One of my most frequently asked questions is what power tools a beginner NEEDS to make the projects on their DIY to-do list. The world of power tools can be overwhelming, and lots of DIY tutorials list several power tools as necessary for builds. When I started working on bigger builds, I still didn’t have an expansive power tools collection! There are so many things you can do with limited supplies. There are 3 beginner power tools you need in your collection to be able to DIY almost anything! Let’s dive in:
What brand should I get?
There are lots of options when it comes to brands of power tools. My best recommendation is to pick one brand and stick with it for everything. My husband had a Ryobi drill and saw when we got married, so all of my tools are now Ryobi! The benefit of purchasing within the same brand is that the cordless batteries are interchangeable. So one battery works for my drill, different saws, and even my leaf blower. So what tools do you actually need?
Power Drill
A cordless power drill is crucial for any project! I like this one by Ryobi. Check out this video for a basic tutorial on how to use a power drill and what all the different dials and switches do!
Along with a power drill, you will need a drill bit kit. You can get very basic ones, but I recommend getting a large set so you always have the right size bit for your project. Here is a great comprehensive option.
Circular Saw OR Miter Saw
Based on your budget, you can choose either of these starter saws! I started with a handheld circular saw and was able to do everything I wanted to. Eventually I upgraded to a miter saw, but there are pros and cons to each! Let’s go over those:
Circular Saw
| Pros | Cons |
| Small | Can’t cut through thicker wood |
| Handheld | Straight cuts depend on your steady hand |
| Can do long straight cuts | Not very precise |
| Battery powered |
Miter Saw
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful | Large and heavy |
| Precise cuts | Usually corded |
| Cuts multiple boards at once | Can’t do long cuts (no plywood) |
| Easy to cut angles |
HERE is the circular saw I have, and HERE is the newer version of my miter saw. I still use both very frequently, but for most projects they can be used interchangeably.
Power Sander
You might be thinking to yourself that a power sander is a waste of money, you can just sand things by hand right? WRONG. I made that mistake and once I bought my power sander it quickly became my favorite tool! There are lots of shapes and sizes of sanders available, I personally love my corner cat sander. The shape allows you to get into corners and crevices better than an orbital sander. I have the corded version but one day will grab the cordless one!
The biggest downside to power sanders is having to buy the sanding pads. They can add up to the cost of a project fairly quickly but the end result really is worth it.
Starter Kits
Ryobi offers several combo kit options where you can purchase a bundle of power tools and batteries at a lower price. If you are interested in going that route, I recommend THIS KIT. It has a power drill, circular saw, sander, two batteries, and a couple other useful gadgets.
With these 3 beginner power tools you can tackle almost any project on your DIY to-do list! I made patio furniture, bunkbeds, shelves, and tons of other smaller projects with these 3 beginner power tools! Let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll do my best to answer.
For tutorials on some of the DIYs I accomplished with these 3 beginner power tools, check out my posts HERE.