What tools for DIY remodeling homeowners?

[dtbingle]

Typically this question is asked more along the lines of "what tools should every homeowner should have?", but this generates the expected - some screwdrivers, a few sockets, a level, and maybe a drill.

My question is this: What tools should the DIY REMODELING homeowner should have? This is beyond hanging a picture frame on the wall. More along the lines of tools used in a major renovation - kitchen, bathroom, framing a wall or changing the floor layout, running electrical, etc. Tile saws? Planer/jointer for squared up custom shelving? Pipe cutters? And so on...

With buying a home on the horizon (starting to look end of this year), I thought it might be a good idea to keep an eye on sales throughout the year and get deals on a few tools that would help throughout remodeling that will likely come with the purchase of a house.

 

[jives]

Hand tools:
1. All-steel, straight claw framing hammer, non-waffle face, 21 or so ounces. You will use this for everything, including demo (that's why all steel). Unless you are doing a lot of framing or finish work, go with a real hammer and not a nail gun. Even with a nail gun you will need a hammer. Get one to pass down to your kids.

2. Smaller finish hammer, curved claw. Wood handle is fine.

3. Assortment of pry bars (wonder bar, cat's paw), crow bars. DIY is as much about demo as construction.

4. Assortment of screwdrivers and pliers (from needle nose to vise-grips). An awl or two.

5. Basic set of wrenches, SAE. Small socket set, allen wrenches, pipe wrench for plumbing jobs. Buy other plumbing and electrical tools as needed.

6. Speed square, perhaps add in a combination square. Maybe a framing square for bigger jobs. Buy this as needed.

7. 25' tape measure plus a 12' tape measure. Hate carrying around a big one in my tool belt.

8. 2' level and 4' level (or bigger). Laser level can come later.

9. Rough construction chisels. Only need 3 sizes.

10. Japanese two-edged pull saw (Dozuki saw). Rough framing saw.

11. Buy clamps as needed.

12. Tool belt. I'd avoid the suspender type, but that is just me.

13. Depending on house height, a GOOD ladder or two. Tall step ladders, extension ladders, etc. Search Craigslist.

14. Workmate or similar work surface (or several saw horses).

15. Studfinder.

16. Razor knives.

17. Chalk line, plumb bob, metal files, wood rasps.

18. Dust masks and safety glasses.

Power tools. Buy as needed, but start with these:
1. Corded circular saw. Buy also a clamping straight edge to make straight cuts.

2 Corded 1/2" chuck drill (large corded drill). This will last a lifetime and will do all the things the cordless drill/driver/impact cannot do. You will eventually only use a cordless system, but the corded drill will always remain for backup. Drill bits and screwdriver bits.

3. Cordless tool system. Folks here tend to prefer Milwaukee 18V, but there are others. See many threads on cordless tools.

4. Hold off on miter saws, table saws, radial arm saws, cut-off saws, routers, and the like. Buy as needed.

 

[M6erfan]

good advice above...

I'm going through a living room remodel right now...

I'll add an oscillating multi tool. Kind of a luxury but really came in handy for me a saved a lot of time with certain projects.

Drywall square, I've found useful.

Set of insulated drivers & circuit tester if your doing electrical.

End cutting dykes, like the Channellock 357's. Great for pulling finish nails or cutting them flush in tight areas.

Putty/taping knives. I ended up with a full set of Warners (1.5", 3", 6", 8", 12")

 

[metalart]

Good reciprocating saw with an assortment of blades... I use mine a ton for demo

make sure you get a pair or 2 of water pump channel lock style pliers.

A work platform comes in very handy, something like this........ http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gorilla-...gclid=CLDb7OCvx9ECFdY2gQodzRUJsQ&gclsrc=aw.ds wait for a sale...i think I picked up 2 for like 10 bucks each.

at least 2 sawhorses

 

[M6erfan]

I'll also add that one of the best investments I made during our remodel was renting a demolition hammer from Home Depot. It was around $40 but took up tile/thinset like it was nothing. Saved hours of dirty nasty work...

