Construction is one of those ingredients at the heart of art, civilization, and modernity. It’s been with us since the beginning of time and its importance can never be overstated. It’s no wonder why many people take up construction project DIYs, mainly as a productive way to spend their free time, add purpose in life, make use of their creativity, and perhaps earn a dime from it in the long run. After all, it feels great to complete a construction project and see what you’ve accomplished, doesn’t it? Well, whether it’s a simple DIY home repair, renovation, or a major construction project like adding a dwelling unit on your property, there are essential tools that you can’t afford to not have if efficiency, precision, and making work easier are anything to go by.
Well, depending on the size of your construction project, your level of expertise, and the kind of materials you’re looking at, the necessary tools to have in your toolbox may vary. However, some are so basic that literally, any construction project should have them. If you have a construction project that requires you to lift heavy stuff to and from your workshop or construction site, you’ll definitely want to get one of those material handling lifts, winches, or jacks from hoistnow.com, which takes you through a wide range of fascinating tools you should have in your garage, storage room, or worksite. Whether you need to lift your car for fixing or move/lift bales of heavy construction material, cut some pieces of wood or join them up using nails/screws/bolts when getting your skeletal structure up, there’s definitely a perfect tool for each and every task.
Without further ado, here are 5 essential tools for a construction project we thought you should know about.
1. Saw
Whether natural or manufactured, wood is the main material used in most construction projects, there’s no doubt about that. However, wood is available in standard sizes, which means that you will hardly get it from the timber yard or hardware store in your desired measurements, patterns, and shapes. A saw will help you make quick cuts into your wooden material so you can get the custom measurements required for your construction project.
There are many different types of saws that you can choose from depending on what you’re constructing, your budget, and the level of efficiency needed. Nonetheless, the handsaw is pretty much the most basic type of saw, which comprises a toothed blade with a handle on one end. For added precision and efficiency, you could go for a jigsaw, which uses electric power to make the job so much easier and a lot effortless. The other great thing about jigsaws is that some versions can also be used to cut other materials such as metal, fiberglass, drywall, and plastic, of course, depending on the tool’s specifications such as blade type and motor power. A jigsaw can be used by DIY hobbyists and creative workshop artists as well as professional contractors.
2. Hammer
Joining construction materials up often requires some nails and a hammer. The most common type of hammer is the clawed hammer, which has a hitting head and a curved claw on the opposite side that is used to pry nails out. This handy tool can also be used for other tasks that require a hitting impact, say, breaking a plaster wall up or banging up framing lumber into place.
Hammers are available in a wide variety of options to choose from, based on the material used to make the head and the handle, size, and shape, among other aspects. When choosing a hammer, it’s also worth considering a quality option that provides a comfortable grip and one that is not too heavy for your arm for a perfect swing. From smaller projects such as constructing a stool, to bigger ones such as building a treehouse, there’s literally no construction job where a hammer won’t be useful.
3. Wrench
Projects that don’t involve the use of nails often use bolts and nuts to attach the various construction material pieces. Well, a hammer may not cut it on such projects. Instead, you’ll need a specialized tool called a wrench, whose main work is to help in tightening and loosening the bolts/nuts. Wrenches are especially used in carpentry projects, specifically when assembling up furniture pieces such as beds. For convenience and efficiency, it’s best to go for an adjustable wrench since you can alter the grasp size to suit different nut sizes.
Wrenches themselves come in a variety of sizes, with the 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch versions being more popular. What’s more, a wrench can be used for many DIY tasks other than construction. For instance, it can come in handy in plumbing repairs, fixing equipment, and even bicycle repairs, making it something worthy to have in your construction tool arsenal.
4. Power Drill
When working with certain types of wood and materials such as thick glass, tiles, bricks, aluminum, and sheet metal, nails may not be ideal for joining up the pieces. In such cases, screws are a better alternative, and you need a power drill to bore holes and put them into place. A power drill allows you to bore holes in different construction materials using the bit. Drill bits are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so you can select several that match the type of fastening screws you’ll be using. Also, there are two main types of power drills for construction projects, these being the corded and the cordless version. While the cordless (battery-operated) drill is easier to maneuver, it often requires charging and the time in between recharging sessions may eat up into your construction time. A corded drill, on the other hand, is more powerful and more efficient.
5. Tape Measure
This is actually the most important tool in any construction project. You can’t construct anything to perfection without getting it right on the measurements; right? The importance of accuracy in construction cannot be overstated. Whatever material you’re using, a tape measure will ensure that you’re using the right lengths, widths, and depths every time. Every builder, carpenter, and handyman has a tape measure in their toolbox.
Some of the best and most fascinating structures made by mankind come from construction, but it’s not always an easy job. All the lifting, cutting, pounding, banging, and boring can take a toll on you, especially if you’re new to it. However, having the right tools in your toolbox can make it as easy as ABC. What’s more, some of these tools do not need you to attend class to know how to use them. After all, it’s a digital world we live in, and there are numerous resources and tutorials on how to construct just about anything on the internet. Creativity is what matters most.