This list of 15 must-have power tools for home improvement includes drills, chop saws, circular saws, table saws, angle grinders, impact drivers, orbital sanders, nail guns, and air compressors. These tools are essential for home maintenance and DIYers as they reduce manual efforts in tasks like drilling and wrenching. The GearLab testing team has purchased and tested hundreds of these tools, whittling their lineup from 143 to just a dozen.
Everyone should have a kit with the necessary tools to tackle basic home projects or repairs. Investing in the essentials rather than buying a preassembled set can provide better value. Power tools are critical for home maintenance and DIYers as they reduce manual efforts in accomplishing tasks like drilling and wrenching. Dremel is shorthand for any kind of ultra-portable, plug-in power tool, with 30 attachments for grinding, cutting, carving, and engraving wood.
Some must-have power tools for DIY projects include a cordless drill, circular saw, jigsaw, impact driver, router, and random orbital. A ladder is essential for cleaning gutters, hanging crown molding, or painting tall walls. A circular saw is a must-have for various home improvements, such as cleaning gutters, hanging crown molding, and painting tall walls.
In summary, investing in quality power tools and DIY products can help homeowners keep their home renovation projects on track and within budget. Having a kit with the necessary tools is crucial for tackling basic home projects or repairs.
📹 Top 6 Tools for any DIY Home Renovation
Today I’m sharing with you my top 6 tools that you must own for any of your DIY renovation projects. If you own these 6 tools, you …
What is the most useful power saw?
A circular saw is a versatile power saw that can be used to cut a variety of materials, including dimensional lumber, composite wood, decking boards, and paver stones. This is due to the saw’s small size and ability to utilize different blades.
What power tool brand is the most reliable?
Milwaukee is ranked as the best overall tool brand, followed by Bosch as the premium choice. DeWalt is ranked as the best cordless tool, followed by Makita as the best brushless tool. Ryobi is the best budget tool, while Craftsman offers the best warranties. Kobalt is the best mid-range tool. The reviews team aims to provide honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. With tool costs ranging from a few dollars for a basic screwdriver set to nearly $1, 000 for a tool combo kit, homeowners and DIYers need to ensure their tools can be used for decades of home projects and repairs.
What power tool is most used by carpenters?
A miter saw is a crucial tool for woodworkers, offering versatile cuts like straight, angled, and bevel. It’s similar to a table saw but with less maneuverability and is suitable for smaller pieces of wood. It features safety guards, table locking systems, fence extensions, and adjustment knobs. When choosing the best miter saw for woodworking projects, consider factors like speed and accuracy. Brad nailers have revolutionized joinery work, making them essential power tools for woodworking. Both miter saws and brad nailers are essential for woodworking projects.
What are the most common DIY tools?
DIY projects often require basic tools like measuring tape, level, stud finder, and screwdriver. However, for more specific home improvements, such as decking and patio construction, power tools like a circular saw, cordless drill, and nail gun are essential. These tools are used for cutting deck boards, screwing down boards, and securing framing or railings. It is crucial to read instructions carefully and have the correct protective gear for any power tools used. With the right tools, you can transform your garden into a beautiful, functional space.
What tools should I always have?
Homeowners should have a list of essential tools for basic repairs, renovations, and decorating. A measuring tape is a must-have tool, as it is useful before buying a house. A 25-foot measuring tape is ideal for non-professionals measuring their own home. A hammer is also essential for placing and removing nails, as well as small-scale demolition. A claw hammer is suitable for small-scale demolition, while a sledgehammer is suitable for larger demo projects like wall removal.
Another essential tool for homeowners is a hammer, which can be used for placing and removing nails. A claw hammer is suitable for small-scale demolition, while a sledgehammer is ideal for larger projects like wall removal. These tools help homeowners prepare for minor repairs, basic renovations, and decorating, ensuring they have the necessary tools for their home’s needs.
Is Ryobi made by Milwaukee?
Ryobi, a popular power tool brand, is owned by Techtronic Industries, a Hong Kong-based multinational engineering and technology company. Established in 1985, Techtronic has grown into a leading power equipment company, owning brands like Milwaukee and Ryobi. Ryobi, introduced in 1968, is known for its reliable, affordable tools suitable for both professionals and casual users. With a wide range of corded and cordless tools, Ryobi is considered one of the best power tool brands globally.
