Handy Tools for the Handyman

Nashville Handyman is a maintenance professional who completes repairs and general tasks in residential or commercial settings. They can also work in a facility management role and oversee multiple maintenance requests for one large location.

They often charge by the hour, but some prefer to set custom prices for specific jobs. Hanging a heavy piece of art requires miscellaneous hardware and a stud finder, for example.

A cordless driver is a handy tool for handymen to have in their arsenal, as it helps them perform various tasks such as drilling holes, screwing in bolts, and more. It can also be used by a beginner to help complete their first DIY project. The main difference between a cordless driver and a drill is that the latter is plugged into an electric socket to run. while the cordless driver runs on its own power source, usually in the form of batteries or a combination of batteries, to do its work.

There are many different brands of cordless drivers on the market, and a handyman should look for one that has plenty of positive reviews and a reasonable price tag. The most important feature to consider is the driver’s torque rating, which determines how fast or slow it can turn screws. A higher rating means the driver can penetrate a surface with more force and is better for heavy-duty jobs such as laying decking, building a shed, or other larger projects that require repetitive screw driving.

Some drivers come with a variety of extras that can add to the user’s experience, such as carrying bags, chargers, and driver bits. They also tend to be lightweight, ergonomically designed, and made from a durable material that will last a long time.

There are a few downsides to a cordless driver, one of which is that it can make an unbearably loud noise while it is in use. This can be an issue if a handyman works in an office or lives with other people, and it could potentially cause a disruption to their daily life. Another issue is that the battery may run out of juice very quickly if it is not properly maintained.

Chalk Line

A chalk line is one of the most basic tools that any handyman should have in their toolbox. They are easy to use and can be purchased at a very pocket-friendly price. The chalk line is a great way to draw straight lines on surfaces and can be used for anything from marking out a wall for plastering to drawing a guide line when painting or hanging wallpaper. It is especially useful for marking out straight lines over a long distance that would be impossible to do by hand or with a ruler.

When using a chalk line, it is important to make sure that the line is completely clean and ready to be snapped. The line should be pulled taut, and the hook on the end of the string should be placed against your mark and plucked sharply. This will cause the string to snap and leave a chalk line on your surface. The process can be a little tricky as it is hard to get exactly the right amount of tension, and it can also be difficult to reach the middle of the string with your fingers while holding the hook in place.

Once the chalk line has been snapped, it is important to inspect the results and ensure that the line is straight and even. If it is not, the chalk line can be repositioned and snapped again until the desired result is achieved. It is also a good idea to use the chalk line on smooth, level surfaces in order to avoid any uneven marks on your surface.

There are a few different types of chalk lines available on the market, so it is important to choose the right one for your specific needs. White chalk lines are ideal for indoor projects as they are less likely to bleed through paint or other coverings, while yellow-colored chalk lines are more suitable for outdoor work and will stand up better against the elements.

Once you have chosen the correct type of chalk line for your needs, it is essential to care for the tool correctly in order to ensure that it lasts for a long time. To do this, it is important to regularly clean the chalk line and keep it refilled with fresh chalk. To do this, simply pour in the chalk and tap the bottom of the tool against a surface to help the chalk settle. Once the chalk line is filled, it is a good idea to shake it and give it a quick tap against the ground in order to evenly coat the entire line with chalk.

Claw Hammer

A claw hammer is the type most people keep around the house. It weighs 16 ounces or less, has an elongated neck that keeps knuckles clear of the head, and sharply pointed claws that grab embedded nails for easy removal. The handle may be made of fiberglass, steel, or a wood such as hickory. Different types of hammers are available for different jobs, from framing and demolition to finishing and light carpentry. There are also different weights and materials, and heads and handles that vary in shape, size, and design.

The flat striking surface of the claw hammer head can have either a smooth or milled finish, with the latter enabling it to better grip nails and prevent them from slipping. Some hammers are equipped with a small v-shaped notch in one of the claws for removing nail heads that are too small for the curved tongs to grasp. Some hammers have grooves in the head that allow users to grip them between their thumb and forefinger for one-handed nail starting.

Rip claw hammers are well-suited for heavy-duty framing and demolition, including “ripping” headers that were temporarily nailed in place, spiking boards to lift them off a plywood deck, or forcefully separating nailed surfaces. These hammers can also be used to pull nails, although the claws need more room than a curved claw for that task.

Stubby claw hammers are designed for lighter-duty projects such as hanging pictures or assembling furniture. They’re also ideal for pulling nails in tight spaces that a full-sized claw hammer can’t reach, such as between joists. These hammers are also useful for scraping and prying.

The Edward Tools 16-Ounce Oak Claw Hammer performed well in our tests, driving and pulling a variety of nails with ease. It generated the lowest vibrations of all the hammers tested, and its ergonomic features make it comfortable to hold for long periods. Its positive reviews praised its ability to drive a wide range of nail sizes and its affordable price. Negative comments centered on the hammer’s head and handle installation, with some customers reporting that their new hammers arrived with their heads and handles wedged together instead of being connected by epoxy as shown in the product photos.

Tape Measure

A tape measure is one of the most important tools in a handyman’s toolbox. It can help with any project, from hanging a picture frame to building a deck. However, it’s essential to know how to use a tape measure correctly to get accurate measurements. This will ensure you can accurately complete your projects and avoid any mishaps.

A few tips on how to use a tape measure include:

Start by making sure the housing is flat against whatever you are measuring. It is a common mistake to pull out the tape measure and bend it to fit a space (such as the inside width of a bookshelf), which can lead to inaccurate measurements. Instead, sit the tang against one side of the bookshelf and use the housing to take your measurement.

The smallest increments on a tape measure are usually in sixteenths. These are represented by a series of white arrows that are one-eighth of an inch apart. For example, a 16-foot tape measure may have sixteen one-foot lines and eighteen 1/16th of an inch marks. This makes it easy to read the tape measure without going cross-eyed.

Some tape measures also have metric markings on the edge of the blade. This makes it simple to switch between imperial and metric measurements. This can come in handy for international projects or when working with a client that prefers the metric system.

The nail slot on a tape measure is useful for attaching the end of the tape to a nail or screw and scribbling with a pencil. This is especially helpful when measuring curved surfaces. A good-quality tape measure should be durable and have a lock to prevent the tape from accidentally pulling out or retracting while in use.