There’s just something about working with tools to complete a project that appeals to us and that’s why the “Do It Yourself” – aka DIY – trend is catching on. There’s practically no limit to the kind of projects that you can take on because you are only limited by your experience, skills and resources. In case you just found your creative side, here are ten tools that you will need to get started.
Tape
You wouldn’t be able to build anything useful if you can’t take measurements and that’s why the first tool on this list is the tape. You might need more than one though and do make sure that one of the tapes can go the full length of your longest wall or at least 25-feet.
Standard Level
Once you put up that shelf for your books, you will need to place a standard level on it to know whether the shelf is truly horizontal to the ground, because if it isn’t, the books will just slide off.
Hammer
The rip claw and hammer head combo is one of the oldest tools ever used by man and it continues to be one of the most fundamental ones to date. Be it for hammering nails in or pulling them out, every DIY enthusiast needs a hammer and preferably more than one of varying size.
Welder
If you plan to work with metal, you will need a welder and a welding helmet. There are TIG welders, MIG welders, flux-cored welders and stick welders to choose from, but it is recommended that you visit Welding List to get some guidance in regard to which welder and helmet combo would be best for the kind of work that you are looking to do.
Hand Drill, Driver and Bits
Get a wireless drilling machine if you can and do get a variety of bits to make your hand drill do more than just drill holes.
Saws
Saws are a necessity in most DIY projects and just one type isn’t going to be enough. You will need a circular saw, a jigsaw, a miter saw and of course, the table saw.
Palm Sander
You need them to sand down the edges of a wooden surface and for detailing, so it’s an essential tool for wood workers.
Brad Nailer
The brad nailer is a real timesaver because you will be putting in fine wire brad nails (used in planter boxes, shelves, baseboards, etc.) in record time with this little tool.
Screwdrivers
Even people who are not involved in DIY work have screwdrivers, so it’s pretty much one of the most basic tools that everyone should have. Make sure that you have multiple heads for handling the various sizes that the Philips and the flat-head screws come in.
Wrench
Let’s end this list with the good old wrench, which should help you tighten or loosen nuts and bolts. The ideal wrench is the 8-inch adjustable wrench, although some experts suggest having wrenches of multiple sizes.
In addition to the ten tools we just discussed, don’t forget to also get a utility knife, just in case you don’t already have one yet for some reason. Once you manage to gather up a box full of these little tools, you are ready to take on almost any DIY projects like a pro.
