Home Repair Tools

Making home repairs means having the right tools and materials on hand so you can get right at the job and on with your life. Knowing about the basic home repair tools will help you in the long run.

In the previews below, you'll be directed to articles about home repair tools that measure, cut, drill, nail, tighten and loosen, hold, clamp, test, paint, and more. Most important, you'll see which home repair tools you really need and how to use them safely.


First, let's talk about quality. The smartest rule about buying home repair tools is to buy good quality. High-quality tools are not only safer to use, but most will last a lifetime with proper care. You can usually identify a quality tool by its machining: The metal parts are smooth and shiny, and the tool is well balanced -- it fits comfortably in your hand. Inferior tools, on the other hand, have defects or rough metal (often hidden by paint) and exhibit crude machining. Most important, however, is that good home repair tools are safer to use. Cheap tools can break and cause accidents.

You can expect to pay an average of 25 percent more for high-quality equipment, but cheap home repair tools are no bargain -- you get what you pay for, so you may have to replace them more often. Besides, the money you save on your very first do-it-yourself repair may pay for the tools you needed. And, after that, the tools are yours to keep.

Learn all about the different types of home repair tools:

Measuring and Marking Tools
Ensure accuracy in every element of home repairs with the help of these simple tools.

Saws
Cut wood, plastic, metal, and much more with one of these fine saws.

Drills
When you need to make a hole, these tools will help you do the job, either by putting some elbow grease into it, or letting electricity do the work.

Hand Tools
These common tools allow you to perform the most basic home repair work, from hammering to prying to fastening.

Electrical Tools
Electricity needs a continuous, clean path in order to flow. These tools will help you measure and improve your current.

Plumbing Tools
Many tools you already have will help you repair plumbing, but some problems may require the use of these specialized tools.

House Painting Tools
A good paint job depends on the right tools as much as the right paint. Find out what you need to change the look of your home.

Fasteners
When you want to hold two things together, you want some of these handy little fellows. Learn the differences, and how to choose the right one for your home repair project.

Abrasives
Sanding, shaving, and smoothing out a surface can all transform a shabby-looking object into a professional piece of material. See how abrasives eliminate rough patches and strip away old layers.

Home Repair Materials
The kind of materials you use will dictate the tools and methods necessary to complete home repairs yourself. Learn the difference between the various materials in this article.

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Power Saws

Power saws can be intimidating at first, and they should be! Improperly used, they can do damage in a hurry. You should always observe the proper safety precautions. Once you make a few practice cuts, however, you'll soon become comfortable with it.

In the previews that follow, we'll introduce you to the different kinds of power saws. Each can be used for different purposes, and you'll be able to determine which saw is the right one for your project.


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Crosscut Saw

A crosscut saw is a handy tool for cutting lumber, making furniture, and for other wood-cutting tasks.

What a Crosscut Saw Does

A crosscut saw is a specialized handsaw for manually cutting wood across the grain. Crosscut saws include a blade and a handle. The blade edge below the handle is the heel and the opposite end is the toe. The numerous cutting teeth between the heel and toe have alternating cutting edges. Each cutting tooth cuts with one edge and pushes the sawdust out with the other. Crosscut saws have 8 to 15 pointed teeth per inch.

How to Safely Use a Crosscut Saw

To safely use a crosscut saw, draw a straight line on the wood member you want to cut. Firmly hold or fasten the wood so that it will not move during cutting. Place the saw's central teeth on the line opposite you and push the saw in a short stroke to start the cut. Once started, pull and push the saw to cut the wood, making sure the cut follows the line. When nearly done, make sure the end of the wood being cut is held and will not splinter due to the unsupported weight.

For safety, always be aware that the teeth of a crosscut saw are sharp and pointed. Placing them point-down on an object or a body part will cut it.

How to Maintain a Crosscut Saw

Crosscut saws require periodic sharpening by a professional saw sharpener or with a quality saw sharpening tool available at major hardware stores. Keep your crosscut saw sharp for safety and for optimum cuts.

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Hand Saws

Saws are used for the cutting of wood, metal, plastics, or just about any material you might encounter. They rely on sharp blades to slice through substances of varying composition and thickness. You can saw it yourself or rely on electric power to help do the job; whatever your preference, there's a saw for the job.

The previews that follow will introduce you to the different types of saws available for your home repair project. Read about the purpose of each, and pick the one that will work best for you.

Why use a handsaw? Well, you've made your measurement. You've chosen your material. It's time to cut. What you need now is a saw, and if you want to your whole body into it, then a handsaw is the way to go.

The previews at the bottom of this page describe the many different kinds of handsaws. You'll learn how to use each handsaw properly, and why a particular handsaw is right for the job.


We can provide kind of hand saws to six type that show detail below.

Crosscut Saw
Cut across the grain of wood with this common handsaw.

Ripsaw
It looks like a crosscut saw, but this handsaw rips through the grain of wood like a chisel.

Backsaw
This saw has a stiff blade, making it ideal for angle cuts and trimming molding.

Keyhole Saw
With a removable blade, this saw is used for cutting openings that are too large for a drill.

Coping Saw
The thin blade of this saw allows the user to make contoured or smooth fine-line cuts.

Hacksaw
When you need to cut metal, plastic, or pipe, this saw fits the bill.


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