As a former electrician and an electrical engineering student, I’m pretty well-versed in the materials and items that go hand in hand with DIY projects. When you’re working on your home improvement project, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the tools involved. Some gadgets are must-haves while others are more like icing on the cake.
Now I’ll make this easy for you and tell you exactly what to buy. Let’s start with…
Cordless Drill
This is like a mobile power tool factory that fits into your hand. The cordless drill has an electric motor (with variable speeds) that rotates to drive screws in or out. The drill may be cordless or corded. Cordless can fit into smaller spaces but you will need to charge the batteries up every once in a while. Corded drills usually have more power and torque, though they are fixed to where you plug them in. A lot of websites are including these amazing products in their home and garden sections. Head up towards best product hunter to get more like these products.
Cordless Drill Driver Kit with Hammer Mechanism
This is like having two drills in one. The hammer mechanism allows you to drill into masonry like bricks or rocks, something that normal cordless drills cannot do. Get this kit if you’re planning on doing heavy-duty projects like building a large deck or framing up your own home.
Cordless Multi-Tool
Dozens of tool attachments allow you to drill, cut, sand, grind, and more. Since this is battery-operated like your cordless drill driver kit, you can use them anywhere without worrying about getting tripped up by power cables or outlets.
Circular Saw
This will be the only power tool that you need to cut those plywood sheets into smaller pieces to fit in your home. Get a fine-toothed saw if you’re going to do more intricate work and a coarse-toothed if you’re planning on doing rough construction.
Jigsaw
This is a powerful tool that allows the precise cutting of wood or drywall. A jigsaw will have a reciprocating blade similar to what you would see in a handheld saw, powered by a motor that slides the blade up and down.
What’s great about most battery-operated tools is they are interchangeable – you can use one battery for all of your products. I have cordless drills from different brands but they are able to use the same batteries with no problems. It’s best not to cheap out on your cordless tools because it’s something you will be using often.
Corded Tools
These are for when you need the most power or torque, but they are limited to where you can use them. You’ll need an extension cord, which is another annoyance since these are battery-operated after all. But if there’s no other way, you use it.
Here are some other gadgets that I feel should be in your toolbox:
Brad Nailer
Maybe you don’t know yet, but this tool is very simple and handy. When I first met it, I also had no idea about what a brad nailer does do. After learning this tool, which is pretty simple and normally used for domestic purposes like fixing furniture and dowels together (for wall-mounted cabinets), I started recognizing its utility.
A small brad nailer is normally lightweight and shorter. It is purely used for domestic purposes like home furniture fixtures, wall-mounted cabinets, etc. In constructional areas, it can be used to put up temporary structures very easily with minimum effort, and then you can easily remove the nails of your brad nailer. In fact, it can also be used in upholstery works and other household things.
Screwdriver Set
You’ll need the whole set anyway because eventually, you will strip out a screw if you’re not careful. And not just one size but both flat and Philips head tips.
Handsaw
Get one that is just the right size – too big and you won’t be able to cut through the thick wood. Too small and it can break easily.
Pry Bar
This strong metal bar is used to pull nails out of walls, rip apart plywood sheets, or remove boards that are nailed together. Pry bars come in various sizes depending on what you need them for.
Measuring Tape
There are two different types of tape measures: the steel one and the retractable kind. Steel tapes have a little hook at the end which is used to catch onto nails or screws. Retractable ones are usually made from plastic but if you’re going to be working on rough construction sites, go with the metal kind.
Electronic Stud Finder
I use this to find some studs in walls so I know where to put screws or nails. This little gadget beeps when you get near some wood. Make sure it is capable of finding electrical wires though, otherwise you will ruin your day if you drill through some live wires!
Ladder
As simple as it can get – just a place for you to stand on. The best thing about ladders is you can use them anywhere, even outside windows or standing by trees. Just make sure the ladder is sturdy before climbing up!
Safety Gears
The following items are important so I have decided to include them here:
Hard Hat
This is worn to protect from falling objects, low-hanging branches, and bad weather. When choosing a hard hat, make sure it has two points at the back which will anchor it to your head. This will stop it from rolling off or getting blown away by strong winds.
Ear Muffs/Muffs
These are worn when you are exposed to loud sounds. If you ever needed to use power tools, safety muffs are essential if they are within 85 decibels or more.
Safety Goggles
I buy these every year because I’m constantly breaking glasses that I wear on a daily basis and also stabbing myself in the eye with whatever sharp object is around. It’s the best investment you’ll ever make so don’t be cheap and buy them – wear your goggles!
Work Gloves
It’s always good to have gloves on when doing any kind of work. I used to cut my fingers every now and then if I didn’t use them, but that doesn’t happen anymore since I started wearing gloves! Just please please, get some gloves for yourself.
Post-It Notes
These are used to remind you of things or write down notes so you don’t forget about them. I had some sticky note papers lying around which are perfect for this kind of stuff.
Conclusion
This is the end of my introduction and I hope you learned a thing or two. I will go over each tool one-by-one in detail so you know exactly what they are and how to use them properly. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below!
