Which practical tools should I buy before moving house and doing DIY

[KatyMac]

I have a decent drill (well 2 a plug in power drill and a battery lighter one) flatbed and detail sander and I just bought a multitool (& I'm in love!!)

My jigsaw recently died so im considering a new one

But im moving house so what other tools should I consider

I am tempted by a lot - but I think some decent clamps are on my list and some sort of saw (not necessarily a jigsaw) and maybe a router

Help me be sensible rather than acquisitive!!

I’m assuming you already have small tools. Screwdrivers and Stanley knife and all that stuff.
I follow. YouTuber who has been doing up an old house. Massive job. He had a piece on tools and said he’d learned to wait until he needed a thing. Then buy the best he could afford. And if possible buy from a compatible set with swap out batteries. e.g Makita. Rather than a load of random brands.
Really big stuff that you’re likely to rarely use such as floor sanders just hire. And you need at least one good workbench.

And a ladder. A combo one. And I highly recommend those step stool toolboxes. Use mine loads.

Decent set of drill bits if yours are old. The quick change magnet ones between drill and screw driver are great. Otherwise, wait until you need it.

Circular saw, massive time saver.

Impact driver. I love mine.

Okay, I had no idea what a step stool toolbox was and now that I do - I want it!!

Sensible thing is to buy good quality tools when you need them for a job - then you end up with exactly the tools you need and no more!

I have a workbench and will be having a workable so I think I will get the clamps and maybe a straight edge

Stepstool toolbox is fab but I have a toolbox onwheels so ill use that i think

Ladder - we have 2

Recently bought drill bits and screwdriver ends but also extras for the most used drill bits

I still need some sort of saw & a router or a dremel maybe

I cant use a manual saw as i dont have the strength

Wickes Phillips Screwdriver - PH2 x 250mm | Wickes.co.uk https://share.google/b4DYg138ljEuvIOd4

This is the screwdriver we use the most.

I love this sort - we might have 3 as i lose things!!

Whoops

Depends what you are doing really. My “can’t live without” is a sliding compound mitre saw.

I think that might be icing on a cake that i can't really afford the cake!!

But it sounds fabulous!! My dad would have had one of those for sure

I think i need something better than just a jigsaw, maybe a table saw? I guess I see that as very stationery

The multitool is rough and ready, chopping things out, the jigsaw is more delicate and intricate

I need a skirting boards and shelving cutting & making a mud kitchen type saw - i just don't know what that is

If it's an old house I would suggest a digital adjustable square (not sure if it's got a particular name) because none of your walls will be straight and your corners will most definitely not be 90°.

Check whether you have a tool library in your area. Borrow dont buy...unless you really want/need lots of tools it can be a really handy resource.

I havent found a tool library yet

Digital square def on the list, thanks

Plus a profile scribe thingy!

Totally agree. My Black and Decker workbench is something I use virtually everyday from when I bought it 40 years ago. Also agree , only buy when you need. A common mistake ..people buy jigsaws when a circular saw would be better if most of the woodwork they were doing was cutting straight lines. Jigsaws wander all over the place .

...a mistake...you really don't need much strength to use a handsaw. It's mainly technique AND a saw ( new?) with sharp teeth that does the business. I use an Irwin (sp?) floorboard saw for 80% of my carpentry work ( Toolstation or Screwfix aboit £6) made in Denmark so good quality steel and fine teeth so nice and accurate.

If you are planning on cutting lots of skirting boards, get a good handsaw (you'll be fine with a good sharp one) and a mitre box.

Nope im disabled and my strength and stamina mean I can't do pretty much anything manually

Even the screwdriver takes more energy than i have

The drill screwdriver bits are a lifesaver for most things - I have the manual ones from when I used to be able to use them

It's possible that a circular saw is what I need laterly the jigsaw was used for cardboard (cosplay swords and shields) as it was way better than the electric knife I was using
& I have to be pretty careful about vibration, so jigsaws might be out

My electric scissors have been a life saver for sewing as my hands dont do scissors so well anymore

The weight of tools is an issue

I've seen this - Geekik Cordless Paint Sprayer -but its about 5kg so that might not work for me, without some sort of support

Aah, I see...maybe a chop saw then, but expensive and large but will make short work of all the angles and mitres needed for skirting and shelving.

Set of good quality screwdrivers for a start. Made of chrome Vanadium steel with blasted (matt finish) tips.

Identify the Phillips ones and mark them either coloured tape so you never use them on the more normal Pozidrive screws which are NOT THE SAME.

Test out your screwdrivers on a variety of screws so you can tell the difference between one that fits and one that doesn't.

American branded tool sets such as Stanley often include Philips and no Pozi because they are 50 years behind Europe.

Until you get to recognise the feel of a good fit, you can identify Pozidrive screws by the "X" embossed on the head over the larger "+"

This is really important to successfully shift tight screws, and to avoid damaging your screwdrivers and screws.

I have the evolution one from Screwfix, it was actually not that expensive as tools go. It’s the same thing as a chop saw really but just cuts wider boards than a fixed arm one (up to 20-25cm depending what you get) so good for shelves etc. definitely get that before a freehand circular saw or table saw.