Smart buys, value picks and money-saving guides for power tool shoppers
Best value for shelf edges For rounding the exposed edges of shelves, a compact trim router is usually the best-value choice. It is smaller and easier to control than a full-size router, yet powerful...
A small desk is a good job for an inexpensive 5-inch random orbital sander. You do not need a high-end model for a few square feet of wood, but a sander that vibrates harshly,...
What an impact driver can—and can’t—do For flat-pack cabinets, an impact driver is useful for assembling frames and driving screws into wall studs when you hang the finished cabinets. It is not essential: a...
For hanging curtain rods in a rental, a basic 12-volt cordless drill is usually enough. The job involves small pilot holes in drywall, wood trim, or wall studs—not driving long structural screws all day....
Start with the station, not a shopping list A compact potting station can be as simple as a sturdy table, a place to store soil, and a few hand tools. For most home gardeners,...
What you need for a small stucco repair For a palm-sized chip or shallow patch, you usually do not need a powered tool or a full contractor’s kit. A basic repair can be done...
Vinyl plank is forgiving compared with tile, but poor cuts and a rushed fit still leave chipped edges, open seams, or trim that will not sit flat. For a typical room, you do not...
What the job requires A basic laundry-room shelf is a small project, but the right tools depend on the wall. A shelf mounted to studs can use ordinary wood screws and a drill. A...
A leaking toilet tank usually needs a small repair, not a new toilet. The useful budget kit is modest: an adjustable wrench, a screwdriver, a sponge, and—depending on what is leaking—a replacement flapper or...
Replacing one damaged deck board is a small repair, so it rarely makes sense to buy a full contractor-grade tool set. The useful shopping list is usually a drill or impact driver, a way...
