The first thing that you will need is a container to put your tools into though you may want to gather together all your tools first so that you know what size of container you’ll need. Many toolboxes are made of metal though there are some good quality ones that are made from heavy duty plastic as well. You can also just buy yourself a small plastic tote to keep your tools in as well.

The number one more used tool in a home is usually a hammer; whether you use it for hanging pictures or installing new baseboards, a hammer is a necessary tool for every household. A light to medium-weight hammer will be adequate for any of the day to day jobs that you might need it for.

The next type of tool that you will need is a screwdriver. In actual fact, a small set of screwdrivers is best; make sure that your set has a slotted screwdriver as well as a Phillips (crosshead), a Robertson (square head), and perhaps the less common Torx and Pozidriv cross point styles. Many sets of screwdrivers come with interchangeable long and short handles that you can affix the bits to which makes them easier to accomplish a variety of tasks with.

Another type of tool that is very useful for home use is pliers. It is a good idea to have on hand a few types of pliers and at least one pair that has a wire cutter integrated into the design. A few different shapes of pliers will be useful, as well as one pair of vice grips which you can lock closed to help you hold on to things.

There are a few more items that will round out your tool box’s usefulness. A decent measuring tape is essential, particularly if you have pictures to hang. A level is useful for putting up shelves or hanging pictures at the same height. A box of razors and razorblade holder for scraping is a really good tool particularly for removing paint or other residue from glass.

As you encounter more needs for tools in your home, no doubt that your collection will increase; these tools should give you a good start for setting up and decorating your new home.

Complete Calgary MLS® search: View all property listings including Calgary condominiums for sale. Access photos, virtual tours, neighbourhood info, maps and more at JustinHavre.com.

Quality

• I am a big advocate for quality tools. Too many times I have seen quality sacrificed for price… and time and time again, the tool breaks prematurely and the woodworker is forced to purchase a replacement. Besides being a pain, it ends up costing more in the long run. If you truly need your tools, you should not sacrifice quality. Look for good design, superior materials and construction, and a solid warranty. When you test the saw, check for tight tolerances and a smooth plunging action. Make sure the cuts have splinter-free edges and that there are no burn marks left behind.
• There are plenty of times when brand name is not an important factor to consider, but this is not one of them. Brand reputation is important. Festool Tools is a personal favorite of mine, but I recommend doing your research. Ask experienced carpenters you know who they are using and whether they are happy. Check around the web and see what people are saying on the message boards about the brand’s service department so you want to buy from a manufacturer that stands behind its tools.
• Quality rails are important too. They should be strong, light, and easy to adjust.

Power

• This overlaps with quality, but a strong, reliable motor is important when selecting a plunge cut saw. Consider the kinds of material you will be working with most often. If you frequently work with thick, hard woods, more power will be required. If you are working with lightweight materials, a smaller, lighter saw will work just fine. Power ratings can be misleading because some less reputable saw manufacturers only list the peak power of their tool. You need to know the saw’s “continuous power rating under load.” That will tell you the true power of the saw while in use.

Safety

• Make sure your saw has anti-kickback protection.
• I also recommend choosing a saw with Multiple Material Control (MMC) because it offers additional safety as well as performance. MMC allows you precision control over speed and protects the motor from overload and temperature. It also allows you to choose the optimum speed for the type of blade you are using.

Maria Polidoro is the owner of Ace Tool Online, a leading dealer and service center for electrical power tools. Ace Tool offers over 70 major brands of hand and power tools including milwaukee saws and Festool power tools.