Dewalt, a subsidiary of Stanley Black and Decker corporation, produces professional-grade power tools for woodworking, construction, and industrial applications. Their product line includes drills, saws, grinders, sanders, and other tools for DIYers and professionals. They also offer accessories like drill bits and saw blades.
Which brand of power tool is best for woodworking?
This comprehensive guide aims to help woodworkers find the best woodworking tool brand for their needs, covering key aspects such as durability, longevity, product line and diversity, quality and performance, portability, precision, and ease of use. Top brands like Milwaukee, Bosch, Makita, Ridgid, Ryobi, Craftsman, Black and Decker, and Kreg Tools are known for their high-quality and innovative tools.
These brands offer durable and reliable options for woodworkers of all skill levels, including power tools and hand tools. They are known for their precision, versatility, and durability, as well as providing accessories to enhance their woodworking experience. Power tool brands like Dewalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, and Makita offer a wide range of options, while Porter-Cable, Irwin, and Skil are known for their quality hand tools.
When selecting a woodworking tool brand, consider factors such as durability and longevity, product line and diversity, quality and performance, portability, precision, and ease of use. Price plays a significant role in selecting a brand that fits your budget, ensuring you find a tool brand that meets your specific requirements.
In summary, woodworking enthusiasts have access to a wide range of high-quality tools from top brands, offering durable and reliable options for woodworkers of all skill levels. By considering factors such as durability, product line, quality, performance, portability, precision, and ease of use, woodworkers can find the right tool brand to meet their specific needs and create masterpieces in their projects.
What tools does every carpenter need?
Carpenters should invest in power tools to enhance efficiency and precision in various tasks. Essential power tools include a cordless drill for drilling and driving screws, a circular saw for accurate cuts, a jigsaw for curved cuts, and a power planer for shaping surfaces. These tools save time and provide versatility in handling various carpentry projects. For further inquiries, contact Toolden at 01358 726719 or admin@toolden. co. uk.
What is the most versatile saw for DIY?
Worm-Drive Circular Saws are larger, more powerful circular saws with toothed blades and a parallel electric motor drive. They are held with two hands, one operating the rear handle and trigger and the other holding the power saw from the top, guiding it through the work. Blade diameters range from 10″ to 12″.
Circular saws are versatile electric cutting tools, allowing for various main cut types. Crosscuts are the mainstay woodworking cuts, cutting across the wood’s grain. Rip cuts are used more in rough carpentry than fine woodworking, sawing the wood lengthways along the grain to make smaller lumber or panel sections. Combination cuts are more about blade design than actual cutting, with teeth set to do both cross and rip cuts.
Table saws are considered the shop’s anchor point, with many woodworkers considering them as the shop’s anchor point. They have been used for several hundred years and come in various sizes and variations. Table saws are like bench-mounted circular saws, with the saw motor driving the circular blade lower than the table surface, making them ideal for ripping large pieces of lumber or panels. Miters, dados, and bevels can be easily performed on table saws.
📹 8 Must-Have Power Tools For DIY And Woodworking
These are the first 8 essential power tools you need if you are new to woodworking or have DIY projects you want to get done.
FYI: 18 and 20 volts are exactly the same. 20V is just marketing speak, appealing to those folks that think higher always equals better. Same goes for 10.8 and 12 volts, and (kinda) for 36 and 40 volts. I know that Makita brands their 36V batteries and accompanying tools as 40V, because they already call their 2x18V machines the 36V lineup, I’m not sure if other brands have a similar thing going on. In any case: when you see two tools, one saying 10.8/18/36V, and the other saying 12/20/40V respectively, as long as they both only use 1 battery, the voltage is exactly the same. I can affirm the quality of the 12V Milwaukee tools. I’m a Makita guy myself, but if I couldn’t get Makita, I’d 100% go for Milwaukee. Not only do they have quality tools, they also have some nice gadgety tools. Ryobi has a lot of these gadgets too, but Milwaukee is a lot better IMO. About the impacts: They don’t necessarily get more power (normal drills actually have more torque usually), they just put a lot less stress on your hand. Where you need a big second handle on a big drill, you can use a big impact driver with one hand. It’s comparable to trying to push in a nail with a hammer, or impacting on it (also known as hammering it in). The impact vs the constant force can make a big difference. Impact drivers are worthless on (very) large screws though, no matter how strong your impact driver is, it will not be able to drive a 600mm screw (24″ if my conversion is correct), because all the power from the impact is absorbed by the screw flexing along its rotational axis.
