DIY Tools and Fixings are not things you’ll know about if you’re new to DIY. The range of DIY tools and fixings out there may be a bit confusing to you. What do you need for what job? How do you use the fixings and where. This article gives you a breakdown of what DIY tools and fixings you need for your tool box (the main ones). It will answer your questions and at the end of it, you should have a basic idea about DIY fixings and tools in general. Here are some of the things you will need to prepare yourself for the job of fixing, screwing, nailing and other essential DIY jobs around the house.
Add these to your tool box, and don’t forget that you don’t need the best or most expensive DIY tools around. Whatever you need for your DIY jobs can be bought at the discount shop. They work just as well.
DIY Tools
1. A storage box to keep all your nails, screws and wall plugs safe and well-sorted. It’s important to keep every thing in the same place because it’s pretty frustrating not having them all at hand when you’ve started your work.
2. A cable detector is vital because it will indicate whether or not there are cables or pipes behind the wall you’re about to drill into. It will be very costly if you accidentally did so, not to mention, terribly inconvenient.
3. Obviously you will need a drill. You have to purchase the right bits to go with your drill at the same time. You should be able to get all the help you need from the shop
You need a good hammer. Don’t go for the cheaper stuff because they can break very easily. As you know, a lot of pressure is put on a hammer. The last thing you want is for the head to slip off and hit someone (or yourself).
Goggles are useful when drilling, for safety purposes. They’re not essential, but are recommended for all-round safety.
DIY Fixings
6. Screws, nails, wall plugs
Types of nails you need for DIY
panel pins
Panel Pins: These are thin nails with small heads. The heads are designed this way so as not to create a crack in the wood it’s nailed into. You can use these panel pins for light jobs with wood. They are the same type you get with flat pack furniture to fix the thin plywood backing to the back of the furniture when it’s been fitted.
oval-wire nails
Oval wire: these are used for heavier jobs like fixing skirting boards to walls. They are more general-use nails, used when there is a danger of the wood splitting. The head of the nail is usually buried under the surface of the wood and hidden from view.
Common round wire nails: These are very useful, strong nails, used for rough carpentry work. As you can see, the head is round, so will be visible once the nail is driven into the surface. It’s mainly used for structural work where strength, not appearance, is key.
Masonry nails: these are greyish (not shiny like the others) in appearance. They are used to pin timber frames to brick and masonry walls.
Types of screws for DIY
Single threaded screws: these are used mainly for man-made products like chipboard and MDF. Their threads and points are sharp, which makes them easier to drive and hold secure.
multi-purpose screw
All purpose (multi-purpose) screws. Use for anything from wood, to masonry walls (when used with a wall-plug).
Dry wall screws: use these for pinning plasterboard to stud walls. Stud walls are hollow walls built with wooden studs and plasterboard. Some parts of the wall are hollow, hence the term.
self-tapping screw
Self-tapping screws: these have sharp threads which cut a hole for themselves while they’re being drilled into the material. Use for masonry or metal surfaces.
There are also different types of screw heads. Keep this in mind when buying screws, as they all have their different purposes. Of course, you can swap one for the other, but some jobs require a certain type of screw head to give you a perfect finish. The three main types are: (images below the descriptions).
Countersunk heads. The heads are triangular-shaped and tapered off beneath the top part. These are brilliant for sinking below the surface of the material used (skirting boards, for example). You can then fill above the head of the screw and finish off with paint. This will give you a smooth, professional finish.
Dome heads. The rounded heads of these screws stay visible above the surface of the material. They are used for hanging pictures or for metal screwing, for example.
Raised heads. The most common type of screws. They’re used with door furniture, for example.
Now, there you have it, your comprehensive DIY Tools and Fixings list. If you need any help in doing the actual work, DIY Tutorials will answer all your questions. Please leave any comments you may have below. If you’re building up your reserves in tools and fixings to give your house a makeover, we can help you do that too. As always, thanks for visiting and commenting. If you think ‘DIY Tools and Fixings is helpful, please share it on your favourite networking sites. Thank you!
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