10 DIY Tools That Seem Replaceable—Until They’re Gone

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Many home improvement enthusiasts know the drill – pun intended. When you start a project, you are brimming with confidence until you realize the very tool you thought you would never use again isn’t there. It’s easy to overlook some tools when they’re collecting dust in the back of your garage. However, when they’re not there, they become the lynchpin of your whole operation.

The whole point of DIY (do it yourself) projects is to tackle problems, and you want the right tools available to help the process. Of course, it’s so easy to believe you can get by with what you have. Sometimes, however, there is no substitute for that one tool. Here are ten tools that feel expendable… until you don’t have them anymore.

Tape Measure

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You can eyeball what you want to measure, sure, but you’ll end up with uneven shelves and ill–fitting curtains if you’re okay with that. A tape measure is the quiet workhorse of the toolbox, and one of the most borrowed items in any friend’s group. Keep it safe for the times you would need it in the future.

Utility Knife

A utility knife is a lifesaver for cutting through cardboard, trimming wallpaper, or scoring drywall. You can do only so much with a pair of scissors before you understand their limitation. On top of that, a utility knife that’s kept up well will make quick, clean cuts without tearing, which your DIY projects will be thankful for.

Level

If you’ve ever walked into a room and noticed the crooked artwork, then you know why it is a must to have a level. With a spirit level or digital one, this tool guarantees your projects don’t only look good, they look professional. A slight tilt of this furniture can ruin the entire vibe of the room and no one wants to be that person.

Rubber Mallet

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You may think a regular hammer can do it all, but the second you need a rubber mallet you’ll wonder why you didn’t hold onto it. When you want to put together furniture without creating scratches or nudge pavers into their place, it’s the ideal choice.

Clamps

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Clamps are your extra set of hands when you need something to hold in place while gluing, sawing, or drilling. If you don’t have them, you will struggle to balance things precariously or have to beg a friend to hold the other end. They are the unsung heroes of precision.

Stud Finder

No one who has ever hung a heavy mirror without later regretting it ever said, ‘knocking on the wall will do.’ A good stud finder takes the guesswork out of finding the proper support in your wall. That’s reason enough to keep this humble gadget on hand.

Allen Wrenches

The Allen wrench is a hero that exists in plain sight. Most furniture comes with its own, but they’re most often lost and rarely high quality. When you need to tighten or tweak something reliant on those hexagonal grooves, nothing really fits the bill. The best part? A full set takes up no room but it will save you hours of frustration.

Wire Strippers

Doing any electrical work? Wire strippers are a game changer. Scissors or a knife might tempt you, but they’re not safe or efficient. Almost 13 percent of home fires are caused by electrical malfunctions, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Proper tools help you to avoid dangerous shortcuts.

Caulking Gun

When you don’t have a caulking gun, you don’t realize how much you’ve missed it; until you need one. It makes the job that much easier—and neater—whether you’re sealing windows, fixing gaps, or starting a bathroom refresh. Squeezing the tube of sealant by hand? The end result, let’s just say, it will look more like modern art than a fix that really worked.

Needle-Nose Pliers

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These pliers are indispensable when working in tight spaces, or when you need to handle small objects such as jewelry or wires. Using your fingers is frustrating and often results in dropped pieces, and regular pliers won’t cut it. If you have lost yours, when you need them, all you would keep saying is, ‘Why did I think I wouldn’t need them?’

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.