(Image viaHaving your own place means a lot of freedom, but it also brings plenty of little fixes and upgrades. Sometimes you need to hang a picture frame, other times you’re dealing with a wobbly board on the porch. Hiring someone for every single minor issue gets expensive fast, so putting together a set of helpful gadgets is a smart idea. The right gear will help you stay on top of maintenance, save you cash, and even give you a little more confidence. Let’s break down the most important items that every garage or workspace should have, from those that drill holes to ones that keep things tidy, so you’re ready for whatever pops up.
The Cordless Drill: Your Go-To Gadget
Nothing beats a good cordless drill for all-around usefulness. It’s up to the task when building furniture, hanging shelves, or just making a quick fix in the kitchen. Portable, flexible, and able to work without needing to stick close to an outlet, it’s a tool you’ll reach for again and again.
Picking the Right One
Voltage tells you how strong your drill can be. For everyday repairs, 12 volts should be just fine, but 18 or 20 volts give extra muscle for those tricky jobs like boring into brick. A key feature to watch for is the “clutch," that numbered ring near the front lets you set how much twisting force you apply, so you don’t strip screws or overdo it on delicate items.
Recommended Model
The DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12V Max Brushless Drill/Driver is light, compact, but tough enough for the majority of home fixes. Brushless motors, such as the one in this device, are designed to last longer and use up less energy than the older brushed types.
Why You’ll Love It
Say goodbye to sore wrists after putting together a bookshelf or struggling with a stubborn screw. Using a cordless drill can turn hours of work into minutes, handling most day-to-day home projects with ease.
The Impact Driver: Extra Muscle for Stubborn Tasks
There’s a lot of confusion about drills and impact drivers, but here’s what you should know. Regular drills handle basic holes and light screwing jobs. Impact drivers handle the tough stuff. They spin and also deliver quick bursts of additional force, making them perfect for driving long screws or bolts into tough wood, and preventing the annoying slip known as “cam-out.”
Recommended Model
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL ¼” Hex Impact Driver is well-regarded for combining staying power with flexibility thanks to its handy speed settings. This lets you keep things gentle for small jobs and turn up the strength when things get tough.
Circular Saw: Straight Cuts Made Simple
Sooner or later, a project will call for making a long, straight cut. That’s where a circular saw steps in. It’s great for slicing through timber, plywood, and other big pieces. Stationary saws are awesome, but they also cost more and eat up space, so a portable one offers plenty of flexibility.
Stay Safe
Any powerful cutting tool deserves respect. Use two hands and stand to one side to avoid getting in the way if the saw happens to kick back. Modern models come with safety covers and electric brakes that stop the blade fast when you let go of the trigger.
Recommended Model
The Makita 5007Mg Magnesium Circular Saw is praised for its smooth cuts and lighter build, thanks to its magnesium frame. Corded versions keep running as long as you like, so you won’t run out of battery right in the middle of a big task.
Oscillating Multi-Tool: The Swiss Army Knife of Your Set
People in the trade sometimes call this “the tool that can do anything.” An oscillating multi-tool makes short, quick movements that work for sanding, scraping, grinding, and cutting, depending on the attachment.
Why It’s So Useful
This tool really shines in tricky spots. For example, shaving a bit off a door frame so your new flooring fits, or slicing a perfectly square opening in drywall for an outlet. It gets into places that bigger gadgets just can’t reach.
Recommended Model
The Fein MultiMaster AMM 500 leads the way in comfort and vibration reduction. Switches between attachments are simple with their speedy quick-change setup.
Random Orbital Sander: Get a Smooth, Professional Look
Nobody enjoys hand sanding, especially over large surfaces. A random orbital sander spins and wiggles at the same time, preventing odd patterns and leaving a silky finish.
Find the Perfect Sandpaper
Grit numbers indicate coarseness. Use something rough (60 or 80) for quick material removal, then move up to finer grits (like 220) for smooth finishing. Switching between grits in stages gives you a top-quality result.
Recommended Model
The Bosch ROS20VSC Random Orbit Sander comes with a great filter system that keeps dust under control, which is better for you and makes cleanup easier.
Jigsaw: For Cuts That Don’t Go in a Straight Line
For curves, circles, or cutting out strange shapes in wood, a jigsaw is your friend. It moves its blade up and down, guiding through patterns that would be impossible with larger equipment.
Use the Right Blade
Different materials need different blades: wood, plastic, metal, or tile. Thankfully, swapping them in and out is quick, and variety packs are a good value.
Recommended Model
The Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Jigsaw is a favorite due to its ability to adjust cutting speeds and keep dust out of your line of sight with a handy built-in blower.
Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum: Tackle Any Mess
Household vacuums just aren’t built to deal with dust, debris, or spills from remodeling. A decent wet/dry vac can handle sawdust, pieces of wood, puddles, and even small chunks without missing a beat.
Finding the Right Size
Bigger isn’t always better. Wrangling a huge vac is overkill for most folks. Models in the 4- to 6-gallon range are easy to carry and have enough room for most chores.
Recommended Model
The Ridgid 4-Gallon Portable Wet/Dry Vac stores neatly, has serious suction, and features a flexible, kink-free hose. Ridgid even has a lifetime service deal on many of its models, which is a big plus.
Keep Your Gear in Good Shape
A little upkeep makes a big difference for your tools. Don’t leave batteries plugged in forever, and give things a quick wipe after messy projects. If you store equipment in damp areas, adding some silica gel can help prevent rust. Swap out worn blades or bits. The sharper the better, both for safety and efficiency.
