Steve Pooley is the product support advisor at Amtech DIY. We asked him what’s in his toolbox for essential interior jobs around the home and garden.
- What are the essential tools for interior DIY jobs?
Tape measure: The number one piece of kit for any budding DIYer, is a tape measure. Always comes in handy when measuring space to ensure that any new piece of furniture is going to fit perfectly. Also comes in handy for measuring curtain lengths that may be required or wooden flooring prior to trimming.
Steve’s choice is the Amtech P1270 self-locking measuring tape which has a 25ft (7.5m) length and comes with a belt clip and push-button retrieval.
Cordless drill: A combination drill is the most important power tool to have at the ready. From quickly screwing in small fixings for flat pack furniture, to creating pilot holes and using the hammer function to drill through brickwork or plasterboard.
Steve’s choice is the Amtech V6610 18V 2Ah Li-ion cordless combination drill with integrated LED light and a fast-charging battery.
Pliers: A decent set of pliers can potentially save you a small fortune on plumber bills! Ideal for addressing water leaking from pipes or tightening nuts that have become loose.
Steve’s choice is the Amtech C1670 three-piece locking grip plier set, which features a quick-release lever and steel serrated jaws for a better grip.
Claw Hammer: You never know when you might need to fix something with nails or use the claw feature to remove them effortlessly.
Steve’s choice is the Amtech A0250 which has a fiberglass shaft and rubber grip.
Saw: Ideal for virtually all cutting tasks.
Steve’s choice is the Amtech M0375 Hardpoint saw, which has a 22-inch high-quality alloy steel blade and comfortable grip handle.
- What are the essential tools for garden DIY jobs?
Choosing tools for the garden can be very seasonal based and a good rake during autumn is paramount for removing fallen leaves. A pruner also comes in very handy for cutting back perennials at any time of the year plus a garden fork also comes in handy to remove weeds and aerate the lawn.
Last but not least, cleaning and removing moss from the patio area is also very important, especially during winter when it can get very slippery, so a pressure cleaning lance is definitely a must-have.
- What are the essential tools for automotive DIY jobs?
An air compressor is one of the best things to have in your boot, so that you can check the air pressure or inflate tyres that may have a slow puncture.
A good socket set is also essential for the majority of automotive tasks, but you will need a variety of extension bars, sockets, and additional attachments for flexibility. An adjustable oil filter plier should also fit most vehicles and Steve’s recommendation is Amtech J1150, alongside the Amtech I0635 52-piece socket set.
- What are the essential PPE items for DIY?
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is very important when carrying out DIY tasks! Statistics show that most accidents related to poor safety compliance occur in the home, so we must be extra careful to protect ourselves and others at all times.
So, number one is eye protection with safety goggles, even when you are sawing wood or painting a wall. Number two is protecting your hands and purchasing the most suitable gloves for your task is key – whether its thin latex gloves whilst handling chemicals or cut-resistant gloves whilst gardening or handling sharp edges. Number three is ear protection because any noise above 120db can cause immediate damage to your hearing, however, worth noting that virtually all power tools are below this level. by using the Amtech Combination Ear Defender & Eye Protection I know two of my biggest three PPE worries are covered.
- What made the Amtech 8-Function car Wash and Garden Sprayer so popular?
The Amtech S5536 eight-function car wash and garden sprayer is a novel device which ‘kills two birds with one stone’ by allowing users to clean their cars and water their gardens with one device, saving them the cost of buying two separate sprayers.
This sprayer has many applications in the home, garage or garden, including floor and window cleaning, car washing, watering plants and lawns – even washing pets!
A unique feature of this 2-in-1 sprayer is its 100ml capacity dispenser that can be used for either soap or garden feed. The dispenser also has a handy flow control dial, allowing the user to adjust the concentration of liquid to be added to the spray, with the option of switching to just water (for rinsing the car after washing, for example).
With eight adjustable spray patterns: shower, mist, cone, rinse, stream, flat, centre and jet, the sprayer fits any standard ½” garden hose connector, so there is no need to buy a new one.
Its ergonomic and comfortable design also means it can be used for long periods without tiring out the hand.
- What are latest products in the Amtech range?
Amtech has recently launched a new range of power tools to meet the increasing demand for these tools around the home, garage, and garden. The objective of the new range was price performance and competitive features because the Amtech philosophy is to keep DIY cost-effective and offer free product support whenever it is required.
You can see the products in action on our YouTube channel, Amtech DIY.
- What warranty will I get on Amtech hand and power tools?
All hand tools are covered by a three-year guarantee and the powered tools have a two-year warranty in place.
- What are the next areas DK wants to expand into?
The Amtech new product development team are constantly researching consumer needs and key trends in the market, to ensure we can deliver on the tools required to complete tasks around the home cost effectively.
We also refine our product ranges across multiple product categories, to ensure we are still competitive and compliant.
- What’s the story behind DK Tools Limited and the Amtech brand?
The origins of the company stem back to our current managing director (Deepak Kalra) selling tools on a market stall in West London over thirty years ago. Eventually, the Amtech brand was created, and our product portfolio grew rapidly as the tools were distributed across multiple retail and wholesale channels.
The company is still family-run from the same part of London, and we pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional customer experience with award-winning products and services.
We also have a 5-star approval rating on Trustpilot.
- Where can I find out more about DK Tools Limited and Amtech?
Trade customers can become Amtech stockists at dktools.com and consumers can purchase our products via amtechdiy.com or research our helpful how-to videos on our YouTube channel.
