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Best DIY Tools Under $50
16 items
By
Tom Griffo
Budget DIY tools under $50 for first-time homeowners, renters, and weekend fixers. A basic starter kit: hammer, tape measure, level, speed square, pliers, locking pliers, clamps, adjustable wrench, utility knife, hex keys, a multi-bit screwdriver, an...
Sections
4
Measure & Mark
Grip & Cut
Fasten & Turn
Safety First
Measure & Mark
The tape most people grab first. 14 ft of reach means you can measure solo without a helper.
Stanley 25 ft. FATMAX Tape Measure 33-725Y
Under $15 and it works as a saw guide, angle finder, and marking square. Hard to beat for the money.
Johnson Johnny Square 7" Aluminum Rafter Square (1904-0700)
Cheap insurance against crooked shelves and picture frames. Magnetic, so it sticks to steel pipes and studs.
CRAFTSMAN 9" Magnetic Torpedo Level (CMHT43191)
Grip & Cut
Flips open one-handed, clips to your pocket, and runs around $23 from a name-brand tool company.
Milwaukee FASTBACK 6-in-1 Folding Utility Knife (48-22-1505)
Slim nose for tight spots and forged in the USA. Worth a few extra bucks over a no-name pair.
Klein Tools 7 in. Standard Long Nose Side Cutting Pliers D203-7
Two locking pliers for about $29, one curved jaw and one long nose. Handy for stripped bolts and holding things steady.
TEKTON Curved Jaw, Long Nose Locking Pliers Set (2-Piece) PLK99901
A second set of hands. The one-handed trigger lets you hold a board and tighten at the same time.
DEWALT 12 in. Medium Trigger Bar Clamp (2 Pack) DWHT83158
Fasten & Turn
One driver, 11 tips. Replaces a drawer of loose bits and it's cheap enough to keep one in every toolbox.
Klein Tools 11-in-1 Screwdriver/Nut Driver (32500)
SAE and metric in one folding handle, backed by Milwaukee's limited lifetime warranty. Easy to toss in a drawer or bag.
Milwaukee 17-Key Folding Hex Key Sets - SAE/Metric 48-22-2183
The original adjustable wrench for around $19. One tool that fits most nuts and bolts around the house.
Crescent 10 in. Black Oxide Adjustable Wrench AT210VS
Rechargeable driver with an LED light. Great for furniture, shelves, and anything with a lot of small screws.
BLACK+DECKER 4V MAX Cordless Screwdriver with Light (BDCSFL20C)
Steel handle, steel head, and a 4.9-star rating from 300+ Lowe's reviews. The kind you buy once.
Estwing 16 oz Steel Handle Claw Hammer (E3-16S)
Safety First
Cheap, boring, and the only thing on this list that protects your eyes. Wear them for cutting, drilling, and hammering.
3M SecureFit 400 Eye Protection Clear Anti-Fog
Three pairs for under $20, so there's always one in the garage and one in the truck. Grippy palm, and they work with a touchscreen. Check your size.
FIRM GRIP Large General Purpose Work Gloves (3-Pack) 68312-14
30 dB of noise reduction for under $30. Wear them around saws, sanders, and the shop vac.
3M Pro-Grade Earmuff 90565-4DC-PS
A 5-pack for about $22. NIOSH-approved N95 with an exhale valve, made for sanding and fiberglass dust.
3M 8511 N95 Sanding & Fiberglass Respirator, 5-Pack
