Must Have DIY Tools

[JA5544]

What are some tools have you guys/gals found to be extremely handy around the house? I’m not looking for screwdrivers, cordless drills, hammer, etc. I’m more looking for things that may not be obvious to everyone. I’m hoping you all can lead me to an awesome new tool.

My addition to the list is a right angle drill attachment.

I have run across situations in the past where I needed one, but I usually just found another way to get the job done. I picked one up a couple months ago and have used it several times since. Every time is use it I ask myself why I haven’t had one all along.

 

[jd_1138]

The Basin Buddy by Superior Tool (USA made) is awesome for installing faucets and supply lines. It's only like $10. I think it's rebranded by some other brands as well. You can put a large extension on your ratchet and use the Basin Buddy to easily undo faucets and supply lines.

Also, a hook and pick set is very useful for many tasks. Most average homeowners don't own a set, but they will improvise and try to use the end of a coat hanger or something.

 

[ex-x-fire]

A welder.

 

[bczygan]

Must Have DIY Tools?

All of them!!!

Really!

The more you want to do,the more you need.

Bill

Look at my tool list below.

 

[sparky 1971]

air compressor

 

[Shane6377]

That depends how you define "DIY". I have the tools of your average contractor, mechanic, plumber and electrician.

I can't remember the last time I hired anyone to do anything for me.


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[CJM8515]

A nut and bolt assortment, well even more so an assortment of nuts,b olts, fittings, etc, etc.

 

[theoldwizard1]

1/4" SAE and Metric 6 point socket set with "hand spinner"

Look for one with a 1/4" female drive in the top. Add a 1/4 breaker bar for that little extra.

 

[Gotcha640]

Yankee driver

 

[bcradio]

depends on what you DIY

 

[txvwnut]

Knee mill.

 

[JA5544]

The Basin Buddy by Superior Tool (USA made) is awesome for installing faucets and supply lines. It's only like $10. I think it's rebranded by some other brands as well. You can put a large extension on your ratchet and use the Basin Buddy to easily undo faucets and supply lines.

This is exactly what I’m talking about! I don’t how many times I’ve layed under a sink and fought with a pair of channellocks or some other slip joint. Never really thought to find the right tool for the job.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Pry bars/punches. In particular heel bars. Great for lining up and temporarily holding parts in.

 

[RKA]

Lamp with a magnifying lens.
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=76037&cat=1,43349

I keep a table clamp on one bench and a 20mm bushing on another bench. I move it to the bench I’m working on as needed, but 90% of the time it lives on one bench.

 

[Shelbylex]

Manual impact driver. You will almost never need it. But when you do, you will understand why it’s great!

 

[IndyGarage]

fluke multimeter.

Cordless shop vac

Digital distance measurer

Klein zip tie tool

digital inspection camera

Tube wringer

sewing machine

microscope - for fixing cell phones and surface mount electronics

tire changer and balancer

 

[PugetDude]

A BFH is always helpful.

 

[JerryC]

A tool belt. Having what you need on the belt is way better than trying to find a place to put the ones you are not using at that moment. If you plan on working on a ladder a tool belt is huge plus. Mine typically has screwdrivers, claw hammer, tape measure, box cutter knife, small level, electrical tape and pliers on or in it. There is still room for other things that are job dependent like wire strippers, wire nuts, screws/nails, etc..

 

[JerryC]

Thought of another for us older folks, safety glasses with reading lenses in them.

 

[xjfish]

I use a soldering iron/gun a lot for electrical repair. Pick one up an old goodie at a garage sale for $2...

 

[larry_g]

I get a lot of use out of a cheap hand truck with pneumatic tires. I also have a platform step ladder that is real handy INSIDE the house. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-4-f...00-lbs-Capacity-Platform-Step-Ladder/50197185 Great for changing bulbs and smoke alarm batteries. Get a height that suits your ceiling height and you.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Indexmill]

Really, you are on GJ and asking this question? Have you read any posts and looked at any pictures on here? A simpler and better question is: What tools does one NOT need?

 

[anetode]

A PB&J sandwich, six feet of garden hose, and a willing moose.

 

[udderlyoffroad]

A PB&J sandwich, six feet of garden hose, and a willing moose.

If it's a willing moose, you're also gonna need a step-ladder...

