The 5 DIY Tools I Can’t Live Without
What are your favorite DIY tools? I’m not talking about a drill or a saw (though, those are important). I’m talking about the little tool that maybe not everyone has or knows about. The thing that makes every project a little easier or more fun. The one that if you didn’t have it, you’d be heartbroken.
I have quite a few favorite little DIY tools, and every time I mention them I get questions. So, I thought today I’d share a little roundup of 5 of the small, simple DIY tools that I can’t live without.
Everything on the list is under $30 – so, we’re not breaking the bank here!
Ready to see my favorites?
My 5 Must-Have Little DIY Tools
Lefty/Righty Tape Measure
You’ve heard me wax poetic about this tape measure about a million times, so it should come as no surprise that it’s high up on my list. You might be thinking – it’s just a tape measure…what’s so special?
Oh, my friend. It’s the most special!
This handy little tape measure has every single line marked, down to 1/16 of an inch. No more muttering to yourself “three lines past a half, three lines past a half” as you walk to cut your wood. You’ll know exactly what each measurement is because it’s clearly marked. Also, it has measurements written on both sides of the tape, so no matter which hand you’re holding it with, you can easily read the measurements. Hence, the righty/lefty name.
I think I own five of these tape measures at this point and will actively avoid using anything else. It’s the best and there’s no reason to own any other tape measure, ever.
Get yourself one (or three) here. And, click here for my guide to tape measure markings and see all the fun features on this guy!
Magnetic stud finder
If you’ve ever used an electronic stud finder, you’ll know that sometimes they can be a bit finicky. In my early days of DIY (before I discovered this guy), I can’t tell you how many times I drilled unnecessary holes in my wall because the stud finder said there was a stud where there wasn’t.
It’s infuriating, and can be really disheartening if you’re new to DIY and feel like you just can’t seem to get it right. That’s why I love this super simple magnetic stud finder so, so much. It’s so easy to use and it never gets it wrong.
Why a magnetic stud finder? It finds the nails in the drywall and latches right on – and you know what the nails attach the drywall to? Studs. So, if you find a nail, you’ve found a stud! It’s so simple to use, and I’ve never ended up with unnecessary holes in my wall because of it.
The best safety glasses
If you follow me on instagram, you may know that sometimes I’m a bit of a slacker when it comes to safety gear. I know it’s important, but I’m often just so excited to dive in that I tend to forget. One thing that helps ensure I’m a little more consistent, though, is when the safety gear is comfortable and easy to use.
That’s why I loooooove these safety glasses. They aren’t big and bulky like most that I’ve used. They’re comfortable and lightweight, and they honestly look kinda cute!
I know that’s not the point, but if we’re being honest I’m more likely to wear them if they’re cute. It’s just how it is.
On that note – these KN95 masks are also my go-to for a mask in the shop. I keep a bag in there all the time now!
Click here to get yourself some cute safety glasses (they have a lot of color options!),
90-degree corner clamps
Building something that needs to be perfectly square can be hard. It’s absolutely vital when you’re building things like drawers, cabinet boxes, and other square-shaped things that it’s at exactly 90-degrees. If it’s not, it can throw the whole project off.
That’s why I adore these 90-degree corner clamps so much. They hold both pieces of wood perfectly in line and perfectly square while you attach them together. I can’t tell you how many times they’ve saved my sanity during a project. I can just slip them into place and confidently start drilling without triple checking myself a million times.
They’re a must-have! Click here to get some.
A mini shop vac
This is one of those little luxuries in the workshop that once I got one, I can’t imagine not having one. I pull out my little shop vac all the time to clean up my workstation or to clear off some sawdust before I sand. Sawdust can accumulate everywhere quickly during a project, and it can be hard to stay on top of it.
I’m working on always doing a big deep clean (including vacuuming) of the shop after each project, but this little guy helps me keep things under control during a project.
It’s also the perfect little vacuum for cleaning your car! I honestly think I’d like to have a second one just to keep in there all the time. Because, if you have kids, you’ll know a car vacuum is a life-saver.
honorable mentions
- Here’s a list of all my must-have painting tools. I had to refrain from including several of them on this list – they’re all so good!
- This post has a roundup of all of the power tools I think every DIYer should have in their arsenal.
Your turn! What are your must-have DIY tools?