Why Chalk Belongs In Your Toolbox (And 8 Other Unexpected Handy Items)
I used to think a toolbox was strictly for heavy metal objects like wrenches and hammers. And I spent a lot of money filling mine with specialized gadgets that I used maybe once a year. But over time, I realized that some of the most helpful problem solvers are actually just everyday household items. It turns out that being handy is less about owning the most expensive gear and more about being resourceful with what you already have lying around the house. So here are a few things that you should add to your toolbox.
A Bar Of Soap
I learned this one from my grandfather and it saves so much effort. When you are trying to drive a screw into hard wood, it can feel like a serious workout. Just take the screw and rub the threads across a dry bar of soap first. The soap acts as a lubricant that helps the metal slide into the wood fibers smoothly. It actually reduces the chance of the wood splitting too. It makes a hard job feel surprisingly easy and your arm muscles will thank you later.
A Tennis Ball
Sometimes you need to knock something into place with a hammer but you don’t want to damage the surface. Instead of buying a specialized rubber mallet, you can just grab an old tennis ball. carefully cut a slit in the ball and slide it right over the head of your hammer. Now you can strike things with force without leaving dents or scratches behind. It is perfect for gentle adjustments on furniture or nudging floorboards together without ruining the finish.
A Stick Of Chalk
It sounds strange to keep school supplies with your power tools, but hear me out. If you have ever tried to drive a screw and had the screwdriver keep slipping out you know the frustration. It ruins the screw head and usually scratches your project. If you rub a little standard chalk on the tip of your screwdriver or the screw head it adds just enough friction to hold it in place. Plus, chalk helps stop your tools from rusting. It is a little tool that saves you from stripping the metal and helps your tools last longer.
Silica Gel Packets
We all get those little "do not eat" packets in new shoe boxes or electronics and usually toss them in the trash. But those packets work great for your tools too. Their entire job is to absorb moisture from the air. So, if you toss a handful of them into your toolbox drawer, they will pull the humidity out of the air. This keeps your expensive wrenches and pliers from developing that layer of surface rust that happens when tools sit in a garage.
A Rubber Band
There is nothing worse than a screw head that is so stripped your screwdriver just spins in circles. Before you panic, go find a wide rubber band. Place the rubber band flat over the screw head and then press your screwdriver firmly into it. The rubber fills the gaps where the metal has been worn away and gives you enough grip to twist it out. It is a ten cent solution that saves you the hassle of having to drill the screw out.
A Wooden Clothespin
Holding a tiny nail in place while you swing a heavy hammer is a recipe for a smashed finger. I have hurt myself more times than I care to admit doing this. A simple wooden clothespin is the perfect solution. You just clip the nail into the clothespin and hold the wood end instead of the nail itself. It keeps your fingers a safe distance away from the impact zone while keeping the nail perfectly steady for that first swing.
Masking Tape
When you need to drill a hole to a specific depth it is really hard to guess while the drill is spinning. You might go too deep and poke through the other side of your project. The easy fix is to measure the length on the drill bit and wrap a piece of masking tape around it. When the tape hits the wood you know exactly when to stop. It removes all the guesswork and ensures every hole is drilled to the perfect depth.
A Magnet
You do not always need a battery powered stud finder to hang a picture. If you have a strong magnet in your kit, you can slowly run it along the wall. The magnet will stick to the drywall screws or nails that are holding the wallboard to the wooden studs. Once you find a vertical line of metal screws you have found your stud. It is an old school trick, but a magnet never runs out of batteries and it is surprisingly accurate.
An Old Toothbrush
Tools get dirty and full of grime especially if they have moving parts or gears. A rag can wipe off the surface but it cannot get into the tiny crevices. Keep an old toothbrush in your kit for cleaning out the threads of bolts or brushing sawdust out of your power tools. The bristles are stiff enough to dislodge the gunk but soft enough that they won't scratch anything. It is the best way to keep your gear running smoothly for years to come.
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It is funny how we often overlook these simple solutions because they do not look like traditional tools. But adding these inexpensive items to your kit makes you ready for almost anything. It saves you frustration and protects your projects from silly mistakes. Go raid your junk drawer this weekend and see if you can upgrade your toolbox without spending a dime. You will be glad you did the next time you need to solve a problem.
Bliss Donahue-Power
