This page includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally vet.
This post is all about the best DIY power tools that every beginner DIY-er should have in their home.
What are the best power tools for someone just starting with DIY? I know, I know. The world of power tools can be a bit overwhelming for a DIY beginner. I was in your shoes a few years ago, but the easiest way to begin is to start with one tool and work your way up.
I am sharing my tried and true DIY tools list in hopes it will help you select the right tools for you and your DIY project needs. I didn’t start with all of these power tools at first. Instead, I slowly purchased them as I needed them to help make it feel more affordable.
The Best DIY Power Tools for Beginners
Below are my favorite tools in order of which I purchased them. Every project and need is different, but I hope this helps you decide on which tools to start with on your first projects!
You’ll notice most of my tools are of the same brand and that is intentional. Often power tools come without batteries and therefore, you’ll need to purchase a battery of that specific brand to be compatible with the tool. The nice thing is once you have a couple of batteries you can interchange them and they work on the whole suite of tools in your toolbox.
1. Electric Drill
An electric drill is the #1 item that you need as a beginner DIY-er. Truly, even if you’re just putting together furniture, this thing is so helpful and saves a ton of time! Bye-bye screwdriver!
My first DIY project was building a blanket ladder and it was a great project to practice with my power drill. I recommend you start with a simpler wood project to put your drilling capabilities to the test!
2. Circular Saw
I know, a circular saw seems a bit scary but I promise it’s not! And I’ve found that having a circular saw allows you to skip over the need for a big, bulky table saw. I’ve used this to cut longer boards, for example when we did a plank wall in our loft.
I highly recommend also purchasing a rip-cut circular saw guide to help keep your cut lines straight. Here is an example of one from Amazon.
3. Miter Saw
My husband purchased this miter saw for me for my birthday (he’s the best!) and I was so excited! I felt like a real DIYer with this thing.
I recommend with a miter saw that you get the stand for it to sit on and that you go with at least a 10″ blade… trust me! I’ve found so many uses for this power tool such as cutting shiplap boards and trim that need to be angled or horizontal.
4. Finishing Nailer
A finishing nailer is just what you need for millwork around your home. It’s crucial for adding board and batten, shiplap, and plank boards to your walls. Generally, most DIYers can get away with a 16 or 18-gauge nailer.
I have made the mistake before of purchasing the wrong nails for my finishing nailer. Make sure to check which gauge your tool is and align the nails to that. Otherwise, you’ll jam your gun. I am speaking from experience…
5. Oscillating Multi Tool
A multi tool is something that I didn’t know I needed until I got it! This thing is pretty cool. It comes with three attachments – two saw heads and a stander. I use the saw heads to cut out baseboards or even help me to make small cuts out of wood.
6. Jig Saw
We ended up purchasing a jig saw when we were shiplapping our bathroom and were required to make some intrigue cuts. A jigsaw allows you to really control the saw and cut, something the other tools shared on here just can’t do.
7. Electric Sander
Purchase Orbital Sander from Amazon
Purchase Mouse Sander from Amazon
Okay, I am going to be honest with you here – there are a lot of different types of sanders! I have both the orbital sander (top picture) and mouse sander (bottom picture) for their own unique uses.
What is the difference between an orbital sander and a mouse sander? The orbital sander sands in circles and goes a little bit deeper into the wood grain. I would use this for sanding off a finish on wood furniture for example. I purchased a pack of various sanding pad grades from Amazon so I would be covered with all types of projects.
The mouse sander sands back and forth and gets into corners more easily. I would use this one for more detailed work or scuffing to prep for a primer.
This post was all about the best DIY Power Tools for beginners.
This page includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally vet.
[…] ran the orbital sander (check out my favorite one in this post) over the nightstands to rough them up so the primer would stick to the wood. I used a sanding pad […]