Must-Have Tools for Every Skill Level

You need these tools to drill lots of pilot holes, drive lots of screws, and cut up lots of lumber for your projects, and because they're cordless, you can take them anywhere. While lithium-ion batteries would weigh less than these nickel-cadmium ones, they often raise the cost of NiCd kits of the same voltage by nearly 50 percent. This Porter-Cable combo kit offers two popular tools at a rock-bottom price.

About $90; lowes.com