Now, I’m a builder who’s grown up in a household full of builders, so I have always had access to just about every type of tool you could possibly think of. Often when I’m at my mates’ houses, they’ll ask me to have a quick look at whatever DIY problem they’re tackling (you know who you are, fellas!), and I’ll ask to use their must-have tools like a hammer, screwdriver or spanner – and just get a blank look from them.

20 must-have tools for DIY

So for their (and your) benefit, here’s my run-down of 20 essential items everybody should have in their toolkit…

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1. A toolbox  

I know, we’re kicking off with a pretty obvious one here, but losing all your tools at the back of a cupboard or down the back of the ‘man drawer’ is a proper pain in the backside. So get a box – you won’t regret it.

Sale
STANLEY STST1-75521 Essential 19 Toolbox with Metal latches, Black/Yellow, Inch
  • Innovative design, robust structure and large storage volume
  • Top organiser lid for small parts storage
  • Metal latches for longer life

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Hammers

Preferably a claw hammer that you can remove nails with, lift floorboards or use as a mini crowbar. And a 4lb lump hammer for doing the heavy work (just don’t drop it on your foot).

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STANLEY STHT0-51310 20oz Fiberglass Curved Claw Hammer, 570g
  • Claw hammer is perfect for hammering and removal of nails
  • Strong fiberglass shaft provides additional strength and durability
  • Added protection and durability within key vulnerable area of shaft from when hammer is accidentally overstriked from target area

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sale
Silverline Lump Hammer Fibreglass 4 lb (1.81 kg) (HA38)
  • Forged steel head
  • Shock-absorbing, high-strength fibreglass shaft with nylon surround
  • Powder-coated head with polished striking faces

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. Screwdrivers

You need two Phillips screwdrivers (big and small), two flat-head screwdrivers (big and small), a set of tiny screwdrivers (like you get in a Christmas cracker but more hard-wearing), and a set of Allen keys. You’ll always lose the free Ikea ones, and you never know when you’ll need them.

You could also bypass all these and just get yourself a multi-bit screwdriver set – it makes a great housewarming present and you can also load the bits into a cordless drill.

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4. A cordless drill

Preferably with a hammer drill setting. You will use this for almost every DIY job you have to do.

BLACK+DECKER 18 V Cordless 2-Gear Combi Hammer Drill Power Tool with Kitbox, 1.5 Ah Lithium-Ion,...
  • A compact two gear combi drill for all screw driving, drilling and hammer drilling into wood, metal and masonry
  • All metal motor and gearbox that deliver 21 000 BPM for hammer drilling in masonry applications and 0 - 1 400 RPM variable speed for drilling and screw driving applications
  • 10 torque setting for precise screw driving into various materials and the variable speed function for control in a range of applications

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5. A Stanley Knife (and spare blades)

Stanley knives are brilliant. Blunt Stanley knives are rubbish. Whether you’re just sharpening a pencil or doing cuts on kitchen lino, you must have a sharp Stanley knife with a retractable blade.

“Multipurpose Swiss army knives are also super useful to have in your back pocket,” comments James Durr of Sheffield auction company Property Solvers.

STANLEY 9mm Snap Off Blade Knives (Pack of 3) 2-10-150
  • A lightweight retractable knife with Quick Point snap off blades
  • Fresh sharp cutting points provided by every snap off section
  • Removable blade snapper included in cap of knife

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

6. Saws

You need a panel saw and a junior hacksaw. If you’re feeling ambitious, get yourself a coping saw too, but make sure you have extra blades as they snap easily. A panel saw comes with 45 and 90-degree angles to help your carpentry.

Spear & Jackson B9822 Predator Universal Saw, 22" x 8pts
  • General purpose saw for use along and across the grain, gives a rapid, clean cutting action
  • Rigid blade minimises whip and vibration
  • Suitable for timber, hardwood, chipboard and MDF

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Bahco BAH239 Junior Saw, 290 mm
  • Complete with 150 mm (6'') metal cutting blade
  • With orange powder coated steel wire frame
  • Teeth per inch (TPI): 32

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

7. Wood chisels

You need at least an inch chisel, a half-an-inch chisel and an 1/8-inch chisel. These will come with blade covers. Do not lose them or your chisels will go blunt. These are precision tools for carpentry and you’ll need a decent sharpening stone too.

