Tips - CraveDIY

January 20 2008

Ten DIY Tools You Should Have But Probably Don't

Posted by Ryan O'Horo in Tips at 11:19 PM PST | Comment ()

Ever get that feeling like something's missing? There's a whole host of great tools waiting to be discovered -- some obvious, some not so obvious. Here you may just find the tool you've been searching for.

Get it for: $15	Precision Knife Set The first name in these tools is X-ACTO^TM, but whatever you call them, these knife sets are invaluable. While a ubiquitous craft item, any kind of control cutting paper, foam, cardboard or tape demands this kind of tool. I've even found them to be effective at trimming plastic. I challenge anyone to buy a set and not find a use for them.
Get it for: $10	Combination Square Another tool known more commonly by its brand name, Speed^TM square, this tool is always on my desk. I use it mostly for creating right-angle marks for cuts on wood, plastic, metal... any material that comes cut square, but the combination square is also a great way to create angle cuts. A square will come pre-marked for creating cut lines at a five degree resolution or better, taking all the hassle out of measuring miter cuts.
Get it for: $5	Graph Paper The key to any successful project is PLAN PLAN PLAN. And really nothing beats a mechanical pencil and some graph paper for this purpose. As you stream ideas from your head, graph paper is there to keep your sketches in proportion and square. Graph paper is also great for scaling models. Convert your real world units into the 1/4" spacing of your grid and you can easily draw and cut out model-sized paper pieces you can toss around and tape together before busting out your circular saw. Just keep a pad around and watch your projects happen faster and more frequently.
Get it for: $2	Nail Clippers A modest and unassuming tool, nail clippers are a hidden treasure. These are perfectly suited for cutting small diameter wire and trimming leads while assembling parts on a PCB. The blades allow you to cut down flush with your work surface for a more polished look.
Get it for: $10	Hot Glue Gun If you've ever spent the better part of an hour waiting for glue to dry, only to find whatever it is you were joining just falls apart, maybe it's finally time to invest in a hot glue gun. Hot glue guns use heat to melt thermoplastic glue sticks that re-harden in a sticky clump. The glue can be softened again with heat or easily removed with a bit of pulling and scraping. This tool was designed for use in craft, but works wonders for securing plastic parts and electronics. I use it for mounting PCBs and other components in project boxes. Temporary or permanent, the speed and versatility of this tool can't be beat.
Get it for: $3	Paint Brush Obviously anyone who works with canned paint will have a few of these, but why mention it here? Paint brushes are great way to keep your workspace, tools and project pieces clean. I have brushes I set aside specifically for clearing away sawdust, plastic shavings or any other nuisance that can get into small crevices. More economical and less messy than canned air, brush bristles are sturdy and small which are great for DIY cleanup.
Get it for: $10	Blind Rivet Tool Most people are familiar with the old solid rivet process where hot metal rivets are driven into girders in the construction of steel buildings. The same principle scales down to the DIY field with the blind rivet tool. Using special blind rivets, this tool allows you to securely and cleanly join thin sheet materials. Used primarily for sheet metal construction, these little rivets are great for any small metal or plastic/metal project. Though it may seem odd and obscure, once you use one, the applications become obvious. Why do they call it blind? You don't need to have access to, or see, the business-end of the rivet to secure it.
Get it for: $3	Ear Protection Safety should always be a consideration when working with tools and chemicals. But do you think about your ears often enough? The ear plugs pictured are reusable, comfortable and have a rope so you can hang them off your neck while working, but any foam or over-the-head style ear protection is fine. When you're 60 and can still hear your loved ones or a passing car, you'll thank yourself.
Get it for: $2	Rubbing Alcohol Again with the cleaning! Rubbing alcohol, a solution of isopropyl alcohol, is a great cleaning agent. It's very gentle and effective. Works on plastics, glass, metals and will clean the oddest sticky gunk you can find. You probably already have a can of WD40 to clean with, but rubbing alcohol is far less noxious and dries clean in a matter of seconds. The solution comes in concentrations of 70, 80 and 90% from the drug store. Which should you use? It really doesn't seem to matter, but I like to keep 90% on the shelf, as it burns better when I need a good flame. Avoid using this on plastic LCD screens.
Get it for: $14	Caliper The caliper has grown with the times from a simple compass to a sophisticated and precise measurement tool. The vernier style caliper is the type that allows one to use a sliding scale to get a readout of the current distance between the tool points. Two modern variants commonly used are the analog dial caliper and the digital caliper. My choice is the digital caliper. These measuring devices are great for inputting distances for CAD drawings, accurate measuring of small parts and turning measurements back into real-word distances. What does 12mm look like? Set your caliper to 12mm and there it is. You can buy these tools in lengths from 6" to more than 24". This is probably the tool I use most.

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