I’ve had my Bosch PST 700 E jigsaw for about 12 years now, and I honestly love it. I even use it for things that don’t necessary require a jigsaw. It’s easy to use, easy to replace the blades, easy to clean and stow, powerful enough for thick oak countertops, and I’ve never had that issue with dust getting into my face (which is probably a bad thing, because I keep forgetting to put on my safety glasses when I work with it). 😂
A couple of thoughts… My daughter owns several income properties and I usually do most of the reno work. We discovered impact drivers a couple of years ago and it makes a huge difference. I was relieved to hear that I’m not alone in hating jigsaws. I lost almost all of my power tools in a house fire last year. Fortunately, my daughter has most of same tools. Last summer she bought a new set of 7 Ryobi cordless tools and she gave me her old set. I’m slowly replacing what was lost and this article is very helpful to determine what to buy first.
I love my Bosch jigsaw. Bought it factory reconditioned from CPO Outlets. Got a great price on the corded saw, bag, and insert. Going from the Ryobi I bought (I immediately went looking for a different saw, I think that says all I need to say), the Bosch was like going from a VW Beetle to a Lexus. I’m no expert, but I’m happy.
I would add a angle grinder, recip saw, and not to forget a good shop vac to not only help clean but to hook up to miter/table saws and sanders to keep dust down. And keep in mind your budget vs usage, nothing worse than spending big $$ on something that will sit in a cabinet or buying low quality that will wear out and force you to prematurely replace, while I do recommend the mid to high end tools remember the old saying “you’ll get more done with a shop full of lower quality tools that 1 expensive tool”, also check around as you can find barely used quality tools at a good price.
I have both 12v and 18v tools, and 8/10 times I reach for my 12v as they are much lighter, smaller, usually more than powerful enough and easy to pack in a small tool bag with whatever I need for the task. However I really do feel that 12v is a luxury to get if you already have 18v tools simply because they have limitations. For comparison, my 18v drill is according to specs over 3 times stronger than my 12v from the exact same brand. While I love the little guy and use it most of the time, there are tasks I just do not take it to like stirring paint, big drill bits and hole saws, longer lag bolts or even brushes (those for cleaning furniture and car interior). In some cases it – can – do it, but it obviously puts way more strain on the tool than it likes and eats through battery like crazy. And yes I am fully aware that in some niches and professions there is absolutely no reason to bring a big 18v tool, but since this article spesifically was about DIY and such I assume we are talking about general purpose tools for around the house and garage. Get-whatever-can-do-the-most-stuff-for-you kinda deal
That Bosch Colt router is a beast! I worked in a cabinet shop for years and I beat it to death and it never gave up. I have had my personal one for many years now and it does anything I ask of it! Also if you are looking for a jig saw, look for a cordless one that matches your existing cordless tools. I have been using Ryobi cordless for 20ish years as they have retained the same battery size forever! not mot other manufacturers that have changed up styles over the years. The tech has changed but the battery “size” has remained standard.
Hey Haxman, I’m glad to have landed on your website. I want to buy these tools, but I’m a newb. So I was looking at an INGCO cordless drill on their official website, but the website doesn’t mention a 1 inch chuck. All it says is “Chuck Capacity: 0.8 – 10mm chuck” even on the 20V drills. How do I tell if this is the one with the right chuck?
The problem with Trim routers is they only take 1/4 inch bits (at least as far as I have seen). Most full size routers will take a 1/4 and 1/2 inch bit. You just have to swap out the collet. I would definitely recommend buying a full sized router that takes 1/4 and 1/2 inch bits over the trim router as a first router. There are a lot of router bits that you can only get at 1/2 inch, so it will save you money in the long run. Small table saws are good for small jobs. Cutting that large sheet of plywood on that small saw is one of the stupidest things I have ever seen. It’s a great way to get seriously injured. Use a track saw for that if you don’t have a full sized table saw. Speaking of getting injured, never cut wood like this. 17:29 Narrow strips of wood.. well any wood really, should never be cut freehand on a table saw. If that wood goes out of square with that blade it can bind up and that saw will throw it back in your face, possibly killing you. When cutting narrow pieces of wood like this, use a miter gauge and never have the end up against the fence like that. You are just asking for serious injuries. And, before anyone says “I’ve been doing this for XXX years and never had a problem”, there are a lot of people who say the same thing after losing a finger of even worse injuries caused by ignoring safety. remember, a table saw can launch a piece of wood through a wall and anything in between it and the wall, including you.
