A handyperson can be your Swiss Army knife for many jobs around the house. They can fix leaky faucets, repair electrical issues, assemble furniture and paint, and even do plumbing work.

Before hiring a handyperson, ensure they have a valid license and insurance. Also, try to get recommendations from friends and family members. Contact Emerald City Handyman of Naperville now

A circular saw is one of the most versatile tools a Handyman can own. It can make various cuts, from straight lines to beveled angles, and it’s usually easy to use and less expensive than other power tools. It’s especially useful for cross-cutting, such as cutting framing lumber to length or trimming long boards down to size for a project. It can also cut wavy or curvy cuts, but it may be easier to use a miter saw or jigsaw for these kinds of jobs.

When shopping for a circular saw, consider the blade type, size and torque, weight, and other features that may be important to you. It’s best to shop for a saw in person, so you can see how it feels and test the different options out. If you’re unsure of what to look for, ask an employee at a tool store for help.

To avoid making uneven cuts, a good way to make sure your saw is square is to clamp it down with a speed square or framing square and then align the base plate of the saw with that edge. Once you’ve done that, double-check the alignment of the notch in the base plate to the cut line on the blade. This will ensure your cut is straight across the material.

Many saws can do bevel cuts, but if you need a steep angle, the best solution may be to cut the bevel first at a lower angle and then finish the cut with a handsaw or reciprocating saw. A circular saw can also be used to cut a hole in a wall, though you should always make this kind of cut through a solid piece of wood or concrete first.

Fish Tape

Electricians and information transport systems installers use fish tapes to snake wires through wall space, up or down studs, up and down between floors and into tight spaces. This tool is a flat length of steel or fiberglass that’s usually rolled into a round casing, although there are powered fish tapes that reel in the wire automatically.

While the basic design of fish tapes hasn’t changed since they first entered the market more than 50 years ago, improvements have been made to make them easier to operate and use. For example, some tapes have molded eyelets for quick and easy attachment to wires. Others have laser-etched measurement markings on the tape itself that don’t scratch off over time. And, some tapes are made of nonconductive materials for increased workplace safety when working around energized circuits.

Fish tapes are available in a wide range of sizes, from 25 to 200 feet and longer. Besides choosing the correct length for your job, other considerations include tape material (steel and fiberglass are the most common), tensile strength and ease of payout and retract. Various accessories are also available to improve pulling efficiency. These include a flexible tape leader to make it easier to pull wires through tight bends, multiwire pulling leaders for connecting multiple pieces of fish tape together, a swivel ball to prevent wires from twisting during pulling and kits that contain replacement tape, a ratcheting tool for stripping and crimping tape and new eyelets.

When using a fish tape, it’s important to prepare the head of the wire before starting a run. This means unrolling a small section of the tape and walking it out carefully, stepping on it to avoid kinking it. Then, secure the tape into a larger coil by wrapping one end over the other several times.

Electrical Tape

Electrical tape may be one of the most versatile tools on any handyman’s tool belt. From insulating wires to making minor repairs, the humble little roll can save the day on many jobs. But there is a lot more to it than meets the eye, including different types of materials and specs that are important to keep in mind when choosing the right tape for a job. The wrong selection can mean the difference between a secure splice or insulation and an unsafe, potentially hazardous situation.

Electrical Tape is specifically designed to insulate wires and other materials that conduct electricity as well as protect them from abrasion and moisture. It is also rated for use in certain environments such as cold weather and high voltage applications. It is available in a variety of colors to assist with phasing and color-coding tasks as well as make wires easier to identify in an emergency.

When choosing electrical tape, it is important to consider its elongation properties and temperature range. A quality product has a high elongation rating which means it can stretch and return to its original form without breaking. This allows for greater accuracy when wrapping the tape around the wire or cable and ensures a secure, long-term hold. Additionally, it should not leave behind a sticky residue after being removed.

Choosing the correct tape for an application can be difficult, but an experienced contractor or electrician can help determine which type is best for the job. The correct thickness and material will ensure the proper amount of insulation is provided as well as meet industry standards for flammability, dielectric breakdown, and resistance to moisture and oil.

Pliers

Pliers are a versatile hand tool that can be used to grip, clamp and twist items. They can also be used to cut wires and other materials. These tools are often referred to as the Swiss Army knife of gripping tools and are essential for any Handyman’s tool box.

There are many different types of pliers available and it’s important to choose the correct ones for each task. The key features to look out for are the jaw shape and size, the cutting capacity and whether the handles are insulated or not. It’s also worth considering the pivot point of the pliers, as this determines how much leverage and pressure they can apply to the object they’re clamping.

Standard pliers have flat jaws that are perfect for gripping objects, while needle-nose pliers have long, tapered jaws that can get into narrow spaces. Needle-nose pliers are ideal for fiddly tasks that require finesse and can even be used to remove stubborn bolts. Diagonal cutters, on the other hand, are ideal for cutting straight lines of metal and other materials and can also be used to strip wires.

There are also combination pliers, which can be used for both gripping and cutting. These pliers have two lengths of steel riveted together near the middle to create a pivot, with jaws on one side and handles on the other. Some combination pliers have pipe clamps, which are designed to hold round materials such as pipes and cables. These are particularly useful for those who are regularly working with round materials and can save time and effort by avoiding having to switch between different sets of pliers. There are also locking pliers, which are useful for when you need to lock onto a specific item and can be tightened to prevent it from loosening.

Utility Knife

The Utility Knife is a multi-purpose tool with multiple uses. Its main purpose is to provide a safe and practical solution for cutting, trimming, and scraping jobs. They are an important part of any tool kit and can make many tasks easier for both professional and DIY users. Their versatility, precision, and safety make them an essential item for any toolbox.

In the kitchen, a utility knife is an ideal tool for cutting medium to hard blocks of cheese into slices or cubes. They also work well for slicing cured meats like pepperoni and summer sausage into uniform pieces. This type of knife is ideal for creating a variety of DIY projects and home decorations, such as sprucing up a picture frame or building a wooden shelf.

Utility knives are also very versatile when it comes to tackling a wide variety of household tasks, including opening packages, removing old caulk, or remolding wallpaper. Their sharp blades also provide clean and accurate cuts for craft projects, such as paper crafting or model making.

A quality utility knife should have an exchangeable blade and be made from durable materials, such as stainless steel or titanium. It should have a secure lock to keep the blade in place and a convenient way to extend and retract it. It should also have a large and ergonomic grip to help users control the blade with minimal effort and pressure. In addition, it should have a built-in blade storage clamp that prevents rattling and a deep cutaway that allows the user to cut string with the knife in its closed position.

Slice’s 10558 Smart-Retracting Utility Knife features a unique slider that is designed to reduce the opposing forces of pushing and pulling the blade, making it safer for the user. This feature is known as Ergo Pull and has been tested by independent ergonomic experts to prove that it can significantly reduce the amount of force required to use a utility knife.