These 20 Essential DIY Tools Cost Under $20 Each

If you’re a DIY enthusiast or just want to do routine maintenance or minor repairs in your home, you need a good set of tools. But you don’t have to go out and buy every new cordless tool, no matter how cool, to have a basic set of tools. Here are 20 must-have tools for your kit, each costing less than $20.

Measuring and marking

Getting accurate measurements for your DIY projects, whether you’re repairing drywall or saving on furniture, is the foundation of success. While it may seem obvious, there are several different types of measuring and marking tools that will help you get the cut right the first time, so here are a few basic measuring and marking tools:

• The FastCap Tape Measure ($9.99) is a reliable and accurate tape, and the casing of the tape measure can be used as a notepad to record your measurements. The case also has a built-in pencil sharpener.

• A Swanson 7-inch metal square ($9.98) will help keep corners square when cutting and marking lines parallel to the edge of the board. This can also help you measure angles.

• The Thorvald Heavy Mechanical Marking Pencil ($13.97) will help you make clear marks without the need for sharpening, and can also be used with a compass to draw curves. It comes with seven pins.

• A 50-foot Irwin chalk reel ($6.59) can be used to draw a straight line between two points. This is useful for marking plywood for cutting or for demarcating an area when measuring a floor.

• The Swanson 12-Inch Combination Square ($13.70) can be used for leveling boards, marking cuts on a chop saw, marking 45-degree cuts, drawing straight lines along the edge of a board, and leveling. The square body has a built-in scriber for quick marking.

Drivers and keys

It’s important to have the right size wrench or screwdriver for your equipment, and to avoid last-minute trips to the hardware store, you should have several types and sizes on hand. Large wrench and screwdriver sets can be a good choice if you work on vehicles or other complex mechanical projects, since they often require specially shaped tools. However, for simple housework and home maintenance, a small set of screwdrivers and wrenches is more than enough.

• The Craftsman 12-piece screwdriver set ($19.98) includes four Phillips heads, six flat heads, one low-profile double-ended screwdriver and a magnetizer/demagnetizer. This kit is suitable for many home projects.

• The Craftsman six-piece wrench set ($9.99) includes three inch and three metric wrenches in sizes ⅜ inch, 7/16 inch, ½ inch, 11 mm, 12 mm and 13 mm. This is a good start for a basic set of keys.

• The Crescent 6-inch adjustable wrench ($12.70) will allow you to tighten nuts and bolts from ⅛ to ¾ inches in diameter. This is an indispensable tool for do-it-yourself work and maintenance because it is versatile.

• The Stanley Hex Key Set ($16.26) will allow you to work with hex keys and hex pieces commonly used in DIY furniture assemblies as well as some mechanical projects. This set includes a range of metric and imperial sizes.

• The Olympia Six-Piece Wrench Set ($12.65) will help you tighten inch-sized hex nuts from ¼-inch to ½-inch.

Pliers and wire cutters

Pliers can help you hold parts, bend wire, and cut wire and other materials. Having a good kit is important for completing household tasks and can enhance your ability to maintain and repair your home.

• A pair of Irwin 6-inch long-nosed pliers ($9.99) are useful for electrical work as well as small parts work. You can also use these pliers as cutters for smaller gauge wires.

• A pair of 8-inch Irwin Slip Joint Pliers ($15.66) can grip pipes and larger diameter objects, providing extra leverage when tightening or loosening. They have an adjustment button to maintain the required opening size.

• A pair of 8-inch Irwing Diagonal Wire Cutters ($15.99) are good for cutting smaller gauge wire and pinching off the ends of staples and nails when working with wood.

• A pair of Knipex end cutters ($18.05) are useful for cutting off the ends of nail staples if they get poked while working in wood, and can also help with pulling out nails. They cut very close to the surface, allowing you to use a set of nails to make the surface smooth and free of sharp edges.

• The Irwin Vise Plier Set ($14.99) is good for more forceful gripping. They can be used to grab stuck nuts and bolts, hold items that are harder to grasp with your fingers, or as an extra handle for things to provide extra leverage.

Finishing and trimming

Getting your projects to the finish line and making them look flawless is easier with the right tools. Here are a few more things that will form the core of your toolbox.

• The Springtools Nail Set ($12.95) allows you to countersink nails without using a hammer, using the force of a return spring. You can also use this tool as a center indicator when drilling a hole to prevent the drill bit from wandering.

• The Pull Saw from Irwin ($15.99) allows you to clean up cut dowels and joints, leaving finished woodworking projects smooth and clean. A protective case is included.

• The sanding block from 3M ($5.98) is a way to hold the sandpaper and keep it level as you work. This is a great tool if you are working on projects like furniture refinishing or woodworking.

• The Estwing Rubber Hammer ($17.25) with non-marking tips for use in upholstery, woodworking and any finishing work where you don’t want to dent the lumber is a must-have for DIY enthusiasts.

• The Milescraft Glumate Anti-Drip Glue Bottle ($6.99) will allow you to protect your work surface from drips; The bottle has an anti-clog design that allows you to keep it in a comfortable and upright position while retaining the adhesive. It comes with a lot of tips for various applications.

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