Building your first and forever tool kit

Tools take us back to our hominid origins, when we roamed the plains looking for grubs and a good pounding rock. Here is a full basic toolkit for the do-it-yourself enthusiast:

Power Tools

• Cordless drill - So cool, you'll sleep with it under your pillow for the first year. Choose a variable speed, keyless-chuck model with the capacity to hold 1/2-inch bits for heavier use, or the capacity for 3/8-inch bits if you're a lighter user. Battery sizes vary, but most people are permanently happy with a 12-volt model.
• Jigsaw - An electric jigsaw is the only power saw I recommend to beginners. Quiet, nimble and versatile, the jigsaw makes straight or curvy cuts in wood, metal or plastic, so your options are endless. Jigsaws are slower than table saws, mitre saws and circular saws but you get to keep your fingers.
• Random orbit sander - More powerful and versatile than a standard electric palm sander, a random orbit sander removes material much more quickly than a palm sander because it spins as well as vibrates. It also vacuums dust up through the holes in the sanding disc and stores it in the built-in vacuum bag.
• Circular saw - If you're into building decks or framing sheds or cutting up lots of plywood, a circular saw is faster than a jigsaw. Battery-powered models reduce the odds of cutting the power cord in half. You can get kits that include a cordless circular saw, drill and charger, plus two batteries. Oh baby.
• Safety Gear - Don't even be tempted by power tools if you're not going to buy the safety gear:
  • A good set of ear gear keeps you calm when turning on loud, nerve-shattering equipment, and protects your hearing as well. My favorite ear protectors are made by Peltor, the brand used in many police firing ranges.
  • Safety glasses - Buy an extra pair for a helper.
  • Dust masks - The style with two elastics grip your face really firmly.
  • First aid kit - For the usual mishaps.

Hand Tools

• Japanese-style hand saw - Sweet to use. Cutting occurs on the pull stroke, so the blade doesn't jam or warp (as does a Western saw-blade when it's pushed through a piece of wood).
• Assorted ergonomic-grip Robertson (square-head) Phillips (the one with the 'x') and slot-head screwdrivers. If you're tight on storage space, go for an interchangeable, multi-bit screwdriver.
• Utility knife - Get a sturdy model and avoid the lightweight versions with snap-off blades.
• Bastard file - An unfortunately-named metal file that's great for sharpening garden tools, de-burring metal pipe, etc.
• Hammer - For heavy-duty use, the anti-vibration hammer from Stanley has nice balance and prevents repetitive strain injuries by absorbing shock. For small household jobs like hanging pictures, Lee Valley makes a great 8-ounce hammer for the kitchen drawer.
• Adjustable wrench - A classic; you probably already have one.
• Pliers - Build your collection to include needle nose pliers (with a wire-cutter function), tongue and groove pliers, linesman's pliers and wire-strippers.
• Hack saw - For cutting metal shelving, PVC, metal pipes, etc.
• Putty knives in a range of sizes - Versatile tools for paint-scraping, caulk removal, cocktail stirring.

Accessories

• Electronic stud sensor - Solve all your mounting emergencies.
• Measuring tape - They say that if you've got big hands it means you must have a big tape, but I find a 30-foot tape awkward and bulky. I like the fit of a 16-footer in my hand, with a 12-footer in my purse for backup.
• Drill index - A set of carbon steel bits organized in incremental order, for drilling into wood.
• Masonry bits - For drilling into concrete, plaster, stone or masonry, carbide-tip masonry bits rock; the key to mounting shelves on cinderblock, hanging hose reels on brick, etc.
• Abrasives - Steel wool, sandpaper in incremental grits, and 3M 'SandBlaster' abrasive pads.
• Lubricants - WD-40, graphite powder, petroleum jelly, and a paraffin or beeswax candle will give you lots of options when something's stuck.
• Adhesives - Keep three basics on hand; Carpenters' glue (the yellowy stuff), 'Super' or 'Krazy' glue, and Loctite Power Grab, a trigger-dispensed latex-based glue that can be tinted to match any material.
• Duct tape - If you're modest about your handiwork, get 3M's new transparent duct tape and nobody will even know the repair happened
• Clamps - Own at least one matching pair of Quick-Grip clamps; it's like giving yourself a third hand, and we all know how useful that could be.
• Caulking gun - Get a 'professional' model. It won't raise your blood pressure by jamming or dripping uncontrollably. Or skip the gun entirely and buy No More Sealant Guns, a new style of caulk that has a built-in automatic, dispensing trigger and will add years to your life.
• Speed or 'rafter'square - For marking and cutting lumber, squaring shelves etc.
• Torpedo level - 9 inches of delight.
• Fasteners - Store a selection of drywall screws, deck screws, anchors, finish nails and picture hooks.
• Heavy-duty extension cords - 12- or 14-gauge.
• Tube-cutter - Because plumbing happens.
• Bernzomatic propane torch - If you absolutely must perform a plumbing repair, give yourself the relief and elegance of an auto-start torch. No fussing with spark-throwing clickers.
• Flux and solder - Lead-free solder, and corresponding flux (mild acid in paste form).
• Respirator mask - for blocking petrochemical vapours, solvents etc.
• Leather work gloves, rubber gloves and disposable latex gloves