Get equipped for summer DIY with this comprehensive list of gear
Summer is never as long as we'd like – if you haven't got started on your outdoor DIY dreams, now is the time
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The old joke that Canada has two seasons, winter and construction, has a bit of truth to it, especially when it comes to outdoor home renovations.
There’s a special kind of satisfaction to DIY work, especially when what you’re working on is something like a start-from-scratch Muskoka chair or your own deck – something to help you make the absolute most of the outdoors. Whatever the project, you’ll need to make sure you have the right gear to use before starting. Here’s what we recommend.
DEKOPRO 168-piece Hand Tool Kit
Amazon.ca
The thing about DIY jobs is that they come in all shapes and sizes, and you won’t always need a full suite of the latest power tools to get the job done. For the smaller repairs and projects, this all-purpose tool kit is a good place to start. There are plenty out there similar to it, but we liked it best for its mid-range price point, and its inclusion of some items we didn’t see too often in alternative kits, like a small saw and four clips.
Other features:
Steel tools finished in high-polish chrome
Convenient carrying case
Rated 4.4 out of 5, based on more than 6,000 reviews
LEATHERMAN, Wave Plus Multitool
Amazon.ca
Thinking even smaller, sometimes the kind of kit you’ll need for a DIY job need be no bigger than pocket-sized. There are plenty of multitools out there that can do in a pinch, and of those, Leatherman is best-known for a reason. It's packed with loads of tools, including pliers, wire cutters, and spring-action scissors, all seamlessly folded into an elegant and robust package.
Other features:
Includes 18 tools in all
Stainless steel construction with nylon sheath
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 3,000 reviews
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Carhartt Legacy Standard Tool Belt
Amazon.ca
Here at Shop The Weather, we’re big on the spirit behind the culinary art of mise en place – get everything you need together in one place before you begin. Whichever small to mid-sized tools you’ve chosen for your DIY job, this toolbelt from Carhartt should suit your needs. It’s got plenty of room, and is well-balanced.
Other features:
Made from sturdy polyester
Includes nine pockets and loops, including metal measuring tape clip and hammer loop
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 600 reviews
BLACK+DECKER Cordless Drill Kit
Amazon.ca
You don’t need power tools for everything, but for the bigger DIY projects, you will need them eventually, whether it’s home repairs or crafting your own Muskoka chair. We’ll start with a proper power drill, of which there are many options out there. The one that grabbed our attention the most, this one from BLACK+DECKER, features one of the more significant amounts of drill and screw attachments we’ve seen of those in its price range. This is a solid set you won’t regret owning.
Other features:
Kit includes a total of 100 pieces, including carrying case
Cordless operation, with 20V lithium-ion battery, charger included
Rated 4.7 out of 5, based on more than 2,600 reviews
DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
Amazon.ca
If that outdoor project you’re planning involves wood in any way, invest in a circular saw rather than fussing with a hand saw. This one from DeWalt is lightweight with a beefy 15-amp motor, and its included 7.25-inch blade should suit most small-to-medium sized jobs.
Other features:
Can be tilted up to 53 degrees, with stops at 45 and 22.5 degrees
Integrated dust blower clears shavings as you go, keeping your line of sight clear
Rated 4.7 out of 5, based on more than 1,400 reviews
POWERTEC Bamboo Workbench Top
Amazon.ca
Whether drilling, cutting or gluing, woodworking of any kind of precision requires a decent workbench, of which there are several options out there. We suggest this one from Powertec. Its steel frame and bamboo worktop are quite lightweight, coming in at no more than 13 pounds, with a 220-pound weight capacity – good enough for small to mid-sized jobs.
Other features:
Includes four bench dogs to help clamp items in place
Includes storage space for small tools
Rated 4.2 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 300 reviews
BLACK+DECKER Laser Level
Amazon.ca
Speaking of accuracy, while the tool kit near the beginning of this does include a level, and you may already own one yourself, may we suggest this laser version? There are several laser levels out there, but we picked this one because of its nifty wall attachment – you can rotate it to any angle you need, then just leave it where it is and move on to actually hanging that picture or curtain rod.
Other features:
2 AA batteries included
Includes backlit bubble vials for extra accuracy
Rated 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on almost 10,000 reviews
BOSCH Laser Distance Measure
Amazon.ca
You should, of course, have your own tape measure (and if not, there’s one included in the kit we chose earlier in this list), but they can be clunky and awkward when taking the measure of rooms and other large spaces. A laser measure will be your friend in that case, and this one from Bosch is small enough to fit in your pocket and measures distances up to 65 feet, accurate to within an eighth of an inch.
Other features:
Backlit display makes it readable even in poorly-lit areas
Includes 2 AA batteries
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 16,000 reviews
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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