Everybody’s tool set has to start somewhere. I know that when I moved out on my own, my dad gave me a hammer, locking pliers, and a handful of screwdrivers as a basic start. I was able to hang some pictures with that and put together some furniture, which was good enough at the time.
As I’ve gotten older and have my own home, my tool set has been built up. I’ve had to add additional tools and have been handed down some as well from family members who were moving or from grandparents who passed away. I’ve bought tools that haven’t lasted in the long run, forcing me to replace them with brands I’ve learned are better suited to the jobs and to last. While these name-brand tool companies might be more expensive, I’ve found they’re worth it.
Craftsman is my personal favorite
I haven’t been let down yet
There are great tool manufacturers that might be your preferred brand. However, these are the tools brands I have experience with, and I have found success with. This is not an exhaustive list.
Craftsman was a well-known manufacturer for many years in America, as its lifetime warranty showed that the company stood by its quality. The company had a bit of a resurgence when it was sold to Stanley Black & Decker in 2017. Craftsman joined DEWALT, Stanley, and BLACK + DECKER tools in the lineup.
I’ve been lucky enough to have tools from Craftsman from many years ago, as well as more recently, and have been very impressed with the quality. I found a Craftsman toolbox at an antique shop and bought it there. The quality of this stainless steel toolbox is excellent. Despite being an older model, it has three drawers and a lot of storage space that works well.
I received a number of Craftsman screwdrivers from my wife’s grandfather when he passed away. I basically replaced a lot of the lesser screwdrivers I had that used to give me blisters or strip screws more easily with these Craftsman screwdrivers. The build and quality just feel different in my hand and makes using them easier.
I was gifted a brand-new Craftsman Versastack mechanics tool set a few years ago. It comes in a beautifully designed case and has an entire ratchet set with a complete list of fittings. I’ve been able to use it a few times for maintenance for my leaf blower (I have a large industrial push leaf blower) and snowblower, and it’s been great. I personally don’t have a bad thing to say about the Craftsman tools I’ve used.
Ryobi is affordable and good for a new homeowner
I haven’t broken the bank, and it’s been good for me
Credit: Chris Hachey / MakeUseOf
When I was looking for an electric drill and driver set, I went to Home Depot and looked through all the options. I ultimately settled on a Ryobi set because it was cost-effective, and it had decent reviews from the person at the store.
For my purposes, which are mainly putting together furniture, doing household maintenance tasks like mounting things to the wall or hanging curtains, this set has been serviceable. I got both a drill bit set and a driver set, and both have worked well.
While one of the incredibly thin drill bits broke, it was more of a user error because I installed it incorrectly and tried to force it while pushing it into a wall. The battery design isn’t the easiest to charge, as the charger is a bit clunky. But it lasts a long time on a single charge, so I can’t really complain.
I’ve had my Ryobi driver for a few years now, and it’s served me well. For my tasks of DIY and basic handyman problems, it’s been a good and smart purchase. It doesn’t feel cheap and is at a more affordable price point.
Toro has been solid for outdoor work
I trust my lawn and bushes to this
Credit: Chris Hachey / MakeUseOf
Outdoor yard maintenance seems to never end. Whether I’m trying to grow my lawn to look better or raking leaves so it’s not covered, it’s a constant chore. Don’t even get me started on taming weeds as well.
I was lucky enough to be handed down a Toro snowblower from an uncle who was downsizing his home. I can’t say enough about the quality of this machine. It’s a top-notch snowblower with features that make it easier to use than any one I’ve used before.
The snowblower we had in my home growing up was one where you had to turn a crank to adjust where the snow was being thrown. The Toro snowblower I have has a joystick control that makes it more precise and easier to swing the chute in all kinds of directions. The construction of this Toro snowblower is sturdy and easy to maintain, which is another sign of a quality product. Doing maintenance checks on the snowblower isn’t a chore, and it’s up and running in no time.
I liked my snowblower so much that I went out and bought other Toro outdoor products, like a hedge trimmer. I bought a corded one, which I do regret a little bit because I have to run an extension cord for the area near the end of my driveway, where bushes make it hard to see up the street when I’m pulling my car out if they aren’t maintained well.
But I haven’t had any issues with the tools other than that. The hedge trimmer does its duties well and has helped me keep my shrubbery looking sharp. I will be looking to buy Toro again in the future because of how well the tools I have are to use and how well of a job they do for me.
Ridgid helped me in a pinch
I was overwhelmed, but it came in handy
Credit: Chris Hachey / MakeUseOf
I had a situation a few months ago when my kitchen sink wouldn’t drain properly. It was backing up, and the clog wasn’t going away. I tried liquid drain cleaners, but nothing worked. I took apart the P trap underneath the sink, drained the water that was backed up into a bowl, and cleaned out the trap. I thought this actually did the trick, until it started to back up again, and I realized the clog was deeper.
I got some quotes from plumbers to come and snake the drain, and the prices were way higher than I expected. So, I went to the store and looked into handheld manual drain snakes. I found a decently affordable one from Ridgid that looked like a good option. There were more expensive ones from Milwaukee (another great brand from which my dad has some tools), but I opted for the most budget-friendly one from Ridgid.
Using the Ridgid drain snake, I was able to work my way through the clog from the kitchen sink and work it deep into the pipe going into the basement. I then went down into the basement and took the cap off the pipe down there and snaked from there while standing on a ladder just to try and clear out as much of it as possible.
A lot of foul-smelling water was worked through and pushed aside, and the Ridgid drain snake was up to the task. It was easy to use and worked with enough force to get rid of the tough crud that was in the pipes.
Be smarter about your tool purchasing
I fully recognize that some of the options I have aren’t the most high-end brands for tools. But for me, they’ve been reliable and trustworthy so far. I’m sure I might need to buy some different brands of tools for different projects going forward. But brands like Craftsman, Ryobi, Toro, and Ridgid have served me well as a first-time homeowner and someone trying to do more basic tasks around their home.
