Five Tools for a Beginner DIY’er
When my DIY journey started, I only had a cordless drill and a circular saw. It was part of a combo pack from a Home Depot Black Friday many years ago. During the pandemic as we were sitting at home like everyone else in the country, my wife decided it was time to upgrade our office. It was a boring cookie-cutter set up with a table top and a few Ikea cabinets. It's also the first thing you see walking into our house and it didn't have that wow factor. She wanted to do something about it and give some personality that describes us. We wanted to do a simple design on our office wall to spice it up. I needed to get a few more tools because this project didn’t require a drill. I went to the store and ended up buying a table saw and a miter saw and the rest is history.
To get started, you only need a few tools to get the basics done. You don’t need to spend over $5,000 to get started creating simple DIY projects. Don't fall into the trap of buying things you think you'll need in the future because you probably won't need them at all. I’ll go over 5 tools you can get started with. I’ll include some affiliate links to the tools listed (If you use these links, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you). All these tools can be found at any local hardware store or Amazon (naturally).
Drill/Driver - A drill driver combo is a power tool that combines a drill and a driver in one unit. Here are some benefits of using a drill driver combo:
Versatility: With a drill driver combo, you can perform both drilling and driving tasks with one tool.
Efficiency: A drill driver combo can save you time and effort by eliminating the need to switch between a drill and a driver. You can easily switch between drilling holes and driving screws with the same tool.
Control: A drill driver combo typically has adjustable speed settings, allowing you to control the speed of the tool for more precise drilling or driving.
Portability: A drill driver combo is a compact and lightweight tool that is easy to transport and use in tight spaces.
Overall, a drill driver combo is a versatile, efficient, and powerful tool that can help you tackle a range of DIY projects with ease. I own a Ryobi Drill.
Circular Saw - A circular saw is a handheld power tool that uses a circular blade to cut through materials such as wood, metal, and plastic. Here are some benefits of using a circular saw:
Versatility: A circular saw is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of cutting tasks. It can cut through a wide range of materials and can be used for both rough and precise cuts.
Portability: Circular saws are lightweight and portable, making them easy to transport to job sites or move around your workshop.
Precision: With the right blade and technique, a circular saw can make precise cuts that are straight and clean.
Safety: Circular saws are designed with safety features such as blade guards and safety switches, which help to prevent accidents and injuries.
Overall, a circular saw is a versatile, portable, and efficient tool that can help you complete a range of cutting tasks quickly and safely. I own a Ryobi 7 1/4 Circular Saw.
Miter Saw - A miter saw is a power tool used for making precise crosscuts and angled cuts. Here are some benefits of using a miter saw:
Accuracy: A miter saw is designed to make precise cuts with accuracy, making it a valuable tool for projects that require precise measurements and angles.
Efficiency: A miter saw can cut through materials quickly and efficiently, making it a time-saving tool for projects that require multiple cuts or cutting through thicker materials.
Versatility: A miter saw can make a variety of cuts, including crosscuts, bevel cuts, and compound cuts.
Safety: Miter saws are designed with safety features such as blade guards and safety switches, which help to prevent accidents and injuries.
Ease of use: Miter saws are easy to use and require minimal setup, making them a convenient tool for DIY enthusiasts and professionals.
Overall, a miter saw is a valuable tool for anyone working with wood or other materials that require precise cuts. With its accuracy, efficiency, versatility, safety features, and ease of use, a miter saw can help you complete your projects quickly and with professional-quality results. I own a Ryobi Sliding Compound Miter Saw.
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig - A Kreg pocket hole jig is a woodworking tool that helps you create strong and precise pocket holes for joining wood pieces together. Here are some benefits of using a Kreg pocket hole jig:
Strength: Pocket holes create a strong joint that is less likely to come apart over time.
Precision: A Kreg pocket hole jig helps you create precise pocket holes with consistent angles and depths.
Speed: Using a Kreg pocket hole jig can save you time and effort compared to other joining methods such as doweling or mortise and tenon joints. You can create pocket holes quickly and efficiently, allowing you to move on to other steps in your project.
Versatility: A Kreg pocket hole jig can be used on a wide range of wood materials and thicknesses. This makes it a versatile tool for a variety of woodworking projects, from furniture to cabinetry and more.
Ease of use: A Kreg pocket hole jig is easy to use, even for beginners.
Overall, a Kreg pocket hole jig is a valuable tool for anyone working with wood who wants to create strong, precise, and professional-quality joints. With its strength, precision, speed, versatility, and ease of use, a Kreg pocket hole jig can help you take your woodworking projects to the next level. I own the 720 Pro Pocket Hole Jig. I’ve used the pocket hole jig on a lot of my projects.
Orbit Sander - An orbital sander is a handheld power tool that uses a circular sanding pad to sand wood, metal, and other materials. Here are some benefits of using an orbital sander:
Efficiency: An orbital sander can sand large areas quickly and efficiently, making it a time-saving tool for sanding projects.
Smooth finish: An orbital sander can create a smooth and even finish on the surface of the material being sanded.
Versatility: An orbital sander can be used on a variety of materials, including wood, metal, plastic, and more.
Ease of use: An orbital sander is easy to use, even for beginners.
Overall, an orbital sander is a valuable tool for anyone working with wood, metal, or other materials that require sanding. With its efficiency, smooth finish, versatility, dust collection, and ease of use, an orbital sander can help you achieve professional-looking results on your DIY projects. I own a Ryobi Sander.
Bonus - Clamps - Clamps are versatile tools used in woodworking, metalworking, and other DIY projects to hold materials in place. Here are some benefits of using clamps:
Stability: Clamps provide stability and prevent materials from moving or shifting while you work on them. This ensures that your project stays in place and reduces the risk of mistakes or accidents.
Safety: Clamps can be used to secure materials in place, which reduces the risk of injury when working with power tools or other equipment.
Precision: Clamps can hold materials in place with a high degree of precision, which allows you to make accurate cuts or join pieces together with accuracy. This is especially important for projects that require precise measurements and angles.
Versatility: Clamps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, which makes them a versatile tool for a range of DIY projects. You can use clamps to hold materials in place while you drill, saw, sand, or paint.
Efficiency: Clamps help to save time by holding materials in place, allowing you to work more efficiently and effectively. This can help you to complete projects faster and with better results.
Overall, clamps are a valuable tool for anyone working on DIY projects. With their stability, safety, precision, versatility, and efficiency, clamps can help you achieve professional-looking results on your projects while keeping you safe and making your work easier.
This is a simple list of tools you can use to start your DIY journey and build high-quality projects! Best of all, you can get these tools for around $500. You don’t have to get the most expensive tools to build awesome-looking projects. As you get more experience and decide this is something you want to do long-term, you can upgrade your tools. People were building awesome projects without high-end tools back in the day. Sometimes, the best thing to do is "Keep it Simple".
