Chisels - It is good to have a fine bladed chisel for working with wood (12mm and 25mm are most useful) and a cold chisel for working with stone or bricks.

Craft Knife - General-purpose knife with disposable blades.

Cross-cut Saw - Large saw used for cutting large timber sections.

Electricians Screwdriver - Specifically designed with an insulated handle in case of accidental connection to live wires.

File - You can buy round, flat and half-round files. If you only get one, the round file will probably be the most useful.

Floorboard Saw - Designed for cutting floorboards. The upwardly curved blade makes it easier to cut boards without damaging adjacent boards.

General Purpose Saw - Can cut both wood and metal.

G-Clamp - More than one if possible. G-Clamps are very useful for holding work in position. Common sizes are 100mm and 200mm.

Glue Gun - Not essential, but very useful for quick repairs. Glue guns use stick which heat up and produce a strong bond.

Hammers - A lump hammer for working with stone or bricks, a claw hammer for working with wood and a pin hammer for tapping in pins and tacks.

Metre Rule - Plastic or wooden rule. Very light and easy to use in most situations.

Mini Hacksaw - The changeable blades make this an all-purpose saw, cutting wood, metal and tiles.

Mole Grips - Pressure clamp onto objects to leave your hands free.

Pincers - Used for pulling nails and tacks out of wood, etc.

Pliers - Get a standard and needle-nosed set. Both are used for extra grip on small objects, but needle-nose pliers will let you get into the smallest places.

Portable Workbench - Essential if you plan to do a lot of Diy around your home. The ability to clamp objects to hold them steady is invaluable.

Screwdrivers - It is best to get a range of screwdrivers (both flat-head and cross-cut) in different sizes. Screwdrivers are one of the most used Diy tools, so go for a quality set if possible.

Soft-face Mallet - Ideal for jobs where it is possible to ruin the finish (of wood or metal, etc), the rubber head will not leave a mark.

Spirit Level - Essential for checking horizontal and vertical surfaces before fixing them in place. Get both a long and short one if possible.

Steel Measuring Tape - Go for a good quality 5 metre tape. This should cover most measuring jobs around the house.

Steel Rule - A very accurate rule and a perfect straight edge for marking.

Tenon Saw - For making fine cuts in wood. Tenon saws are available in a variety of points (the number of teeth per 25mm), the more teeth, the finer the cut will be.

Try-Square - Used for marking at right angles.

Click here to read more from DIY Extra