanners, and thermometers, to build a tool kit that matches your projects and budget. Shop in-store or online and get your tools delivered straight to your door. We’re known for quality, price, and durability.

Got questions? Contact us for help.

Real customer reviews & testimonials

“I absolutely love this hammer. Best hammer I have ever purchased, and you don't do that too often. This has a smooth balance and weight. The handle grip doesn't get slippery with sweat, and the claw is a real bonus as it removes nails so easily. Best investment yet.”

“I looked around for what I thought would be the best replacement for my ageing chisels. Once I decided upon the Bahco brand, I looked for the best deal. This I found at Trade Tested. The chisels are everything I was hoping for and more. They are definitely the best set of chisels I have ever purchased, and Trade Tested were a dream to deal with.”

“Good feel when using in even difficult positions. As an aircraft engineer, it's getting used lots.”

FAQs about tool kits

Should I buy tools individually or as part of a tool kit?

Buying a pre-made tool kit can offer a better price and convenience, while selecting hand tools individually gives you more control over quality and the exact type of tools you need for your projects.

What’s the best way to store my tools?

A sturdy tool bag or tool box keeps everything organised and makes it easier to carry your hand tools to different projects. Storing tools properly also helps prevent damage, rust, and loss.

How do I care for my hand tools so they last longer?

Wipe tools down after use if necessary, store them in a dry place, and keep blades or cutting edges sharp. A tool bag or box also helps protect your investment.