 

[MushCreek]

I have enough tools to build, wire, and plumb a house. I also have a full machine shop and welding. The only tool I bought that surprised me with its usefulness is an oscillating multi-tool. I use it more than I thought I would, mostly for making 'impossible' cuts, and detail sanding.

 

[P7M8]

A set of digital calipers. Knowing precise measurements of bolts, shafts, O-rings, etc. can save a lot of time and aggravation.

 

[JerryC]

If it's a willing moose, you're also gonna need a step-ladder...

 

[bonneyman]

A Dremel tool.....and a whole lotta bits!

https://widgetsupply.com/category/dremel.html

 

[engineer2]

Household tools:
Magnetic stud finder
Torpedo level
Headband flashlight
Miter saw
12 gauge extension cord
Battery powered impact driver (my most used tool)
Multimeter
Wonder Bar

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Household tools:
Magnetic stud finder
Torpedo level
Headband flashlight
Miter saw
12 gauge extension cord
Battery powered impact driver (my most used tool)
Multimeter
Wonder Bar

+1 on the multimeter. I started with the free one from HF and wound up using it to fix my dryer, oven, furnace and dishwasher! All were simple parts but I needed the multimeter to identify the problem. I didn't have a lot of experience using one but the youtube videos of the repair work always walk though it.

 

[rlitman]

A welder.

air compressor

Knee mill.

I think that the disparate nature of these responses should indicate the futility in answering a question like this in a definitive manner.

The truth is, you use what you're familiar with and what you like.

 

[M_George]

A large tool box to keep all of the tools you will be getting while reading Garage Journal.

 

[Robinson1]

Im a contractor so I cant really answer this. Most homeowners I work for have a random screwdriver and hammer in a junk drawer. So playing off this logic any additional basic handtool would be an improvement.

If you're talking basic home maintenance/handyman type repairs. An 11 in 1 screwdriver and a pair of 420 channellocks will fix alot. I'd assume everyone reading this already has those tools. How about a Stanley 220 block plane and good assortment of drill and screwdriver bits.

If you're talking serious DIY I'd say the most important thing you can have is a basic assortment of common use fasteners and parts. At my house I cant tell you the number of times I've got a random plumbing or electrical fitting off my service truck to fix something in the middle of the night. Or the amount of calls I get from my customers for a 15 minute quick fix job. I stop almost every night and do some random small job on my way home.

 

[JA5544]

Maybe I should have went with a different title. I’m looking for tools that you find extremely handy that not everyone on this forum has. Something that maybe somebody hasn’t thought of. I think it’s safe to assume the majority of the people on this forum have the basic tools covered.

 

[Davefr]

A professional auto tech only needs a shoe box with a few metric tools but a DIY'er has it much, much harder.

Let's see what a DIY'er needs:
- Automotive tools
- Carpentry/woodworking tools
- Plumbing tools
- Electrical related tools
- Appliance repair tools
- HVAC tools
- Machinist tools
- Computer repair tools
- OPE repair + lawn and garden related tools
- And tons of storage for all of the above

 

[tool_scrounge]

Nothing ever fits quite right when you are replacing parts, so I find a 1x42 belt grinder quite useful.

 

[Bessy]

Definitely second the manual impact driver, that sucker has got me out of a number of jambs in the past. A good plastic faced deadblow hammer, digital laser thermometer, Franklin stud sensor, scratch awl, ice pick (basically a long awl with a wooden handle) flexible hose clamp nut driver, angle finder, and a contour gauge. Those are the oddball tools that don't necessarily get used every day, but are worth their weight in gold when you need them.

I find them to be oddly satisfying when I know I have them and can get to them when I need them, and equally disappointing when I know I have them but not in reach, so always consider where you will use the seldom use tools, and put them exactly where you'd first think to look for them.

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[Fialaja]

Cordless combo kit

 

[MrDeerHunter]

Oscillating saw has been useful as pocket to me. It is good for cutting bolts to cutting out sheetrock. I love it.

A six foot level has been quite handy too.

Irwin quickgrips for holding any random object.

Also the cheap 4 prong spring grabbers.



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[ajchien]

Electrical - circuit breaker finder, and wire toner / tracer
Plumbing - soft grip pliers
Car - topside creeper, electric impact wrenches