Being able to DIY projects around your house or apartment can save you time, money, and lots of stress (it can also make you VERY impressive to your significant other...or so I hear).
But every handyperson worth their salt knows that you need the right tools for the job. Here are 27 tools that you need to get started tackling small and not-so-small everyday projects.
We think that all of these tools are awesome. We either already use them or have them on our wish list, but FYI: 22 Words is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate Program and may receive a share from purchases made via links from this page.
We hope you find these products as awesome as we do. Just an FYI: We are a participant in the Amazon affiliate program, and may receive a share of sales from links on this page. Prices on Amazon fluctuate so anything mentioned below might change as soon we publish it!
Megapro Ratcheting Driver is a Versatile Screwdriver for Big and Small Projects
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This small and lightweight screwdriver packs a lot of strength into about 8 ounces. And it even has a compartment in its handle that stores 6 two-sided screwdriver bits.This Classic Measuring Tape Will Help You Get Those Precise Measurements Without Getting Tangled
The Stanley Powerlock Measuring Tape is a classic. It's easy to use, accurate, and durable. I've got one at home, one in my workshop, and even one in my car.This Utility Knife Will Cut Through Your Tough Projects with Ease
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The Milwaukee Utility Knife works great for opening boxes, stripping wires, or cutting just about anything else that needs cutting. It's easy and comfortable to use, plus you can hang it from your belt or pants.WD-40 Can Be Used for Almost Anything
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Clint Eastwood in the movie Gran Torino famously quips that you can do half of all household chores using WD-40, vise grips, and some duct tape. He isn't that far off. WD-40 was designed by a chemist / rocket scientist and has over 2,000 listed uses ranging from loosing rusted bolts to removing chewing gum from walls. I use it on almost everything.This Estwing Hammer Is Built for the Pros, but Is Great for DIYers Too
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Estwing Hammers are drop forged single pieces of American steel. They are extra strong by design and the handle grip makes these hammers comfortable to use, even on the most intensive jobs.ThisSocket Set Will Turn You Into Your Own Mechanic
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If you are a grease monkey or an aspiring grease monkey, you need to have a great socket set. This set is features low-profile sockets, which work beautifully on frozen and rusted fasteners.A Set of 3M WorkTunes Connect Hearing Protector Lets You Listen to Music While You Work
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It's a hard to listen to music while you're working with tools because of all of the noise. The 3M WorkTunes Connect Hearing Protector lets you do just that while also protecting your hearing. You don't have to worry about cords getting caught, because it's Bluetooth enabled. And you can even use it to make phone calls, in case you've got friends who can't get enough of conversations screamed over the volume of a lawn mower.These Gateway Safety Glasses Protect Your Eyes with Style
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Safety glasses are a must have if you're working with tools. These glasses are lightweight, adjustable, and fit over most prescription glasses.This Leatherman Multi-Tool Packs a Tool Box In Your Pocket
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Leatherman multi-tools contain a full set of tools in a tiny package. I always take one with me when camping and the Leatherman - Rev is one of my favorite models. It's lightweight, feature-packed, and so well-made I'll probably hand it down to my grandkids.These Grip-On Pliers Will Help You Loosen Even The Most Stubborn Nuts
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Grip-On Pliers shine where lesser pliers fail. They're purpose-built to attack rusted-on and otherwise stuck nuts, and work best when paired with a healthy spray of WD-40.This Drill Is Tiny, but Packs a Punch
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The average (or even above-average) handyperson doesn't need a monster drill. Try this super lightweight model instead: it's compact, powerful, and holds a long charge. And it won't make your wrists feel like you've been doing hard labor at the end of the day.An IRWIN Combination Square Is a Necessary Addition To Your Toolbox
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There's nothing more necessary in any kind of carpentry than the ability to achieve true 90-degree angles. And there's no easier way to get it than a quality combination square. Irwin's featured easy-to-read etched measurements, and rust-free construction. Grab one. It'll change the quality of your work,.This Drill Bit Set Is the Last Set That You'll Ever Need to Buy
