There are a lot of options out there when it comes to supplies and tools. Everything from power tools, to hand tools, to paint products. I’m sharing my favorites (that I have tried and used) and what I always need to have on hand. These are also great gift ideas for any DIY-ing friends or family!
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My Basics
Paint Brush
A good paint brush is essential. It helps you achieve a smooth finish and should last you a long time if you take care of it. I’m partial to an angled 2″ short handle brushes because they are easier to maneuver in small spaces (great for painting furniture). Lots of people love Purdy, but I’m partial to Wooster. This one is my favorite.
Spray Bottle
I use a spray bottle every single time I do any type of DIY, especially when working on furniture. It makes it easy to wet rags for cleaning pieces, getting off sawdust, adding water to thin out paint, or cleaning my hands off… everything! I won’t ever go without one again. It feels like my most used tool.
Electric Sander
Sanding can be tedious so this is an awesome time-saving tool. There are many types of electric sanders but I love an orbital sander which is a great one to start out with and can have variable speeds like the one I use. Another option is a palm sanders where you can use your own sandpaper and not have to buy discs like this one.
Power Drill/Impact Driver
From fixing to building a drill/driver is a must-have. It’s one of the first tools I used and is a good first purchase. It will get used a ton and having a cord-free drill/driver (with an extra battery) means you’ll never be without a charge. I own a Ryobi with 2 LI batteries.
Spray Gun
If you’re ready to step up your painting and refinishing capabilities, it’s time for a spray gun. There is only so much you can do with a brush and a sprayed finish does not even compare. For a starter the Critter is an inexpensive option (and is great for spraying primer since clean-up is a breeze), but a husky HVLP gravity feed gun is what I use to spray all my paints and topcoats (it’s the black spray gun in the photo below). Read more about the tools I use for spraying and the ones I tried that did not work for me here.
Air Compressor
You can use a variety of tools with an air compressor. I purchased mine so I would be able to spray furniture, but I hope to get a pneumatic nail gun at some point for upholstery and other projects. Read this post for more info on my compressor and what to look for in a compressor. I definitely recommend buying one used to save a significant amount of money.
Saw Horses
Lifting things off the ground makes them easier to reach (your back will thank you) with a set of saw horses. Adjustable legs lets you raise or lower the height. I lay dressers on their backs on sawhorses to make spraying and reaching all areas (corners, legs, etc.) easier for me.
DSLR Camera
Having a great quality camera to document your projects is extremely important (especially if you blog or share the projects). I own a Nikon D3200. Learn how to actually use a DSLR in manual mode to access all of its capabilities. I love that mine can also shoot video.
*read more about my camera/photo equipment here
Respirator
Save your lungs! Don’t breathe in a bunch of dust or fumes and purchase a respirator. I wear mine when sanding, spraying paint, stripping furniture, or cutting wood. Make sure to change the cartridges according to directions.
Quality Paint and Finish Products
This includes everything from primer to paint and sealer. High quality products make for high quality finishes (also the proper prep work is essential). General Finishes paints, gel stains, and high performance topcoats are my go-to water based finishes. I also purchase acrylic paint from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams from time to time if I’m wanting a very specific color. For primer I always stick with Zinsser, specifically Cover Stain or BIN. The spray cans make everything so much easier if you don’t have a spray gun for primer. I also have been experimenting with oil-based paints and pre-catalyzed lacquer.
Shop-Vac
When it comes to DIY projects there’s always a mess happening somehow. Having a shop-vac helps to keep things clean. You can easily vacuum up sawdust, clean out pieces of furniture, vacuum out a spray booth or garage – whatever you need. An essential for me is having a brush attachment which allows me to vacuum pieces of furniture as I work on them (drill new hardware holes, after sanding, before painting, etc.) and helps pick up dust.
Sandpaper
Always have sandpaper on hand. I use it for everything and always keep varying grits like 150 grit (most used), 220, 300, 400, and 600 grit.
Synthetic Steel Wool
This is one of those supplies I purchased just to try and now I use it for multiple purposes. It’s great to use between coats of paint to scuff the surface without removing the previous coat, stripping furniture, polishing hardware and so many other things. I can only find synthetic steel wool on Amazon (my hardware stores do not carry it, and my favorite is this one.
Dish Heater
I have a dish heater and love it. It’s great because it does not blow air so I can use it after painting a piece to keep the temperature up and help finishes cure (do not use when spraying finishes). It’s also great to keep me warm while working in our cold garage during the winter months. There are also oscillating dish heaters which I should probably upgrade to distribute the heat and not let one area get too hot.
