With the luxury of a landlord to call when something needs fixing, apartment living doesn’t exactly require the level of handiness you’ll need as a full-blown homeowner. “There are tons of tools that are kind of silly to have as a renter,” said Ken Walchak of Clark-Devon Hardware in Rogers Park, who runs a tool rental store attached to his hardware store for that very reason. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. Walchak and fellow experts Michael Mozal of Joseph J. Duffy Company general contractors in Albany Park and Paul Rinaldi of Chiarugi Hardware in University Village weighed in on their top gear for your new place. Gwendolyn Purdom
1) Multi-tip screwdriver: Nothing’s more frustrating than needing a flat head when you’ve only got a Phillips.
2) Tape measure: Knowing your room and doorway dimensions are a must before Ikea runs.
3) Hammer: Taping posters on your walls is only OK in a dorm room.
4) Adjustable wrench: With a grip that can be sized to your needs, a crescent or Channellock wrench (called by its popular brand name) will help you out of plenty of binds.
5) Blue masking tape: Walchak swears by this for small repairs and marking walls.
6) Needle-nose pliers: These pointy numbers are designed to fit into tight spaces, which is useful when you’re living in a smaller unit.
7) Wire cutters: Mozal recommends having a pair of these heavy-duty snippers (also called side cutters, diagonal pliers or wire snips) on hand.
8) Small level: In the words of Monica Geller, if it’s not a right angle, it is a wrong angle.
9) Cordless drill with assorted tips and bits: While most power tools aren’t worth buying when you can readily rent them, drills are affordable and work well when a hammer or screwdriver just won’t cut it.
10) Plunger: Because, well, you know.
Tip: Many of these tools are part of basic tool kits, which generally come with a case and run around $30 or $40 at hardware stores or online.
