Irwin Quick-Grip Clamps
Clamps are necessary in any woodworking project for effectively holding materials during gluing and assembly, and Irwin’s quick-grip clamps are a great, cost-effective solution for beginners. While professional-grade clamps can cost up to $200, you can get Irwin’s clamps for $15-$30 each.
TEKTON 16 Oz. Claw Hammer
Always having a hammer at home is good advice. You never know when you might have to put up a frame or fix a broken chair leg. This hammer, made with durable fibreglass, is going to be the only one you’ll ever need.
Multi-Bit Screwdriver Set With Magnetic Holder
This is another must-have tool for every household. A screwdriver set is an essential in home maintenance. A multi-bit set will have all the bits you might need for assembly and repairs, and a magnetic holder means that you’re less likely to lose bits.
8-Inch Adjustable Wrench
Rather than buy different-sized wrenches for different things, an adjustable wrench lets you adapt to the wide spectrum of needs for home maintenance, from plumbing and furniture repairs to car and bike maintenance. Overall, having this in your home toolbox is a jack of all trades.
25-Foot Tape Measure With Belt Clip
Whether you’re re-painting a room or building an IKEA desk, having a good tape measure is going to come in handy. One with a lock button makes using the tape safer. A belt clip, while not necessary, makes it convenient to carry around.
3-Piece Pliers Set (Needle-Nose, Slip-Joint, Wire Cutters)
These are the only 3 pliers you’ll need if your use of pliers is limited to fixing up small electrical issues around the house. They are usually sold in a set and are perfect for gripping, wire cutting, and carrying out small electrical tasks.
Ryobi 18V Cordless Drill/Driver
You don’t need a fancy, high-power drill set; this 18V cordless drill does the job for most small tasks around the house. Retailing for around $40 to $60, this tool is the most affordable, high-quality drill you can buy at any Walmart or Home Depot.
Ryobi 6 1/2 Inch Circular Saw
This one’s not a “must have”, but a “good to have”. If you are one of those people who take up woodworking as a hobby or like building your own furniture, this saw is a good, high-quality product that is beginner-friendly, lightweight weight and easy to handle.
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig
A pocket hole jig is probably one of the first bits of specialised equipment you’ll end up buying if you get into woodworking, and this one by Kreg is a great place to start. It helps make strong, accurate, pocket hole joinery without high-end joiners.
Swanson Speed Square
If you’re looking to do some framing or roofing work, this measuring tool is bound to come in handy. Costing only about $15, this Speed Square is still high quality and durable, making it perfect for beginner or infrequent projects.
WorkPro 3-Piece Ratcheting Wrench Set
Another 3-piece set that can set you up for any home restoration needs, this ratcheting wrench set by WorkPro costs about $35 and is perfect for tightening bolts and nuts for any kind of project. It’s also extremely compact, so it won’t take up a lot of space in your house.
Black+Decker Impact Drill
A versatile drill with a hammer function for masonry, the Black and Decker impact drill retails for nearly half the price of other professional drills. While other impact drills by DeWalt or Bosch can cost up to $300, this one usually retails around $70, but gives you similar power and durability.
Fiskars Softgrip Utility Knife
A multipurpose knife with replaceable blades meant for precise cutting, the Fiskars utility knife also gives you rubberized softgrip touch points meant for comfort and control. Retailing for about $12, this knife is a great all-in-one tool to have around the house for various different projects.
Digital Laser Tape Measure
Sometimes, a traditional tape measure just doesn’t cut it. Maybe you’re working alone, maybe you need to measure a large area, in any case, having a digital tape measure comes in handy in such situations. Typically costing only around $30, these tools come in really handy in a pinch.
Combination Square Set
If you don’t want to invest in fancy measuring equipment, get your hands on one of these. Made up usually of a metal ruler and an angle guide, such a combination set is great for those starting out in their woodworking journeys.
Worx Electric Screwdriver
Don’t want to invest in an expensive drill? Get your hands on this electric screwdriver instead. A regular set of the Worx Electric Screwdriver costs around $40 and can do a lot of the same things an expensive drill can. It comes with a set of bits, making it incredibly versatile.
