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tools for at home DIYers
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Em Curt profile picture
Em Curt
i've spent the last 4 years updating a house built in 1914. these are the tools i've used and tricks i've learned along the way.
Sections
7
 
must have power tools
 
necessary hand tools
 
supplies
 
safety equipment
 
tools that make life easier
 
painting supplies

must have power tools

almost any project i've done could be accomplished with these 6 tools. bosch and dewalt are my go to brands.

 
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goes without saying this one is a necessity
Drill/Driver
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another brand option
Drill and Driver Combo
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i use this at least once a week
Oscillating Multi Tool
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the one i personally use
Oscillating Multi-Tool
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perfect for longer cuts when you dont have a table saw
Circular Saw
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great for long, straight cuts
Bosch Circular Saw
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another one i use weekly
Random Orbital Sander
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favorite sander
Bosch Orbital Sander with Dust Management
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more control over curved cuts
Jigsaw
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best for curved cuts
Bosch Variable Jigsaw
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game changer
Brad Nailer Kit
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necessary hand tools

sometimes its easier to use one of these than a power tool

 
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recommend the fiberglass handle. the wooden ones break too easily
Hammer
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fiber glass handle recommended here also
Rubber Mallet
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it might not seem necessary but trust me, it is
Pry Bar
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recommend a set as well. most things you need to assemble should only be hand tight
Screwdriver Set (15-Piece)
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get two
Retractable Utility Knife
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helpful for smaller corners or tight spaces
Sanding Sponge Coarse
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supplies

things i always keep extras of on hand. theres nothing worse than being in the middle of a project and needing to stop and go pick these up

 
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nothing worse than a tool dying mid-project
Spare Batteries
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extra multi-tool blades
Oscillating Blade Set (3-Piece)
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extra jig saw baldes
Jig Saw Blade Set (10-Piece)
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extra utility knife blades
Carbide Utility Blade
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extra miter saw blades
Miter Saw Blade
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extra circular saw blades
Circular Saw Blade
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recommend the large set so you always have what you need
Bit Set (81-Piece)
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recommend a taller ladder for outside
8 ft. Fiberglass Stepladder
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recommend a shorter ladder for  inside
5.5 ft. Aluminum Dual Platform Heavy-Duty Ladder
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can never have too many of these
Orbital Sanding Disc with Hook and Lock Backing
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bosch batteries
Bosch 18-V Lithium Battery Kit (4 Ah)
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never run be without extra batteries
Bosch Lithium Battery Kit (4 Ah)
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always have a bunch of these for cutting different materials
bextra bosch jigsaw Blades
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bosch and dewalt have different locking mechanisms for their blades so make sure you are buying the right one
extra bosch multi-tool blades
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extra bosch 12v batteries
Bosch Battery
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safety equipment

 
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always use when sanding, painting or demoing
Multi-Purpose Respirator
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you'll be glad you have these
Safety Glasses with Clear Anti-Scratch Lenses
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must have when installing floors
Knee Pads with Foam Padding
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makes everything easier
Work Gloves (3-Pack)
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tools that make life easier

 
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sliding blade is a game changer
Miter Saw
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again, the sliding blade is a game changer
Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Corded Miter Saw
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unless you have a solid workbench, i would get the stand as well
Table Saw with Rolling Stand
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the stand is super convenient
Bosch Portable Benchtop Table Saw
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makes cleanup so much easier
Wet Dry Vacuum
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makes cuts for shoe moulding so quick and easy
Miter Trim Cutter
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painting supplies

 
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best painting tape
Frogtape Painter's Tape
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my favorite brush for trim and touch-ups
Angled Sash Brush
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dont cheap out on brushes unless you want bristles in your paint
Multisize Brush Pack
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always have a few of these on hand
Paint Roller Tray
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make cleanup effortless
Plastic Tray Liner (10-Pack)
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makes cleaning rollers so much easier
Painters Multi-Tool with Stainless Steel Blade
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perfect when paint has been sitting for a while
paint mixer
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scrape off old paint or wallpaper
Scraper with Stainless Steel Blade
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cleaning and drying
Professional Brush & Roller Spinner
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helps with cleaning paint out of brush bristles
Painter's Brush Comb
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always have a box around for painting smaller areas
Plastic Sheeting
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have several different sizes on hand
9 in. Sherlock Roller Frame
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extra rollers are always necessary
Woven Roller (3-Pack)
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painted my garage door in 20 minutes including clean up
Electric Handheld HVLP Paint Sprayer
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outdoor tools

 
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perfect for medium lawns
Gas Self-Propelled Mower with Blade Stop
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perfect for smaller lawns
Kobalt Battery Push Lawn Mower
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perfect for large lawns
Riding Lawn Mower
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driveway cleanup made easy
Professional Pressure Washer
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yard clean up set
Trimmer/Blower Combo Kit w/Pole Saw Attachment
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a back saver for heavy snowfalls
Gas Snow Blower with Power Steering and Steel Chute
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fall cleanup requirement
Leaf Rake with Detachable Hand Rake
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everyone needs a shovel
Digging Shovel
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back saver for yard cleanup
34 in. Stand-up Weeder
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yard work must have
Wheelbarrow
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