Handyman Mesa AZ can fix various issues that may arise in a home, saving homeowners the hassle of hiring specialized contractors. They are adept at patching and repairing walls, ceilings, and other surfaces to give rooms a new lease on life.
To get the job done right, a handyman needs reliable tools. A sturdy utility knife is essential for cutting materials, while a tape measure ensures accurate measurements. Pliers are also an excellent tool for routing wires and cables; opt for needle-nose and tongue-groove models.
- Screwdrivers
Handymen perform a variety of tasks. They might be mending a broken pipe one moment and crafting a wooden cabinet the next. To navigate this expansive range of work, a handyman requires superior tools that enhance proficiency and ensure safety on the job.
Among the most essential hand tools is a screwdriver set. A basic set includes flat-head and Phillips-head screwdrivers in various sizes. It also includes an adjustable wrench, which helps tighten and loosen screws of varying lengths. A multi-bit screwdriver offers even more versatility.
Other hand tools that every handyman needs to have include a tape measure and duct tape, both of which are used for a wide array of home repairs. A claw hammer, utility knife, wrenches and pliers are also useful for a wide range of projects.
A good handyman also has a selection of power tools, including a hammer drill with an assortment of bits and a cordless screwdriver. The latter can be especially helpful when working in tight spaces or on difficult to reach fasteners. A caulking gun is also an important tool for repairing cracks and leaks.
There are also special types of screwdrivers for specific applications. For example, Torx screwdrivers have a six-pointed design that makes them less likely to strip the head of a screw. These are often used on electronics and automotive applications.
A ratcheting screwdriver is useful when it’s necessary to drive or remove long screws in a tight space without having to continuously reposition the tool. These screwdrivers have a built-in ratchet mechanism that allows them to turn in one direction and grip the screw or fastener more tightly as you turn it in the other direction.
- Fish tape
Fish tape is a hand tool that allows the handyman to run wires and cables through walls and tight spaces. The tape is a flat steel tool with a handle on the end used to “fish” electrical wire or other lines into studs, wall cavities and conduit runs. It comes in various sizes and materials. Generally, it is non-conductive and can be used with different types of cables and wires. The most important factor in selecting a fish tape is its tensile strength. This helps prevent kinking during pulling. Other considerations include the length and flexibility of the tape. A flexible tape can negotiate tight bends, whereas a stiffer one is better for long straight runs through conduit.
There are many benefits to having fish tape in your toolbox. It can help you route wires quickly and easily, saving you time and effort. It can also make your job easier by allowing you to work in tighter spaces.
When using a fish tape, start by unrolling only enough to reach the intended destination. Then, push the tape into the hole and through any obstructions. Once it reaches the conduit or wall, turn the head and pull it out to the other side. You can then attach the softer wire (Romex, CAT5 cable etc) to it and pull that through.
Some fish tapes have laser-etched distance markings, making it easy for you to read the gauge and tensile strength. They also have strong, slip-resistant handles and retainers to keep the tape in place. Some have a conduit bending tool that makes it easy to bend conduit and thin pipes without kinking them. A lubricant is usually recommended to reduce friction and make the job easier.
- Electrical tape
Electrical tape is an indispensable tool for the handyman, offering a safe and effective way to secure connections and insulate wires. This type of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is typically made from PVC, PE or fibreglass cloth and comes with an inner layer of adhesive that holds it together. It is designed to withstand factors like heat, moisture, acidity and alkali and offers an insulating barrier for wires that can protect them from electrical currents.
In addition to being used in electrical phasing and wiring jobs, this tape can also be found in many other home improvement projects. For example, it is often used to help make a backsplash from reclaimed wood or as a simple DIY way to mask an area when painting a surface. It can even be used for creative DIY projects like creating a layered Easter egg design or more elaborate wall installations.
As a safety measure, handymen should always ensure that the power is turned off at the circuit breaker box before applying this tape to any conductive wires or materials. Additionally, they should also check that the area is free of electricity using a tester before starting their work. While regular general-purpose tape can be used to bind wires, handymen should instead use specialized electrical tape that has been approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for safety standards and durability.
Different types of electrical tape are available depending on the application, with a variety of widths, colours and thicknesses to suit different needs. When choosing electrical tape, handymen should ensure it is UL-approved and that the product has been tested to withstand specific conditions like temperature and moisture. In addition, they should check for things like the tape’s minimum and maximum temperatures ratings to ensure it can be used in cold or hot environments.
- Drills
A handyman’s toolkit needs to include a drill, which can speed up many projects like hanging wall art or assembling furniture. Handymen typically need a model with variable speed settings to suit different materials and tasks, as well as long-lasting batteries. A model with a LED guide light is also a useful feature for providing additional visibility when drilling into dark surfaces.
There are two overarching categories for drills: corded and cordless, with a number of sub-categories within each. A basic standard drill will suffice for the occasional handyman, and usually has a maximum torque of around 54Nm. This will allow you to assemble closets and perform most basic home improvement jobs. For more advanced work, consider purchasing a more powerful model with a higher maximum torque rating.
You will also need a set of drill bits to match your model, with the most common being hex screw drives. These have a hexagonal tip that replaces the manual Allen key found on a traditional screwdriver, and can make fastening screws much easier. For even quicker screwing, you can use an impact driver, which works by incorporating a rotating hammer and anvil mechanism to generate much more power than a standard drill.
A circular saw is also a useful addition to the occasional handyman’s kit, especially for larger projects that require clean and precise cuts. A good quality model will provide a range of different blade sizes to suit various materials, and should be easy to operate for efficient cutting. A handheld circular saw may be preferable to a benchtop model for working in tight spaces, and some models come with convenient carrying cases for ease of storage and transport.
- Tape measure
A tape measure is the most basic hand tool on every handyman’s tool belt. It is also one of the most important for a job well done. It can help you quickly survey a room, or gather furniture dimensions for a new piece. It is essential for most jobs that require a bit of precision and can be found in both standard or metric units.
The most common type of tape measures are made of metal and feature a serrated edge on the hook to allow you to mark the measurement on surfaces. Some also come with a thumb lock for added stability. This is a great feature if you are working in an area where it is likely that your hands will be dirty or greasy, as it allows you to retract the tape with ease without worrying about your marks fading.
When using a tape measure, it’s important to know how to read it. The bold number markings represent whole inches, while the smaller indicator lines between each inch mark represent fractions of an inch. For example, a 16ft tape measure will have sixteen one-foot marks and 192 one-inch marks. Those tiny increments are crucial when you’re measuring to the nearest foot or centimeter.
While it may seem simple enough to use, there is an art to reading a tape measure correctly. Using it to its full potential can improve the accuracy of your measurements and save you time and frustration. Often, it will come down to a matter of calibration, so you should consider investing in a quality tape measure that comes calibrated for accurate readings. It’s also a good idea to look for a tape measure that has a millimeter line, as this will give you the most precise metric measurements.
