Need the right tool for the job, but not sure what it is? Keep our list of tools and DIY equipment handy and be well prepared.
By Justine Roffey
A power tool that spins a disc, available in various diameters up to about 22cm. Ideal for cutting very hard surfaces such as stones, paving slabs and metal, and for chasing out walls to take pipes or wires.
Has a ‘mouth’ attached to a screw that increases or decreases in size around the head of a nut or bolt to tighten or loosen it.
A machine that uses a loop of sandpaper to quickly sand wood or other materials. Can be hand held or stationary. Belt sanders are forceful so are often only be used in the early stages of a project.
A small tool with a sharp tip to push into timber to make a start hole for small screws. Large screws will need a pilot hole to be drilled.
Wooden or plastic builder’s floats are oblongs of timber with a handle on the back used for applying and smoothing cement render and concrete. A steel float is called a Plasterer’s trowel and does the same jobs, but dampened it can also be used for smoothing or ‘polishing’ the surface.
A nylon thread attached at either end to a flat-bladed pin, used as a guide for laying bricks to ensure they are level.
A set square, ideally made of metal but sometimes wood, with a right angle used when setting out brick or block corners. Folding versions are also available, which are smaller to store and can be adjusted in increments from 0degrees to 270degrees.
A type of hammer that delivers a softer blow so as not to damage delicate surfaces. Used to knock pieces of wood together, to drive in dowels, and to power a handheld chisel. Not as powerful as a metal hammer.
A metal frame to hold standard-sized tubes of sealant, with a plunger to force the material through the nozzle of the tube, activated by a hand trigger.
Hand-held tools with a cutting blade for carving wood, stone or metal. Some are used with a mallet to increase force. Gouges are similar, but have curved blades.
An automatic device that cuts off the electricity at a given circuit in the event of an overload or short circuit.
An electric tool with a spinning disc with saw teeth on the edge. Used for cutting wood, it can be hand-held or table-mounted.
A hand-held, T-shaped tool with one side of the head flattened for banging in nails and the other forming a ‘V’ for removing them.
A heavy hammer used for driving cold chisels and for all kinds of demolition jobs. Can also be used for driving large nails into masonry.
A versatile type of plier with a snub nose used for gripping small objects and bending wire, and a cutting edge near the base hinge used to cut wire and cable.
A hand-held tool for use with chemical paint stripper or a hot air gun, designed for scraping paint from flat, concave and convex surfaces. A straight-sided shavehook is useful for flat surfaces.
A woodworking and metalworking tool used for many purposes including measuring angles, determining flatness and measuring depth.
A circular hole with a conical opening at the top to allow the head of a bolt or screw to lie flush with or below the surface of the surrounding material.
A hammer with a head that has a wedged-shaped surface (or ‘peen’) on one side and a flat surface on the other. For use on delicate tasks with metal and wood.
A metal rod used for prising and levering timber framework, and also for breaking up surfaces.
A pin of wood, plastic or metal used to fix two objects together. Holes are drilled in each of the objects and the dowel spans the hole.
Accessories for a power drill that are rotated to cut cylindrical holes. Drill bits come in standard sizes and are specific to the job to be undertaken and the material (wood, metal or masonry). This is the cutting end of the drill – a chuck or shank is positioned between the drill and the bit and delivers different performance such as more torque or accuracy.
A power tool with a long ‘bit’ to make holes in a range of materials including wood and masonry. The more powerful the motor, the wider the range of jobs it can cope with.
A drill powered by rechargeable batteries, useful where there is no mains power or for awkward spaces.
A small sander using a rotating wheel of foam covered in abrasive paper to mould against and smooth irregularly curved items.
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