New to DIY, so which tools?

unspec · Post by **unspec** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:49 am

Hello,

I've just bought a house so I'm going to be doing some DIY for the first time *gulp*.

I've got a Collins DIY book, which is very good for the theory side of it but I don't know what brand of power tools to get. Obviously I don't want to buy cheap and buy twice, but can I get good quality on a tight budget?

Cheers.

Wood Magnet · Post by **Wood Magnet** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:07 am

Welcome to the forum unspec, my advice for you is go for the mid price range of power tools.

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:10 am

Welcome to the forum...

If your on a tight budget, but want to buy something decent to last, i think you should condider the RYOBI range, both corded and cordless are excellent value.

Good specs, good build quality all at great prices.

Look out for the One+ cordless range, interchangeable batteries, so you buy the charger and batteries, then whichever tools you want, say a cordless drill, sander and jigsaw.

Screwfix have a good range http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/sea/sea ... 20#results

unspec · Post by **unspec** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:30 am

Cheers,

I take it something like the triple pack would be a good starting point?

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 3&ts=75697

Does that cover the power tool essentials?

(I already have a lithium-ion electric screwdriver covered :D)

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:37 am

Hi unspec,

Welcome to the forum.

I have never tried Ryobi personally apart from an 1/2 router that I have not used yet.

Two good things about Ryobi are price and the fact that they sell everything individually.

Check this out-
http://www.itslondon.co.uk/SearchResult ... eria=ryobi

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:45 am

unspec wrote:Cheers,

I take it something like the triple pack would be a good starting point?

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 3&ts=75697

Does that cover the power tool essentials?

(I already have a lithium-ion electric screwdriver covered :D)

That kit is Â£20 cheaper at industrial tool supplies London and you get a free vacuum and drill bits

http://www.itslondon.co.uk/pd_RYOTOUGHT ... it3pce.htm

unspec · Post by **unspec** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:52 am

ultimatehandyman wrote: That kit is Â£20 cheaper at industrial tool supplies London and you get a free vacuum and drill bits

http://www.itslondon.co.uk/pd_RYOTOUGHT ... it3pce.htm

Site bookmarked, cheers :)

Now I just have to wait for the exchange before I can abuse my credit card.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:52 am

Good luck

tim'll fix it · Post by **tim'll fix it** » Mon May 01, 2006 11:25 am

the green bosch range is a good line of tools for a diyer, they should last a life time

Wood Magnet · Post by **Wood Magnet** » Mon May 01, 2006 11:27 am

Keep us informed of your progress unspec. Good Luck in your new place.

unspec · Post by **unspec** » Mon May 01, 2006 12:56 pm

pitbull wrote:Keep us informed of your progress unspec. Good Luck in your new place.

Cheers, I came here because of the competition. However I strongly suspect I'll be back, there is a lot of work to do (new kitchen, tile the bathroom, decorate all the other rooms!).

Oh my. :o

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon May 01, 2006 1:11 pm

Hi,

What sort of DIY jobs do you anticipate doing? For example, do you expect to be doing a lot of joinery and, if so, will it be cabinet making or door linings and surrounds etc? What about plumbing, electrics, and building?

The reason for asking is that it affects where you spend your budget and what tools you should plan for in your budget.

unspec · Post by **unspec** » Mon May 01, 2006 2:30 pm

matt wrote:Hi,

What sort of DIY jobs do you anticipate doing? For example, do you expect to be doing a lot of joinery and, if so, will it be cabinet making or door linings and surrounds etc? What about plumbing, electrics, and building?

The reason for asking is that it affects where you spend your budget and what tools you should plan for in your budget.

Basic DIY, however I will be doing some light plumbing (fitting new taps) as well as tiling a bathroom. Later on I'll try and fit a kitchen but I can see general decorating and ripping nasty wood panelling being the first tasks.

I still don't have a hammer!

Once I'm in I'll have a better idea of the tasks, and the order in which they need done.

Wood Magnet · Post by **Wood Magnet** » Mon May 01, 2006 4:09 pm

I still don't have a hammer!

matt · Post by **matt** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:39 pm

unspec wrote:
matt wrote:Hi,

What sort of DIY jobs do you anticipate doing? For example, do you expect to be doing a lot of joinery and, if so, will it be cabinet making or door linings and surrounds etc? What about plumbing, electrics, and building?

The reason for asking is that it affects where you spend your budget and what tools you should plan for in your budget.
Basic DIY, however I will be doing some light plumbing (fitting new taps) as well as tiling a bathroom. Later on I'll try and fit a kitchen but I can see general decorating and ripping nasty wood panelling being the first tasks.

I still don't have a hammer!

Once I'm in I'll have a better idea of the tasks, and the order in which they need done.

Oh boy, you've got some tool buying to do. I suggest identifying at least 1 but preferably 2-3 really good tool shops in your area and purchase tools as you go along, making sure you get the tools to do the project that you're working on at the time. At first you'll probably get frustrated because you'll have forgotten to purchase something that you'll need mid-job, however, as time goes on you'll start to build up a collection.

Taking tiling as an example... I bought a cheap Plasplugs wet tile cutter and I could not fault it. Laid porcelain floor tiles followed by wall tiling in the bathroom. The blades blunt now (the porcelain tiles...) but that's easily replaced. However, I also would not have been without a manual tile cutter too. The wet cutter has to be used outdoors (unless you can protect inside against the water spray) which is a pain when you're back and forth from room your tiling. The manual cutter takes care of all the one-off sizes/cuts. A rubber faces grout float is another winner too - beats the nasty DIY ones and does not cost too much either.