50 tools you should own

Popular Mechanics magazine had an article in its May 2009 issue titled, "50 tools everyone should own." The magazine posted the whole article on its website. It's not only the list itself that makes the article great. It's the detail. The author, Logan Ward, explains what size or variety of each tool you should own  and provides useful tips on how to use each tool.

For example, he writes that you can use a centre punch (No.2 on the list) to "tighten a loose handle on a knife or shovel by centering the punch on the rivet and then firmly striking it with a ball-peen hammer, expanding the rivet’s head."

Ward also includes lots of great history. For spray lube (No. 25), he included a short history of WD-40. "The name stands for Water Displacement 40th attempt, since it took inventor Norm Larsen, founder of the Rocket Chemical Company in San Diego, 40 tries to find a formula to stop metal corrosion by displacing the water that causes it. WD-40 removes adhesive, cleans bike parts, stops squeaks and loosens rusted bolts. And it has a few more unusual applications: Police once used it to remove a naked burglar stuck in an a/c vent."

Here is his advice for buying an extension cord (No.50): The minimum spec for most DIYers should be a 14-gauge cord rated for 15 amps. But a 12-gauge cord is better, and a 10-gauge contractor-quality cord better still, because it ensures minimum voltage drop along its length.

The average farm shop will have most if not all of the tools on the list, but you'll have fun reading the article — and you'll probably learn something useful.