A hand tool with a loose joint can be frustrating to use. Pliers may develop noticeable movement between the two handles, an adjustable mechanism may feel less precise than it once did, or a folding tool may no longer hold its components as firmly as before. It is easy to assume that a loose joint … Read more
A damaged hand tool does not always need to be thrown away. Many tools can be cleaned, lubricated, adjusted, or restored after years of use. Surface rust can often be treated, dirty mechanisms can sometimes be cleaned, and worn accessories may be replaceable. The difficult decision comes when a tool has both useful life and … Read more
Buying used hand tools can be an excellent way to build a practical toolbox without spending as much as you would on new equipment. Older wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, clamps, files, and other tools can still have many years of useful service left in them. The challenge is that appearance alone does not tell you … Read more
A well-organized toolbox is more than a convenient place to keep tools. The way screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches are stored can affect how quickly they can be found, how easily they can be inspected, and how much unnecessary wear they receive between uses. Throwing all your hand tools into a single drawer may seem harmless … Read more
A manual handsaw can remain useful for many years when its blade, teeth, handle, and storage environment receive appropriate care. Unlike many powered cutting tools, a hand saw has a relatively simple construction, which makes routine maintenance accessible to most homeowners. That simplicity can sometimes lead to neglect. A saw may be placed in a … Read more
A tape measure is one of the most frequently used measuring tools in a household toolbox. It is simple enough to operate within seconds, yet small problems with the blade, markings, hook, lock, or winding mechanism can make it frustrating to use. Unlike a wrench or pair of pliers, a tape measure also has another … Read more
A hammer is one of the simplest tools in a household toolbox, but it is also one of the tools that deserves careful inspection. A hammer can remain useful for many years when the head, handle, striking surface, and storage conditions are properly maintained. Unlike a screwdriver or wrench, a hammer is designed to deliver … Read more
An adjustable wrench is one of the most useful tools in a household toolbox because a single tool can accommodate a range of fastener sizes. Unlike a fixed-size wrench, however, an adjustable wrench contains a moving jaw and a threaded adjustment mechanism that require a little more attention. Dirt, grease, metal particles, paint, and corrosion … Read more
Pliers are among the most versatile tools in a household toolbox. They can grip, hold, bend, pull, cut, and manipulate a wide variety of materials. Because they are used for so many different tasks, their joints are constantly exposed to dust, grease, moisture, metal particles, paint, adhesive, and other contaminants. The pivot is particularly important. … Read more
A screwdriver is one of the simplest tools in a household toolbox, but simplicity does not mean it requires no maintenance. A good screwdriver can remain useful for many years when its tip, shaft, handle, and storage conditions are properly cared for. The opposite is also true. Using the wrong screwdriver for a fastener, exposing … Read more