After the excitement of your new tools have worn off, you’ve got to get to work. Here’s a list of 11 tools I’ve found to be helpful on home improvement projects ranging from DIY to professional contracting.
1. Laser Levels
Whether you’re hanging a painting or a wall full of tile, a laser level is a tool most people wish they bought one sooner. Green lasers are easier to see in the daytime than red lasers. If you’re adding a wall you’ll need a different type of laser known as a plumb dot laser. This will help you match a point on the floor with where the plumb point is on the ceiling.
2. Stud Finders
The simplest, cheapest, and most generally effective stud finder is just a magnet. The magnet sticks to the nails or screws that fasten drywall to the studs. Sometimes however water pipes and electrical lines run through the studs right where you were about to use your drill. To avoid that catastrophe you’ll need a more advanced stud finder.
My 30 second video review of the Walabot DIY advanced stud finder.
3. Thermal Cameras
Thermal Camera Phone Attachment
Air and water leaks just got a lot easier to find without an expert. Before you click, remember ignorance is bliss.
My 90 second review of the Flir thermal imaging camera phone attachment.
4. Headlamp
Budget Rechargeable Headlamp
My All Purpose Headlamp
Daylight never lasts as long as you’d hope. If you ask me, every DIYer needs a headlamp. This is one of those gifts that keeps on giving.
5. Voltage Tester
You no long have to guess if you turned the power off with a voltage tester. It’s basically magic. I don’t leave home without it.
6. Laser Measure
If you’ve ever tried to measure anything longer than 25 feet, it’s quite an experience. This is the perfect tool to quickly measure long distances inside and outside your house.
7. Tin Snips
What tool can cut shingles? Tin snips of course. As you can imagine they’re good for cutting much more than shingles when you’re working on your home. But if you do want to cut the shingles on your roof make sure you get angled tin snips. Straight tin snips aren’t the right tool for the job.
8. Collapsible Work Table
Most Popular Collapsible Work Table
Don’t work on the floor. Especially if you put your videos on the internet (ask me how I know).
9. Saw Horses
If you don’t have a work table, you can turn your saw horses into one as large as a sheet of plywood. I have built entire sets of cabinets on top of my saw horses. Remember though, if you need one, you need two.
10. Speed Square & Combo Square
If you own a circular saw, you need a speed square. It’s that simple. How else are you drawing perpendicular lines for your perpendicular cuts? A combo square is the more nuanced version of a speed square that becomes essential when you get beyond rough carpentry.
11. Panel Carrier
Have you ever tried to carry a 3/4″ sheet of plywood? It’s heavy, and awkward. A little hand panel carrier cuts your trouble in half.
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