This is a difficult one for me because I am a tool junky. It would be much easier for me to tell the top 300 tools you must have and why. But I will do my best to shorten that list.
- Cordless Set: A cordless set is the bag I carry with me to every project, I have a cordless drill, impact wrench, flashlight, and circular saw. I personally have the Makita LXT set and I absolutely love it. That is not to say there aren’t less expensive sets that are still very good, I just prefer this set.
- Orbital Sander: Every project that involves wood, whether it be a new project or refinishing, I spend a fair amount of time with my orbital sander. This is one tool that is definitely worth spending the extra money on because it will definitely get used.
- Miter Saw: It is difficult to do any type of finish work without a miter saw, again this is a tool that is worth spending a little extra on. Here is what you get as you spend more: sliding capability for cutting wider boards (VERY HANDY), larger blade for cutting taller boards, more precise manufacturing for more accurate cuts (VERY IMPORTANT IN FINISH WORK)
- Router: A router can come in very handy to add a nice finish detail to a re-finish project or a new project you are working on. There are mainly two types, trim routers which are smaller and can be held in one hand. And larger routers with more power and can hold larger router bits. Both are very handy, I have one of each and use both often. Keep in mind the larger routers can do small bits as well they are just more awkward to hold. But the smaller trim routers cannot do the larger bits.
