New Home - Which tools to get...

graham17_2

Hey All,

I've recently bought a new house and was wondering which tools I should really get first. I've got most of the normal hand ones you'd get (screwdrivers, saw, etc.), so they aren't really a problem.

But as my wedding is coming up (end of May), we're busy making a gift list at the moment. As we've already got the house, most of the normal stuff you might put down as gifts we already have. So I was looking into some of the power tools that might be useful when the good weather (hopefully) rolls around and I might try my hand at making some things (i.e. the fence at the back of the garden needs replaced).

So I figure the gift list could be a good time to stock up on some of the power tools that will come in useful at some point. So I was wondering what people think would be useful in terms of importance to get. Oh, and we already have an electric drill, so we wouldn't need that (unless you think a cordless one would be good to have as well). I was thinking things such as a circular saw (a hand one) for cutting up the wood, a jigsaw, and maybe a sander.

I'm thinking the circular saw would come in very handy for cutting up wood if I do make a fence, or whatever else.

Also, when buying these, does it matter which make we go for? Our drill is black & decker, and works really well, but I was wondering if these more well known makes actually make a difference? We have a gift list at argos, and they happen to stock a lot of the power tools (at often better prices than places likes B & Q). They stock the more well known makes. But when I had a look at the circular saw, they also have cheaper ones (e.g. Challenge). I was wondering if the saving is worth it. Also, is there anything in particular I should look for when buying these (i.e. how high should the wattage be in a circular saw, etc.).

Any hlep would be greatly appreciated as I'm certainly just learning now on the DIY front :-)

Thanks,

Graham.

wallbash

Wot a thread to start


You will get the ..... buy the most /best tool , cheap is false economy brigade.

or

If you are just starting up , just get the tools as and when required
or
Buy cheap , having an expensive tool , sitting doing nothing is VERY expensive.

What makes ...... Bosch normally gets mentioned.

My tip , see what is on special offer !

What tools ..... would require more information. Looking at your posting
guessing I would want a sander before an electric saw.

graham17_2

Hey,

Thanks for the help.

What sort of more info would you be after? Just wondering why you suggest a sander before a saw? I had thought a saw would be good for cutting up the pieces of wood for something like a fence, or if I'm building anything bigger. Not sure of my exact plans yet, just getting ideas :-)

So do we think that the cheaper ones from places like Argos probably aren't worth the saving because the more expensive ones will last longer in the long run? I'd hopefully start using them more the more familiar I get with them.

Just out of interest, why do you say a sander before a circular saw?

I should be able to put a fair few things on the list, just didn't want to overcrowd it with only power tools :-)

Thanks,

Graham.

WestonDave

I've had a house for 12 years and only once had need to use a (borrowed) circular saw - for cutting loft panels to size. You need to bear in mind that they are best for sheet materials because they don't cut that deep, and most of the time its too much hassle getting it out of the box if all you want to do is cut one shelf to length. Most of the time its far quicker to grab a hand saw and get it done - to put this in perspective I even built the kids a climbing tower without one!

On the other hand I've used the sander a lot more often, and even the jigsaw gets more use - there are some cuts where its very difficult to get them done without a jigsaw. (You can also to a degree (ab)use a jigsaw to make cuts that you might use a circular saw to do if its just a one off).

Bear in mind that the more things you put on a wedding list, the more things end up not being bought as people choose other items - so if you start putting things on that you don't really need, you might get them given to you ahead of things you do really need.

WestonDave

One thing to add however is an electric screwdriver and a good selection of bits, including allen key bits and torx bits. Its far faster putting IKEA furniture together with an electric allen key than the fiddly little thing they give you in the packaging - and you might occasionally come across torx screws (star shaped hole). (Recently encountered them fixing the washing machine and also doing something on the car)

wallbash

why do you say a sander before a circular saw?

As WestonDave stated , you will use a sander more than a circular saw.
You mention a garden fence , yes a circular saw might come in handy , but a new hand saw would work.
But if you went with the circular saw, fence would go up fast , but then it might be a long long time before your expensive saw is used again.

Every time you decorate . out with the sander.

because the more expensive ones will last longer in the long run?

Very true , but if the expensive tool sits on the shelf doing nothing :eek:

I might want two 'cheap' tools that are more used.

I would add something like

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/79950/Drill-Bits/Combination-Sets/Titan-Combination-Drill-Bit-Set-405-Pieces

graham17_2

Hey,

Thanks for that. I'll certainly take that into consideration. Makes sense about the list, but at the moment, there's not enough on it :-)

Yea, the electric screwdriver comes in really handy. My mum gave me that when I bought the house, it's a nice wee Bosch one, pretty cool.

Any more opinions or ideas are certainly welcome - I'm quite new to this :-)

Thanks,

Graham.

graham17_2

Hey,

Wow, that certainly is a big set of drill bits. At the moment, I've got the Bosch X series set - I think there is about 100 different items, which has done me so far anyway. But a bigger one could come in handy.

Thanks again for the opinions, I think I quite fancy a sander :-) Any particular type, make, model, etc.? I wouldn't really know which one would be best tbh.

Thanks,

Graham.

pimento

A drill with a hammer action. A small jig saw. A power stapler (I use mine quite often for stuff).

My most often used tool isn't a power tool at all, it's an old bradawl that comes in handy more times than you would think.

wallbash

I think I quite fancy a sander :-) Any particular type,

Wrong question . These things are not toys ( well yes they are ... big boys toys :rotfl:)

Start with thinking what you are going to do . Then we can make informed guesses.

Otherwise , i would keep my money in the bank.... not a helpful reply , but correct in the long term.

Ps I have three sanders , but off hand can't think which one has the most use over the past year.

Imp

We're doing loads of work to our house. After a cordless screwdriver, I probably use the following tools the most.

Crow bar
Spirit level
Circular saw
Adjustable spanner
Mole grips
SDS drill (eats concrete/brick work)
Sledge hammer
Lump hammer
Breaker bar
Router
Jig saw (hate it, won't cut straight)

And then there are all the more specialist tools you use for very occasional jobs

Finishing trowel
Tap spanner
Feather edge board
And a bag full of other stuff I can't think of.

Do Screwfix do wedding lists?