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When you’re starting out as a homeowner, making a small investment in a home tool kit can help you handle basic needs, such as putting together furniture. You can continue to grow your collection over time as new projects arise and your skill level improves. Keep reading to learn more about the best tools for your home tool kit that start with basic options and end with advanced ones.
11 Tools To Have in a Basic Tool Kit
You can fix almost anything with these 11 basic hand tools.
1. Screwdriver Set
Amartisan 10-Piece Magnetic Screwdrivers Set
Screwdrivers can be used for anything from tightening cabinet hardware to installing light switches to opening paint cans. This 10-piece set includes five Phillips and five slotted screwdrivers in common sizes.
2. Tape Measure
CRAFTSMAN Tape Measure
- $11.98
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Keep a tape measure on hand to measure anything from the wall area for a paint project to the lumber thickness at a home improvement store. At 25 feet long, this tape measure from Craftsman can measure distances both long and short.
3. Toolbox
DEWALT Tool Tote
- $41.45
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Store your collection of bolts, screwdrivers, and more in an easy-to-haul toolbox. This large-capacity box has a convenient carrying handle and a removable inner tray.
4. Hammer
CRAFTSMAN Hammer
- $11.98
- $14
- 14% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Smooth-faced claw hammers provide a nice mix of heft and versatility for driving nails into wood. This durable model features a comfortable, smooth grip and overstrike protection.
5. Duct Tape
Gorilla Tough & Wide Duct Tape
- $16.98
Prices taken at time of publishing.
For quick fixes around the house, this sticky tape adheres to just about anything. It has a woven backing that is thicker than most rolls but easy to rip to your desired length. Use it to repair torn tarps, broken buckets, and more.
6. Flashlight
Anker LED Flashlight
With this rechargeable flashlight, you won’t have to go looking for fresh batteries the next time the power goes out. This bright light gives off 900 lumens and offers five modes to adapt to all levels of darkness.
7. Set of Pliers
CHANNELLOCK 4-Piece Pliers Set
- $56.89
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Use them to straighten bent power cord plugs, replace old shower heads, slice wiring, and get a good grip on just about anything. This well-made kit from Channellock includes tongue-and-groove, diagonal-cutting, long-nose, and slip-joint pliers.
8. Utility Knife
Home Planet Gear Box Cutter
You’ll be reaching for this tool again and again to open boxes, sharpen pencils, mark mortises, and shave wood. Spend a little more upfront for one with a comfortable ergonomic handle and a sturdy locking blade. This one even comes with four replacement blades to pop in when the first one starts to get dull.
9. Putty Knife
Amazon Basics Nylon Handle Putty Knife
- $6.58
- $7.29
- 10% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This is the tool you need to spread spackling compound, reglaze a window, or scrape off paint or wallpaper. This model features a nylon handle and a flexible two-inch blade with reinforced strength.
10. Handsaw
HAUTMEC Universal Hand Saw
- $14.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Less intimidating and faster to set up than a power saw, this handsaw is good for trimming lumber or molding stock. It has a thick blade and a wide, ergonomic handle that makes fine and precise cuts on all types of timber.
11. Adjustable Wrench
WORKPRO 4-piece Adjustable Wrench Set
- $24.99
- $29.99
- 17% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
You’ll need an adjustable wrench to tighten plumbing fixtures, assemble swing sets, and more. This four-piece set includes wrenches with six-, eight-, 10, and 12-inch handles. Opt for the longer handle when you need extra leverage to free a stuck nut; go for the shorter handle when space is tight.
9 Tools To Add to Your Tool Kit Over Time
You’ve done some repairs over the years, but now you’re ready for more ambitious projects.
1. Multibit Screwdriver
Klein Tools 32500 11-in-1 Screwdriver
- $14.97
- $24.78
- 40% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
A multibit screwdriver keeps you prepared for all sorts of fixes and home improvement projects. This one comes with eight bits and three bonus nut drivers as well as an interchangeable blade for easy switch out and a comfortable grip handle.
2. 35-Foot Tape Measure
STANLEY FATMAX Tape Measure
- $28.16
- $47.98
- 41% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
A longer tape helps mark off bigger projects. This particular product has a beefier end hook that grips corners better than smaller tapes. It features a heat-treated spring that provides a smoother blade recoil and a longer shelf life, and it also has durable blade-armor coating.
3. Bucket-Liner Tool Organizer
Rugged Tools Bucket Tool Organizer
- $29.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Keep your growing collection of tools organized around an inexpensive five-gallon bucket where everything is in view. This model from Rugged Tools offers a total of 64 fabric pockets.
