10 Starter Tool Kit Essentials From Harbor Freight

Whether you're a new homeowner or an apartment dweller, running into a situation that requires a basic set of tools is pretty much inevitable. You'll eventually need to fix a leaky faucet, tighten up loose door hinges, or hang up a picture frame. A good set of pliers, a wrench, and a couple of differently-sized screwdrivers can get you surprisingly far when it comes to making these sorts of fixes. However, you'll eventually need to build your starter kit up with a more robust collection of tools, especially if you're keen on building up your DIY skills and customizing your home to perfectly suit your habits and lifestyle. One of the best places to stock up on all the items you'll need for your first tool box is Harbor Freight. This popular retail chain offers all sorts of starter tool kit essentials at reasonable prices, from needle nose pliers to headlamps.

There are several brands of tools that are owned by Harbor Freight that you might have heard of; Bauer and Pittsburg are two of the most well-known ones. If you select the right products from the company's catalog, you shouldn't have to replace any of your tools for years to come. However, there's also a lifetime warranty hack that you should know about Harbor Freight tools before you buy them; it makes investing in the brand's products an even more obvious decision. Once you've gathered up all the essentials for your tool kit, you'll have more confidence in your ability to fix issues that arise in your home.

Screwdrivers are the sort of tool that you'll end up using for just about everything, so investing in a set of them with decent handles is pretty much always a good choice. The Pittsburgh 12-Piece Cushion Grip Screwdriver Set has incredibly comfortable-to-hold components, and only costs $8. Several reviewers on Harbor Freight's website also note that the rubber helps ensure the drivers don't slip from your hand. There's an even mix of flatheads and Phillips-head drivers, and the stubby drivers the set includes are particularly useful for tight corners or other enclosed spaces.

Planning to nail together wood or hang up a framed art piece any time soon? If so, you'll need a sturdy hammer to get the job done. There are two affordable Pittsburgh-brand options that are definitely worth considering; one's the Fiberglass Rip Hammer, and the other is the Fiberglass Claw Hammer. The claw hammer lets you remove nails with ease. The rip hammer, meanwhile, is the better option for demolitions. Both hammers weigh 16 ounces and cost just seven bucks, which definitely isn't a bad deal considering how sturdy they are.

An adjustable steel wrench can be a great ally to have when you're fixing issues with your sinks and toilets. It's also good to have when assembling furniture. If you know what you're doing, it can be handy for repairing your car, too. A Doyle High-Performance Adjustable Wrench is a great option for your tool kit thanks to its rust-proof finish and size-markings along the jaw. Customers on Harbor Freight's website give it 4.8 out of 5 stars, and note that it's "proportioned correctly" and "not too bulky" when in hand.

If you're going to get a pair of needle nose pliers, make sure to get one that has a strong grip. This sort of tool is a must-have for bending small pieces of metal. It's also great for adjusting and refitting wires during electrical projects. Tools like Icon Needle Nose Pliers can be especially handy for small spaces. They have a durable nonslip design, which is essential because it's the sort of tool that comes in handy for projects that require precision. Needle-nose pliers like these ones are also great for jewellery-making.

While it might be tempting to get the cheapest tape measure that Harbor Freight has, you're better off getting a Bauer 25-feet Self-Locking Tape Measure. It locks into place when you pull it out, and doesn't budge until you extend it an inch or two further. This feature is notably absent from the equivalent Pittsburgh-brand product. The Bauer tape measure has a large metal clip on the side that makes it easy to attach it to your belt, and customer reviews mention that when you "retract the tape, it feels like it has a lot of power."

Spirit levels work fine if you just need to check if a picture frame is straight, but should you need to do just about anything else, a Bauer Self-Leveling Cross-Line Laser Level will suit you much better. That's because you don't have to hold it up against the wall when you're using it. You simply place it down, press the power button, calibrate it, and go about your business with two hands instead of one. Your laser level can help you put up a shower rod, install drawer pulls, or fix your cabinets.

A retractable utility knife is an important component of any good tool box. Its most obvious everyday use is for opening cardboard boxes, but it's also nice to have when working with drywall, and when removing old carpet. There are all sorts of DIYs that make good use of this gadget, too, such as scrapbooking, or anything that requires you to cut fabric. The Gordon Utility Knife has a solid aluminum frame and allows you to store replacement blades in the handle. Plus, it only costs $2.50, which is surprisingly inexpensive for what you get.

Hex keys, which are also commonly referred to as Allen keys, are an essential tool for putting together build-it-yourself furniture from retailers like IKEA. They're also must-have items for bike fixes, since they allow you to do everything from adjusting the handle bars to taking off the tires to patch a flat. A 36-piece set of Pittsburgh Long-Reach Hex Keys is an especially good buy for your toolbox since the keys have nice long handles, and come in two different holders, divided by the unit type they use – either metric or imperial.

At first glance, a headlamp might seem like the sort of item you'd store with your camping gear instead of your tools. However, this gadget is useful for all sorts of projects. It's great for illuminating the area under your sink when you need to repair a leak. It's good for fixing up pipes in your wall, too, and patching up the lights in your basement when they won't turn on. The Braun 500 Lumen Professional Swivel Headlamp is easy to adjust, affordable, and generally just nice to have since it keeps your hands free while you work.

There are plenty of reasons why it's worth it to splurge on a quality cordless drill. One of the most notable is that you'll usually get a better battery. Investing in a Hercules 20V Cordless Drill/Driver kit, for example, gives you a 2 amp-hour battery, whereas the cheaper Harbor Freight alternative, from the Bauer brand, only has a 1.5 amp-hour battery. With the Hercules drill, you effectively won't have to spend as much time waiting for a recharge, which means you'll get your home improvement projects done faster.