apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

• Toolbox: we're old school. We use a red metal one with two drawers.


• A reversible drill with a bit set: Our favorite tool.


• Hammer: Look for one that's 16 oz with a fiberglass shaft and a rip claw.


• A 16 foot tape measure: Get one that locks. We also have a traveling one. We have this at the ready when checking furniture listings.


• Vise grip pliers: A workhorse tool. You might need a couple of different sizes.


• A set of screwdrivers: a good mixed set includes flat and Phillips head drivers, maybe even a magnetic head.


• Needle nose pliers: if you can find a pair with a wire cutting blade, grab 'em.


• Safety glasses: We don’t start a project without these.


• Safety gloves. A must for protecting your hand while stripping furniture. A stud finder: Start here when hanging pictures


• A level: Indispensible for hanging pictures.


• A utility knife: Look for replaceable blades and keep some on hand.


• Staple gun: Tackle basic reupholstery jobs armed with one of these.


• Duct tape: For quick repairs and emergencies.


• Glue: White glue and crazy glue for repairing crockery repair.


• A wire cutter and stripper: Easier for electrical jobs than using a plier.


• Electrical tester: A lifesaver when doing electrical work. Always test it in a working outlet before starting a job.


• A 1/2 steel chisel: Plain. Simple. Useful.


• Pry bar: Hexagonal steel's the way to go here.


• A short handsaw: easier to manuver than a circular saw.

RELATED LINKS

• LA Spring Cure 08: Getting Started