5 tools that should be on your shopping list this Black Friday

Our overarching DIY philosophy is that tools should make your life easier.

The early Black Friday deals have already been on fire, but if you’re saving up all the consumer crazy to unleash it on November 26, we’ve got you covered with our list of five must-have tools that will make your handiwork go smoother and faster.

Whether you’re just starting your tool collection or are looking to update, if you have home improvement projects on the horizon, these tools will get the job done.

Everyone Needs A Multi-Tool

If you are into DIY in any way, shape or form, you need an oscillating tool.

They’re also a favorite with professional builders, for doing everything from cutting, sanding, scraping – especially in hard to reach areas.

I use my multi-tool Every. Single. Day.
Brad, Hammer & Home

Or perhaps you already have one in your workshop, garage or crammed in the closet somewhere and are looking to up your multi tool game.

Brad owns at least five multi tools, but hands down, his personal favorite multi tool these days is the cordless Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2526-20 Oscillating Multi-Tool.

His former fave was the Dewalt XR, but he finds that the oscillation tends to push him around during a cut. The Milwaukee is so steady he can cut one-handed… if he feels like showing off.

The low-vibration level is also a major plus.

Here’s the moment when Brad (a self-professed Dewalt Guy) realized the Fuel was for him:

Handheld Work Light

If you’re embarking on a new era of efficiency in your personal construction process, you’ll want it to be well-lit.

Any type of rugged LED work light is a good start.

We like Dewalt’s 20v Max Hand Held Work Light. Despite the name, you don’t have to hold onto it. It’s got a handy hook to hang it from 2-inch whatever and will stand just fine on the ground when the battery’s in.

The light pivots, has 2 brightness settings and is belt hook compatible.

Perfect for tinkering on the ’68 California Special we all wish we had, or for illuminating any other project you’ve got going on.

Impact Driver

If you have a drill and haven’t acquired an impact yet, well, you might want to sit down.

Using an impact driver for screws puts way less stress on your arm than a regular drill.

Impacts are designed specifically to absorb the torque within the unit instead of transferring it to the user. AKA… you.

Brad has had an ongoing love affair with the Dewalt 20V Max XR Impact Driver, Brushless, 3-Speed, 1/4-Inch, 2.0-Ah DCF887 for years, because of its one-handed loading chuck, 3 speed settings, extra visibility with onboard LEDs and general feel in the hand.

But also because of its impressive sturdiness.

I’ve dropped this a zillion times – even off a roof – and it just keeps on going.
Brad, Not Clutzy At All

He’s a big fan of the middle speed: easy, controlled, not too fast and not too slow.

Ok Goldilocks! Check out his vid for more deets:

Orbital Sander

Yes, the multi-tool we recommended earlier in this post has a sander option.

But if you’re serious about sanding, you’ll want a dedicated tool. And if your dedicated tool is cordless, even better.

Brad’s cordless go-to is the 20v Max Dewalt Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch, DCW210B.

Brad uses Diablo sand paper (the multiple holes make it easy to match up) and the slim batteries.

This is such a sweet sander, I can’t recommend it enough.
Brad, Reserves His Sweet Talk For Tools

The sander is variable speed and has a nice little dust bag on it as well. Plus it stops immediately when you turn it off.

See it for yourself!

Brad Nailer

Now wait a minute, you might be saying.

I’m just a humble DIY-er here. What the heck do I need with a brad nailer?

Do you have door trim that’s bugging you around the house? Are you thinking about building the window casings in your new addition yourself?

Or maybe you knocked the humidfier over and it lead to such a devastating puddle that it permanently etched watermarks into your baseboards, and it’s really time to re-do them.

(Not speaking from personal experience here at all.)

This is where a good brad nailer comes in. It will help you attach material super fast, without a hammer. And it will sink nails like butter.

Not to mention the lack of hammer marks and minimal filling required after.

You won’t need a second tool like a compressor. It’s quiet. It doesn’t give off any fumes.

Brad likes the 18-gauge Dewalt 20v max Cordless Brad Nailer.

Watch him wax poetic about his namesake powertool: