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It’s fast approaching Christmas at the time of writing this post but the great thing about tools and stuff is that they work as a gift any time of year.
Here's some suggestions that work as gifts for people at Christmas, Birthdays, Mothers Day, Fathers Day when they're new to DIY or even just as a hint to someone that you really want that picture hanging up or that cupboard door fixing...
All the tools and items I’m suggesting are either things I already use, things I want to get or things I know to be good. If you look around each linked Amazon page you'll find there are always cheaper alternatives. Over the years I've bought really cheap tools and pretty much always regretted it so my recommendations are towards the better quality end or the range but I'm ever mindful of budget so if you see something more affordable then go for it. I just can't vouch for anything I don't or haven't owned. All I'll say is avoid the really cheap stuff.
One final note, nothing I'm suggesting is sponsored or gifted in any way. All my tools are paid for by me so I'll always give my personal opinion good or bad.
Lets get on then!
Tools as gifts for the yet to be or wannabe DIYer
Just a note: I recommend you don't buy a “tool kit” especially from a discount store. Not because I want you to spend more money but because I don’t want you to waste it! They generally have 50% of tools that will never get used and 100% of tools that aren’t quite as good quality as they really need to be. And that makes for dissatisfying DIY! Much better to buy the individual tools needed and build up in time.
Here's all the suggestion in a list, click on any one to go to some detail on what I suggest and why
Screwdrivers
Start with screwdrivers! Always the first and most used (and abused) of tools, a good set of screwdrivers is well worth having. I've got some Wera and some VDE in my kit. I've got Stanley, Draper, Silverline in other tools but not screwdrivers.
For standard screwdrivers this Wera set is a good selection from a reputable brand.
But if the DIYer is likely to be doing anything near electrics I’d spend a little more and get this electrical screwdriver set because it’s insulated which adds a little more safety
Pliers, cutters and water pump pliers.
Pulling small nails out, tightening things, loosening things, cutting wires (saving your kitchen scissors). I'd go for a 3 piece kit or add in a pair of water pump pliers to make a 4 piece kit. Pliers and wire cutters definitely, personally I find I use water pump pliers a lot more than needle nose pliers but the needle nose ones are SOOO useful when you DO need them. Again, if there's a chance of working on something electrical, I'd suggest insulated rather than non-insulated. Knipex and Wiha I know to be good because I've used them. I've used Draper, Stanley, Silverline in other tools but not in pliers etc. Note - the water pump pliers I've linked are non insulated.
Spirit levels
If there's shelves or anything that needs to be level on the project list, a spirit level is a great call. Over the years I've used Stanley, Silverline, Wilkinsons (yes the cheap UK supermarket) and a few other makes. During the kitchen install I tested all I had and none of them were anywhere near as accurate as I'd thought so I only use them as straight edges now and I invested in this Stabila set. Stabila are recognised as a quality manufacturer. I've got no affiliation with them, they just have a good reputation. If you already have a spirit level, here's a video from the Stabila site that shows how to check the accuracy. It's the video that led me to throw all my old levels in the corner.....
For a starter I'd suggest a single level something like this one. I'll put a link to the set I bought further down in the Upgrades for already DIYers
Tape measure.
It's all good being able to put stuff up that's level but you want to get it in the right place!! I'd recommend this tape. You may think it's a bit pricey and a bit chunky but have a look at my blog post here to see why I recommend it
Hammer
Everybody has a hammer. The snag for me here is that mine is around 40 years old and I've no clue who made it. It looks very much like this Rolson model but I will say that generally I've not had the greatest experience with the quality of Rolson tools so directly after it I've linked a Stanley for about the same price that looks like it might be a bit better. Further down in the upgrades I've linked to what I'd buy if I replaced my current one.
