See title. I have only very little tools so far, screwdriver with plenty of bits, hammer, drill. I’ve been thinking of buying more tools for general purpose home improvement. I like to work with wood, unsure what I will expand into later. Is a multitool a good fit for me?
If yes any recommendations what I want to look out for when buying one? If no any alternate recommendations?
I wouldn’t settle for anything less than a Leatherman Signal or SuperTool if you intend to get any real use out of it.
In case you want to accumulate a toolbox, the rule of thumb is to buy the cheapest tools you can find that work. When one breaks, you know you use it enough to buy a quality one.
It depends on what you want to do and whether you think you’ll stick with DIY or not, but I note you say you like to work with wood. In that case you may want to consider saving a bit and investing in a drill/driver combo and a compact circular saw.
With those tools, a solid work surface, a framing square, some clamps, and maybe a jig or two once you get ambitious (don’t worry, you’ll figure it out), you’d be surprised how much you can build. Lots of us have made the mistake of climbing every rung of the tool ladder and regretting spending a lot of money that we could have avoided just by getting the right tools to start with.
I know you said you are outside of the US, but here is one example from a good brand (at least here, my team Red colleagues will have their own opinions). As you go down in quality the prices get progressively cheaper.
Again, I know it is hard advice when you are not sure how active you’ll be at the end of the day, but when it comes to high-use power tools, it is normally a good idea not to go cheap. But before anybody jumps on me – if you are only going to end up with the odd job here or there and you need to save money, this may be bad advice!
EDIT: someone else mentions a jigsaw. That isn’t a bad idea at all depending on what you’ll be doing.
By multi-tool, do you mean a rotary tool like a dremel or one of the oscillating multi tool? Personally I haven’t found much use for a use for a rotary tool in my home improvement adventures, but I have friends more into woodworking that love the oscillating multi tools.
In addition to the ones you listed, I would recommend a jig saw, circular saw, and optionally a belt sander. That will cover most small to medium home improvement projects. I found all 3 of those tools for less than $20 each looking around pawn shops. The jig saw is the most versatile, you can cut wood or metal with the right blade, it just doesn’t excel at making straight cuts. That’s where the circular saw comes in.
I just plan every project and only buy tools when I need to. Then use general tools that I have before buying something new. So mostly I am opposed to the buy ahead approach.
I literally used a multi tool to cut off a stuck kitchen sink faucet nut last night so I’m a little biased at the moment. Used a cheaper Ryobi brand multi tool to get it done.
If you’re in the US, Home Depot constantly has the Ryobi brand on sale. They may not be the “best” tool but they are significantly more affordable and get the job done. I’ve had my set for about two years and it had “orbital sander, circular saw, multi tool, drill, reciprocating saw, and like 3-4 batteries. “
Thanks! Not in the US but I have been wondering which modules are good. And affordability is certainly a very big factor.
