![]() | Stanley 43-512 Lighted Shock-Resistant Torpedo Level
Buy new: $13.45 Any basic, short torpedo level is frequently used for hanging shelves, pictures, brackets etc. on walls - rubber bumpers or an all-plastic design will help avoid marring walls and painted surfaces. Some of them also have magnetic surfaces to help "stick" to metal things.
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![]() | Stanley 94-531 FatMax 25-Foot Tape Rule with Bonus Instant Change Knife On-Pack
Buy new: $25.22 The FatMax tape rule has a super-long "stand-out" - meaning you can stand on a ladder and stick the tape out about 11' or more to measure across the room, without having someone to hold the other end of the tape for you. Most other tapes have a stand-out about half this far.
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![]() | Channellock GLS-1 Griplock 9-1/2-Inch and 12-Inch Tongue and Groove Plier Set, 2-Piece
Buy new: $21.64 Channel-lock pliers are often must-haves for plumbing fix-its and other things - even the occasional stubborn jar lid.
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![]() | Shark Corp 21-2220 8-Inch Prybar and Nail Puller
Buy new: $11.98 A tool like this one is great for pulling off baseboard, opening a wooden crate or just good ol' demolition fun.
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![]() | Stanley 46-123 12-Inch Contractor Grade Combination Square
Buy new: $13.19 A combination square is often used to mark square cuts on smaller pieces, including most widths of book shelving. Also includes a level, which comes in handy when your 12-inch level is too big.
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![]() | Stanley 20-045 15-Inch Fat Max Hand Saw
Buy new: Too low to display A hand saw comes in... uh, handy, when you either don't have a power tool available, or you are just making a few cuts in a few pieces of wood or plastic (like PVC pipe).
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![]() | DEWALT DW3970 12-Inch High Tension Hack Saw Frame
Buy new: $26.28 Necessary for any cuts to metal (this bolt's too long, etc.)
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![]() | Workshop Vise - 4in., Bench Mount
Buy new: $74.99 Once you have one of these, you'll be amazed at how often you use it (assuming it's mounted on a bench somewhere).
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![]() | Irwin Industrial Tools 2078309 8-Inch Multi Tool Stripper, Cutter and Crimper with ProTouch Grips
Buy new: $13.48 This is a great wire stripper/crimper/cutter, an essential tool for many electrical projects, big or small.
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![]() | Irwin 07SG 7WR Vise Grip 1-1/2-Inch Jaw Capacity 7-Inch Curved Jaw Soft Grip Vise Grip with Wire Cutter
Buy used from: $6.99 Another universal must-have tool. As the name implies, can often be used as a vise...in a pinch ;) The only option when you're trying to extract a bolt or screw sticking out when the head is stripped or snapped off.
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![]() | Stanley 87-792 8-Inch Long MaxGrip Adjustable Wrench
Buy new: $13.19 This will go a long way when you don't have a full set of sockets & a socket wrench, plus a full set of open-ended wrenches. A requirement for many basic plumbing jobs, especially on cosmetic chrome parts like shower heads.
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![]() | Irwin 5062QCDIB 6" Quick-Grip Bar Clamp
You will never own enough clamps. Start with these and add additional ones in increasing lengths. I have several up through 50" or so.
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![]() | Zircon StudSensor i65 Center-Finding Stud Finder with DVD How-To Guide
Buy new: $29.51 Here's your stud finder right here, baby.
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![]() | Bucket Boss Brand 06004 GateMouth Tool Bag
Buy new: $30.39 You're gonna need a way to carry all these new tools you're getting. I have something along the lines of this and really like it.
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![]() | Bucket Boss 01056 Bucket Boss 56-Pocket Bucket Tool Organizer
Buy new: $12.95 I also have this thing - you can use it with a used (cleaned up) joint compound bucket, or just go buy a new bucket from Lowes or Home Depot. It's cheaper and it holds more stuff, although you can't zip it closed. These days, I find myself using it more than my zippered bag.
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