Your First Toolbox!

Moving into your first home and thinking about doing some small projects? This list will give you the top 20 tools you will need to make a mini, yet functional tool box that will get the job done. A lot of people don't think to have these items until it is too late.

1. A Phillips Screwdriver. As you know a phillips is the most common tool you will find in a tool box, that is why it has been places as number 1 on this list. 
2. A Flathead Screwdriver. Having the right size flathead screwdriver will make all the difference so be sure to have a set of at least 3 different sizes. 
3. A Tape Measurer. This will come in handy from measuring empty space to sizing furniture. 
4. Level. You may think you are good at eye balling whether pictures are straight or not but it only takes one mm for it to look off.                   
5. Utility Knife. From opening boxes to unsealing closed windows, you will be surprised how many times you actually use this tool.         
6. Hammer. When doing a project or hanging pictures you can't go without this main tool.
7. Putty Knife. This is great for scraping and spreading glue and putty.
8. Nail Set. This is used for sinking nail heads below the surface of the wood so you can fill with putty and make the nail invisible.                               
9. Combination square. This can verify angles and measure depths as well as creating a straight line.
10. Pliers. The jaws of these pliers help hold objects firm as well as bending or pulling metal.
11. Adjustable Crescent Wrench. There is a screw built into the head of this wrench and turning it adjusts the size so it will fit almost any hexagonal nut. 
12. Wire Stripper. This has a blade for properly cutting wire to the correct length.
13. Allen Key. Some build-it-yourself furniture require a flush screw and this is where the hexagonal sockets come into place.                       
14. Power Drill. When your hands become too tired of drilling screws the luxury of having a power drill comes in handy.                                      
15. Extension Cord. A indoor-outdoor power cord will make your work space much larger. 
16. C- Clamp. This tool can hold all your work when you need to glue, saw, or file them.
17. Flashlight. This will come in handy for everything, a dark small crawl space to the power going out. Be sure to keep extra batteries on hand.                                      
18. Ladder or Step Stool. If you need an extra foot or more of height the ladder will become your best friend.                                                                                                                                       
19. Broom and Dustpan. Most projects are messy so keep a dedicated harsh debris broom.
20. Music. Every job is made easier with a little music. Just make sure if you are keeping a radio on your job site, that it is durable.