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We are approaching 8 years of renovation experience and if there’s one thing we have learned…it’s that good tools, the right tools, matter. For new or aspiring home renovators, picking the right tools to start your tool collection can be daunting. Sure, there are literally hundreds of tools you can purchase over the years as your experience and expertise expands. But there are 9 tools I always recommend beginner (and experienced) home renovators buy.
We’ve used a wide variety of tool brands and our preference is Dewalt. The quality is unmatched. If you plan on doing home renovations for the long haul, save up to invest in a brand that lasts. With the exception of a few tools, all our tools are now Dewalt. Usually, the most expensive part of a tool is the battery. We started our Dewalt collection by purchasing a tool bundle that included 2 batteries. (Bundles are typically sold at a discounted rate.) Once you have a few batteries, you can purchase the tool only (i.e. sans battery) for a much more reasonable price.
9 Tools You Should Invest In First
1. DRILL & IMPACT DRIVER
Perhaps the most used and most crucial tools you should purchase first are an impact driver and a drill. A drill is designed to make holes while the impact driver is intended to drive screws. You could technically make do with just a drill as it can also screw in screws, but with less force. That being said, I do recommend getting both a drill and impact driver. In fact, most stores sell them as sets at a discounted rate.
DEWALT DRILL & IMPACT DRIVER
2. MITER SAW
There are chop saws and then there are miter saws. Both are similar with one important difference. The miter saw can make straight and mitered/angled cuts while the chop saw only makes straight cuts. If you’re going to buy a saw, invest in a miter saw. There will be a plethora of occasions where you need to make precise mitered cuts.
METABO MITER SAW
3. TABLE SAW
For the long cuts where you need a straight line, a table saw is your best option. This tool is great for ripping down wood or making mitered corners on a board the long way. We use this tool on nearly every project. If you’re looking for a more budget friendly alternative, you could purchase a circular saw instead. It won’t provide the accuracy without a straight edge guide and it may not work for every scenario, but it is a good beginner option until you’re ready to upgrade. For the record, we use both a table saw and circular saw regularly so it wouldn’t hurt to have both.
DEWALT TABLE SAW
4. RECIPROCATING SAW
A reciprocating saw (also called a Sawzall) is the type of tool that you don’t realize you need until you need it. You never know when you’ll need to cut though screws, a pipe, or slice a stud during demo.
DEWALT RECIPROCATING SAW
5. LEVELS
This one goes without saying, but a level is necessary in every project. Stabila levels are a personal recommendation from my brother, a professional finish carpenter. He even noted that his 68″ level accidentally dropped from 6 ft onto a concrete floor and it’s still accurate. I recommend getting a few different lengths – 10″, 24″, and 48″.
STABILA LEVEL SET
6. 18 GAUGE BRAD NAILER
Whether you’re nailing baseboards onto the wall or installing wainscoting, you need a brad nailer. Our nailer is an 18 gauge which indicates the size of brad nails it uses. 18 gauge is big enough to secure wood, yet small enough that it leaves only a small hole. Our exact brad nailer requires an air compressor.
PORTER CABLE BRAD NAILER
7. ELECTRIC SANDER
An electric sander is especially necessary for carpentry and woodworking. I personally use a 1/4 sheet sander (square shape) which is good for smaller projects. It reaches inside corners and is a more budget friendly option. For larger projects that require a smoother finish, a random orbital sander (round) is a better option. As stated on Family Handyman, “A random orbital sander rapidly rotates in elliptical circles, as well as back and forth. This “random” motion results in a smoother finish, without the swirl pattern that can come from standard orbital sanders that only move in a circular motion.” The one you choose depends on what you intend to use it for.
DEWALT 1/4 SHEET SANDER
DEWALT RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER
8. SPEED SQUARE
This one might seem silly, but a speed square is always with us on a job site. The need for an accurate 90° angle happens more than you’d think.
SPEED SQUARE
9. OSCILLATING SAW
I consider an oscillating saw to be less of a necessity and more of a really really nice tool to have. For example, anytime you need to cut into drywall, trim, or a door jam, it creates a really small and clean cut.
DEWALT OSCILLATING SAW
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