Tack Cloth
Using tack cloth is a more recent thing for me. It truly helps to ensure there are are no (or as few as possible) particles or contaminants on a surface before staining, priming, or painting. I purchase a 12 pack off of Amazon and can use then more than once by placing them in a bag.
Bondo
I use Bondo products as a wood filler. Regular wood filler just doesn’t work as well as Bondo. For small repairs I use Bondo Glazing putty which dries pretty quickly and is easy to sand. For larger repairs I use Bondo All-Purpose Putty which comes in a tub and you have to mix in a cream hardener. It’s pretty simple and can help when there are large gouges, missing veneer, or chips. Bondo does not shrink like regular wood filler does and it actually sands smooth. It’s really great stuff and the only product I reach for.
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For a more advanced DIYer who is building and doing larger projects there are some other great tools to have on hand. I build a kitchen island/prep surface from scratch last year and I used tools that I don’t use for my regular furniture and small projects, but they are needed for other larger projects.
Table Saw
This is high on my list for the next tool I want. No doubt it was the most used (and most versatile) tool when it comes to building. I worked on a Delta table saw similar to this one.
Compound Miter Saw
For smaller projects with smaller board a miter saw is perfect. It doesn’t take up as much room as a table saw and still allows for more specialty cuts. I purchased a small used one at a garage sale that makes small cuts easy.
Kreg Jig
Create some pocket holes and build some furniture! Table tops, drawer frames, shelves, or just assembling a whole piece. A Kreg Jig is easy to use and a must-have for building.
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There are so many great tools and products out there, but these are the basic ones I own and use most often (outside of the that basics like screwdrivers, etc.). I have a bunch of other tools I hope to get one day, but for now these help me do my job better. Do you have any favorite must-have DIY products or supplies? Let me know what I’m missing out on in the comments. 🙂
Your tips have been invaluable. Have you tried Bondo Wood Filler? I spent my a long time prepping and painting my front door with BM Advance Exterior which is super shiny and no hiding imperfections. After a week with no lock or hardware, I re-installed them and messed up a couple of spots. Can I add bondo to fix these spots, prior to my final coat?
And you are right about wood filler. I used it while prepping my door and I have fun time trying to smooth it out and cover the granules in the product.
Hi Steph, I use both the Bondo products I linked to in this post. Most often I use the Bondo glazing putty which works great as a wood filler. If the spots you want to fill are small, the glazing putty would work great, otherwise if they are larger (around 1″ or more) I would use the Bondo All-Purpose Putty. You should be able to apply it and paint over it but it may take more than 1 coat to cover depending on the color your are using. There should be more info on the Bondo website or on the container of filler to let you know what products/types of paint it is compatible with.
Sounds good, thanks for the info. Have you tried this product specifically? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bondo-12-fl-oz-Wood-Filler-30081/206680651
I just wondered if it’s in any better or different than the regular putty. Thanks!
Also, would you recommend purchasing the hardener as well or is the putty good enough?
I have not tried the Bondo “wood putty” since the other ones I use do what I need. The Bondo All-purpose Putty comes in a can has a cream hardener with it. Just follow the directions provided on the can. The Bondo glazing putty comes in a tube and you do not have to mix in a hardener. You just use it right out of the tube. Hope that helps.
Yes it does. Thanks a bunch!
One more question. I just purchased Advanced Exterior paint for a front door rejuvenation project, but I was told it it’s only made in High Gloss. I love Advance, but is there an alternative if it truly comes only High Gloss? I’m hoping the shine will reduce over time.
I’ve only used the regular Advance paint. That comes in satin, semi-gloss and gloss. I wrote 2 blog posts on it, search ‘Benjamin Moore Advance’ on my blog if you want to read about it. I didn’t have the best experience with the paint and so I don’t use it anymore.
Oh, I thought you liked Advance. I’ve used it for everything, from my kitchen cabinets to all my trim and crown molding. What are you using now and what issues did you have with it? And yes, I’ve only used Satin or semi-gloss for trim and only with a brush and velour roller cover, if that makes any difference. High gloss is out of this world shiny. I would never have picked it, if I had a choice otherwise. I used SW Cabinet paint once, but I wasn’t a fan.
I go over all my opinions in the posts I wrote on Advance. You can read about my feelings there and any problems I had with it. I used to use General Finishes products when I used water based paints and more recently I have been experimenting with oil-based paints and lacquer. GF is still one of my favorites.
Got it, I’ll re-read those posts. I have experience with GF Poly and their Milk paint, and I have a can of gel stain to try later. I’m in Cali, and like a lot of things here, oil is banned. Thanks, have a good night.