 

[crewchief888]

All good suggestions above. I think having a 10" compound sliding miter saw has been one of my best/most useful tool additions to the arsenal
Seems like every "job" involves trim work. For me the saw is a time saver, no more hand cutting.

 

[nickleone]

The hand tool that was forgotten.
A check book with funds. LOL

Nick

 

[Big Bob]

Pardon if the above has listed this - jives has a great list - but a pancake compressor and nailer would be most beneficial if trim is involved. Most of us DIYer's have trouble putting up trim without the hammer dents!

 

[pstemari]

That's what a nail set is for.

 

[Davefr]

Here's the top 20 for remodeling IMHO

1. Hammer
2. Swanson speed square
3. Utility knife
4. Cat's paw
5. Wonder bar
6. All in one screwdriver
7. Carpenter pencils
8. Cordless sawzall + impact driver + circular saw + drill + jig saw
9. LED headlamp
10. Pneumatic nailers. (large nails, staples, finish nails)
11. Sliding compound miter saw + stand + dust hood + shop vac
12. Table saw
13. Work lights
14. Chalk line
15. Outlet tester
16. Chisel(s)
17. Stud finder
18. Sawhorses (fixed and foldable)
19. Caulk gun
20. Levels (3' and 6')

 

[Parrothead]

All good suggestions above. I think having a 10" compound sliding miter saw has been one of my best/most useful tool additions to the arsenal
Seems like every "job" involves trim work. For me the saw is a time saver, no more hand cutting.

Even beyond that, it makes framing easier too

 

[Big Bob]

If you have some lead time hit up the estate sales in your area for stuff like hammers, pry bars, and small hand tools. A lot of us old duffs are throwing in the towel on home ownership and you can pick this **** up for pennies on the dollar.

 

[ScottsGT]

One of everything, two of some.

 

[PWC Repair]

Access to the internet......for how to vids when you don't know what you're doing.
Access to a phone.......to call somebody who knows what they're doing after you figure out you're in over your head.


Otherwise I can tell you I have remodeled about 70% of my own home with help from wifey and son when needed. I also don't own many of the tools recommended. Might have been easier with a compound miter saw and sawhorses but good measurements, the skill saw, and the edge of the porch have always worked fine for me. Also for demo I like a 3-5# mini sledge. Maybe only necessary when you're bashing apart 60 year old rough-cut oak?

My wife (yep, that's right) is doing a partial remodel on the kitchen right now.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Do you have any tools at the moment? Ever attempted any of these ambitious projects? Think its a bit of carriage before the horse thing... I'd worry about getting the house first and then realistically determining what projects you'll tackle.

I've used every tool probably listed here during my entire home remodel.

Big items that were needed or VERY handy:

Long wrecker and wonder bar
Cordless drill/driver and impact
Corded right-angle drill (mainly drilling studs for electrical)
Corded 1/2" Milwaukee drill (drilling big holes for plumbing)
Good 4' level (stabila, sola)
Chop saw
Sawzall
Pneumatic framing and trim nail guns
ShopVac

Lets not get into pencils, tapes, razors, chalk lines, etc... I've only rented a large wet-saw for cutting stone (re-facing fireplace), everything else I slowly acquired or borrow from father.

Guess we all have different definitions of remodel... mines how it look when I first started after demo:

 

[rick carpenter]

I'll add a few to or comment on the already excellent advice given...

* cordless impact driver - once you use this you'll never go back to driving w a drill
* cheap but not dimestore set of screwdrivers - get quality later
* lots of painter's tape - you can mark on this rather than the wall
* drywall tools
* putty knife - in addition to drywall knife
* trim flatbar
* 10" or 12" v-jaw t&g pliers
* aluminum work/step platform
* fixed blade utility knife - you'll feel more confident cutting with it and you'll be careful where you set it down (& not lose it)
* regular and large speed squares
* engineers or drilling hammer (small hand sledge)

 

[derosa]

