10 DIY gadgets I never leave out of my toolkit (and why each one earns its spot)

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I'm definitely a hoarder, I mean, collector, of tools. Just this morning, I was performing surgery on my 3D printer to allow it to print in four colors, and I had to think about which set -- out of my 12 sets -- of screwdrivers I was going to use.

What I've noticed, though, is that despite having literal heaps of tools, there are only a handful that I turn to on a regular basis. These are the A-list tools. The superstars. The must-haves that every household needs to function. 

If you're taking up home improvement projects to give your space a facelift, you're going to need a few of these gadgets around. You may even have a few of these in your home already.

While having a bunch of dedicated screwdrivers in all sizes and fastener types is awesome, I find that it's hard to beat the convenience -- not to mention price -- of a multi-bit screwdriver set. And if that set comes with a few sockets and a small ratchet, well, I'm now ready to tackle a whole range of tasks, from assembling home and garden furniture, to basic stuff like fixing lawn mowers and garden tractors.

My vote for the best multi-bit screwdriver kit here goes to the Wera Tool Check Plus kits. These come in imperial or metric sizes, have a selection of screwdriver bits and sockets, and additionally includes a tiny but immensely powerful ratchet.

The carrying case keeps everything secure and stops things from getting lost in the chaos of a job.

 A decent drill is still a must-have in my opinion, especially one that can do triple duty -- drill into wood and metal, hammer drill into concrete, and also drive screwdriver bits.

Also: My favorite electric screwdriver manufacturer just released the ultimate toolkit for tinkerers

I prefer cordless tools not only because they are more convenient, but also because I won't trip and fall over the cord. For the screwdriving job, my brand of choice has got to be Dewalt. Its tools are durable, last years of use and abuse (this drill has been used as a hammer more than once!), and are reasonably priced. 

This 20V Max Cordless Drill Driver kit comes with the drill, a 2.0Ah battery, a charger, and a handy toolbag. 

Another mainstay of every toolbox. Perfect for undoing fasteners, pulling out nails, holding nails to hammer them, cutting wire, and much more. If you're constantly coming across rounded off fasteners, then there are specialist pliers for that job, otherwise, a set of general purpose pliers, like this one from Lineman's, is what you need. 

These pliers are made from carbon steel and covered in a non-slip material for easy gripping. 

There are all sorts of digital measuring tools nowadays, including the native app on your iPhone, but nothing beats the ease of use of a good ole tape measure. I don't feel like overspending on a measuring tape because they tend to wander into other people's possession, and the one I'm using now I picked up as a freebie when I bought something from a lumber yard.

If you don't frequent a generous lumber yard, you can always pick one up for under $20. Or if you want a really nice one, this one from Milwaukee is about $30. 

I use both adjustable wrenches and water pump pliers for the wide variety of nuts and bolts I work with. Between the two types of tools, these give me the ability to work with all sorts of fasteners, from nuts and bolts (this is where the adjustable wrench shines) to plumbing fixtures (the forte of the water pump pliers). The longer the handle, the more force you generate with an adjustable wrench and the stronger your grip with a pipe wrench.

I also have a selection of small water pump pliers, and while these look like toys, they out-perform the pliers on almost any multitool out there, so if you want to be prepared for any nuts and bolts you encounter, these are also a must-have for you.

I've owned a number of traditional Stanley utility knives, but I've moved away from them in recent years. Most are heavy lumps made of metal and are ergonomic nightmares.

I prefer lightweight plastic utility knives, like this one from Stanley. I buy blades and fit them into handles that I've 3D printed (again, like tape measures, utility knives have a habit of wandering off), or I use scissors instead (medical trauma shears are perfect). I also like the new ceramic utility blades -- these are ultra sharp and last a long time.

Yes, most smartphones have a level feature, but I find that using a smartphone as a level for anything but the most basic of tasks is a headache. A spirit level is perfect for everything from putting up a picture or some shelves in the home to decking or fencing in the garden.

You can get tiny ones, small ones, or big ones, and even spirit levels with a laser. 

These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but for DIY use, I prefer to have a rechargeable headlamp or one that clips onto my baseball cap. 

Eyes are delicate, and even the tiniest speck in them can ruin your day – ask me how I know. There are so many safety spectacles to choose from, from clear to tinted to polarized, and even safety glasses with lenses for making close up work easier.

Have a pair with your tools so they're ready to use! 

There are a lot of different adhesives out there to cater to a wide variety of applications -- hot glue, epoxy, soft rubber glue, UV curing, and spray adhesives to name but a few -- but none are more versatile (and well known) than cyanoacrylate adhesive, more popularly known as super glue. 

This adhesive will work on a variety of surfaces, from glass, ceramics, plastics, rubbers and more, creating a tough, long-lasting bond in seconds -- just don't get it on your hands like I've done in the above photo (maybe wear some gloves!).

Why should you trust me?