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Tools I cannot go without as a self-proclaimed DIY-er
10
items I recently realized that somewhere in my DNA, I have the “how hard could it be” gene. I watched a few YouTube videos on board and batten and box moulding, grabbed my husband's tools and I haven't stopped coming up with projects since. Only, now I have my own tools so he can't say anything about me using his. If you're thinking about starting your first project or you already started and want to build your own tool room, hopefully this list will help you get a head start.
Sections
5
Wood Working
Painting
Your Basic DIY Toolbox
Cordless Tools
Cool Tools You Didn't Know You Needed
Wood Working
My first project started out being a bathroom update. I didn't realize it would end up being the start of a love affair I have with wood working. It started out with a miter saw to cut boards for a boards for board and batten walls, then building cabinets, and shelves, and finishing work, and…you get the picture.
There are more deluxe models of this Kreg pocket hole jig, but if you're just getting started, this is exactly what you need. It's simple, easy to use, has great instructions, sturdy, and does exactly what you need it to. Pocket holes make a more polished, clean line finish and just kind of makes your wood work look like you know what you're doing, even if you're just faking it til you make it.
Kreg Pocket-Hole Jigs | KregTool.com Official Store
My unpopular opinion, a T-Square ruler should be in everyone's tool box. The beauty of this one is that it has so many additional functions. It can help you hang pictures accurately, position cabinet handles and door knobs with precision, correctly mark and drill holes for bespoke shelving, act as an angle finder and marker. It takes the guess work out of your projects so you can get one step closer to standing back and looking at your finished project..
Saker 4-in-1 Adjustable 13.78in T Ruler
for small projects, like pre-building box moulding or frames, these clamps are so quick and easy to hold your project in its correct position while assembling or waiting for adhesives to dry. They are spring pressures, just snap into place and you get a set of 4 for around $10.
90 Degree Angle Clamps, Woodworking Corner Clip
For slightly larger projects, I rely more on these right angle clamps. While they are more expensive that the spring set clamps, they are also much more sturdier and you will get a much longer life use out of them. They are manually tightened and released so you can use more or less pressure as needed based on the material that you are working with.
Right Angle Clamp, Housolution [4 PACK]
Painting
So I'm one of those weird people who actually like painting. To me it is the quickest, cheapest, and easiest way to give any room or piece a completely new aesthetic. The first place I start any project is standing right in front of the paint swatch wall.
For large or tedious paint projects (for me it was 75 pieces of 1in. x 3/4in. x 8ft. moulding that I painted in under 10 minutes), a paint sprayer will be your best friend. This is the exact sprayer I started with and for this price point it really is a good sprayer. I've had no problems with it and clean up is pretty quick and easy. Like with most basic paint sprayers, you will probably need to thin your paint. In my experience, using all-in-one paint lines (primer+paint), it has been close to a 1:1 paint to water ratio.
VONFORN Paint Sprayer, 700W HVLP Spray Gun
Your Basic DIY Toolbox
I know it might seem obvious, but is it really? If you've never used tools for more than screwing in electrical plate covers, trust me, you'll want to check out this part of the list.
Yes you do need a stud finder and yes any man in your life will pick it up, put it against his chest and say “found one”. It's okay to roll your eyes. But you absolutely need one, and a good one at that. This one is a bit pricier but totally worth the price difference. First, I have found it to be much easier to use and more accurate than others, having fewer missed or confusing scans. It's also tells you if there is metal or any electrical wiring behind your scan area and trust me, the only thing worse than hitting a plumbing line is hitting a live electrical wire.
Franklin Sensors X2100 1.7-in Scan Depth Electric/Metal/Wood Finder
Don’t question it, just buy it. You need levels and you need multiple sizes. This set is perfect for all your needs and even has a cute bag to store them in
VEVOR 4-Piece Torpedo Level, 48/24/16/10 Inch All Magnetic Levels Set, Fluorescent Light Up Bubble Vials Ruler for 45/90/180 Degree, Aluminum Alloy Magnetic Box Leveler Tool, SAE and Metric Scale
Cordless Tools
I love every single one of my Ryobi One + tools. They all use the same rechargeable batteries and there is a HUGE list of tools. This nail gun has become my BESTIE with all the trim work I have been doing lately.
RYOBI ONE+18-Gauge Cordless AirStrike Brad Nailer
Cool Tools You Didn't Know You Needed
You know when you're working on something that is complex and tedious and shouldn't be as hard as it is and you say “Someone should come up with…"? THESE ARE THOSE TOOLS!
Ok, so I don't use this as often as I do my brad nailer or hammer, or drill, but it's pretty cool. And do you know when you need this? When you don't have it. No, seriously. When you come up on strange angles, having to cut around plumbing, outlets, ...
Saker Contour Gauge (10 Inch) Profile Tool
If you do extensive finishing work such as box moulding, a laser level will be your best friend. They can be extremely expensive but don’t feel like you need to break the bank to get a good ones. This Vevor laser level will get the job done for under...
VEVOR 100ft Self Leveling Laser Level, Manual Green 3 x 360° Cross Line Laser, Manual Self-leveling Mode & IP54 Waterproof 8h Continuous Working Time Line Laser, Battery/Stand Included