I am about to be a first-time homeowner and thought about all kinds of projects for the back and front yard, even a backyard kitchen, play, and gazebo area combined more or less, still working out how to do that without making a whole other building. The idea is just making a fun and comfortable place for the summer and fall months.
Always buy the best tool you can afford, with the biggest battery. I have a full set of Dewalt cordless tools (not the cheap models) and they are awesome. I would never buy those 12 v Milwaukee (or other brand) tools for two big reasons. 1) Small battery and short battery life. 2) Less power. 3) Requires more room to set them down. The first two are obvious, but the last one is a big deal. When you are working in a small space, or on a small/cluttered work bench the amount of room a tool takes up is a big deal. The large batteries work as a foot to allow you to put your tool down standing up, with the small 12 tools, you have to lay the entire tool down. If you ever had to switch between a Drill and an impact driver when drilling and screwing multiple times, being able to set your tools down on that little bit of a ledge, or small space on your work bench makes a big difference over having to put them on the floor or turn around to put them somewhere behind you. Also, square drive is the worst fastening system I have ever used. The wedge shape of the bits makes them constantly pop out of the screw head. Philips is even better, but Torx is easily the best. I have never had a torx bit pop out of a screw head.
Something I would like to point out is that all the tools that have 20v max in them are not 20v but rather 18v, the 20v is just max battery voltage at full and under no load, but it drops down to 18v when using it. That also means the 18v tools are technically all 20v max as well, but they are advertising it how it would function under normal circumstances.
I have landed in the Ryobi Eco-System and endured a lot of teasing from “professionals”. In my experience, Ryobi is less costly and less sturdily built – IN SOME CASES. The warranty from Ryobi is honored if you register the tool and keep the receipt. The Home Depot (at least in Northern Colorado) will send you an email receipt, which can be automatically filed by Gmail – therefore, never lost. Ryobi has always honoured its warranty for both tools and batteries. I know so-called “pros” tease about Ryobi but for me, not a pro, the brand has been great.
Festool is definitely for professionals. Expensive, but made to be used by people who work all day on the construction job. German construction workers use Festool, when the are self-employed. They write the expensive price off from the income taxes, so they go for the most expensive tool brand 😁 Bosch is for consumers, in Germany. It melts If you work for 12 hours a day, while Festool does not.
The rule of thumb with miter saw…7-1/4 and 12 is the way to go for contractors. But if you have money, then go 10 and 12. You have to make sure that the 10 in. is good for portability and they do make lighter ones depending on the brand. If you only want one…..I think Milwaukee’s 12 in. is the lightest of all I have tested, Makita being the heaviest, but the most precise and smooth.
Nicely done, content, points covered, concise delivery (well scripted), list of tools, strengths/pitfalls pretty good. SO true about the Jigsaw! Some jigsaws are better than others for sure.. better power, smoother cut, less vibration, etc. 30 years ago, borrowed a porter cable, and was astounded how well it did at a job my cheapo couldn’t do well at all. Very good points about having to work in limited space. About the only things I would add.. as you get more serious about production or large jobs, pneumatic nailers, staplers, and dust collection become LARGE issues in a hurry! I can’t afford the rail saw system, but have always had a 8′ straightedge. Yes, buy as much saw and rip fence as your budget and space will allow – I could not get away with that short a rip fence.. my 53″ is often too short! Still, great job putting this one together.. I will forward it to all beginners I know.. Thanks!!
Great article as always. I still think the Table saw is far more dangerous than a circular saw. I would add 2 tools to your list… an Oscillating/Multi-Tool & a Reciprocating/Sawzaw. Although not a must-have, but If you plan to start making furniture, of course a planer (like a lunchbox planer) is super important for milling your wood to dimension. Although a Jointer being the companion tool to a planer for doing milling, as you mentioned it’s really not needed at all if you have a Track Saw or other tools and unless you have a dedicated shop that’s large enough, totally not worth it. Benchtop Jointers are also pretty much useless.
