A DIY toolkit is an essential component of anyone’s DIY lifestyle.  It should ideally contain lots of sturdy tools, plenty of everyday materials and also a couple of weird or lesser-known items that can help you complete a project or repair without getting too crazy.

So in this post, we’re going to look at 6 of the lesser-known DIY essentials that all beginners should have in their toolbox.  Don’t worry, we’re not going to suggest something super simple such as a screwdriver or a hammer!

A live wire detector

If you’re planning to put up shelving, mirrors and picture frames or fix anything to the wall then you’ll likely need to drill holes.  What you need to be carefully of, is to avoid pipes and cables hidden in the wall.  Drilling into one of these could causes hundreds of pounds worth of damage.  To avoid this it’s worth investing in a wall stud and cable detector.  Almost all houses have cables and pipes running in parallel lines throughout so you can easily assume that if you’ve found a cable with a detector, then it will follow a straight line upwards or down from that point.  Avoid this line and you should be fine to proceed. 

Some kind of adhesive

There are undoubtedly going to be times where you need to stick two things together. Whether it’s two planks of wood, repairing a broken tile or fixing a bit of fabric to a wall, having some kind of adhesive is never a bad idea! There are lots of different adhesives to pick from, so choose one based on the price or the required application.

A spare box of screws, nuts, bolts and other items

Every good DIY enthusiast will have some kind of screw, nut and bolt set.  These are very common consumable items that are used in virtually every project, so having a set of them in your toolbox and refilling it is a great way to ensure that you don’t run out.

A spirit level

Wonky shelf?  Don’t let this happen by having a spirit level with you at all times so that you know how balanced something like a shelf is before securing it to the wall.  You can even get one with a magnet on which make securing brackets even easier.

Some kind of solvent

Solvents are fantastic for cleaning off sticky residue and substances that are left behind in certain DIY projects.  It can also be used to clean off lots of different types of dirt and gunk, so it’s always nice to have around.  White spirits or methylated spirits are cheap and work for many different applications.

Image source: Pexels

Pencils, paper and a ruler

You’ll be jotting down all kinds of measurements and numbers during your DIY projects, so it’s vital that you carry a bit of stationary in your toolbox.  This includes pencils, pens, a ruler and a pad of paper or a notebook to jot things down.  I don’t leave home without my notebook.  Also, always try and have a couple of pencils and a black marker for those difficult to write on surfaces.

An epoxy putty

When it comes to fixing things like ceramic or chipped plastic, epoxy putty is usually the best option to secure something in place.  It’s also a good-quality material that can be molded into any shape before ultimately being set and hardened. This means you can use it to create everything from fun custom door handles to repairing a cracked door.

This list could go on forever, but I feel that these 6 lesser-known items are crucial to your DIY success and should be focused on first.  If you’re new to DIY and would like to see my more extensive list of DIY tool essentials then take a look here.

Take a look at a couple of my other posts for inspiration:

• How to master safe DIY without DYI (doing yourself in)
• How to renovate and restore an old front door
• Tips to make sure you never fail at DIY

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