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Build Your Toolbox

Tools Worth
Owning.

Start small and add tools as your fixes level up. Each pick says why it earns a spot.

Home / One a Day / Toolbox
StarterHomeownerAutomotiveAdvanced DIY

First apartment or first house. Covers most Level 1 fixes.

25-Foot Tape Measure
Measure twice, buy once.
Multi-Bit Screwdriver
One handle, every common bit. The first tool most homes need.
16 oz Claw Hammer
Nails in, nails out. Every toolbox starts here.
Utility Knife
Scores drywall, cuts caulk, opens everything.
Adjustable Wrench
Fits most nuts on faucets, supply lines and fixtures.
Tongue-and-Groove Pliers
Grips slip nuts, trap fittings and anything round.
Putty Knife Set
A flexible 1.5-inch knife spreads spackle smooth. A wider one feathers bigger patches.
Torpedo Level
Small enough for a drawer, accurate enough for shelves and pictures.
LED Headlamp
Hands-free light under sinks, in panels and under the hood.
Safety Glasses
Cheap insurance for sanding, scraping and working overhead.

Owning a home means drains, outlets and doors. Add these to the starter kit.

Cordless Drill/Driver
The upgrade that turns a 30-minute job into five.
Drill & Driver Bit Set
Pilot holes, screws and anchors in one case.
Stud Finder
Finds framing so shelves and TVs hold.
Flange Toilet Plunger
The extended flange seals in a toilet bowl. A flat cup plunger won't.
Plastic Drain Snake (Hair Clog Tool)
Barbed strip pulls hair out of bathroom drains without chemicals.
Non-Contact Voltage Tester
Confirms wires are dead before you touch them. Non-negotiable for electrical work.
GFCI Outlet Tester
Plug-in tester that shows whether an outlet has power and is wired right.
Caulk Gun
Even pressure for a straight, clean bead.
Work Gloves
Grip and protection for demo, yard and engine work.

For basic car care and keeping yourself unstuck.

Socket Set (SAE & Metric)
The core of any automotive kit.
Torque Wrench
Lug nuts and critical bolts need the spec, not a guess.
Digital Tire Pressure Gauge
Accurate reading in seconds. Worth keeping in the glove box.
OBD2 Code Reader
Reads the check-engine code so you know what you're dealing with.
Portable Jump Starter
Starts a dead battery without a second car.
Floor Jack & Jack Stands
Never work under a car held up by a jack alone. Stands are mandatory.
Automotive Funnel
Adds oil or fluids without spilling on a hot engine.
Shop Towels
Lint-free for checking dipsticks and wiping up.

For Level 3 jobs and people who want to do more themselves.

Digital Multimeter
Measures voltage, continuity and resistance for real diagnosis.
Oscillating Multi-Tool
Flush cuts, grout removal, sanding in tight spots.
Wire Stripper
Strips insulation cleanly without nicking the copper.
Basin Wrench
Reaches faucet nuts up behind the sink bowl.
Hand Drain Auger
Reaches clogs past the trap, inside the wall pipe.
Tubing Cutter
Clean square cuts on copper and PEX lines.
Drywall Jab Saw
Cuts clean square openings for larger patches.

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Buy as you go

You don’t need everything at once. Buy the tools for the fix in front of you. The Fix Ladder and each One a Day fix list exactly what that job needs.

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