I have a Ridgid mobile table saw. It is, in my opinion, potentially dangerous tool that I have in my arsenal of tools. The mobile stand was difficult to erectile parsley because of poor directions and the small type is difficult to read. Also, it takes a few tries to install tkickback paws and the blade guard assembly. Once in operation, it is a great tool but careful attention has to be paid to for getting the desired results and for safety concerns. It has a lifetime warranty and is very mobile. I also have two compound miter saws. The first one is a Dewalt compound miter saw I have had since the mid-1990s. The second one I purchased a decade later is a Ridgid sliding compound miter saw. The Dewalt I use where I can tote it to a job and the Ridgid is stationary. From my perspective, a compound miter saw is a computer programmer/analyst’s dream on terms of obtaining perfection. I am absent on a router but I am looking at one now on sale.
These types of articles are so helpful to people like me who really want to know. I’m a 70 year old woman who really wishes I could have been a carpenter. I’m having a heck of a time right now trying to use my router to make the proper holes for the Soss hinges I bought for my hidden bookcase. I’m about to give up because although the Soss hinge is wonderful for a hidden bookcase, they are not the easiest for me to figure out. So, keep up the great work. I only wish you would make even MORE articles so I wouldn’t have to wait so long to see the next one! 🙂
ALWAYS wear safety glasses with a mitre saw. Last year I didn’t follow my own advice and was trimming some boards, a freak breeze blew a 1″x1.25″x8″ offcut back into the spinning blade, the offcut got picked up and thrown directly into my right eye at over 140mph. The fact that I still have an eye is amazing, the doctors said that if the piece was thinner it would’ve taken out my eye and impacted my brain.
While it doesn’t fall under tool pursé, a dedicated work bench/table is pretty choice. I’ve recently upgraded the one I made over a decade ago(which still gets used) for a table I got out of a public school when the world shut down. At least near me, the public schools got rid of all their butcher block tables and replaced them with stainless, and I work for a company that services commercial kitchen equipment. ‘Inheriting” a 72″x30″x3″ hardwood table with a beefy stainless base that’s probably older than my 48 years has been incredible. Several holes drilled through the top and holdfasts have upped my game and speed.
I have 20V systems… both DeWalt (my every day, day in, day out, heavy duty use) and Ryobi (specialty use, rarely needed – less costly), but I also love my little Bosch 12V 3/8″ cordless drill. It can get into places that the bigger 20Vs can’t, even with a small battery attached, and it is so light to carry/use.
I have a mix of battery and corded tools. Some battery ones are nice because my property is pretty large and some of my projects put me pretty far away from a power source. Great article as always! May the affiliate links be ever in your favor 🙌. Next time I need something I’ll be sure to check your website for a link I can use 😘
Hey Adam! I bought the DeWalt 20v hammer drive drill that came with an impact driver almost 8 years ago. I thought the driver was a waste since I had a drill, but boy was I wrong. The impact driver is my go-to tool more than any other. I use it several times a week and the original 3amp batteries are still going strong! You know what tool I bought that I hate? One of those roto-zip things for cutting drywall around outlets. I gave it away and bought a cordless oscillating multi-tool. Love it!
use to own a home improvement company. Milwaukee makes awesome tools (have a few), they are pro level for sure. But, recently dumped Dewalt cordless for Ridgid cordless. Prices right now are a bit cheaper with sales, and can tell you I’m hooked. Haxman is correct. Just see what brand has more of the tools you need… Automotive and/or Home owner (I’m both). Same battery runs all tools. So just buy bare tools if you already have batteries. Cheaper! Smart!
One of the greatest joys of having a family, owning a home and settling down is the excuse it provides me to accumulate tools. You want me to assemble a crib? Better go get some tools for that. You want me to rake the leaves? Better get a leaf blower. Then a snow blower. Then a pressure washer. Drills, impacts, breaker bars, sockets, wrenches you name it you will need it.
I would have to disagree with you here. If you can’t cut the lumber, the other tools are useless, at least for woodworking. Then the drill is second I think. Now that you can cut the wood the drill allows you to assemble projects. Followed by a full size router third. Why? Because it allows a larger selection of bits, it’s more powerful and you can flatten lumber with it. That’s in addition to adding detail work, rebate stock, tough in Grove stock, mortise and tenon stock. Fourth is the sander as I use it to put finial finish on the project surface. Fifth is the jig saw, yes this is bias as I hate them too. From here we get into nice to have toys. Also kits can be found that can save you money if you find one with well made tools. Especially on holiday sales.