The Essential Toolbox: Must-Have Tools for Every DIYer

Taking up woodworking as a hobby? Or planning on doing some home repairs and remodeling on your own? The right kinds of tools can make these tasks and projects easier — and safer — to tackle. But which ones do you need for your toolbox?

You’ll find a huge selection of tools available. But not all of them are considered essential. We’ll walk you through the must-have tools to get for your toolbox before starting your next woodworking or home-repair project.

1. Power Drill and Drill Bits

A power drill is used to bore holes and drive screws into wood, metal, plastic, drywall and other materials. Choose a cordless drill/driver for your toolbox, it's smaller than most corded electric drills and affords you greater flexibility and portability.

You’ll also want to have an assortment of drill bits to suit different kinds of projects. Some of the more common types include:

• Twist drill bits to use on wood, plastic, metal and other materials
• Screw-driver bits for driving screws into different materials
• Spade bits for drilling larger diameter holes in wood
• Masonry drill bits for working with concrete, brick, stone and other masonry materials

Note that it's best--and more affordable--to buy drill bits in multi-piece sets, not individually.

2. Hand Saw

Cutting through wood or other materials is easier when you have a hand saw. For many DIY projects around the house, you don’t need to worry about using a power saw. A simple hand saw can get the job done!

A few types to consider getting include:

• Crosscut hand saw for cutting boards to length
• Coping saw for making more accurate or precise cuts in wood
• Hack saw for cutting metal

3. Hammers

A hammer is an essential tool for many DIY tasks. You can use it to drive in nails, or to pull out nails you don’t need anymore. You can also use these tools during demolition to break up material.

Which type should you get for your toolbox? Start with a classic claw hammer — the most versatile type available! You can add other hammers as needed, depending on the kinds of projects you’re doing.

4. Screwdrivers

Every toolbox should have a few screwdrivers. Without one, you’ll soon find it hard to build or assemble anything — or take things apart. Screws are commonly used in tons of household objects and structures.

Don’t grab just one screwdriver for your toolbox. You’ll need to make sure you have the two most common types -- Phillips and flat-head — along with various sizes for different-size screws.

Want to save space in your toolbox? Choose a multi-bit screwdriver. This comes with a variety of bits you can change to fit different screws as needed. That way, you’ll always have the right type and size bit for any screw.

5. Wrenches

Common tools in a toolbox include wrenches. Adjustable wrenches make it easy to work with nuts and bolts. You can adjust the grip as needed to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts while doing repairs around the house or assembling something in your garage or workshop.

What about for smaller tasks? A hex-shank Allen wrench comes in handy! These are hand tools used when working with set screws and other hexagonal-socket fasteners, which are commonly found on easy-to-assemble kit furniture and cabinets.

6. Utility Knife

Installing carpeting? Hanging wallpaper? These are just a couple of tasks that you’ll want a utility knife for. These heavy-duty knives have sharp blades that can cut through tough, thick materials. They’re also good for making long, straight cuts when scissors won’t do.

Utility knives have other great uses as well, including:

• Cutting through tape and other packaging materials
• Scribing cut lines in material that you plan on sawing through

7. Tape Measure

Tape measures are must have DIY tools for many kinds of projects. You’ll need a measuring tape to get accurate dimensions — whether you’re building something out of wood or installing new cabinets or shelves. You can also use tape measures for simple DIY tasks, like centering a framed picture on a wall.

What kind should you keep in your toolbox? Skip the softer, fabric types. These aren’t as durable and can be harder to use for accurate measurements. Choose a sturdy steel tape measure that retracts smoothly and locks securely. These are easier to store and use, no matter what you’re measuring!

8. Pliers

Some DIY tasks require you to hold something in place firmly or get a good grip to pull on it. That’s when you’ll need pliers. These tools offer a convenient way to grasp thin or small objects and tug or turn them as needed.

Choose a standard set for your toolbox. That should give you different types and sizes of pliers to suit different tasks. A few kinds of pliers you may need include:

• Long-nose or needle nose pliers
• Locking pliers
• Tongue-and-groove pliers
• Slip-joint pliers

9. Level

Need to determine if a surface is perfectly level (horizontal) or plumb (vertical)? You might when you’re putting in new cabinets or doing other remodeling projects. Or you can use a level to see if a newly installed washing machine or other appliance is level with the floor. And, of course, a level is indispensable for marking level and plumb lines.

Levels let you know if a frame or other surface is horizontal. Basic models have one or more liquid vials containing a floating air bubble. Depending on your DIY projects, you may want an 18-inch or 24-inch carpenter’s level, which will fit in most toolboxes. But if you'll be working on larger projects, consider getting a 48-inch level. A 9-inch torpedo level is great for use on smaller objects, like framed photos. Choose the most appropriate-size level for your projects, then add other levels, as needed.

