WHAT EVERY
TOOLBOX NEEDS

by Askauntmimi.com

Every fixit person or DIYer starts with the basics. Here’s a breakdown of the tools you’ll want in your toolbox and why choosing the right tool for the job matters.

If you are looking for a fantastic gift for the new homeowner, some or all of the items below are a can’t miss list!

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am an affiliate marketer. If you choose to follow my recommendations and click on my link and purchase the product, I will receive a small, much-appreciated commission paid by Amazon and other companies.

Tools Bag or Tool Box

Before you fill it, you have to carry it.
Here’s a look at two popular options for a tool kit with the pros and cons of each.
My personal preference is a hard-case tool box.

Option 1 – Soft Tool Bag Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Lots of outside pockets for quick access
  • Soft sides won’t scratch surfaces

Option 1 – Soft Tool Bag Cons

  • Less protection if dropped
  • Tools can shift inside & become unorganized
  • Not waterproof

My recommendation on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3P3KupB

Option 2 – Hard Case Pros

  • Durable & impact resistant
  • Has drawers for small items like nails & screws
  • Expandable if you need more drawers in the future
  • Water resistant

Option 2 – Hard Case Cons

  • Heavier to carry

My recommendation on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3PrssO7

Hammer/Hammers

There are about 32 different types of hammers on the market.
Hammers come in different weights.
For a beginner, 1 or 2 hammers is sufficient. How do you know which one/ones to purchase?

8 Ounce Claw Hammer

  • For household & professional use
  • Durable heavy-duty steel
  • Flat head for hammering and claw feature for pulling nails, prying boards, and more
  • Comfortable non-slip grip

My recommendation on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4ugAQiC

Rubber Mallets
Rubber mallets also come in different weights.
Rubber mallets are used for situations when you need force, but you don’t want to damage the surface of your material. For example:

  • Hammering a flag pole stake into the ground
  • Setting pavers for landscaping
  • Closing paint cans
  • Assembling furniture

Amazon has a 2-pack of one 8 ounce mallet and one 16-ounce mallet. Both weights will be needed at some point in your future.

My recommendation on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4eNrar5

Drill – Cordless and/or Electric

In my opinion, don’t bother buying a corded electric drill. They are a little less expensive, but they are inconvenient in 90% of situations you will encounter. Buy a cordless drill with a battery and a charger. For a beginner, a cordless drill has all the power you will need.

Tool Brands 101:

According to This Old House 2026, they ranked what they consider to be the top 10 tool brands in the United States (from 1 to 10):

For my money as a lifelong home DIYer, I am a DeWalt gal. Have I used other brands? Of course. Did other brands work well? Some did, some didn’t.

My drill recommendation is a 20v MAX DeWalt cordless drill. Here are my reasons why:

  • All the power I need as a home DIYer
  • Convenience of a cordless drill
  • Comes with a battery & a charger
  • Priced right
  • DeWalt tools have served me very well throughout my life
  • One charge lasts for a very long time. I probably charge my battery one time or less per year.
  • Doesn’t come with a storage bag, but I found my bag to be completely unnecessary. As a matter of fact, I sold my bag on Facebook Marketplace.

    Here is my recommendation on Amazon:
    https://amzn.to/4dJRi4W

Drill Accessories:
You will need a drill bit gauge and drill bits.

Drill Bit Gauge
What is it, and why do I need it?
A drill bit gauge will be a lifesaver when it come to matching screws with drill bit size. For example, you purchase a livingroom decoration that comes with 2 screws and anchors. You can use the drill bit gauge to figure out what size drill bit you need to use to drill a hole for the anchors.

My recommendation on Amazon:
Drill Hog Gauge – mostly because it is bright orange and easy to find in your toolbox or work site when you set it down somewhere and then have to look for it.
https://amzn.to/3RahOfi

Drill Bits
Not all drill bits are created equally–you need to match the drill bit to the material you are drilling into.

Wood drill bits:

Wood drill bits have a sharp point on the tip for drilling clean, splinter-free holes.
You will need a set of drill bits in various sizes. Be sure your set comes with a case. The set I recommend:

  • Has bits in sizes 1/8″ to 1/2″
  • Made of high carbon steel
  • Storage case is included
  • Perfect for all types of wood
  • Narwhal brand, 4.5 stars out of 5

My recommendation on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4wmE1qm

Metal drill bits

Metal drill bits are made from high-speed steel (HSS), or they are titanium coated. As a beginner DIYer or homeowner, I would skip purchasing metal drill bits. Chances are, you are not going to take on any projects that you will need to drill into stainless steel, cast iron, or titanium. Save your money.

