Old saw: You need tools // Homeowner should have hammer, pliers, etc.

I once paid a call on a friend who was in the process of makinga shelf for his living room.

As we chatted, he laboriously cut a board, using a hacksawbecause he did not have a carpenter's saw. In the process he broketwo saw blades. Nor did he have a carpenter's hammer, so he sanknails with a small tack hammer.

Hack saws and tack hammers are handy tools, but they havespecific, limited uses. There are other, more basic tools that nohome should be without.

Here are some suggestions for a basic tool and supply kit: Hammer. The best all-purpose hammer is a 16 oz. claw. They workequally well with a wooden or steel shaft (handle), but as a rulesteel - shafted hammers cost considerably less. Wooden shafts canbe replaced if broken. Electric drill. This is by far the most versatile power tool. Withaccessories, power drills may be used as a sander, saw, grinder,drill press, chisel and screwdriver.

Do not even look at the cheapest model of any manufacturer. Buythe best drill you can afford. If you are not in a hurry, watch forsales from home centers such as Sears. Your patience may be rewardedwith 50 percent off on a $60 drill.

Battery-powered rechargeable cordless drills have gainedpopularity, but electric drills are more powerful. Drill bits. An assortment of sizes from 116-inch to 1/4-inch indiameter will handle most household drilling chores. I can break anexpensive bit as easily as a cheap one, so I never buytop-of-the-line sets. Screwdrivers. You need an assortment of slotted and Phillipsscrewdrivers. Shop around and watch for sales; you should not haveto pay much more than $1 for a quality screwdriver, less if youpurchase a set. Pliers. You need several types - the basic slip-joint for looseningand tightening nuts, needle-nose for getting into tight spots andelectricians pliers for working with wiring. Wrenches. An adjustable box wrench will handle many chores beyondthe capability of pliers. An old-fashioned monkey wrench is greatfor working on plumbing. Saws. A crosscut saw and a hacksaw will get through most householdemergencies. Remember, the hacksaw is for cutting metal. An extension cord. The cord on an electric drill seldom is morethan six feet long. An auto mechanic's trouble light, which has along cord and electrical outlets, provides both illumination andsomeplace to plug in an power tool. Flashlight. For those dark corners where a trouble light can'treach. Toilet plunger. Often, a clogged or slow-draining sink,toilet or bathtub can be opened with a few jerks of a plunger. A small level. This tool is especially handy when hanging a shelfor picture to make certain it is straight. Household oil. Most motors, particularly those onair-conditioners, furnaces and fans, run smoother, quieter and longerwith with an occasional oiling. Beware of applying too much oil.Follow the instructions in the owner's manual (which of course youhave filed away). A steel tape. Buy one that is as long as the longest room in thehouse. Never use a cloth tape measure. You won't get accuratemeasurements.