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45 Tools Everyone Needs in 2019

A list of 45 tools to have around the house. Some might be used all the time, others you will be glad you have when you need them.

1. Measuring Tape

Sure 10′ measuring tapes are nice, but 35′ will come in handy. Can’t go wrong with the classic Stanley Powerlock.

Stanley 35-Foot PowerLock Classic Tape Measure

2. Hammer

Easy choice for this list, but did you know some can cost more than $200? Check out Stiletto for some of the best hammers on the planet. If you swing a hammer all day, this could save you shoulder or elbow surgery in the future.

Stilleto 12-Ounce Titanium Milled Face Hammer

3. Tool Belt

There are a lot of affordable tool belts out there. If you want one that’s top of the line and made in ‘Merica we suggest Occidental Leather.

Occidental Leather Adjust-To-Fit Fat Lip Tool Bag Set

4. Gas Can

Ever get home from work and realize you don’t have enough gas to get back to the pump? Yeah, we’ve never done it either. No-Spill gas cans are perfect.

No-Spill 5-Gallon Gas Can

5. Ladder

Multi-position ladders are the best for around the house, they become extremely useful no matter what the season. The question is, are you a Werner person or more of a Little Giant Safety individual?

Werner 22-Foot Multi-Position Ladder

6. Stud Finder

If you’ve never used a stud-finder before, don’t worry, they’re super easy. Step 1: Turn on the stud finder. Step 2: Get the attention of your significant other. Step 3: Point stud-finder at chest. Step 4: Making a beeping noise.

Bosch Digital Multi Scanner

7. Pliers

Pliers come in handy all the time. It’s also the best tool to have on hand for every fisherman on the planet. Just make sure you have your pliers on a lanyard. It’s hard to find those things 35′ underwater.

IRWIN 5-1/2-Inch Needle Nose Pliers

8. Wire Strippers

Wire strippers are tools specially made for when you can’t seem to find your pliers. Did you know that electricians even use the tools to strip wires?

Klein Tools Kurve Wire Stripper/Cutter

9. Lawn Mower

Are you battling for the best lawn in the neighborhood? Say no more, keep it simple with the Honda 21in. Push Mower.

Honda 21-Inch Steel Deck Push Lawn Mower

10. Cordless Drill

If you really want to go big, there are tons of cordless combo kits out there to get you started on your cordless tools journey. But, if you want to keep it simple around the house we suggest a Milwaukee M12 Drill.

Milwaukee M12 3/8-Inch Drill/Driver Kit

11. Grill

Let’s set the record straight on a few things. #1: A grill is absolutely a tool, ask any Dad ever. #2: If you say “Charcoal grills make everything taste so much better” then you better have gone to culinary school. Check out our selection of Grill and Accessories.

Broil King Crown S 490 Propane Gas Grill

12. Blower

Completing tasks feels good because of the release of dopamine. Blowing your deck and driveway will make your day much better. Check out Milwaukee’s cordless blower.

Milwaukee Gen II M18 FUEL Blower Kit

13.  Extension Cord

Everyone needs an extension cord, and there’s nothing wrong with the classic orange. It gets the job done. But if you invest a little more money then you can get an extension cord with lit ends. It might not seem like a big deal, but it’s one of those things you love when you have it.

Southwire High-Vis 100-Foot Extension Cord

14. Level

Stop eyeballing it, just use the level already. Like this blue magnetic torpedo level that can give you more accurate plumb readings and attach to metal surfaces for more freedom.

IRWIN Magnetic Torpedo Level

15. Pressure Washer

Even watching YouTube videos of people using pressure washers is mesmerizing. If you plan to sell your house, make sure you pressure wash everything that you can outside, it will look so much better after you’re done.

Karcher K1700 Electric Pressure Washer

16. Shovel

Keep it classic with the wooden handled spade shovel. Just don’t forget to wear gloves when you pull it out in the spring.

True Temper Round Point Shovel

17. Tool Storage

You have to put all these tools somewhere. The Milwaukee PACKOUT storage system has been all the craze lately and this 3-piece system can be rolled out to any jobsite.

Milwaukee PACKOUT 3-Piece Tool Box Kit

18. Screwdriver

The tool industry has done a major injustice to the screwdriver business. What happened to wooden handles? Who made the call to only make them out of rubber? Thankfully Felo stays true to their roots.

Felo 5-Piece Wooden Screwdriver Set

19. Vacuum

Shop Vac’s are to shop vacuums, as Kleenex is to facial tissue, so why not outfit your garage with the best option in the industry.

Shop Vac 10-Gallon Wet Dry Vacuum

20. Cooler

Yeah, we sell Yeti, and yes they are amazing just like you’ve heard from all your friends.