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The DEWALT 14-piece titanium drill bit set are great for drilling into wood and plastic, but I've even used mine for drilling into metal. They're not the cheapest on the market, but as in life, with drill bits, you really get what you pay for.This Truper Bow Saw Is a Gardener's Best Friend
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Odds are, you saw one of these mean-looking fellas in your garage growing up. A bow saw is purpose-built for tree trimming, with meanly pitched teeth that make short work of errant branches and overgrowth. Invest in a good one (like this Truper), and you'll never have to buy another.With This Shovel You'll Be Able to Break Through Even Rocky Soil
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This strong, lightweight Bully Tools round point shovel features a comfortable fiberglass handle absorbs vibration, letting you focus on your digging, and not the pain shooting up your arms with every single stroke.Cut Curves, but Not Corners with This Black+Decker Jig Saw
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A jig saw is one of those simple power tools that can immediately expand the scope of your DIY and carpentry capabilities. From cutting straight lines (with the help of a good straight edge) to curves and angles, a no-frills jigsaw like this Black+Decker can do it all.Make Sure that your Projects Are on the Level with the Empire Magnetic Tool Box Level
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Grab one of these guys, and every single picture frame on your wall can be perfectly level in seconds.ThisMagnetic Stud Finder Helps You Hang Your Pictures in the Right Place Every Time
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Some folks out there might consider themselves expert stud finders, but the fact it, you can't beat a purpose-built solution like this CH Hanson Magnetic Finder. It doesn't need batteries (because it uses magnets), and you don't need to calibrate it like some of the other stud finders on the market. So you can start using it right out of the package.With Needle Nose Pliers, Get to Those Hard to Reach Places
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Needle Nose Pliers are designed for grabbing small objects in hard to reach places and bending wires. It's one of those tools that I didn't know that needed until I hand one in my tool kit. I use these pliers all of the time.This H Key Wrench Set Will Come In Handy Every Time You Assemble Another Piece of Furniture
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The TEKTON hex key wrench set is useful and portable. I've used these hex keys to put together almost all of my IKEA furniture and carry an extra set with me on long bicycle trips in case I have to make any repairs or adjustments.This Chalk Line Is An Easy Way to Mark a Clear Straight Line for Your Projects
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A chalk line is a great way to make a long straight line for you to follow with a saw, line of nails, or really anything. The IRWIN Straight-line Speedline Chalk Reel is easy to hold and refill with chalk. Plus, it's lightweight so it won't way you down, and if you've never used one, they're actually weirdly satisfying.One Painter's Tool to Rule Them All
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This Hyde painter's multi-tool is great for scraping paint, plaster, and can clean 2 different sized paint rollers. It works as a putty knife, removes nails, and you can even use it to crack a beer so that you don't get paint all over the top of the can. It is a versatile little tool.This Prybar Will Help You with Those Sticky Situations
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This Tekton prybar makes it easy to pull out nails and unstick painted-shut windows. I use mine on garden window boxes all of the time.This Ladder Works Great on All Types of Surfaces
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Ladders can be a big investment so you want to purchase one that you can use for all types of jobs. The Little Giant Multi-Use Ladder works great on uneven terrain and extends up to 17 feet. It's one of the lighter ladders for its size and is easy to store, so you won't be stumbling over it every time you move around your garage.This Extension Cord Will Keep Your Power Tools Powered Up
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This Coleman extension cord is water resistant, works both indoors and outdoors, and is super long. It's 100 feet long. That's a WHOLE lot of extension cord.This Router Will Make You Feel Like a Real Carpenter
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The Bosch Colt Palm Variable Speed Router lets you create beautiful woodwork like dovetailing, daddoes, and rabbets. But you don't have to get too fancy. It also makes cutting things like deck planks or wooden flooring easy. A router is one of those incredible tools you've possibly never heard of that could completely change your level of capability.This Dewalt Toolbox Will Help You Store and Organize Your Tools
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Now that you have your new tools, you need a place to store them. DeWalt's box features extra-deep capacity, allowing you to store both hand and power tools with ease. Now, go on an get fixin'!