Smart buys, value picks and money-saving guides for power tool shoppers
A useful tool gift does not need to be expensive or elaborate. For a new homeowner who enjoys DIY, the best buys are the tools that solve common jobs—hanging shelves, tightening hardware, assembling furniture—without...
A useful woodworker’s gift does not need to be a premium power tool. On a modest budget, the best buys are usually tools that improve measuring, sharpening, clamping, or everyday bench work. Those jobs...
What you need to clean and restore outdoor furniture A few inexpensive tools can handle most patio furniture without risking its finish. Start with a soft-bristle brush, microfiber cloths and a bucket. Add a...
A small concrete repair rarely calls for a mixer, demolition hammer, or professional-grade saw. For a chipped step, a few spalled spots, or a narrow crack, a short list of basic tools is usually...
Spend where it counts A useful backyard pruning kit does not need to start with a chainsaw. For most homeowners, sharp hand pruners, a pruning saw and a stable ladder handle more routine work...
A basic plumbing kit is for the small, common jobs: tightening a loose supply connection, replacing a faucet aerator, clearing a sink trap, or shutting off water safely before a repair. You do not...
What you need for a clean trim job For baseboards, door casing, and small crown molding, you can get by with a tape measure, pencil, level, stud finder, caulk gun, and a saw that...
What the job really needs A fence repair can be as small as replacing two pickets or as involved as setting a new gate post. Buy for the work in front of you, not...
Start with the deck, not the tool aisle For a small ground-level deck—roughly 8 by 10 feet, with a simple rectangular frame—you can often build with a short list of reliable tools rather than...
A useful workbench does not need a premium hardwood top, a matched set of cordless tools, or drawers full of specialty hardware. For a basic bench, the best value usually comes from spending on...