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Sale
Stanley 0-16-050 Sharpening System Kit
  • Guides the user to achieve a precise sharp edge that is square to the blade
  • Angle setting gauge with preset markings - 25 deg, 30 deg or 35 deg
  • Comes with: Honing Guide, Oilstone, White oil

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

8. Cold chisel and a bolster

These are two invincible friends. Just try getting floorboards up without them.

Stanley 4-18-332 FatMax Cold Chisel with Guard, Yellow, 1 x 12-Inch
  • STANLEY cold chisels and brick bolsters are fully hardened and tempered for cutting brickwork and concrete
  • Bi-material hand guard for increased comfort and protection from overstrike
  • Forged from chrome vanadium steel for increased strength and durability and less grinding

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sale
Draper Redline 68603 100 x 220 mm Brick Bolster with Hand Guard , Red and black
  • Octagonal shank chisel
  • Manufactured from medium carbon steel hardened and tempered
  • Ground cutting edge

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

9. A tape measure

Don’t get a flimsy one. Anything with a broad tape is going to be much more useful. Ensure it’s at least 5m long.

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10. Headtorch

Most DIY jobs need two hands, so get a head torch or you’ll be sick of holding a normal torch between your teeth in the cupboard under the stairs.

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11. A set of pliers and an adjustable spanner

You can get pliers sets everywhere, and they are so useful. You should have at least a set of combination pliers, long-nosed pliers and a set of side cutters. Make sure you have new pliers with insulated handles – no raiding your dad’s old tools for these ones, or you might get a nasty shock.

STANLEY 3 Piece Plier Set, Slip Joint/Long Nose/Diagonal Cutting
  • Carbon steel forged pliers
  • Heat treated
  • Ground cutting edges

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

12. Neon screwdriver

This is a mains detector screwdriver and a literal life-safer. When you’re using them, always make sure you use it on something that will give you a positive test, just so you know it’s working.

Eightwood Pen Electric Tester Mains Tester Screwdriver Electrical Tester Screwdriver Electrical Pen...
  • Testing Voltage: 100V-500V | Tip Type: Slotted | Overall Length: 138mm
  • Material: Medium-carbon steel & AS | Color: Clear/Transparent | Weight: 20g
  • Come with penholder,small size,light-weight and durable,easy to carry and use.

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

13. A stud/cable detector

This will save you drilling into cables and helps you find fixings on stud walls.

QLUUE Stud Finder,Wall Scanner 5 in 1 Electronic Sensor, Wall Scanner, Metal Pipe Detector, LCD...
  • SIMPLE AND EASY TO OPERATE: This wall scanner is an electronic stud detector with multi-sensing technology, which can locate studs/wood/AC wires at multiple locations on the wall. Whether you are a...
  • DETECTABLE OBJECTS: 5-in-1 multi-function plus in-depth inspection-The digital wall scanner includes four different scanning modes, suitable for wood, beams, joists, metal, AC wires, and deep-buried...
  • EASY TO READ: The LCD screen displays the required stud material and the precise position of the stud—this digital stud scanner has a large LCD display and loud warnings to detect the exact position...

Last update on 2024-02-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

14. Screws, plugs and nails

Most shops sell fixings kits with a combination of all of these. Just make sure you get sets with compartments, or you’ll waste time searching for the right ones.

Sale
Tuulkit 665pc Wood Screw Assortment Set - Pozidrive Screw Set Includes assorted Countersunk Wood...
  • 665 PC WOOD SCREW ASSORTMENT SET: Never run out of screws again when you’re working a contracting job or just doing DIY around the home. The Wood Screws Assortment Set by Tuulkit includes all of the...
  • COUNTERSUNK POZIDRIVE WOOD SCREWS: Our Tuulkit wood screw set includes a total of 405 bulk Pozidrive Wood Screws in a wide variety of different lengths and widths, providing you with an excellent...
  • ZINC PLATED HOOK SCREWS & WASHERS: Also included in theTuulkit Wood Screws Assortment Set are 10 30mm hook screws. Perfect for crafting a set of hooks for keys, tea cups and coffee mugs, hanging...