Quality

• I am a big advocate for quality tools. Too many times I have seen quality sacrificed for price… and time and time again, the tool breaks prematurely and the woodworker is forced to purchase a replacement. Besides being a pain, it ends up costing more in the long run. If you truly need your tools, you should not sacrifice quality. Look for good design, superior materials and construction, and a solid warranty. When you test the saw, check for tight tolerances and a smooth plunging action. Make sure the cuts have splinter-free edges and that there are no burn marks left behind.
• There are plenty of times when brand name is not an important factor to consider, but this is not one of them. Brand reputation is important. Festool Tools is a personal favorite of mine, but I recommend doing your research. Ask experienced carpenters you know who they are using and whether they are happy. Check around the web and see what people are saying on the message boards about the brand’s service department so you want to buy from a manufacturer that stands behind its tools.
• Quality rails are important too. They should be strong, light, and easy to adjust.

Power

• This overlaps with quality, but a strong, reliable motor is important when selecting a plunge cut saw. Consider the kinds of material you will be working with most often. If you frequently work with thick, hard woods, more power will be required. If you are working with lightweight materials, a smaller, lighter saw will work just fine. Power ratings can be misleading because some less reputable saw manufacturers only list the peak power of their tool. You need to know the saw’s “continuous power rating under load.” That will tell you the true power of the saw while in use.

Safety

• Make sure your saw has anti-kickback protection.
• I also recommend choosing a saw with Multiple Material Control (MMC) because it offers additional safety as well as performance. MMC allows you precision control over speed and protects the motor from overload and temperature. It also allows you to choose the optimum speed for the type of blade you are using.

Maria Polidoro is the owner of Ace Tool Online, a leading dealer and service center for electrical power tools. Ace Tool offers over 70 major brands of hand and power tools including milwaukee saws and Festool power tools.

Make a Dramatic Change and Spend Less

Begin with basics when considering a remodel. Look at the ceilings, walls, and floors first. This is the first step in your remodel. If you have a ‘popcorn’ ceiling, consider either repainting it a crisp, white color or hiring someone to scrape it and re-plaster it with a even pattern. Don’t forget to have a strong primer applied before your paint coat! Next, look at the walls and consider a neutral color that will compliment with light and earthy tones and will go with any home accents. Patch holes and dents in the walls to give the home a finished look. Next, continue with the floor covering: are the flooring and baseboards in good condition? If so, repaint the baseboards a nice white color to make everything look brand-new again. If you plan to remove and replace the floors, consider porcelain tiles, because they are affordable per square foot and last much longer than carpet does. If you will be putting carpet in, choose a compact pile that is somewhere between brown and beige so that spills won’t show as much and the carpet will resist crushing for years to come.

Making Your Main Rooms Shine

Remodeling your bathrooms and kitchen are the best investments you can put into your living quarters. If the cabinetry is in good structural shape, consider either restaining the existing cabinets or buying new doors. If you will be refacing them, get a good Bosch drill and take off the hardware from the cabinet doors to release them. If needed, new doors can be purchased from your local hardware store. To save even more, use the cabinets you have and refinish them. Again, take out the doors from the cabinets and then brush on a paint remover to the existing finish and use a scarping tool made from hard plastic just for this purpose. Once all trace of the old finish has been removed, sand the cabinets the beginning time with a Makita sander using medium-grit sandpaper. A finishing sanding should be completed with a fine-grit sandpaper after that. Wipe off the sanding residue and then apply a wood conditioner to the cabinets. Finally, stain or paint the wood and finish it with 2-3 clear coats to protect the wood from water exposure.

How to Stretch Your Design Dollar

Improving your furniture and home décor is an uncomplicated, but significant way to make your living quarters look like new. You can find great deals at estate sales, second-hand shops, or on the Web which will save money. For even increased savings, create your own piece of furniture. You can make a gorgeous headboard, for example, with nothing more than two oversized wooden spindles, a woodworking lathe (you can lease this from someone), and a large rectangle of board made of wood. Cover the wood centerpiece with some batting, fabric, and modern upholstery nails for a new headboard that is truly stunning!

Perhaps you’re fixing up a new home or wanting to re-do the one you live in. Either way, these helpful hints for getting the place you live to look its best will help your living quarters look like it’s a new place without spending all of your savings in the process.