Home Improvement Tools

Any home improvement endeavor will be simpler with good home improvement tools and materials. Become familiar with home improvement tools and materials.

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Knowing how to read a tape measure might sound like a simple idea, but it's not as straightforward as you think.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You've probably been irritated by jackhammer noise at some point, but have you ever stopped to think about these marvels of concrete-busting power? Without them, demolition would be a whole lot more difficult.

By Nathan Chandler

We love our power drill, but for some jobs, nothing beats a good old hand tool. What are some of the must-haves for your toolbox?

By Laurie L. Dove

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Humans love integrating tech into absolutely everything -- even screwdrivers. We've had power screwdrivers for a long time, but now, your tools can interpret your commands based solely on the position of your hand.

By Nathan Chandler

Spray paint has left an indelible mark on world culture. How did it go from home-improvement solution to cultural icon? Find out in How Spray Paint Works.

By Lance Looper

Construction work requires power tools that can do the heavy-duty work as quickly and easily as possible. Learn what type of nail gun is best to install floor studs in this article.

By John Perritano

Machine screws come in a variety of materials. Learn which type of stainless steel is the most common for machine screws in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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While drilling through plastic can be done using any power drill, it’s important to have the correct drill bits so you don’t chip or crack the material. Learn about the type of drill bits you need for plastic from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Used in a variety of everyday applications, adhesives come in many forms, including glue, tape and sealant. Learn more about what makes adhesives sticky from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

There is a wide range of adhesives available for installing vinyl floors. Learn more about the best types of adhesives for vinyl floors from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

To cut concrete with a circular saw, you need an abrasive blade. Learn about the best type of blade for sawing concrete in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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You need a circular saw blade with fine teeth to cut through laminate countertops. Learn how to choose the right circular saw blade for cutting laminate kitchen countertops.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Start with a moderate grit and move to a finer grit of sandpaper when working on walls. Learn about the best type of sandpaper for walls from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Socket wrenches come with long handles to which different size sockets can be attached for tightening different size fasteners. Learn more about the size order of socket wrenches from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Steel wool is made in part of iron, and iron is prone to rust. Learn what makes steel wool rust in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Internal cuts are made in wood from the center. Learn the two ways to make internal cuts using a saber saw in this article.

Use a carbide-tipped abrasive cutoff wheel circular saw blade for cutting metals. Learn what type of circular saw blade you need to cut metal in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

A crescent wrench is similar to a monkey wrench except its jaws are parallel to the handle. Learn what a crescent wrench looks like in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

When you put together a basic tool set for building and fix-it jobs at home, you’ll want at least one Phillips head screwdriver. Find out what a Phillips head screwdriver looks like in this article.

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Hammer drills and impact drivers exert great force but from different directions. Learn about the difference between a hammer drill and an impact driver.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

There are many different types of screws and screwdrivers, each with its own characteristics and advantages. Learn about the Phillips head screwdriver in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

If you don’t use the right screwdriver for the job, you’ll strip the head of the screw and have a hard time pulling the screw out. Find out what the difference is between a Phillips head screwdriver and posidrive in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You need to check your torque wrench periodically to make sure that its reading is accurate. Learn about the best way to perform a torque wrench calibration from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Sandpaper is measured by grit size — the number of sharp particles per square inch. Learn more about the different grits of sandpaper.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Polyurethane adhesives are able to bond materials in a way that is strong, durable and flexible. Learn about some uses for polyurethane adhesives from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors