Q: Hello Youngsters. As I read about all the projects you tackle around your house, I find myself wondering whether you have a gigantic toolbox, or if in fact there are just a small handful of tools that you use on a regular basis. Do you have a few essentials you’d recommend to any DIYer? Are there any tools that you don’t have, but find yourself wishing for? Thanks! -Chris
A: We’ll admit up front that we’re a little weird about where we store our everyday tools. Instead of a traditional toolbox, we keep many essentials in a few kitchen drawers. It sounds odd, but dedicating a cabinet base to screwdrivers, paint rollers, nails, anchors, sandpaper and other home improvement basics has worked brilliantly for us. Having sorted, themed drawers means we can grab what we need quickly and get to work.
Our tool drawers stay organized because we use them constantly. Here’s how we’ve arranged them:
- The top drawer holds screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, pliers, a box cutter, a tape measure and other frequently used hand tools.
- The second drawer stores nails, anchors, screws, hooks and hardware items for quick repairs and installations.
- The third drawer contains sandpaper, caulk, duct tape, plumber’s putty, wood glue, cable ties, putty knives, liquid nails and similar supplies.
- The bottom drawer (deeper than the others) is dedicated to painting supplies: brushes, rollers, trays, painter’s tape and stir sticks.
In a previous post we listed our favorite go-to tools. In short, our must-haves include a hammer, crowbar, flat head and Phillips screwdrivers, a tape measure, plumber’s putty, liquid nails, plumber’s tape, a box cutter and utility knives, channel-lock pliers, adjustable wrenches, needle-nose pliers, a level, a cordless drill, sandpaper, caulk and caulk gun, spackle and putty knives, painter’s tape, angled brushes, and a selection of nails and screws. Those cover the bulk of everyday DIY jobs.
For heavier projects we’ve rented or borrowed larger power tools when needed: a demolition hammer to remove tile, a wet saw and miter saw for cutting tile and trim, and a circular saw with hole-cutting bits for framing and larger cuts. Larger tools can feel empowering to use—there’s something satisfying about letting a powerful tool do the heavy lifting, and it helps both of us tackle bigger projects with confidence.
While we don’t own every heavy tool, we do wish we had a few more pieces for convenience: a personal miter saw, a wet saw and a demolition hammer would be great additions, though they require storage space. That’s why renting or borrowing often makes sense. We keep mid-size tools like a sander and cordless drivers in hidden storage above our washer and dryer so they’re accessible but out of sight.
One standout tool for us is the Kreg Jig. It’s been invaluable for building shelves, a two-person desk, and storage that fits neatly under our workspaces. For anyone who builds furniture or simple cabinetry, a pocket-hole jig can make joinery faster and stronger.
We favor reliable, widely available brands and specific products that have proven useful around our house:
- Stanley: screwdrivers, tape measures, crowbars, box cutters and mini sledgehammers.
- Craftsman: dependable hammers.
- Black & Decker: solid cordless drills and sanders for occasional projects.
- Frog Tape: our go-to painter’s tape for clean lines.
- Sherwin-Williams: carries a short-handled trim brush we like for painting trim.
- Purdy: brushes and rollers that perform well for furniture, walls and ceilings.
- Sears: a trusted set of wrenches we’ve used for years.
- Grip-Rite: large boxes of screws, nails and anchors for steady supply.
- 3M: a wide range of sandpaper grits for rough sanding through to finish smoothing.
- DAP: our preferred caulk and spackle—paintable indoor/outdoor sealant and a kitchen-and-bath tub/sink caulk for wet areas; plus CrackShot spackle for filling nail holes.
We don’t rely on expensive pro-grade tool systems for every job. Many tasks can be completed well with mid-range tools, and renting or borrowing larger equipment is a practical, cost-effective approach. The goal is having the right tool for the job when you need it, not owning every possible piece of equipment.
Now it’s your turn: what are your can’t-live-without tools? Any brands or products you swear by? We’d love to hear what tools have made a difference in your projects.
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