Don teamed up with builder, Scott Cam, to put together essential starter kits for both the gardener and the home handyman. Don and Scott agreed that quality tools were a good investment in the long run, as they will last for years. Don recommended buying top of the range secateurs, such as Felco. Scott thought it was worth spending a little extra and purchasing a really good quality level and handsaw. (Note: prices quoted below are approximate.)
Essential garden tools
West Mix builder’s wheelbarrow – $169
Cyclone square mouth shovel – $55
Cyclone short handle spade – $51
Cyclone mattock – $68
Spears & Jackson garden fork – $33
Oates yard broom – $18
Cyclone tooth rake – $29
Spears & Jackson leaf rake – $7
Fiskar shedge trimmer – $65
Bahco pruning saw – $27
Felco secateurs – $104
Moss hand trowel – $12
Pope sprinkler (metal rose) – $11
Dramm water breaker – $63
Nylex (30mtr) hose – $30
Essential handyman tools
Stabila 1.2 metre level – $74
Lufkin 8 metre tape measure – $21
Stanley square – $18
Estwing hammer – $75
Stanley shifter – $10
Bahco hand saw – $43
Rooster nail bag – $59
Cordless drill – $230
Sutton Drill bits – $20
Stanley screwdrivers – $20
Maintenance tips
Look after tools and they will perform well for years. Don’t leave them out in the rain!
Look after handles with regular oiling (50% turps and 50% linseed oil is best), or tape with 50mm duct tape to prevent splinters and cracks.
To keep blades and the edges of spades and shovels sharp, use a bench grinder or a sharpening stone.
Rubbing the head of your hammer with sandpaper keeps it clean and flat and stops it slipping off the nail heads.
Store tools safely and securely by drilling a hole in the handle and hanging from a nail on the wall.
Keep tools out of reach of children.
Further information
All tools mentioned are available at hardware stores. Prices quoted above are approximate.
Extendable pruners ($100-$170) enable you to prune branches safely from the ground, rather than having to climb ladders carrying sharp tools.
Raw linseed oil costs around $10/litre