If you’re a DIY enthusiast or just want to perform routine maintenance or minor repairs on your home, a good tool kit is indispensable. But you don’t need to go out and buy every new cordless tool, no matter how cool it might be, to have a core toolbox. Here are 20 essential tools for your kit, each costing under $20.
Measuring and marking
Getting an accurate measurement for your DIY projects, whether you’re patching drywall or thrifting some furniture is foundational for success. While it might seem obvious, there are a few different types of measuring and marking tools that can help you get the right cut the first time, so here are a few essential measuring and marking tools,
A FastCap tape measure ($9.99) is a reliable, accurate tape, and the body of the tape measure can be used as a notepad for writing down your measurements. There’s also a pencil sharpener built into the body.
A Swanson 7-inch metal speed square ($9.98) can help keep your corners square when making a cut and mark lines parallel to the edge of your board. It can also help you gauge angles.
A Thorvald heavyweight mechanical pencil ($13.97) for marking will help you make clear marks without needing to sharpen, and it can be used with a compass for drawing curves as well. It comes with seven leads.
An Irwin 50-foot chalk reel ($6.59) can be used for making a straight line between two points. This is handy for marking plywood to cut, or for demarcating an area when measuring flooring.
A Swanson 12-inch combination square ($13.70) can be used for squaring boards, marking cuts on a chop saw, marking 45-degree cuts, drawing straight lines along the edge of a board, and leveling. It has a scriber built into the body of the square for quick marks.
Drivers and wrenches
Having the right-sized wrench or driver for your hardware is important, and to avoid last-minute trips to the hardware store, you should have a few types and sizes on hand. Large sets of wrenches and drivers can be a good choice if you’re working on vehicles or other complex mechanical projects because they often require specific tools in specific shapes. However, for basic DIY and home maintenance, a smaller set of drivers and wrenches is more than enough.
A Craftsman 12-piece screwdriver set ($19.98) comes with four Phillips head, six flat head, one low-profile, double-sided driver, and a magnetizer/demagnetizer. This kit will work for many household projects.
A Craftsman 6-piece wrench set ($9.99) comes with three imperial and three metric wrenches in sizes ⅜-inch, 7/16-inch, ½-inch,11mm, 12mm, and 13mm. This is a good start for a basic set of wrenches.
A 6-inch Crescent adjustable wrench ($12.70) will allow you to tackle nuts and bolts between ⅛ inches and ¾ inches. It’s an essential DIY and maintenance tool because it’s so versatile.
A set of Stanley hex wrenches ($16.26) will allow you to work on Allen key and hex hardware that’s common for assemble-yourself furniture as well as some mechanical projects. This set comes with a range of metric and imperial sizes.
A six-piece set of Olympia tool nut drivers ($12.65) can help you drive hex nuts in imperial sizes from ¼ inches through ½ inches.
Pliers and cutters
Pliers can help you hold parts, bend wire, and make cuts to wire and other materials. Having a good set is important for DIY tasks and can expand your home maintenance and repair capabilities.
A pair of 6-inch Irwin long-nosed pliers ($9.99) are helpful for wiring projects as well as working on things with small parts. You can also use these pliers as wire cutters for smaller gauge wire,
A pair of 8-inch Irwin slip-joint, locking pliers ($15.66) can grasp pipe and larger gauge objects for added leverage when tightening or unscrewing. They have a button for adjustment to keep them at the opening size you need.
A pair of 8-inch Irwing diagonal cutters ($15.99) are good for cutting smaller gauge wire and nipping off the ends of staples and nails on woodworking projects.
A pair of Knipex end cutters ($18.05) are helpful for cutting off the ends of staples of nails if they poke through on a woodworking project and they can also help when pulling nails. They cut very close to the surface, allowing you to use a nail set to make your surface smooth and free from sharp protrusions.
A set of Irwin vise grip pliers ($14.99) is good for grasping with extra power. They can be used for grabbing stubborn nuts and bolts that are stuck, holding onto objects that are harder to grasp with your fingers, or as an added handle on things to provide extra leverage.
Finishing and trimming
Getting your projects across the finish line and making them look polished is simpler with the right tools. Here are a few more essentials to round out the backbone of your tool kit.
A Springtools nail set ($12.95) allows you to countersink nails without using a hammer by using the force of a spring snap-back. You can also use this tool as a center mark when drilling a hole to keep your bit from wandering.
A pull saw from Irwin ($15.99) allows you to flush cut dowels and joints, making your finished woodworking projects smooth and clean. It comes with a protective case.
A sanding block from 3M ($5.98) is a way to grip your sandpaper and keep it flat while you work. It’s a great tool to have if you’re working on projects like refinishing furniture or any woodworking.
An Estwing rubber mallet ($17.25) with no-mark tips for use in upholstery, woodworking, and any finishing applications where you don’t want to dent your lumber is a must-have for DIY enthusiasts.
A Milescraft gluemate anti-drip bottle ($6.99) for glue will allow you to keep your work surface clear of drips; the bottle has an anti-clog design that allows you to keep it handy and upright while still having glue handy. It comes with a variety of tips for different applications.
