My Toolbox & How to Invest in Quality Tools
As a general contractor and an avid DIYer, Iโve used many tools from many different manufacturers. As a general guideline, you will get what you paid for when you purchase tools. That being said, there are a few hand tools that have lasted me decades and performed beautifully, even though I bought the less expensive models.
Over the years I have upgraded some of my tools for a better model because I found less expensive power tools didnโt last as long or they didnโt perform as well as the mid-grade or contractor grade tools. Therefore, when I invest in tools for my toolbox, I aim for brands I trust to last a long time and perform well for years to come.
As a homeowner who plans on using tools for the occasional weekend projects, you will be well served by mid-grade power tools and be able to save money by skipping the contractor-grade power tools. But, letโs talk about the different levels of power tools.
Power Tools
Contractor Grade Power Tools
What do I consider a contractor grade tool? These are the tool brands that cost more because they are built to perform better under tough job site conditions. For the most part, they can handle excessive use, changing weather conditions, and the abuse of being thrown around and dropped on a regular basis.
- DeWalt
- Hilti
- Festool
- Milwaukee
- Makita
- Bosch
Because they are built to last, you can expect to pay top dollar for contractor grade tools.
Entry-Level Power Tools
What I consider entry-level tools are the power tools with a cheap price tag and therefore cheap construction. Youโll find a lot more plastic on these tools and they arenโt built to handle being dropped a lot. Often entry-level tools wonโt have the same power as the contractor-grade tools. Another quality you give up with an entry-level tool is accuracy. Iโve found that blades may not be calibrated or tend to drift from a set angle. In addition, the user may find the tools hinder the ability to get quality results on a project (but new DIYers will mistakenly assume it was their fault instead of the tools.)
I donโt need to name brands for the entry-level tools, youโll know which ones they are by the price tag compared to the other tools in the same category. Plus, Iโm not an advocate for buying entry-level tools.
Buy Mid-Grade Tools and Save More Money
I am a big advocate of purchasing mid-grade tools vs. entry-level. Why you ask? It boils down to a simple explanation. If you save money by buying an entry-level tool, you will likely have to replace that tool within a few years for one of these reasons:
- Breaks
- Precision isnโt where you want it to be
- Not Powerful Enough
Hereโs a good example: Sue wanted to buy a miter saw and to save money she bought an entry-level miter saw with a single bevel for $130. This saw lasted her a few years, but then parts started breaking off the saw (and she realized she could save time by upgrading to a sliding miter saw with dual bevel cutting capabilities.) Now she will likely have to spend $400 for a mid-grade miter saw. All in, sheโs spent $530 for miter saws. Whereas, if she had purchased the $400 saw upfront, she would not need to replace it because it should last longer and will perform the tasks quickly and with precision.
This same equation holds true for less expensive power tools. Pay $50 for a cheap jigsaw and it will likely break or not perform the precise cuts. In a year you have to buy a new jigsaw for $125. Wouldnโt you have been better off spending a little more upfront to buy the mid-grade tool?
Mid-Grade Power Tool Brands:
- Porter-Cable
- Rigid
- Kobalt
- Craftsman
- Metabo (was Hitachi)
This is only a small list of mid-grade brands. Within each tool there will be other brands to choose from. I recommend purchasing from a well-established manufacturer (no off-name brands.) And do your research on the tool you are going to purchase before you buy it. Reading Amazon reviews is one of the best ways to learn about the quality and reliability of a power tool.
How to Decide on the Right Power Tool for You
If at all possible, visit the tool department of a local store. Hold the tool in your hand, or feel the grip. As a woman, I find some power tools are made too large for me to comfortably grip. And if a drill or hand-held tool is too heavy, Iโll opt or a lighter weight version. For that reason, occasionally Iโve eliminated a tool from consideration even though it was an excellent tool.
You can also ask a salesperson for help or opinions. Donโt tell them you are new to power tools. Just ask for their opinion and let them talk. Ask what tool they would purchase if they were buying one for themselves. You should aim to buy a quality tool (especially power tools) that will last your lifetime. As mentioned above, a cheap tool will either break or not have the power to do the job you need it to do.
Battery vs. Corded Tools
Up until a few years ago, I would have recommended corded tools for all power tools except a drill. The reason being a battery-powered tool couldnโt compete with a corded power tool. However, battery technology has come a long way and personally Iโve begun the switch to mostly battery-powered tools. The benefit of not having to drag a power cord around and not blowing a fuse are big time savers for me!
