Pliers are a relatively modern invention, and it is hard to imagine what people did without this versatile tool. There are a dozen or more kinds of pliers, and your toolbox should contain at least the big three: slip joint pliers, lock joint pliers, diagonal pliers. Also handy are rib joint, water pump, needle nose, long nose, locking, and lineman's pliers. When it comes to pliers, more is better.

You can save time around the house by having a few basic tools stashed in a kitchen drawer. Here are some of the most popular items: a hammer; screwdrivers, both phillips and flathead; a small tape measure; a utility knife; a torpedo level; pliers and an adjustable wrench; and the ever useful duct tape. Most important don't forget to put everything back when you are finished.

A good way to reduce the time you spend searching for tools is to invest in duplicate sets to keep where you need them. For example, if you're always searching for pliers, socket wrench or screwdriver while in the basement, buy extras to keep there. Likewise, other candidates for "on site" tool kits are the kitchen, the garage, and the car.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Showers account for more than one-fifth of the water Americans use every day. We can conserve more of this precious resource with a low-flow showerhead. If you re not convinced you need to cut your water flow, put a 2-quart pan under your showerhead and turn it on. If it takes less than 12 seconds to fill the pan, you could conserve. Low-flow showerheads limit flow to 2 and a half gallons per minute or less and cost between $8 and $50. Contrary to popular belief, they do not reduce the water pressure of your shower. Some mix the water with air, others pulse and some are elevated to provide a rain shower effect. For between $70 and $250, you can buy one that will even filter chlorine and other chemicals from your water for a truly clean shower that won t dry out your skin. Take a look at the end of your faucet: Most are threaded to receive an aerator. If your existing aerator has a number greater than 2.75 GPM written on it or there isn t one at all, it s an easy upgrade to install. Remove the old one by turning it to the left. If it s stuck, gently use vice grips or tongue-and-groove pliers. Add a piece of Teflon tape over the faucet threads before screwing on the new one to form a tight seal. Faucet aerators only cost $5 to $10 and will pay for themselves in water savings in only a few months. Installing faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads in your home is one of the best ways to reduce your environmental footprint, and it can save you 50 percent of your water and hot water costs to boot. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

…connections marked, use groove-joint pliers to loosen the fitting on the cold-water…
…the back. Loosen the fitting with the pliers if it cannot be loosened by hand. …
…then tighten by a half-turn using the pliers. Do not over-tighten the fittings…

…pairs of electrician's, waterpump, and locking pliers; and a hammer? You can take it from there…
…construction jobs but not for delicate ones. LOCKING PLIERS These adjustable pliers are useful as a hand-held vice or clamp. They…

…into place onto the shower stem. Use a pair of slip-joint pliers to snug up the connection. Slowly turn on the water to the…
…efficient showerhead is ready for use. Use slip-joint pliers to snug up the new showerhead connection.