Supplies for a beginner
by
Polly Zieper
+10
I'm new to the DIY world and am starting out very small, slowly, and conservatively as far asspending money on projects that are really all guinea pigs, whil e trying to find small projects to liven up my house..thinking I'll need a hot glue gun and a staplegun, and my birthday is coming up- any suggestions about styles/brands? send me a private message if you want to suggest something, maybe we aren't supposed to plug specific brands on this site?
13 answers
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It's easy and in expensive to get started!! and it's fun! Start by going to a thrift store or yard sale! Find something you like but want to change. You can find a cheap hot glue gun at AC Moore, use a 50% off coupon, and glue sticks. The glue sticks are a little more expensive, but again, use a coupon for that too! A staple gun is a good tool to have if you plan on doing furniture. I'd get one that takes the T type staples. A palm sander is also good to have. To keep costs low, I make my own "chalk" paint. For that, I use Plaster of Paris, sold at any hardware store. I mix 2 -3 tbs of POP with water, then add it to a small sample of regular latex paint.
Mary
on Oct 26, 2014
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There are also "project treasures" at garage sales and best of all, sitting by the road. Keep a lookout for pieces of lumber that you will need later. Get a large plastic garbage can and stand your lumber upright in your garage/shed. You probably need to get a few nails...check out the pricing...sometimes a combo pack works well. An old muffin tin is great to hold different small pieces in your shop, stainless steel/plastic bowls good for holding pieces/parts when working on a project, and these can be found at a thrift store. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, you will need a camera so you can post photos for us!
Jeanette S
on Oct 26, 2014
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Your post made me smile :-) When I first got married, I wanted to become a DIYer. My husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I asked for one of those tools that change heads to be many tool (zip something). For Christmas, I got a lifetime subscription to Handyman magazine and joined their product testing program. I got plenty of tools that way. I also joined Home Depot's lady's night and got tools from there too. Lowe's had something similar and got tools from there. Soon, I had my own tool collection.
Letty
on Oct 26, 2014
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You could try asking on one of the Free sites for items needed then if you change your mind on diy you would of not wasted any money and could put them back on the site to get rid of. Good luck. I have loads of ideas to make and improve things then realise I have not got the money to complete the jobs with only half the bits needed But having a go can be great fun and things are really unique and you really have to use your imagination. x
Sandy Slade
on Oct 26, 2014
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You are right, glue gun and stapler are musts...another product that is a must is Mod Podge. I would suggest seaching on Hometalk and other sites to get inspired. Look at your home and decide on a priority..do you want to create some wall art? Pillows for your sofa? An accent table? A holiday display or tablescape? Then run with it! Copy it from a picture or take some artistic license and add your own flair. It makes your home yours...
V Valencia
on Oct 26, 2014
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My husband has bought most of his 'toys' at auction, saving boatloads of money on a table saw, router, cutting wheels, screw guns (he uses them so much, at home and work, they wear out fast) planers, and such that we could never afford new, though he bought me a brand new palm sander because it's small enough for my poor old bones and muscles to manage. Also True Value rents out tools.
Linda T
on Oct 26, 2014
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@Polly Zieper i guess it all depends on what you want to do....black and decker is a good one for middle of the line priced tools if you think you are going to paint a lot a good brush to have is a 2 inch purdy..just take care of whatever you go with.... hometalk is a good resource for tips on making your own chalk paint (i use plaster of paris) and mod podge is fantastic for so many things or you can make your own out of white glue and water.if you are getting a glue gun go for the low temp melt will save your finger tips buy your stuff at a lowes- home depot ..they can give you a lot of tips.... and most importantly is to have fun with it xx
Chris aka monkey
on Oct 26, 2014
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Garage sales, Thrift stores, fleamarkets, & Craigslist are just a few of the places I collect my items to craft. I also use the Hobby Lobby, Michael's, & Hancock coupons to pick up items at a discount. Even if I don't need an item at the time, I go ahead & get it then I have it when needed. I keep items sorted out in groups with baskets on my craft room shelves. Happy Crafting!!
Diane Daughdrill
on Oct 27, 2014
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here's my suggestion: if you are at a garage sale or thrift store and you cannot explain why you are attracted to something but a bell goes off in your mind that you like it and if it is really cheap and you see it as something different than it is; buy it!!!!!! only buy used things and that includes glue, paintbrushes etc etc.
Jan Engelsman Montes
on Oct 27, 2014
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I started out refinishing old furniture for our house when we started out. That way we got nice old furniture that needed love and most of the cost was a few supplies. I wore out a couple of sanders, went through gallons of stripper, gloves, scrapers. Then I took a local class on refinishing furniture, which I learned more from. I moved on to projects in the house and have been known to work on a project on my own until my husband is able to help. My best (and inexpensive) purchase was a tack/staple puller. Super cheap and I quit breaking nails and gouging wood with makeshift tools. Have a place for your tools, even if it is only an inexpensive tool box that you pick up at Walmart. Keep your tools separate, because mine tend to get borrowed alot because they are easy to find. I have some "womens'" tools (they are a pretty shade of pink) that I bought on sale and my husband likes using them too. So buy a good hammer that is comfortable for you to hold and swing (there are some great fiberglass handles out there, that make them lighter to swing), the tack puller, a small pry bar, a screwdriver with different bits or several different size screwdrivers and you will have enough to start. Get the tools you need and the job gets easier. I keep picture hangers, screws, small nails etc. in old pill bottles to keep them sorted.
Cynthia H
on Oct 27, 2014
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If you're planning on working on any kind of furniture, you should invest in a palm sander. It will sve you lots of time and doesn't cost much at all.
Debbie Harris
on Oct 28, 2014
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We did a feature on this topic at HouseLogic "Top-10 Tools for the First-Time Home Owner" http://www.houselogic.com/blog/home-improvement/first-time-homeowner-guide-tools/ They were Ladder Circular Saw Cordless Drill Hammer Garden Hose Tape Measure Level Screwdriver Pliers Stud Finder
Dona DeZube
on Oct 28, 2014
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Do you have a Michaels or Hobby lobby and a habitat for humanity store? If so look at the weekly ads and coupons. I pick up old plastic table clothes at thrift stores and garage sales to use as drop clothes, get paint brushs at habitat for real cheap, foam brushes go on sale at Michaels all the time and I pick up a bunch when they do, scissors, glue, spray adhesive, glitter, sharpies. sand paper. The best thing is to look for sales and slowly build your base up. I have tole paints, brushes, small paper cutter, glitter, and so much more that I get on sale or find and I might start a project and go to my hobby room and find I have almost everything I need and I don't have to spend any money. Oh by the way scrape book paper is great for a lot of projects too.
Ginger Robinson
on Oct 28, 2014
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