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If you’re a DIY enthusiast, or just want to perform routine maintenance and simple repairs on your home, a good tool kit is essential. But no matter how cool you are, you don’t have to go out and buy every new cordless tool to have a core toolbox. Here are 20 tools you need in your kit. Each costs less than $20.
Measuring and marking
Whether you’re patching up drywall or saving money on furniture, getting accurate dimensions for your DIY project is fundamental to success. It may seem obvious, but there are several different types of measuring and marking tools that can help you get the right cut the first time. So here are some important measuring and marking tools.
The FastCap Tape Measure ($9.99) is a reliable and accurate measuring tape whose body can be used as a notepad to write down your measurements. The main body also has a built-in pencil sharpener.
The Swanson 7-Inch Metal Speed Square ($9.98) helps keep corners square and marks lines parallel to the edge of the board when cutting. Also useful for measuring angles.
The Thorvald Heavyweight Mechanical Marking Pencil ($13.97) allows you to make sharp marks without having to sharpen. You can also use it with a compass to draw curves. Comes with 7 leads.
Irwin’s 50-foot chalk reel ($6.59) allows you to draw a straight line between two points. Useful for marking when cutting plywood or dividing areas when measuring flooring.
Swanson 12-inch combination square ($13.70) helps square boards, mark cuts with a chop saw, mark 45-degree cuts, draw straight lines along board edges, and level. It can be used for. A scriber is built into the square body for easy marking.
screwdriver and wrench
It’s important to have the correct size wrench or screwdriver for your hardware. You should have several types and sizes on hand so you don’t have to make a last-minute trip to the hardware store. When working on vehicles or other complex mechanical projects, you often need specific tools with specific shapes, so a large set of wrenches and screwdrivers is a good option. However, a smaller screwdriver and wrench set is sufficient for basic DIY and home maintenance.
Craftsman 12-piece screwdriver set ($19.98) comes with four Phillips heads, six flat heads, one low-profile double-sided screwdriver, and a magnetizer/demagnetizer. This kit is useful for many home projects.
The Craftsman 6-Point Wrench Set ($9.99) comes with three inch and three metric wrenches in sizes 3/8-inch, 7/16-inch, 1/2-inch, 11mm, 12mm, and 13mm. This is a good start for a basic set of wrenches.
The 6-inch Crescent Adjustable Wrench ($12.70) lets you tackle nuts and bolts from 1/8-inch to 3/4-inch. It is an essential tool for DIY and maintenance as it is extremely versatile.
Stanley’s Hex Wrench Set ($16.26) lets you work with common hex wrenches and hardware for do-it-yourself furniture and some mechanical projects. This set comes in a variety of metric and imperial sizes.
Olympia Tools Nut Driver Set of 6 ($12.65) helps drive inch-sized hex nuts from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.
pliers and cutter
Pliers are useful for holding parts, bending wire, and cutting wire and other materials. Having the right set is important for DIY work and can expand your home maintenance and repair capabilities.
6-inch Irwin needle-nose pliers ($9.99) are useful for wiring projects and work with small parts. These pliers can also be used as wire cutters for thinner gauge wire.
The 8-inch Irwin Slip-Joint Locking Pliers ($15.66) allow you to grip pipes and larger gauge objects for added leverage when tightening or loosening. It has buttons for adjustment to maintain the required opening size.
The 8-inch Irwing diagonal cutter ($15.99) is great for cutting thinner gauge wire or trimming the ends of staples and nails in woodworking projects.
Knipex’s 2-Pack End Cutter ($18.05) helps you cut through stuck nail staple ends on woodworking projects. It also helps when pulling out nails. Since you are cutting very close to the surface, you can use a nail set to smooth out the surface and eliminate sharp protrusions.
The Irwin Vise Grip Pliers Set ($14.99) is great for gripping with force. Use it to grab stubborn stuck nuts and bolts, grab objects that are difficult to grip with your fingers, or use it as an extra handle for added leverage.
Finishing and trimming
With the right tools, it’s easier to get your project across the finish line and look polished. Here are some more pieces you’ll need to complete the backbone of your tool kit.
The Springtools Nail Set ($12.95) lets you use the snapback force of a spring to countersink nails without a hammer. You can also use this tool as a center mark when drilling holes to prevent the bit from wandering.
The Irwin Pull Saw ($15.99) allows you to flush-cut dowels and joints, giving your finished woodworking project a smooth, clean finish. Comes with a protective case.
3M’s Sanding Block ($5.98) is a way to grip your sandpaper and keep it flat while you work. It’s a great tool if you’re working on projects like furniture refinishing or woodworking.
For upholstery, woodworking, and finishing applications where you don’t want to scratch the wood, the Estwing Rubber Mallet ($17.25) with non-marking tip is a must-have for DIY enthusiasts.
Keep drips off your work surface with the MilesCraft Glumate Anti-Drip Bottle for Glue ($6.99). The bottle has a jam-proof design that allows you to keep it upright in your hand while keeping your glue close at hand. It comes with different tips for different applications.