Masonry drill bits
If you have watched many Facebook reels, there are many DIY projects out there being made using concrete–stepping stones, plant containers, solar water fountains, etc. At some time in your DIY life, you are going to need some masonry drill bits–especially if you live in a brick house.

Masonry drill bits can be used on tile, brick, cement, concrete, stone and cinderblock. Masonry bits have a special carbide tip (that’s the black part on the tip of the bit in the photo) for boring through hard surfaces.

The mansonry drill bit set that I recommend has the following features:

  • 5/32″ to 3/8″
  • Made from tungston carbide
  • Has a storage package
  • Cortool brand

My recommendation on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4fmV2dR

Hole saw drill bits
Hole saw drill bits do exactly what you think they do–they drill holes. The bits have a sharp-pointed tip to make sure you are drilling at the exact point that you desire and that the wood does not splinter or split. It has a paddle shaped section that actually drills the hole. If you are a DIY crafter, you will need a hole saw drill bit.

My recommendation is the DeWalt hole drill bit set. Its features:

  • The set has 6 different sized bits from 3/8″ to 1″
  • It comes with a storage package
  • Has a 5-star rating on Amazon
  • DeWalt brand

Link to my recommendation on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4tGQP8H

Screwdrivers

At the very least, you will need 1 Phillips head screwdriver and 1 flat head screwdriver in your tool kit. As you become more proficient at DIY projects, you may need to add to your collection with extra long-handled screwdrivers for hard-to-reach places.

The best screwdrivers should have ergonomic handles that won’t slip out of your hands. They should also have precision tips that won’t slip out of the screw.

My recommendation for the beginner is the DeWalt 27 piece toughseries set. The set comes with 26 different tips to handle both Phillips head and flat head screws as well as 20 other type tips shown in the photo.

DeWalt Toughseries Screwdriver Set with 27 Pieces:

  • Has all of the tips that the beginner DIYer will ever need

My recommendation on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4tVYxvP

If you have dexterity issues, or you just want to get fancy, you can purchase a rechargeable screwdriver set.
I recommend the WORX brand 4v Lithium Screwdriver with a 30-piece accessory kit.

Here’s my recommendation:
https://amzn.to/4uRRapT

Measuring/Leveling Tools
Measure twice, cut once. The right tool keeps you accurate.

Lexivon Digital Laser Tape Measure

Don’t bother getting a Dollar Tree or similar cheap tape measure. They aren’t long enough (often less than 10 feet), jam (whether retracking or remaining at the distance you want, and eventually stop working all together. The best tape measurers on the market today are a combination of laser and tape measure. The window on top of the tape measure makes life much easier. The window displays exact distances instead of telling yourself “two marks past 3.75”. It also holds the measurement in the window until you delete it. No more asking yourself, “was that 57 3/8″ or 56 5/8”?

My recommendation:
https://amzn.to/3ReJn70

Levels
You will need different bubble levels lengths.

My recommendation is the 4-piece set by Vevor. You will receive a 48″, 24″, 16″, and 10″ level. This set received a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. The 10″ size is good for leveling pictures on the wall and small landscaping projects. The 48″ size is perfect for hanging shelves that are spaced far apart. You will always find a use for the 24″ and 16″ levels as well. The set comes with a carrying case. The whole set is magnetic.

My recommendation on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4dqHMCm

Stud Finder

Stud finders have dramatically changed since the days of Old Dad. Stud finders today can detect wood, metal, and pipe behind the drywall. Electronic stud finders can show you exactly where the stud begins and ends. For a beginner who is expecting to use the stud finder for the rest of their lives, I recommend the Franklin Sensor Prosensor M210. Here’s why:

  • It can detect wood, metal, and live wires behind the drywall.
  • The LEDs show you where the stud begins and ends.
  • It is made in the USA.
  • It is rated 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.
  • It comes in easy-to-find bright green/bright yellow.

My recommendation on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/491wnYx

Cutting Tools

You will need a variety of cutting tools:

Pliers Set
A variety of different types of pliers are also necessary in a well-stocked toolbox:

  • Groove Joint
  • Needle Nose (2 different sizes)
  • Slipjoint (2 different sizes)
  • Linesman
  • Diagonal

I recommend the 7-piece set by Workpro.
https://amzn.to/4eJMuxA

Check back. More to come!