Your First DIY Toolbox: A Tool Guide for Beginners

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Getting started as a DIYer can seem intimidating, especially when you hit the home improvement store and have no idea where to start. I’ve been there, so I compiled this list of 10 tools that can get you off and running and ready to tackle some awesome projects. A lot of these tools are also on sale right now with Black Friday deals…could you name a better time to dive in? Be sure to stay tuned this month because I’ll be sharing lots of my favorite things as well as gift guides for the DIYer in your life (maybe that’s you!)

Tools

#1 Drill/Driver Set

I used an impact driver to secure this faux brick to the wall in my shop, which was a really fun project I recently did! A Drill + Driver set is really helpful for a wide range of projects for a few reasons. You’ve got adjustable settings for speed and torque which lowers the risk of damage or stripped screws. That definitely makes them beginner friendly tools. You can also get a variety of bits with most sets. This makes them versatile for almost any project, from assembling furniture to hanging shelves and everything in between.

#2 Circular Saw

I used a circular saw in this project where I built an outfeed table for my table saw. I really like using a circular saw for a lot of my projects. It’s compact and straightforward, so you can make clean, precise cuts through a ton of different materials. You can easily rip down boards if you’re not feeling like you’re ready to use a table saw and it’s portable, so it’s super easy to bring your circular saw to your project rather than having to bring your material to a stationary saw.

#3 Shop vac

I use my shop vac all the time, it’s especially helpful in the demo portion of my projects, like in my kitchen renovation. DIY can be messy so it’s really important to be able to easily clean up your workspace. Unlike regular vacuums, a shop vac is designed to handle very fine dust (think drywall dust), debris, and even small scraps that come with DIY projects. You can use a shop vac for both wet and dry messes, so you can clean up after woodworking, sanding, or even painting projects.

#4 Sander

There was a ton of sanding in my coffee table build off project with my dad. I maybe even had to have an extra set of hands help me finish up in time. You definitely don’t want to have to sand all of your projects by hand, so a power sander can help you get a professional-looking finish with minimal effort. You can use a sander to even out surfaces, remove rough edges, and prep wood, metal, or painted surfaces for finishing. Sanding is never the most fun part of any project but there’s hardly a project that doesn’t need to be sanded, so you may as well have an effective sander to get the job done.

#5 Nail Gun

You can find me regularly using my brad nailer to secure trim, like in my living room makeover. A brad nailer can come in handy for projects that need a lot of nails, like building furniture, framing, or installing trim. Using a nail gun helps secure joints quickly and makes your work look professional. I recommend a brad nailer over a pin nailer to start because pin nails don’t have a head so they won’t hold your pieces down like a brad nail will.

#6 Jigsaw

My jigsaw was the perfect tool to cut out a hole in the countertop for my basement laundry room. It’s great when you have to make cuts that are more complicated than just a straight line. When you need to cut out part of your material to fit around an outlet, or a pipe (really the reasons are endless), a jigsaw can give you a precise and intricate cut. It’s also a super portable tool so you can take it to your project to make your cut on site.

#7 Clamps

I used clamps to keep these cabinet boxes together as I installed them in my basement. You can never have too many clamps! You may have noticed that I typically work by myself and I always need an extra set of hands, so I often use clamps when I’m assembling or gluing up a project. This set of small clamps is really handy but specific projects might require longer clamps, so this is a good place to start your collection.

#8 Pocket Hole Jig

There are a variety of pocket hole jigs, I often use the Foreman like I did when we built my shop cabinets, but the simpler 720Pro totally gets the job done too. Pocket holes are a great way to join your projects. They’re strong and can be hidden to make your project look clean and professional. A pocket hole jig is so easy to use and doesn’t require complex measurements, which might be the best part!

#9 Miter saw (cordless)

I get a ton of use out of my cordless miter saw for my slat wood projects. It’s so perfect for projects that require a lot of repetitive or specific angled cuts. Because it doesn’t need a plug it’s easy to bring it to my projects and I don’t have to lug my material back and forth to the shop. This is especially helpful for outdoor projects.

#10 Contractor table saw

When I built my office desk I ripped down the material for the cabinets using a table saw. This is why the last tool I recommend for a beginning DIYer is a table saw. Table saws can be intimidating for sure so I don’t often suggest this as the first tool to get, but when you’re ready it can be an incredibly useful tool for making clean, accurate and consistent cuts.

I hope that these suggestions help you get tools that will serve you well in your DIY projects for years to come. The hardest part about getting started is getting started! So I hope you do. Whether these tools are for you or a DIYer in your life, you truly can take on any project with the right tools.

If you’re looking for more tips for the beginning DIYer check out these blog posts! You might find something helpful!