One of the biggest prob­lems getting started with a do-it-yourself home improve­ment project is having the right power tools.

How do you choose the right power tools for the job, and not waste money buying the wrong tools?

Easy, just take the advise from someone who has already been through the woes of wasting money on the wrong tools, the ones that break, ones that are the wrong size to be versa­tile for more than one job, and the ones that just don’t live up to their claims.

I’ve invested quite a bit of time researching, and testing these tools to find, what I believe are, the best power tools for the money. So you can be confi­dent in choosing any one of these great do-it-yourself tools for your toolbox.

If you are looking for commer­cial grade tools, see my Commer­cial Power Tools page.

Recom­mended DIY Power Tools

Hitachi DS14DVF3 14.4v 3/8″ Cord­less Drill/Driver Kit

Looking for the best all around starter cord­less drill kit, well this is the perfect drill-driver for any dabbling DIY’er. The compact and light­weight design makes this drill easy to use, and get into tight spaces. But don’t let it’s light weight fool you, it has plenty of power to get through the toughest jobs. The keyless chuck allows for quick and easy bit changes, and it’s two speed trans­mis­sion allows for easy control on any job. For added conve­nience it has a belt hook with-integrated bit holder. The kit includes a stand up flash­light, seven-piece bit set, two batteries, quick charger, and carrying case. And with Hitachi’s 5 year warranty, this proven work­horse will give you years of trouble free service.

Makita DF030DW 10.8v Compact Lithium-Ion Cord­less Impact Driver Kit

At only 6–3/16 inches long and weighing in at only 1.9 lbs. this ultra compact impact driver not only reduces oper­ator fatigue, but can get into the tightest places with ease. And while in those tight spots the built in LED light illu­mi­nates the work area bril­liantly. Don’t worry about power as this little gem has a two speed vari­able trans­mis­sion, and produces 200 in/lbs of torque! Enough power for most jobs. This ultra compact impact has become the favorite of many main­te­nance profes­sionals, elec­tri­cians, cabinet installers, trav­eling profes­sionals, and the smart DIY ladies out there.
The kit includes two 10.8V Ultra-Compact Lithium-Ion batteries and an ENERGY STAR rated battery charger for effi­cient charging power, tool holster, and hard travel case. With Makita’s 3 year warranty I think you’re totally covered on this one.

Makita BTD142HW 18v Lithium-Ion Cord­less Impact Driver Kit

If you’re looking for the best light weight impact driver, here it is. I’ve had mine since they came out and use it commer­cially on a regular basis. Less weight (under 3 lbs) means less fatigue. But don’t let the light weight fool you, this impact’s vari­able speed motor has plenty of power. Getting into tight spots is easy with an impact that is only 5–3/4 inches long, and has a built-in L.E.D. light, to illu­mi­nate the work area. Makita’s lithium-ion batteries offer 2 1/2 time as many batter cycles as stan­dard Ni-Cad batteries, and the charger safely charges a battery in as little as 15 minutes. That means you’re always ready to go. If you haven’t used an impact driver yet, you’ll have to give it a try. These amazing tools can drive screws, of all sorts, drill and even drive lag bolts with ease. No strip­ping while driving or removing screws. And the best part is less effort on your part, as this tool does all the work for you.
This kit includes two 18V compact lithium-ion batteries, 15-Minute Rapid Optimum Charger, and tool case. The travel case has a conve­nient spot to hold a small case of your most used bits, and a built in holder for the stan­dard chuck. For the casual do-it-yourselfer or contractor this is defi­nitely the wise choice.
One last note; I think incor­po­rating a belt hook, on Makita’s next model, would be a useful convenience.

See DIY Cool Tools for Makita’s 3/8″ keyless chuck conver­sion for this impact driver.

This Milwaukee right handed saw is my new favorite DIY power tool. I’d been using a 16 lb worm drive saw for years, but now I’m really enjoying the lighter weight, as well as the ergonomics of this great saw. The ladies will love this saw too, as the tilt-lok handle adjust to most appli­ca­tions, making it very easy to handle. This saw is for right handed DIY’ers. With the blade on the left side of the saw you can easily see the blade, guide, cutting line. This makes it much easier to cut a straight line, not to mention safer. The tilt-Lok handle can be adjusted back for vertical cutting, forward for hori­zontal cutting, or anywhere in between. The kit comes with a carbide-tipped saw blade, blade wrench, and storage case.
A left handed model is also avail­able.
So if it’s time to get serious about buying a circular saw, look no further.

See Are You a Righty or Lefty? for tips on how to choose a circular saw.

Hitachi C10FCE2 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw

This is my favorite inex­pen­sive high preci­sion miter saw. It’s 15-amp motor provides plenty of power for making cross­cuts and miters with ease. The thumb-actuated stops make it easy to make miter adjust­ments, and the elas­tomer hori­zontal handle provides great comfort and control.

This is defi­nitely the best all around miter saw around, and comes with a 10-inch TCT blade, extended fence, dust bag, vise assembly, box wrench, and hex bar wrench. And best of all, it comes with Hitachi’s five year warranty!

So if you’ve been looking for a reason­ably priced miter saw, look no more, this is it! Enjoy.

Porter-Cable 343K 5 inch Random Orbit Sander

This sander has a soft rubber grip that provides great comfort as well as mini­mizing vibra­tion. Hook and loop sanding pads makes for quick changes, and the enlarged plastic hood over the pad allows you to get into tight corners without damaging the pad or your project. For safety the auto­matic brake engages when you set the sander down. Clean up and main­te­nance are easy with the remov­able cap, and the dual dust ports can accom­mo­date 1 inch and 1 1/2 inch vacuum hoses. This reason­ably priced, high quality orbital sander will easily meet most do-it-yourselfer’s needs.

Hitachi CJ110MV Top Handle Vari­able Speed Jig Saw

The top-mounted LED light, a powerful dust blower to improve cut line visi­bility, and a tool-less blade change system make most any job a snap. For comfort, ease of use, and the 5 year warranty you can be assured that your money has been well spent.

Hitachi CR13V 10amp Reci­p­ro­cating Saw

If there’s demo work to be done, then you’ll need a reci­p­ro­cating saw. Often called a “sawzall”, this type of saw is an excel­lent tool for cutting studs away from plates, cutting nails and just getting into those places a stan­dard circular saw won’t go.

A sawzall is very similar to a jig saw, with it’s foot and oscil­lating blade, but the sawzall blade is much wider, and longer, and a sawzall has much more power.
Most sawzalls are very similar in design but vary in power and features.

The most impor­tant features to look for are the ability to change blades quickly without the use of tools, and a comfort­able weight and grip. As control is every­thing when using a sawzall. And of course a great warranty.

That’s why I recom­mend the Hitachi CR13V, as it provides all the features we’re looking for in a reason­ably priced reci­p­ro­cating saw.
Hitachi’s tool-less blade change system not only makes changing blades really fast, but you can also install the saw blade with the teeth facing either side of the saw.This provides extra flex­i­bility for getting into hard to reach places. The easy grip D-handle, and a weight well under 8 lbs provides the safety and ease of control you need.

As far as power goes, the 10 Amp motor with elec­tronic feed­back control gives you all the power you’ll need for most jobs.

And Hitachi’s five year warranty completes the list of features we’re looking for, and assures excel­lent service for years to come.

The Hitachi CR13V comes with an all-purpose blade, hex bar wrench, and heavy-duty carrying case for easy trans­port and storage.

Helping you succeed with speed, with the best and most reason­ably priced reci­p­ro­cating saw, the Hitachi CR13V.

For answers to your specific DIY ques­tions, just ask you DIY Consul­tant.