Handyman is a professional that performs various maintenance tasks for businesses or residential clients. Handyman Naperville IL responsibilities may include plumbing, painting, electrical work, and woodworking. Starting a handyperson business requires the right tools. The proper hand tools will prepare your team for success and help them get jobs faster.
Claw hammers are the hammers most people keep around the house and are one of the most versatile tools for general use. They feature a flat face for pounding and a claw on one side that can be used to pull nails or pry materials apart. They are available in a range of weights from 16 to 24 ounces and come with wooden (often hickory), steel, or fiberglass handles. The head and claw of the hammer are generally made from metal, so they must be sharp enough to cut through wood or drywall.
Most claw hammers have a smooth or plain face to reduce damage to surfaces where appearance is important. Some may have a milled or waffle face, which provides a grip when it contacts the nail and can decrease mis-hits and bent nails. However, it is optional to have this feature on a claw hammer for most home use or carpentry projects.
There are a number of different types of claw hammers, all designed for specific uses. Some are more suitable for heavy-duty jobs such as framing and demolition work. Others, like the rip claw hammer, have a straight claw that makes it better for removing nails. Rip hammers also have a longer handle, which can be useful for pulling up floorboards and other tasks that require leverage.
Most claw hammers are made from steel, which is stronger than fiberglass and is less likely to break under extreme pressure. They should also be well balanced and have an ergonomic design to reduce hand fatigue, especially when using the hammer for extended periods of time. A good claw hammer should be comfortable to hold and will not produce too much vibration, which can cause pain or discomfort in the hands and wrists. It should also be easy to replace parts, such as the head or claw, if they are damaged or worn out.
Chalk Line
When you need a straight line on a wall, floor or other surface, the chalk line is an excellent tool to have. Basically, it’s a reel of string that has been coated in powdered chalk and is used to impart long, straight lines onto a surface. This allows you to have an accurate guide prior to cutting, laying tiles, levelling posts, hanging wallpaper and many other tasks. Some models are also able to be used as plumb-bobs which are great for creating vertically straight (‘plumb’) lines.
The most important consideration when choosing a chalk line is its durability. A good model will be strong and made of a material that is tough enough to withstand falls or corrosion. Aluminum, stainless steel or heavy duty plastic are common choices. It’s also worth considering the ease of use and convenience. You will want a model that has a snap handle to easily open and close, a large chalk port, easy-to-use clip and an automatic rewind system.
Before using the chalk line, it’s a good idea to take the time to fill and coat the spool with a good amount of chalk. This will help ensure that the line is fully coated and will leave a good, bright mark. It’s also worth taking the time to make a mark at both end points of the line, this will ensure that the line is correctly positioned before being snapped.
It’s best to use a chalk line with two people, however, it is possible to use them alone. If you are working alone, drive a nail or screw into one of the end points and then hook the other end of the chalk line over this. When you snap the chalk line, it will leave a clearly marked line on the surface from one point to the other.
Screwdrivers
Having a variety of screwdrivers on hand can help you tackle any repair job. Using the right tool for a specific type of screw can prevent stripping and damage to both the screw and whatever it’s fastening. It’s important to match the screwdriver head and bit size to the screw type for maximum performance.
Slotted screwdrivers have a flat blade that fits into a groove or slot in the screw head. This allows the tool to turn a screw while also applying torque to the head of the screw. These screwdrivers come in a wide range of tip sizes, from very small to very large. They’re ideal for tight spaces where you can’t fit a standard screwdriver in.
Phillips screwdrivers have a cross-shaped recess in the head of the screw. They can be inserted and removed from the head of a screw with a standard screwdriver, but they require more force to turn than other drive types and are susceptible to cam out.
Pozidriv screwdrivers are a cross between Phillips and slotted, with a self-centering design that reduces cam out and allows for the use of angled screw drivers. They can be used for a wide range of applications, from electronics to installing towel bars.
Hex screwdrivers, which look like a bow-tie, are used in many places that require durability, including doorknobs and faucet handles. They can be used with a standard screwdriver, but are best when you’re working on your car or assembling furniture.
A multi-bit screwdriver has a handle where interchangeable bits can be stored. They’re available in a wide variety of bit types, from flathead and Philips to hex and Torx. This type of screwdriver allows you to work on a wide variety of tasks without needing to switch tools.
Tape Measure
The humble tape measure is the most commonly used measuring tool in tradesmen’s toolboxes, but it can have a number of uses beyond simply taking measurements. Tape measures come in a range of lengths and are made from various materials including metal, plastic and cloth. They typically have slightly curved metal blades that are coiled up inside a casing and retracted by an inner spring with a locking lever to hold the blade in place for measurement.
Most modern tape measures have a number of features to make them more useful for the tradesman including a nail grab and serrated marking tool on the end of the case. The nail grab can be used to hook a screw or nail and the serrated edge can be used as a mark to scribe a line on a surface, if a pencil isn’t available.
In addition to standard inch increments many tape measures also include metric measurement indicators on the blade. These are indicated by small white arrows. There are sixteen of these spaces or ‘sixteenths’ in an inch and the shortest lines on the tape are usually 1/16” apart.
Some tapes also have black diamond stud and joist marks on the case, these are designed to help carpenters space I-beam timbers for support when building structures such as homes. Some tapes also take the length of the case into account when measuring and have a marked zero point, whilst others have a viewing window that allows the user to check the length without pulling out or retracting the tape. Some tapes have a lock button that locks the blade in place and some have an adhesive backing for use on non-porous surfaces.
Cordless Driver
As its name suggests, this tool delivers a fair amount of torque. It combines a small motor with a hammer and anvil power train that turns a hex-shaped bit held in the chuck into a spinning impactor. This action, delivering up to 1,350 inches per pound, drives screws into and out of wood and other materials with ease. This model from Gtech is compact, lightweight and retails for a shade under PS130 with battery, charger and a dozen quality bit heads.