If you choose to purchase a battery-powered tool, youโll probably want to stick with the same brand (and battery line) for all your power tools to make it easier for storage and keep your costs down on purchasing batteries. (Be sure to look at the variety of tools available for the battery line you are considering. I also recommend choosing the largest volt batteries you can handle, as they will have a longer run time and more power. Although Ni-Cad batteries are almost a thing of the past, you should always purchase Lithium-Ion batteries which donโt loose charge memory as much as the Ni-Cad batteries did.
Tools
What Tools Do You Really Need?
(Iโve includedย affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. Thereย is no additional cost to you. You canย readย more about affiliate links here.)
Every DIYer and homeowner needs a few basic tools to use on screws, nuts, and bolts. Plus, some pliers, a hammer, and tape measure.
A multi-piece set (shown below) is a great place to start if you have a limited budget.
This will give you a wide variety of tools for minimal cost. Theย set shown above can be purchased on Amazon.com for approximately $50 โ $60.
If you decide to buy hand tools a la carte, these are what I recommend for your toolbox.
Homeowner essentials:
- Hammer
- Screwdriver Setย โ Phillips head and a flat (straight or slotted) head. Try to buy a small, medium, and large size of each.
- Allen (Hex) Wrench set
- Adjustable Crescent Wrenchesย โ I suggest buying at least two. One 6โณ and one 10โณ
- Slip Joint Pliersย (handy for overall gripping)
- Needle-nosed pliers
- Vice gripsย (Locking pliers)
- Tape Measure
- 24โณ Level
- Utility knife
- Safety glasses
- Dust Mask
- Handsaw
- Stud Finder
- Cordless Drill
- Flashlight
- Putty Knife
- Painterโs Tool
- Molding Pry Bar
- Toolboxย or case to keep all of the above in
- Repair Guideย (this is my home repair bible)
One of the most indispensable tools every DIYer needs is:
Cordless Drill, Impact Driver with screwdriver bits and a small set of drill bits
Glossary of Tools
Screwdriver bits:
For Electrical DIY:
For the committed DIYer:
Once you begin a few DIY projects, youโll likely be hooked on it. To expand your toolbox, youโll want a few more tools:
- Palm sander
- Carpenterโs square
- Staple gun
- Caulk gun
- Circular Saw
- Jig Saw
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Oscillating Multi-Tool
- Chisel Set
- Saw Horsesย orย Folding Work Bench
- Clamps
- Miter Saw
- Track Sawย orย Table Sawย โ (I find myself using a track saw more than my table saw for rip cuts, and easier portability.)
- Adjustable Ladder
- Trim Nailgun
My Tools:
For your convenience, Iโve created aย list of all my tools in one spot here on Amazon (Look for the My Favorite Tools section).
Remember, aim to buy a quality tool (especially power tools) that will last a lifetime. A cheap tool will either break or not have the power to complete the job you need it to do. However, you donโt need to buy contractor grade tools or break the bank to get a good tool. Look for mid-grade tools.
How to Save Money On Tools
There are two times a year you can count on good deals on tools:
- Fatherโs Day
- Black Friday (Christmas time.)
If you can wait for either of those time frames, youโre likely to score some good deals on tools. Another potential time to find tool deals is onย Amazon Prime Day.
Price Matching:
Many of the big box home improvement stores will usually price match tools that are priced cheaper at a competitor if it is the same make and model. Be sure to bring the ad with you. Below are Loweโs and Home Depotโs price match terms:
Home Depotโs Price Guarantee:
In-store pre-purchases:ย If you find a current lower price on an identical, in-stock item from any other retailer, we will match the price. Just bring the ad, printout, or photo with you to the register for validation. (This may involve the associate contacting the competitor).
Online purchases:ย Our Price Match Guarantee includes the price of the item(s) plus shipping cost. Price Match items must be available from competitor to ship to customerโs location. We will only honor requests submitted directly from the person who made the purchase.
Shop any Loweโs store for in-stock products. Then, find an in-stock, identical product (brand, size, model number) from a local or online retail competitor with a lower price. Present a Loweโs store associate with a printout, local ad, photo, smartphone display, or app showing the competitorโs lower price. Price matches for online items will only be compared to competitorsโ localized pricing online. A Loweโs store associate will verify the product is in line with our policy and match the price on the spot.
Second-Hand Tools:
Some of my best tools were purchased from a retired woodworker who was selling all his tools because he was moving. YOu can look for used tools in local online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Craigโs List. Also look on Ebay for second-hand tools. Although itโs a little riskier buying second-hand tools (because you donโt know how well they were maintained), saving a lot of money might be worth the risk.
I hope this list gives you some good information so you wonโt feel overwhelmed when buying tools. Feel free to email me or ask me questions in the comment section.
Happy DIYing!