YETI Tundra 35 Cooler

21. Hose

At #15 we had a pressure washer, and sometimes a hose can really come in handy with those things.

Flexzilla ZillaGreen Garden Hose

22. Multi-Tool

One word: Leatherman

Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-Tool

23. Workbench

We know most people make their own workbench, but if you’re ever interested in buying one Sjobergs Scandi Plus is a great choice. It’s actually very comforting knowing you workbench is 100% flat.

Sjobergs Scandi 1425 Workbench

24. Chainsaw

So many options with chainsaws nowadays. How do you choose? Well, Husqvarna makes a 18 In. A chainsaw that even gets Tim the Tool Man Taylor excited.

Husqvarna 18-Inch 440 Chainsaw

25. Heater

Mr. Heater set the bar with their Portable Buddy Heater. Changing out those small propane tanks is so simple. This is our favorite companion when we’re out ice fishing or at the hunting shack.

Mr Heater MH9BX Portable Buddy Heater

26. Fan

No, we’re not talking about the box fans that they used to prop the gymnasium doors open in middle school. We’re talking about the Air Mover/Floor Dryer. These things go to work.

B-Air Vent VP-50 Centrifugal Air Mover

27. Light

Don’t think lights can be cool? Check out DeWalt’s Cordless Tripod Light.

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Tripod Light

28. Wheelbarrow

Your back will thank you later, look for a Flat Free Tire Wheelbarrow.

True Temper 6 Cubic Foot Steel Contractor Wheelbarrow

29. Voltage Detector

Takes all the fun out of the “Touch it” “No, you touch it” game.

Milwaukee Voltage Detector

30. Tarp

Why do we painfully suffer through 10-year-old tarps that have holes in them? These things cost as much as a meal at McDonald’s yet 95% of owned tarps have holes. Stop suffering.

Grip Rite Economy Duty Tarp

31. Beverage Container

The classic DeWalt water cooler. Too bad it doesn’t come with pretzels and orange slices.

DEWALT 5-Gallon Water Cooler

32. Clamp

Even if you’re not a common woodworker, you will still find a use for clamps laying around the garage. Good news is that there’s an Irwin 4-Pack to have on hand.

IRWIN Quick-Grip Clamp 4-Pack

33. Trimmer

DeWalts 20v Brushless String Trimmer is so accurate you could almost give the local neighborhood kids free high and tight haircuts.

DEWALT 20V Brushless String Trimmer

34. Storage

“Just throw it in there for now”, stays there for 8 and 1/2 years. It never fails where your garage cabinet becomes the junk drawer of the shop.

Rubbermaid 24-Inch Garage Wall Cabinet

35. Rags

You’ve wiped your hands on the same dirty old hand towel for how long? At this point, your hands are dirtier than before you tried wiping them off. Scott Rags in a Box is extremely underrated and comes in a 200 pack.

Scott Rags in a Box

36. Jack

A jack isn’t just for cars, if one sits in your garage long enough you will find great uses for it. Sunex sells a very affordable 8 Ton Bottle Jack.

Sunex 8-Ton Bottle Jack

37. Sawhorses

Sawhorses are great to have around, and Works created a pair that comes with clamps attached.

Worx 27-Inch Plastic Clamping Saw Horses

38. Thermometer

Sure we get weather on our phones, but you still put a clock on your wall. Why? Because it’s convenient. Check out Extech’s Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer.

Extech Big Digit Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer

39. Shears

Don’t let those bushes get out of control. Tame those beasts with Fiskars Hedge Shears.

Fiskars 10-Inch Telescoping Power-Lever Hedge Shears

40. Garbage Can

Just like the rag, the Brute 44 Gallon Trash Container doesn’t get the respect it deserves. You never think garbage cans are amazing until you have a great one.

Rubbermaid 44-Gallon BRUTE Trash Container

41. Pry Bar

Some projects you try to be really delicate and make sure you don’t break anything. Other times you turn it up to 11 and grab a Vaughn pry bar and give it hell.

Vaughan 15-Inch SuperBar

42. Storage Shelf

We know we already had “Storage” on the list, but the shelf is different. It’s constantly evolving the items it holds with the seasonal changes. DeWalt makes some heavy duty shelves.

DEWALT ToughSystem Workshop Racking System

43. Square

Why are squares shaped like “L”?

Johnson Level Professional Aluminum Try Square

44. Utility Knife

If you want to get fancy with it DEWALT calls theirs a “Folding Retractable Auto-Load Knife“.  Touché.

DEWALT Folding Retractable Auto-Load Utility Knife

45. Griddle

Okay, maybe this shouldn’t have made the list. But if breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then wouldn’t this Tabletop Griddle be the most important tool on the list?

Blackstone 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle

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