(NAPSA)—No matter the age of your home, regular mainte- nance is essential for keeping your space comfortable and future repair costs down. It’s better to address minor repairs as they come up, before they become big problems. The good newsis that you don’t need a lot of professional tools to get the job done. Here are a few favorites from Timothy Dahl, founder and editor at CharlesandHudson.com, which come in handy for most home repairs. The website is an independent resource for do-it-yourself enthusiasts seeking the latest in home improvement tips and techniques as well as the finest tools and hottest news in the home building industry. Tool bag—Anessential for storing your tools so they are pro- tected from the elements and easily accessible. Searching through drawers and boxesfor the tool you need ASAPisn’t fun. A militarygrade tool bag from an Army/Navy surplus store has plenty of pockets and is lightweight and made of durable canvas material. You can protect your tools by keeping them in a lightweight, durable, canvas bag. It also comes with a magnetic backing for easy mounting under the hood of a car or on any metal surfaces. Screwdrivers—You should have a set that includes a variety of lengths and diametersof driver heads and slot sizes. Choose quality name brands such as Stanley or Craftsman and make sure the handles are comfortable and easy to grip. Pliers—There is a wide variety of pliers designed for various home improvement projects, but needle-nose pliers do the trick most every time. Make sure the grip isn’t too large to open and close with one hand, and a springloaded mechanism can help for quicker, simpler opening. Hammer—Likepliers, there are a multitude of hammersfor every job. Select a basic eight-ounce model that’s easy to swing and has a steel head and wood handle for better vibration dampening, such as those from Estwing. Measuring tape—For repairs and decorating projects, a measuring tape is one of your most important tools. A good 24foot tape should handle all your applications. The ones from Komelon are especially durable and lightweight. Preparing yourself with the appropriate tools before tackling homerepairs can help you get the job done right and with time to spare. For the most up-to-date information about DIY tool recom- mendations, visit www.charles andhudson.com, and for the latest in innovative work lights, check out www.energizerlights.com. Flashlights—You can’t fix what you can’t see, and the Ener- gizer Hard Case Professional Inspection Light keeps your work space properly illuminated. Its white LED is intense and the housingis lightweight and easy to maneuverinto tight spaces. With a diameter just over %”, it doesn’t take up a lot of space in your tool bag, but is tough enough to get jostled around and dropped without breaking. The company also recently introduced the Energizer Hard Case Professional Area Light, which can mount above workbenches or anywhere you'd rather not have to run electrical wiring. A tough inspection light can be a bright idea when you need to work in narrow or obscure work spaces.
