It is advisable to buy higher quality tools and keep them clean and in order because, in the long run, they will become a good inversion. Depending on their speciality (carpintery, glazing, plumbing or painting and wallpapering), the basic tool sets are comprised of:

- Hammers: a claw-hammer and a wedge hammer. Having a hammer of the appropriate weight and shape makes a determined task easier and more comfortable.

- Pliers: a general use tool, they take hold of small pieces and cut circuit conductors. "Universal" pliers and those used by electricians and the most practical.

- Nippers to take out nails, wire cutting, etc.

- Handsaw for boards: their differences lie in the shape of their teeth.

- Screwdrivers: different ones are needed and of varying sizez, both flat and Phillips screwdrivers. Those which have a long and smooth handle are advisable to use.

- Sander paper and files: smoothens wood or files down more solid materials.

- A roll of string and another of wire.

- Measuring tape: a very useful tool to measure and mark with. Roll-ups are the most practical than the folding wooden ones.

- Drill: the elctric one, due to its versatility, is an indispensable tool, but it has not completely replaced the manual drill, as this does not require electricity. On the other hand, there are drills which run on batteries and of varying uses, as some of these machines do not only screw down, but also unscrew as well.

- Tacks, nails and screws: without these, any DIY equipment is left lame.

- Nut wrenches: the monkey wrench is the most used and at times it is the only one which can be used on a nut which is covered in paint. The box wrench is perfect for reaching nuts situated in reduced spaces.

- Glasscutters: it marks a line by means of an industrial diamond point and the glass breaks on the line marked out on pressing down on it.

- Spatula: it has a sheet of hard steel in order to remove putty from grooves.

- Chisel: made of a bar of pure steel, which is used to cut metal bars.

- Paintbrushes: they can be made of natural bristle, although synthetic ones are cheaper and quite appropiate for household tasks.

- Painting pads: help inexperienced painters, as they do not drip and cover surfaces quickly.

- Rollers: efficient for large surfaces.

- Paste brush: specially wide to extend pasting.

- Smoothing tool: eliminates air bubbles which have remained under the paper.

- A box with scissors, isolating tape, cutters, pencils, rulers, gloves, glues, etc.

All these tools can be easily found in any neighbourhood ironmonger's shop. However, many of you will look for ideas for carrying out these tasks. In order to find the solution, the best thing to do is go to specialized DIY stores, which started to appear in the suburbs of the main Spanish cities a few years ago, where you are more than likely to find the most essential items for the DIY enthusiast's equipment.