Home Improvement Tools for Your Budget
Making sure you have the necessary tools for basic home improvement products doesn't have to cost a lot of money, and Matt Blashaw, licensed contractor and host of the DIY Network's "Money Hunters," appeared on "The Early Show" to prove it. He rounded up a bunch of his favorite tools and products, and shared how to use them.
KETER FOLDING WORK TABLE
• Portable workstation with a unique quick-opening system
• Saw horses can be cumbersome
• Includes two clamps for horizontal and vertical clamping
• Holds up to 400 pounds
• You can find these for less than $150 at some retailers and you should be able to purchase them online soon
Find it here:
http://www.keter.com/products/folding-work-table/
STACK-ON STEP N STOR STEP STOOL TOOL BOX
• What makes this toolbox unique is that it doubles as a step stool, giving you a 12.5" boost
• Holds up to 325 pounds
• Large, sure-grip foot pads help prevent slippage
• Specially designed area for upright bottle storage
• Less than $50
Find it here:
http://www.toolboxesdirect.com/tool-boxes/plastic-tool-boxes/stackonstepnstorstepstool.cfm#tabs
MAGNETIC LED LIGHT-MINE
• There are a lot of work lights on the market but many have their limitations, including size, versatility, and multi-placement.
• Smaller than a golf ball used to fit into tight areas and aim a powerful beam of light where it is needed most.
• 12 powerful magnets allow you to stick it to any steel surface and aim the light towards your project.
• Can also be held/hung by the lanyard
• Can also be used as a "pick up" tool for dropped screws and hardware
• Some common uses are: Automotive (engine block or suspension, car fender to change a a flat at night), Electrical (fuse box in a power outage, wiring home theater systems), Plumbing (under the skin, under the house), HVAC (installing or repairing duct work) Shop (on a drill press, near work bench, stuck on tools), General (anywhere around the house, keep it on the fridge so it's readily available, camping).
• About $7
Find it here:
http://www.striker1.com/light.html
LASER TAPE
• Make measuring SO much easier
• Especially great for anybody who needs quick measurements
• 50 foot range
• Only need one person to get accurate measurements because you don't need someone to hold the other end of the measuring tape
• This also calculates area and volume. It does the math!
• Remember to measure twice and cut once, as you would with a standard measuring tape
• You can find a laser measuring tape for less than $25 at your local home improvement store
Find it here:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/Laser/Laser_Tape_Manual.pdf
4-IN-ONE TAPE MEASURE
• For smaller projects around the house
• Take measurements during the day or in the dark!
• Appears to be a standard tape measure, but when you open the cover, it's so much more!
• Includes a rigid 16-foot tape measure with full lock and retraction capability at the push of a button, a full-function calculator, a note pad and an LED light
• Clip it to your belt and go
• Less than $20
Find it here:
http://www.delk.us/multi_purpose_tools_tape_tool.html
GE CAULK SINGLES
• This is a great time of year to touch up windows and doors to make sure cold air isn't leaking into your home.
• Many jobs you don't need a full tube of caulk and often the leftovers are wasted
• "Tear, Squeeze and Toss"
• Easier to dispense than a squeeze tube or cartridge.
• Available in silicone white, silicone clear and paintable white (Matt will use paintable white)
• No instruction, experience or tools required
• Less waste
• Find these at your local hardware store for less than $2.
Find it here:
http://www.caulksingles.com/
DOOR JACK
• Hanging doors is often a two-person job
• This product works as a foot lever to lift and re-hang doors up to 240 pounds.
• Speedy and painless
• Made so it won't damage the floor or the door
• Allows you to be hands free so no help is needed to slip the pins into the hinges
• About $20
Find it here:
http://www.doorjack.com/