Top 10 Underdog Tools — Becki and Chris

Throughout this renovation, Becki and I have thought many times, "Man, I never thought that tool would be THAT useful!" So we're here to share with you our top ten list of best underdog tools, geared a bit towards the DIYer just starting out. It's by no means comprehensive, but includes lots of tools we originally had never thought to buy. Obviously you need a drill, measuring tape, utility knife, chop saw, etc. Those are staples everyone needs and that's not what this list is for. This is for the tools that people might not think to buy, but might prove to be extremely useful. So in no particular order:

1. Impact Driver

Ok, I admit, this is a very common tool, but not necessarily one that people unfamiliar with construction/renovation have heard of (e.g. us circa July 2011). Here is our confession: when Becki and I moved into our house, we bought a four piece batte… — Ok, I admit, this is a very common tool, but not necessarily one that people unfamiliar with construction/renovation have heard of (e.g. us circa July 2011). Here is our confession: when Becki and I moved into our house, we bought a four piece battery operated tool kit that included a reciprocating saw, circular saw, drill, and impact driver. We thought "why the hell would we use this 'impact driver' thing when we have a drill?" Anyway, that first night we spent removing kitchen cabinets and one of us took the driver and the other took the drill. Our minds were blown. How the pounding torque drove screws was game changing. Ever since then, our drill has fallen by the wayside, used only for drilling holes. We use the driver for anything involving screws. It's that simple. Actually, I even use my driver to drill holes with my small (i.e. not 54") auger bits; see below.

2. Multimeter

If you work with electricity, whether it be high voltage or low voltage, you need a multimeter. It's a must when trouble shooting circuits, whether you're trying to measure voltage drop at the end of an LED run, find a faulty connection in your LED … — If you work with electricity, whether it be high voltage or low voltage, you need a multimeter. It's a must when trouble shooting circuits, whether you're trying to measure voltage drop at the end of an LED run, find a faulty connection in your LED installation, or when you're faced with a junction box full of wires that you have no idea what's live or what goes where.

3. Oscillating Tool

Random fact: this tool is essentially a bone saw/cast saw that orthopedic surgeons use. Its "blade" has a rough edge that rapidly vibrates and essentially will shatter through any hard surface in a controlled manner, but since it's only vibrating, y… — Random fact: this tool is essentially a bone saw/cast saw that orthopedic surgeons use. Its "blade" has a rough edge that rapidly vibrates and essentially will shatter through any hard surface in a controlled manner, but since it's only vibrating, you can touch the blade off your skin and it won't cut you (unless it hits a bony prominence like your knuckle)! I was walking through Princess Auto, saw it was $40, and said "what the hell, always wanted my own bone saw", and bought it. Since then I've used this for hundreds of things around the house. It can cut metal, plastic, wood, drywall, bones, you name it. Extremely useful for quickly cutting drywall knockouts for junction boxes, flush cutting door jambs, busting out grout when you use the wrong colour, or cutting anything in a tight place. It's largely replaced my Dremel.

4. Auger Bits

If you've ever used a spade bit, you know how painstaking it is to drill a hole over 1/2" diameter, one wood shaving at a time. Enter the world of the auger bit. The key is the screw tip in the centre that pulls the bit through the wood, doing all t… — If you've ever used a spade bit, you know how painstaking it is to drill a hole over 1/2" diameter, one wood shaving at a time. Enter the world of the auger bit. The key is the screw tip in the centre that pulls the bit through the wood, doing all the work for you. No pushing necessary. Seriously, try one. You'll never use a spade bit again. In fact, spade bits should be illegal because they suck so much compared to these. When paired with an impact driver, auger bits will pull themselves through nice and smoothly with no wrist-breaking kickback like you can get with a drill. Oh and these things come in 54" versions for fishing wires (pictured above).

5. Belt Sander

Palm sanders get all the glory, but if you ever join two pieces of wood and need the finished surface to be perfectly flush, a belt sander is extremely helpful. It was paramount in our X-ray light boxes and Nelson bench projects. Careful though beca… — Palm sanders get all the glory, but if you ever join two pieces of wood and need the finished surface to be perfectly flush, a belt sander is extremely helpful. It was paramount in our X-ray light boxes and Nelson bench projects. Careful though because you can mar a surface just as easily as you can smooth it if you're not careful and hit something on an angle.

6. Drywall Screw Gun

If you have to hang any more than a couple sheets of drywall, this is a must. The motor only spins the bit when pressure is applied, so you can lock the trigger on so the motor is always spinning and rapidly drive a row of screws one after another. … — If you have to hang any more than a couple sheets of drywall, this is a must. The motor only spins the bit when pressure is applied, so you can lock the trigger on so the motor is always spinning and rapidly drive a row of screws one after another. Set the threshold for when the clutch mechanism disengages and all your screws are quickly driven to the same depth. rrrreeeeeEEEEEEEEE BZZZT BZZZT BZZZT (That's the sound it makes..)

7. Drywall Lift

Another Princess Auto gem, I found this on sale for half price and jumped on it since it was less than the cost of renting one for a single project (and I could use it at my own convenience because renovations are NEVER on schedule). I've hung 12 foot sheets of drywall solo with this guy. No more deadman post.

8. Multipurpose Ladder

I picked up a Vulcan Ladder at Canadian Tire and it's changed my life. Ok that's an exaggeration, but they're certainly handy. The joint at the apex can flatten to a full 180 degrees to form an extension ladder or lock at an angle for normal ladder use. Both legs telescope to change height and can be set to different heights for setting up on stairs. The only downside is it's probably four times as heavy as a normal ladder, which can be cumbersome for little jobs around the finished house where you might not need all the versatility.

9. Long Level

While tiny levels are useful for hanging pictures (or levelling things in tight places), for everything else I use a longer level. Four feet is good, six feet is better. The longer level will average out any bowing or imperfections in the surface th… — While tiny levels are useful for hanging pictures (or levelling things in tight places), for everything else I use a longer level. Four feet is good, six feet is better. The longer level will average out any bowing or imperfections in the surface that could otherwise give you an inaccurate reading with a shorter level. Great for framing walls, hanging brackets for floating shelves, hanging big art, etc.

10. AC Powered Drill

Most people in this day and age think wireless is better than wire(full?). This isn't always the case. Try fishing wires for a day with a cordless drill where you're continually drilling through joists/studs. Not only will an AC powered drill provide you with a crap-load more power, you won't be switching batteries every three holes. Another example is stirring thick mortar with a mixer attachment; a corded drill is a must.

That concludes our list of top ten underdog tools. There's certainly a lot more we wanted to include, but these are our top picks that might be just obscure enough that you haven't bothered using them, but not so obscure that you won't find them useful! Any underdog tools of your own? Let us know in the comments below!