Expanding Your Toolbox

Being able to use basic hand tools and power tools is pretty much a rite of passage, separating children from adults. We're not saying that you have to be able to rebuild an engine here, just the basic ability to know how to use a hammer, a screwdriver, a wrench, and feel comfortable doing it. Aside from the general pride you feel when you're the guy who can fix things, being handy with the tools is a great way to save money on repairs for your home and car, which are the two areas where many people spend an unhealthy amount of money. 

In addition to the fiscal and general awesomeness you experience as a legitimate tool-wielding fix-it person, being able to use tools is a great way of expanding your interests and trying new things. Tools not only fix, they build, and once you've mastered a tool, you've effectively improved your own capabilities. Enjoy turning a wrench under the hood? Maybe your need for speed meets your love of tools, turning you into an engine performance specialist. Maybe your interest in antiques collides with your proficiency with wood-working tools to create a bold new line of classically-inspired home furnishings. You've got the imagination; you've got the drive...and now you've got the tools.

If you are just getting started on building your home tool collection, you probably have the basics covered, from hammer to screwdrivers to socket wrenches, from needle-nosed pliers and vice grips to cutting tools. As you expand into the power tools, the first two staples to acquire are the electric drill and a reciprocating saw. Cutting through things and punching holes through things are always easier when electricity is involved. You can graduate from the reciprocating saw to a nice versatile jig saw, or even a table saw, if your needs dictate the upgrade.

When dealing with power tools, always go cordless whenever possible. Charging batteries is easy, and you get an improved range of operation and improved ease of use when you aren't hauling a cord behind your power tool. Cordless technology has grown tremendously over the past two decades, and virtually any type of powered hand tool you need can be found in a cordless variety. Once you've gotten extremely familiar with the traditional tools, you'll likely start expanding into specialty tools for certain hobbies or professional uses. Virtually every industry has its own esoteric tools, so you will always have new tools to learn and master.