by Cheryl O'Brien

Created on: October 12, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

Humans have used handtools for a hundred thousand years. Our first tools were used for hunting and gathering. Later, when humans began to grow their food, agricultural tools were developed.

These days handtools are a little more refined however they are used for many of the same purposes. We have shovels for digging, hammers for driving, and crowbars for leverage much like the tools our ancestors used.

A general purpose tool kit will need a claw hammer for driving and removing nails; a shifting (or adjustable) spanner for tightening nut and bolts; a pair of combination pliers for gripping, bending, and cutting; a pair of pointy nosed pliers for gripping smaller items; one small and one large flat head screwdriver; and one small and one large phillips head screw driver; a retractable tape meaure. These tools are sufficeint for most small maintenance type jobs around the house.

If you are unlikely to do big jobs around the house then the tools you buy will not be used often and it does not matter which brands you buy. Buy the best you can afford at the time but don't waste money on commercial grade tools if they aren't going to get commercial grade use.

If you are a dedicated Do-It-Yourselfer then your toolkit will reflect the jobs you intend to do. You would be wiser selecting tool brands that tradesmen use.

A dedicated D-I-Yer will need the general purpose tool kit as well as these carpentry tools: spirit level for keeping your jobs level; handsaw for cutting timber; four-fold rule gives more precise measurement for smaller objects; pinch (or wrecking) bar for levering, removing nails and wrecking; a basic socket set for tightening and loosening bolts, warrington (or cross pein) hammer for driving smaller nails like panel pins; wooden mallet for hammering timber together without damaging the surface; bolt cutters for cutting boltsand steel rods; tin snips for cutting metal sheets; hacksaw for cutting metal; and a set of screwdrivers.

Handtools for gardening will vary depending on how much gardening you do and the kind of garden you grow. If you are limited to gardening in a small space or on a patio then a few small hand tools suited to that purpose is all you will need. If you are planning on planting and growing a larger area you will require more handtools.

A home gardeners toolkit will comprise some of these tools: Shovels for lifting and carrying granular substances, spades are for digging, leaf rake, garden rake, crow bar, mattock, pick, hoe, garden hose and attachments.

Shovels and spades come in long and short handle varieties. I suggest you talk to your friendly hardware store salesperson to find what suits you. Longer handles give more leverage and place less strain on your back, but some people find them too cumbersome to use.

Caring for handtools correctly can ensure you get a lifetime's use out of your tools.All handtools need to be kept dry and out of the influence of weather.

Most wooden handled tools these days have a light varnish like finish on them when you purchase them. This will protect the handle for a while but won't add to its longevity. It's better to use some sandpaper to remove this varnish and rub each woooden handle with linseed oil. The linseed oil preserves the timber and prevents splintering. It will also keep the timber flexible and allows it to keep its shock absorbency qualities.

Metal surfaces on tools should be kept rust free. Remove any rust with a quick rub with sandpaper and oil the surface.

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