Top 6 Tools Every Beginner DIYer Needs

Part of learning DIY is having the right tools to get the job done, and I believe that with these 6 tools you can tackle almost ANY DIY project on your list! These are also the 6 tools that I teach in depth in my online course, DIY Beginner Basics.  You can use code: HONEYBUILT10 to get 10% off the course!

Want to learn how to DIY? How to use those power tools to build accent walls, furniture pieces, how to paint correctly to start tackling all the projects on YOUR list? Well, I’ve created an amazing online course that takes you through, STEP BY STEP how to safely use tools and supplies. My current DIY beginner basics students have already tackled refinishing furniture, board and batten accent walls, trimming doors, staining furniture and more because of the knowledge and confidence they gained through DIY Beginner Basics.

DRILL & DRIVER

Drill & Driver: yes you need both and you can usually find them in a pack together for around $120-150. I use the new brushless 18V by Ryobi and they are lightweight, and powerful.
Projects: Hanging, building everything! Differences: Driver has more torque and is meant for long screws. Overall has more power. it is also more lightweight.  Drills are more versatile can attach to drill bits or screw bits.
Splurge
Middle Level
Budget Friendly

Jig Saw

Jig Saw: Cutting around electrical outlets or need a curved cut, a jig saw will be your best friend.
Budget Friendly
Splurge

Brad Nailer

Brad Nailer: 18 gauge brad nailer my 2nd most used tool. Battery powered allows you to be free to cords and loud bulky air compressors.
Differences between brad nailer and finish nailer and do you need both? Finish nailers are bigger thicker nails. No you don’t need both, just get a brad nailer.
Cordless Brad Nailer
Budget Friendly (but needs an air compressor)

Miter Saw – Straight & Angled Cuts

Miter Saw: My most used saw. I would highly recommend investing in a 10 inch SLIDING miter saw from the beginning. It’s worth the extra cost to be able to cut wider boards.  A 7 inch that doesn’t slide can’t even cut a 5” piece of trim. It can turn and cut angles, but its stationary so safer than a moving hand saw or table saw. 
Project examples: picture frames, board and batten, baseboards, build furniture, shiplap, basically all the cuts under 15″ you can do on a miter saw. 
Splurge
Middle Level
Budget Friendly

Kreg Jig – POCKET HOLES

Kreg Jig: Build furniture, attach your wood without visible screws, you need a pocket hole jig.
Splurge
Middle Level
Budget Friendly (needs additional clamp)

Orbital Sander

Orbital Sander: Refinishing furniture, removing old stain, or prepping to paint or stain a new piece. I recommend a CORDED orbital sander so you don’t blow through all of your batteries.
Splurge
Budget Friendly 

How to Create Moodboards: 

I use two different programs to to create mood boards. 
Pages: Pages is a free app/software from Apple that you can use on mobile, tablet, or computer. It is basically the same as a word document. 

I use this most because its free and it’s

1- Open new document. Save images from google or brands websites to your computer. 
2- Drag the images into the document
3- Click FORMAT < INSTANT ALPHA  then highlight the background, anything that is blue will be deleted. click DONE. 
4- arrange photos to your liking. 
– This same process can be done in PowerPoint. 

I also like to take images of my existing space and swap out lights, or furniture and see them IN THE SPACE. Heres a tutorial on how I do that: Here

Canva: Canva is an online web based program as well as an app where you can create all sorts of graphics. You are able to drag and drop images into Canva and arrange them. The only way to delete their backgrounds is if you have the paid monthly version. 

Sketchup:  The software I use to create all my built in plans is sketchup! There’s a free web based version you can use. I teach the basics of how to use it in DIY Beginner Basics along with 40 other DIY related lessons.  See below for the full course outline.