Based on my own remodeling/rebuild these were the most essential
Hammers, you want at least two for when you can't find one, accidentally leave one in a wall or floor cavity, or have a friend or father (in-law) over.
Prybars, flat and wrecker. ( two of each is best, see above)
Miter saw, completely invaluable for reframing. First build is a couple saw horses, also make miter saw base, mine is a couple 2x6s with a couple 2x4 sections screwed to them on their side. Miter saw platform is 3.5 inches high so this is perfect for me.
Tape measure, always try to use the same one for cutting and measuring but have multiples. Went through a dozen of the these in two years due to nicks, loses, drops and whatever. Just buy decent ones, cheap ones really ****.
Nail gun, get one of the pin nailer/ framing nailer and compressor kits, try not to get an oilless compressor, they seem to last fine but the noise level always seems worse.
Circular saw, get a decent one
Sawzall, go electric, this gets a lot of use
Screw gun, a modern version with two batteries will let you sheetrock all day. I bought an impact drive and drill set that has a 1/2 Chuck on the drill. It has done plenty of 4"+ holes for lights and even did a 4/5" hole through an 8" beam for a vent pipe, just make sure it has a side handle, even a battery drill with a 4" hole saw will twist your wrist or slam your knuckles into a wall without the handle.
An electrical tool bag fully equipped, and this is a single item. Mine has a hammer, 2 sizes of needle nose, side cutters, pliers, studfinder, electrical tester, circuit tester, range of screw drivers, tape, tape measure, a plastic box with dividers for keeping small whatever sorted. There are other things you may need, keep this bag separate and only pull out the tools for electrical work.
Stapler
Snap line
Several sizes of levels
T square
Tablesaw, bandsaw and drill press will make some jobs easier but can be done without.
Block plane, it'll make a stuck door work or take an edge off things, even used it when the wife slapped joint compound on way too thick.
There will be a lot more but these are the go to tools I can think of.

 

[Gizmosity]

Good lists so far.

Given that I've been remodeling this house since before I closed on it and likely will be working on it up until the day I die, I've got the majority of my remodel 'kit' right here. Here's a couple of things I didn't see listed that I have and wouldn't do without:

1. Drywall stab saw.
2. I wear a bucketboss tool apron (cheap/handy)
3. 5 gallon buckets. Get a bunch of them. I use one of those bucket tool organizers. They work. I use an upside down bucket as a step stool. Throw a 2x12 down on 2 buckets and i can walk on it and sand ceiling drywall or do light work without standing on a ladder. Seriously....5 gallon buckets have a million uses.
4. MAPP torch/pipe cutter/flux. Maybe I'm a curmudgeon, but I'm not PEX friendly. I like Copper. YMMV.
5. Sureform rasp. Handy for trimming drywall and other raspy work.
6. A compass. Magical for scribing trim and laying out stuff.
7. A pencil sharpener. Seriously.
8. Cheap set of spade bits.
9. Torpedo level.
10. Block plane.
11. I've seen recommendations for pry bars, but specifically I'd also grab a couple 'Hyde' bars or an equivalent. I have two sizes. I use them constantly for all sorts of stuff besides removing trim. They're sharp and work great for scraping random goo off of stuff too. They make great door stops. Handy little guys.
12. A GOOD set of wire strippers/crimpers. I like my GB pair.
13. As many tape measures as you can can possibly get. You still won't be able to find one.

 

[bert1913]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0064EICKG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

do yourself a favor and buy this stud finder

 

[colt zantop]

I love my 20v max 5 piece dewalt set. I've used every piece in the set multiple times!

 

[Westozfixer]

The best advice I can give is don't start remodelling in the first place, I wish I'd been told that in the beginning.

 

[fritzgorbach]

What tools should the DIY REMODELING homeowner should have?[/B]


All of them.
Seriously though, I've noticed most have focused still on carpentry, trim primarily. You are talking about just about every trade, each with a complete and costly set of tools.
Start with the "every homeowner" stuff, and figure out what projects you need from there.
Spend some time with pros, or serious do it yourselfers if you can. Read books, magazines, check out forums, websites and videos.
Yard and garden, paint and drywall, rough, trim, electric, plumbing, hvac, windows, doors, roof, concrete, stone, tile, all sets of tools.
Everyones recommendations until now are good starts, but all far from complete for the chores you list.
At least tools are fun!