4. Drill/Driver and Circular Saw
BLACK+DECKER Cordless Drill/Driver
- $87.54
- $124.99
- 30% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
You’ll need these tools to drill lots of pilot holes, drive lots of screws, and cut lots of lumber for your projects. Because they’re cordless, you can take them anywhere. This combo kit offers two popular tools at a rock-bottom price.
5. Level
CRAFTSMAN Level
- $29.98
- $33
- 9% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
A level is a must-have tool for hanging pictures, installing cabinets, or laying a patio. This model features a continuous edge and shock-resistant end caps and comes in three different size options to best fit your home.
6. Wheelbarrow
MARASTAR Green Thumb Wheelbarrow
- $149.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Come fall or spring when you need to clean your yard, you’ll appreciate its help hauling debris, and there’s no better tool to use than a wheelbarrow. The five-cubic-foot poly tub on this heavy-duty wheelbarrow can carry compost, soil, mulch, and more with ease.
7. Stud Finder
Jurgen K Stud Finder Wall Scanner
- $27.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Until you’re seasoned enough to knock on the wall to determine the location of a stud, use this device. This stud finder can scan at different depths for different materials, including metal, pipes, and live wire.
8. Socket Set
Performance Tool SAE/Metric 40-Piece Socket Set
- $12.74
- $17.99
- 29% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
A good socket set with a ratcheting handle speeds up the assembly process for anything held together with nuts and bolts. This kit includes 40 sockets of different sizes and bonuses, such as an extension bar, spark plug socket, adapter, and carrying case.
9. Multitool
LEATHERMAN Rev Pocket Size Multitool
- $69
- $73
- 5% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Strapped to your hip or tossed into your glove box, a good multitool keeps knives, pliers, screwdrivers, and other tools close at hand. This pocket-sized model includes 14 tools and comes with a nylon carrying pouch.
9 Advanced Tools for the Experienced DIYer
From drywall repair to window trim, you’re ready to tackle almost any project, big or small.
1. Brad Nailer
BOSTITCH Brad Nailer Kit
- $120.59
- $149
- 19% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Installing crown molding is much easier when you can shoot nails rather than hammer them. This reliable pneumatic brad nailer is a cinch to stash on your tool belt while you’re on a ladder. It even doubles as a pencil sharpener in a pinch.
2. Miter Saw
DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw
- $249
- $359
- 31% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
From deck-building to finish carpentry, the key to neat finish work is the accurate cut that a miter saw delivers. This 12-inch, single-bevel miter saw has 14 positive stops and a tall sliding fence.
3. Laser Level
BOSCH GLL30 Cross-Line Laser Level
Leave behind the chalk-line dust. When installing kitchen cabinets and bookcases, you can set plumb and level lines instantly with the push of a button on this laser level. This laser level also features a cross-line mode that can project two different lines at once.
4. Table Saw
DEWALT 10-Inch Table Saw
- $639.12
Prices taken at time of publishing.
The workhorse of any garage workshop is an accurate table saw that can handle lengthwise rip cuts. This 10-inch table saw comes with a rolling stand for easy setup and breakdown as well as a 15-amp high-torque motor.
5. Worm-Drive Saw
SKILSAW Worm Drive Circular Saw
- $199
Prices taken at time of publishing.
If you’re going to have one corded tool, make it a circular saw with the power to cut through stone, concrete, and wood. Worm drives weigh a bit more than sidewinder saws, but they can handle heavy-duty jobs. This 7.25-inch saw has a magnesium housing to keep its weight under 15 pounds.
6. Radio
Makita Cordless Compact Job Site Radio
- $64
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Whether you’re painting a room or laying some sod, the job goes easier with tunes playing in the background. This radio from Makita features rich sound from front-facing speakers and up to 30 hours of continuous use. Additionally, it has 10 preset AM/FM buttons.
7. Rolling Tool Storage
Stalwart Rolling Tool Box with Wheels
- $68.57
Prices taken at time of publishing.
With all of the tools in your collection, you’ll need a rolling tool chest to haul them around. This model features an ergonomic handle for easy movement as well as compartments for small parts and hooks for cables.
8. Multifunction Oscillating Tool
Rockwell Sonicrafter Oscillating Multi-Tool
- $141.68
- $159.99
- 11% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Depending on the attachment, this tool can sand, cut, slice, and grind with easy-to-control, back-and-forth oscillations. This oscillating tool comes with multiple blades and sanding pads, as well as a sturdy carrying bag.
9. Random-Orbit Sander
BLACK+DECKER Orbital Sander
There’s no better tool to smooth surfaces than a random-orbital sander. This model from BLACK + DECKER fits in tight spaces and features a built-in dust collection system. Additionally, this sander can deliver up to 12,000 orbits per-minute, and has a comfortable grip handle that reduces fatigue.
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