Handsaw
And then a saw. There's always something that needs cutting. Over the years I've had many types of many sizes but now I only really have two that get regular use. Most of the bigger work I do is done with power tools so I have this toolbox saw (mid size one that will fit in a toolbox) for wood and a little junior hacksaw for metal
My junior hacksaw is this Draper one although mine is actually an older model than this (about a 20 year older model)
Power tools for the yet to be or wannabe DIYer
For a new starter I'd say the very first purchase should always be a drill - driver. The only other view I have is if they or you are never going to need to drill holes, then I'd suggest just a driver. As you'll see across my site and YouTube channel, I use the Ryobi One+ cordless or battery tool range in my DIY. The range sits in about the middle of pricing, there's cheaper and there's much more expensive. Cheaper at Aldi or Lidl or the DIY store cheaper ranges will get you tools that work but the range of other tools available on the same battery base is limited. More expensive with say Makita, DeWalt or Milwaukee will get a similar product range but for DIY I don't think my usage justifies the extra cost. If I were a professional using the tools every day I'd personally go with Makita but I'm not so Ryobi suits me perfectly.
Important note with battery tools!! Most don't come with batteries and a charger (they are called "Bare" tools) so if you're starting out, look for a starter kit or make sure you get charger and batteries as well!
As an alternative for not drilling, just driving (undoing or doing up) screws, this kit looks good. It comes complete, the battery is built in. The advantage is it's more compact and lighter. I wouldn't have one myself but in fairness I've occasionally used the Bosch one my wife owns which is an earlier model of this without the angle and offset adaptors
Cable & pipe detector
For any DIY task involving drilling holes in walls floors or ceilings, a cable and pipe detector is a must. Read my post on finding things hidden in walls here.
Other power tool options
Outside of a drill driver, for the DIY starter the next step in power tools probably very much depends on what they plan to do in time but I guess the next most used power tools I have are a multi-tool, circular saw and jigsaw. It’s always a conundrum as to whether the circular saw is more important than the jigsaw, they both have quite a lot of uses so I’ll just suggest you might like to read my post on "What saw should I buy?"
Random stuff and stocking filler type gifts
Here are some smaller, less expensive but nonetheless important needs in DIY.
To start with, we all need to mark things, draw lines to cut to and drill at but it’s not always as simple as “just grab a pencil”. When it is though, I use two different types of pencil:
A ”normal” pencil for marking smaller projects. I use Faber Castell pencils because they seem to break less readily. Read my post on it here. I use them for marking walls for shelves, curtain rails. For marking boards if I’m building a unit or something. Anywhere I need a fine line.
I also use the Faber Castell pencil sharpener that goes on the end of the pencil like a cap and pocket clip. I clip it to my notebook and I've not lost it in about 3 years where I used to lose pencils constantly
Then I use Ox carpenters pencils for larger work and jobs where I might need to see the mark clearly from a distance. So for instance when I was marking out the garden sleepers to cut for the Raised Planting Beds projects
Then there’s other situations. I find melamine faced board and similar shiny surfaces don’t always mark well with a pencil so I have some double ended Sharpies with a broad point one end and a fine point the other end.
If I’m marking something shiny but I don’t want the mark to show after I use whiteboard markers like these
For marking drilling positions on walls or anywhere I have something that actually impressed me when I first saw it and still does. The Marxman marker is for marking through something thick onto a wall or wherever and it’s great. One handed operation, good results, I thoroughly recommend it.
Another thing really worth considering, especially for marking on internal walls or decorated surfaces where you don’t want any marks afterwards is masking tape. Put a strip of masking tape up first and mark onto the tape. Then peel the tape off after. Just check the surface is sound and not flaky first because what’s worse than a small black pencil mark is a strip of paint torn off your wall or a bald patch in your wallpaper!
This is a good quality tape I use but even then be careful what you put it on and don’t leave it on for days (the glue or adhesive seems to set harder over time).
Spare blades for hacksaws are always good to have around
And so is a “Stanley” knife and spare blades. I actually use a genuine Stanley and it’s good.
Only problem is that I can’t put an Amazon link on for it because it’s a bladed item and comes with age related warnings. If you search on Amazon or anywhere else, the one I use is the Stanley Fatmax Folding Knife and it seems to have a product code of 0-10-825
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