10. Flashlight

You might plan on doing woodworking projects in a well-lit work area, but what if you end of working in a dimly lit area? Or what if you need more brightness than your overhead lights provide? Keeping a flashlight in your toolbox is a must for many reasons!

Flashlights help you see in dim or dark areas, like under cabinets or inside walls. Keep one in your toolbox along with a fresh set of batteries. Or use rechargeable batteries for even more convenience.

11. Fasteners

Hammers and similar tools in a toolbox aren’t much help without nails, screws, and other fasteners. These are used for tons of DIY projects around the house — from hanging framed photos on your walls to installing new kitchen cabinets or building and assembling furniture.

What kinds of fasteners do you need? This can vary, depending on what you need them for. But having an assortment of different types is helpful, such as:

• Common nails
• Finishing nails
• Brad nails
• Box nails
• Wood screws
• Drywall screws
• Machine screws
• Carriage bolts
• Hex nuts
• Washers
• Pop rivets

12. Wire Cutters

Planning on handling electrical repairs in your home? Or working on DIY projects that involve strips of metal or other materials? Wire cutters are a good tool to have in your toolbox for these types of projects.

Wire cutters are designed to cut through different wiring materials, such as copper and aluminum. Different types are available, including:

• Diagonal cutters for smaller wires or tight spaces
• Flush cutters for making clean cuts
• End cutters for cutting through fasteners
• Cable cutters for using on thicker cords and wires
• Bolt cutters for cutting through heavy-duty wires and other materials

13. Stud Finder

Essential DIY tools for home remodeling or home improvement projects include stud finders. Hanging new shelving? Installing cabinets? Or putting a large-screen TV up on the wall? You’ll need to determine where the studs are. Otherwise, these heavy items can easily fall and damage your walls.

Stud finders help you locate wall studs and ceiling joists, so you can install or hang heavy items securely. You’ll want to use this for hanging anything that’s over a few pounds on your walls or ceilings. You can use a basic magnetic stud finder for any DIY project. They’re handheld tools that can easily fit in your toolbox.

14. Carpenter’s Framing Square

Must have woodworking tools include a carpenter’s framing square. That’s how you’ll be able to measure angles up to 90 degrees with as much accuracy as possible. You can also use your square for measuring the center of circles while doing a woodworking project. Or you can use it for checking depth.

Different kinds of carpenter’s squares — also known as framing squares — are available, including:

• Standard for most DIY projects around the home
• Combination for handling smaller DIY projects
• Rafter for more complex projects, such as building stairs or rafters

15. Clamps

How can you make sure your workpiece stays put? Clamps can hold wood or other materials in place as you cut, drill, or weld them. Without these, your workpiece can easily slide out of place — leading to imprecise cuts and other errors.

You can get different types of clamps for different projects, such as:

• Wood hand-screw clamps for working with nonparallel surfaces
• Bar or pipe clamps for securing larger pieces
• Locking or strap clamps to hold objects as securely as possible
• Corner clamps for connecting wood pieces at right angles
• C-clamps for holding smaller objects

16. Putty Knife

Planning on working with drywall? Or do you need to fill nail holes in your walls? Having a putty knife in your toolbox gives you a simple way to handle these tasks. These are knives with wider blades that you can use to spread putty into holes or other indentations in drywall and other surfaces.

You’ll find putty knives in varying blade widths. Get a narrower one for filling in small holes. Choose a wider blade for working with larger surfaces. Having a few in different sizes can be helpful if you’ll be doing a variety of DIY projects.

17. Sander or Sandpaper

Essential woodworking tools for your toolbox include an electric sander or sandpaper for hand sanding. These kinds of tools allow you to make wood surfaces smoother or more level for your woodworking projects. You can also use them to prepare wood for painting or sealing.

Sanders come in all sizes — with some being powerful enough to handle floor installations and other major projects. You may need one of these in your work area. But for your toolbox, a simple handheld sander will do for smaller projects. Or you can keep sandpaper in there for smoothing surfaces.

18. Safety Gear

Different types of tools in a toolbox come with different safety risks. Some produce debris that can get into your eyes. Others have sharp edges that can lead to cuts and wounds. Having safety gear stored in your toolbox means you’ll always be ready to keep yourself safe while doing any DIY project.

What safety gear should you include in your toolbox? Have these items handy at all times:

• Safety goggles to protect your eyes
• Face mask or shield
• Heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands

Ready to stock up on must-have tools for your toolbox? Just use this list to get essential tools — and you’ll be all set for your hobby or home-improvement projects! As for your toolbox? Consider starting with a simple one that conveniently stores your basic tools. You can always upgrade to a larger one later on as needed!