Your First Toolkit: New Homeowner

Featured Pro: Eric Stromer
Category: Home Improvement
Time: 3:20


ERIC STROMER: Hey, I’m Eric Stromer. Here’s your GMC Trade Secret.

I’m at the hardware store to put together a toolkit that any homeowner can use. Come on. I’ll show you how.

So obviously we’re here to put together a nice tool set for any homeowner. And I’m here with my friend Jason at Crown City Hardware.

Jason, why don’t we start off, obviously, with a hammer.

JASON: Okay.

ERIC: Everybody needs a hammer. So what do you have for me?

JASON: I’ve got a good framing hammer right here for you; not too heavy.

ERIC: Now, that’s great. Now, this is good. There’s a tremendous amount of variation in hammers. This is a great framing hammer, as Jason said. It’s got a waffle head. It grips the nail. You can get something a little bit smaller if you’re only going to be hanging paintings or pictures on the wall. But that’s a great framing hammer. Okay, good.

What else have we got?

JASON: Let’s go with your basic slip-joint pliers.

ERIC: That’s perfect. Everybody needs a set of pliers. You can, you know, fix your kid’s bike with that or you can, you know, pull stuff out of a wall if you’ve got nails hanging out. Great.

You know what? I think screwdrivers we’re going to need. You got a nice set for me?

JASON: I’ve got a good set right here with the stubbies.

ERIC: Perfect. Yeah, that’s great. People often need a short screwdriver like that to get into tight areas. You’ve got your Phillips head and your slot heads.

JASON: Yes.

ERIC: That’s a nice variety there.

JASON: A good power drill.

ERIC: Power drill, yeah. That gives you the ability to drill a bunch of different settings. You’ve got drill mode. It reverses. You can put any kind of attachment for mixing paint or mashed potatoes.

JASON: Or mashed potatoes, yeah.

ERIC: Good. Love it.

JASON: And you can go with a utility knife.

ERIC: Yeah, I think we’ll get one of those. And then I’m thinking some kind of a saw. What do we like for that?

JASON: Well, you know what? The best saw, like if you’re going for metal, plastic, wood, you can always use a hacksaw.

ERIC: That’s a good idea.

JASON: It’s got a real fine blade.

ERIC: It’s got a nice rubber handle on it. Let’s go with that. Good call, Jason. And maybe some kind of a square, yeah? What do you think?

JASON: Yeah. You know what? We could use, like, one of these squares right here, which are –

ERIC: That gives you a true right angle in terms of what you’re trying to –

JASON: Oh, yeah, true 90-degree.

ERIC: Yeah, that’s perfect. Let’s do that.

All right, then what else are we thinking here, sir?

JASON: We’re thinking about a good professional flashlight so you won’t be caught in the dark.

ERIC: Oh, yes. That’s great. That’s a great one. I love these. The maglite’s a great one because it’s got a big firm handle; difficult to lose.

JASON: Very difficult to lose.

ERIC: Yeah.

JASON: And then also a torpedo level is also good to carry in your toolbox.

ERIC: Right. That’s good for homeowners. This is great to make pictures level. If you don’t really understand how to use them, it’s very simple. The bubble goes right in the middle between the two lines. That’s for your horizontal. And then for your vertical, obviously there’s that bubble.

JASON: You’ve got the smaller level, yeah.

ERIC: That works out great.

JASON: Let’s not forget the tape measure. That’s a good one right there.

ERIC: That’s a 25-footer. It’s rigid. It goes pretty long. How far does that go before it –

JASON: I’m probably about at seven feet.

ERIC: Let’s see what you are.

JASON: You’ve just got to be a little –

ERIC: See, look at that. That’s pretty good. Yeah, that is seven feet. You’re right. Good.

All right, plumbing needs. I’ve got to have some kind of a channel lock.

JASON: I’ve got a channel lock right here.

ERIC: Oh, good. This is great for getting under the sink or you’re in your bathroom or you have to do some plumbing adjustments. These expand and open up.

JASON: Yes.

ERIC: You can actually even open up some piping stuff.

JASON: Yeah.

ERIC: Perfect.

JASON: How about, last but not least, a stud finder?

ERIC: You know what, Jason? That’s a great call. If you’ve got to find some mass or you’re framing within your dry wall, this is a great option. It’s battery-operated. You just slide it across the wall. It lights up and tells you where the stud is.

JASON: That’s right.

ERIC: Awesome. Great. And then obviously we’ve got to hold this stuff in some kind of a container. I’m thinking of a toolbox like that. So for around $200, all this stuff can be yours. And that’s a great personalized homeowner toolkit.

JASON: Yes. Correct.

ERIC: All right. Well, there you go. There’s your GMC Trade Secret. I’m Eric Stromer. Go out and get yourself some tools.