Stanley Level
It’s well known by professionals that there’s no beating Stanley products (and yes, this is the same brand that makes Stanley cups). A Stanley level is a sturdy piece of equipment, perfect for beginners and incredibly easy on your wallet (typically costing between $7 and $15).
Channel Lock Groove Joint Pliers
A set of pliers that are especially meant for gripping irregular shapes and objects, these adjustable joint pliers can be used for plumbing, electrical, and automotive work. The best part? You can get them for under $30 at any hardware store.
Folding Work Table
So, you’ve taken up woodworking but don’t want to build a dedicated shed for your work? Getting a foldable work table might be the solution to your woes. It helps save space while giving you a clean, dedicated surface to work on. Besides, it’s incredibly cost-effective.
Stanley FatMax Tape Measure
FatMax tapes are durable, long, and have a locking system that makes them easy to use alone. They are affordable and imbued with Stanley’s promise of high quality, making them one of the best tape measures in the market for beginners and professionals alike.
Makita Cordless Jigsaw
If you’re looking to level up your woodworking game by getting a jigsaw, consider the cordless one made by Makita. It’s affordable (with models starting at $150), and can cut through both wood and plastic, which makes it incredibly versatile to use across different types of projects.
3M Masking Tape Multi-Pack
Masking tape can be used in a hundred different ways, from painting to marking for woodwork, to even some electrical work. Having a pack of these at home is a good idea, because you never know what kind of emergency you might run into.
AmazonBasics Work Gloves
While turning to AmazonBasics for complex tools might not be the best idea, it is great to find a pair of good-quality, affordable work gloves. There’s no need to tell you why such gloves are necessary, so if you’re on the lookout for some, get these for under $15 within a day.
Nail Set Punch Tool
A nail punch is one of those tools that you get when you start to realise the importance of a good finish in your woodwork. It helps push down the head of a nail so it doesn’t cause injuries and gives a clean look. While having one isn’t necessary for most people, it’s an important tool if you regularly work on carpentry projects.
Magnetic Wristband for Holding Screws and Nails
Another small thing that can make a huge difference in the quality of your work, such wristbands, again, are not a need; they’re an improvement. Having a magnetic wristband to hold nails makes your workspace safer and easier to work in.
Electric Multi-Tool (Oscillating Tool)
If you frequently DIY in your house, this is a great piece of equipment to invest in. It can do everything from sanding wood to cutting grout, and scraping glue and paint.
Cordless Brad Nailer
This nail gun works especially well as an alternative to expensive pneumatic nailers for trim and finish work. Unlike other, more traditional nail guns, these are ergonomically designed, portable, and easy to use with a battery run time long enough to drive hundreds of nails per charge.
Folding Step Stool
A step stool is something everyone should have, regardless of whether they work on DIY projects or not. Everything from cutting a sheet of plywood to taking a bowl out of a high cabinet is made safer by using a step stool. You can find them at almost any Walmart or home goods store.
Handheld Wire Stripper and Crimper
Unless you’re an electrician, you don’t need an expensive, professional-grade wire stripper; you can make do with ones like Irwin Vise-Grip and Klein Tools. These tools are affordable and versatile—capable of cutting, crimping, and stripping wires.
Jasco Paint Sprayer (Budget Model)
Painting as a process takes a lot of time and energy. Having a paint sprayer makes it a whole lot easier. But investing in an expensive paint sprayer only to use it once every few years doesn’t make sense. Enter: the Jasco Paint Sprayer. A budget model of one of these costs only up to $150.
Rubber Mallet
If you’re one of those people whose go-to furniture store is IKEA, you might want to consider getting a rubber mallet instead of a hammer. They are softer and will cause less damage to furniture when they’re being assembled.
Mini Angle Grinder
Another great tool if you redo your house yourself, a mini angle grinder can be put to good use for metal cutting, polishing, and tile work, without breaking the bank. If you believe in DIY-ing your house reno, get one of these as soon as possible.
Staple Gun
A manual staple gun is good enough for basic work on fixing upholstery, crafting, or fastening fabric. If you don’t regularly craft, anything more would be a waste of money.
Magnetic Stud Finder
A magnetic stud finder is a great way to locate nails and studs behind drywall when you’re starting with a paint project. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and doesn’t break easily.
