ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 19, 1997 TAG: 9701210030
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ELIZABETH M. COSIN LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS
It always happens. You're home one rainy Saturday, with a breath's headroom between you and the bottom of the kitchen sink you've been meaning to fix, well, forever. On the floor beside you is your dusty old toolbox, the one you haven't taken out since the last time you decided to play Mr. or Ms. Fix-it.
You open the latch and reach in. Will that tool you need be there?
For most of us, the answer is a definite maybe.
It's a good idea to have at least the basics on hand. Sooner or later, you'll need one of them.
A majority of Americans will be reaching for a basic tool sometime this year, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute. The industry-sponsored research group has tracked a 20-year trend in the rise of American homeowners who are doing repair work themselves.
In 1970, roughly one-third of Americans called themselves ``do-it-yourselfers'' - people who have done at least one repair or home-improvement job in their house over a 12-month period. In 1996, that figure had risen to nearly 90 percent.
Contrary to stereotypes, not all of those do-it-yourselfers are men. According to the studies, as many as 15 million female homeowners are picking up hammer and nails.
``By the year 2000, virtually all Americans will be doing some kind of home-improvement work, whether it be painting or fixing the sink,'' says Scott Bannell, vice president for marketing and advertising for Stanley Works, the New Britain, Conn., tool company. ``More people will try projects in the future than ever before. They'll obviously need the tools.''
There are a number of reasons for the trend. Professionals are expensive and, in some cases, harder to accommodate for busy, dual-income households, Bannell said. Studies have also measured a general tendency toward self-help, as evidenced by the plethora of home-improvement books and television programs.
So, in the interest of making sure that adjustable wrench is on hand next time you have to tighten a kitchen-sink bolt, here is some advice from the people who sell and use tools on what a well-stocked toolbox should have.
In a survey they were asked to name the 15 tools the average person absolutely could not do without, and they came up with a list (see related story) they estimated would run between $100 and $150, depending on the quality of tools purchased.
Beyond the few basics that the experts agree are necessary - a good hammer, a couple of standard screwdrivers, tape measure, pliers and a utility knife - their opinions vary on what else should go in the box.
A hardware manager at a national chain says a flashlight may not be your typical tool, but it can be pretty handy when you're crawling around in dark places.
A hardware sales representative at a Home Depot store says the tool she most uses is her socket set. But she doesn't recommend it for everyone.
What you're going to do with your tools is an important question the experts say you should ask yourself. Do you spend your weekends refinishing furniture or are you always under the hood of your 1970 Volkswagen? It makes a difference in terms of what tools you might want to include; tailor it to your needs.
When buying any tool, the experts recommend trying it out first by holding it in the store and seeing how it fits in your hand. A hammer should feel right to you; it shouldn't be too heavy or unwieldy, otherwise the only pounding you might be doing is on your fingers.
All of the experts advise buyers to invest in quality tools, another aspect you can usually test while in the store. Well-made tools are nicely finished, have a fairly uniform feel and probably a lifetime warranty.
No matter what you decide to keep in your toolbox, the experts agree that the single most important tool you have is your head. Using common sense and basic smarts when using any tool is the best way to avoid breakage or injury.
It's a good idea to use protective goggles or gloves on certain jobs, but there's nothing like common sense, says one expert, who also recommends a weight belt for heavy lifting.
That means also using tools to do the jobs for which they are intended.
It's very easy to use what's next to you. For example, using a screwdriver as a pry bar. There are common uses where they might do the job, but if a tool is not used for its specific purpose, you could break it or injure yourself.
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: 9 illustrations. color.by CNB