 

[PWC Repair]

Don't forget chainsaw.........Yes, that's me some years ago moving a window in the living room. The sawzall was taking too long cutting through 2 layers of wood siding.

 

[ScottsGT]

Was that chainsaw a Benford 8200 by chance??

 

[Parrothead]

Don't forget chainsaw.........Yes, that's me some years ago moving a window in the living room. The sawzall was taking too long cutting through 2 layers of wood siding.

That's funny, we're opposites! I don't have a chainsaw and use my sawzall to cut down actual trees. No issues. We got it done though, right?

*I had no issue cutting out the French doors on my house, but they might have been so rotten it didn't matter. Haha

 

[betcd]

I would recommended an angle ginger with a cutoff wheel you will mainly use this for plumbing i.e. cutting piping during demo to move stacks and water lines but it will come in handy for other jobs as well.

 

[engineer2]

The best advice I can give is don't start remodelling in the first place, I wish I'd been told that in the beginning.

HaHa, very true. I should have told my wife "I don't know **** about remodeling and don't want to learn." We could have saved thousands.


Lots and lots of pencils and tape measures as these seem to go missing.
Seriously:
Ear plugs, face shield
I found a miter saw to be quite hand early on for doing trim and other things.
Don't bother with a table saw unless you absolutely need one for a project.
The cordless stuff is so good nowadays, I rarely use my Skilsaw or corded drill anymore. There are exceptions though.
Probably mentioned: an assortment of drywall tools.

 

[Jim C.]

All good suggestions above. I think having a 10" compound sliding miter saw has been one of my best/most useful tool additions to the arsenal
Seems like every "job" involves trim work. For me the saw is a time saver, no more hand cutting.

I agree completely. I bought a Sears/Craftsman 8 1/4" compound sliding miter saw about twenty years ago and it seems like I've used that thing for every project that involves wood, particularly when doing the finish trim. The first thing I did after buying it however, was to outfit it with a top notch carbide tipped blade from Forrest, designed specifically for finish trim work. It leaves a smooth as glass cut and results in zero splintering. The only drawback to my saw is the blade diameter. If I were buying a miter saw now, I'd get at least a 10".

Jim C.

 

[crewchief888]

I agree completely. I bought a Sears/Craftsman 8 1/4" compound sliding miter saw about twenty years ago and it seems like I've used that thing for every project that involves wood, particularly when doing the finish trim. The first thing I did after buying it however, was to outfit it with a top notch carbide tipped blade from Forrest, designed specifically for finish trim work. It leaves a smooth as glass cut and results in zero splintering. The only drawback to my saw is the blade diameter. If I were buying a miter saw now, I'd get at least a 10".

Jim C.

i went with a 10" slider for several reasons
same size blades as my table saw
portable enough to be moved from the basement to the garage with minimal effort
price

 

[Jim C.]

i went with a 10" slider for several reasons
same size blades as my table saw
portable enough to be moved from the basement to the garage with minimal effort
price

Makes sense..... Back when I bought my slider, I'm not sure if they were even available with a 10" capacity. Looking back, I think I bought mine in the early 1990s, so it's probably closer to 25 years old. I seem to remember Hatachi offered a real nice 8 1/2" slider, and a few others did too. I was on a budget and bought the 8 1/4" Craftsman model. Other than the small blade diameter, the saw has been perfect. It's dead nuts accurate, and very well made with a cast iron base. It's a little heavy to haul around but it works well and the cuts are always perfect. More than once I've briefly considered getting a 10" slider, but resisted the urge every time in favor of tried and true accuracy and loyalty to a really good tool that's never disappointed me. I just know up front that I can't use it on 4x4 stock. 90% of the time, I use the saw for trim and detail stuff, but it'll also go through a 2x4 with no problem.

Jim C.