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

15. A spirit level

Go for a metre-long one, as it’ll come in really useful for marking lines on walls for shelves, for example. If you have room, get a boat level too.

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16. A scraper

Whether you’re stripping wallpaper or mixing up two-part filler, this will come in really handy. Just don’t hit the handle of it with a hammer or you’ll ruin it. The same goes for your screwdrivers.

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

17. Clamps

Quick grips or G-clamps, you’ll find you use these for so many jobs.

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Sale
Rolson 14189 3 pc G Clamp Set
  • Sizes 25, 50 and 75mm
  • Malleable cast iron frame
  • T bar handle and swivel shoe

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

18. Electrical tape and masking tape

Useful stuff. Don’t be without it.

ALBOYI Insulation Tape 6 Pack Mixed Colour 17mm x 9m Electrical Tape PVC Tape Adhesive Gaffer Tape
  • 【High Quality Electrical Tape】Length: 9 M/29.5 Feet/54 Inches, width: 17mm /0.67 Inches. Electrical insulation tape is approved with excellent stretch, adhesion and conformability properties.
  • 【Six-color Electrical Tape】6 roll 6 colors: green/yellow/blue/black/white/red. You can choose different colors of tape according to your need or the object to be pasted. One pack has 6 color can...
  • 【Max Rating】Cable flame retardant PVC electrical tape rated up to maximum 600 Volt operating voltage, and 80 °C (176 °F) operating temperature. The durable electrical tape can meet most of the...

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Masking Tape for Painting Painters Tape 10 Rolls - 10mm 20mm 30mm 50mm Pack of 10 for Decorating...
  • Package includes: 10 rolls of high quality masking tape, which is very suitable for decoration, painting, office, stationery wrapping, nail art, painting, mural, poster making, etc.
  • Ideal size: 10mm x 20m (4pcs), 20mm x 20m (2pcs), 30mm x 20m (2pcs), 50mm x 20m (2pcs). Different sizes can meet your different needs.
  • High Quality Materials: Made of high quality crepe paper, our masking tape can be easily torn by hand without leaving any damage or sticky residue, and it is easy to position.

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

19. A workbench

Carpentry is one of the most common (and most satisfying) DIY jobs. The best thing about a workbench is that no one’s going to shout at you if you accidentally drill a hole through it or stab it with a chisel (sorry, Mum!).

Sale
Worx Pegasus WX051 Versatile Multi Function Folding Work Table & Sawhorse with Quick Clamps and...
  • Versatile Use - The Worx Pegasus Folding Work Table serves as both a sawhorse and a portable workbench, making it a practical addition to your workshop or garage. Its robust construction can handle...
  • Integrated Clamping System - The Worx Pegasus Folding Work Table comes with an integrated clamping system that securely holds materials in place. It includes 2 bar clamps and 4 clamp dogs, ensuring a...
  • Portable and Convenient - The Worx Pegasus Folding Work Table is designed with a collapsible workbench design, making it easy to transport and store. Despite its lightweight construction, it's sturdy...

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

20. PPE (Personal Protection Equipment)

As my Dad says: “It’s all fun and games until someone pokes their eye out!” From personal experience ending up in Moorfields Eye Hospital, get yourself goggles and USE THEM, no matter how uncomfortable they are. You’ll also want a face mask and gloves too.

Dräger Safety Goggles X-pect 8520 Sealed Anti-Fog & Anti-Scratch Eye Protective Spectacles for...
  • FULL VISION GLASSES: The Dräger X-pect 8520 offers comfort, highest eye protection and a clear view at the same time, making it the perfect choice for lab work.
  • VARIOUS APPLICATIONS: Thanks to the high quality materials, the safety glasses can be used in various situations, especially laboratory work, work that includes chemicals or vapours and else.
  • ANTI-FOG & ANTI-UV: The Dräger safety goggles not only protect against dust and splashes, they also prevent fogging up thanks to the indirectly vented branches and offer UV protection.

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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There you go. There are plenty of other tools you can get if you’ve got the DIY bug, and the state of my garage is testament to just how many you can cram in, but these must-haves will set you up nicely for hundreds of different jobs. The problem is, now there’s no excuse not to do them!

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