How to Choose Your First Power Tools: A Beginner's Guide

Tools 101
Written By Erin Longfellow

Starting your DIY journey can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re staring down an aisle full of tools you’ve never used before. But the good news? You don’t need a full workshop to get started. Just a few solid, versatile tools can help you build real projects and gain confidence fast.

This beginner-friendly guide breaks down the first three power tools I recommend buying, plus a few others you’ll want to add as you grow.

Start With These 3 Power Tools

These are the tools I’d recommend to anyone just getting started in woodworking or DIY projects. They’re versatile, beginner-friendly, and powerful enough to grow with you.

1. Drill

This is your go-to tool for making holes — in wood, drywall, and more. It can also drive screws into softer materials, making it one of the most versatile tools to start with.

What to look for:

  • Cordless with at least 18V or 20V

  • Variable speed and clutch settings

  • Comfortable grip and lightweight body

💡 Tip: A great starter drill is this Ryobi drill. I recommend and use a Makita subcompact drill — it’s lightweight but powerful, and perfect for smaller hands.

📌 As your projects grow, you may want to add an impact driver to your toolkit. It’s made specifically for driving screws into tougher materials and saves a lot of wrist strain. I break down the difference here → Drill vs. Impact Driver

2. Circular Saw

A circular saw is a great first cutting tool — especially if you don’t have space or budget for a miter saw just yet. With a straight edge or guide, you can make accurate crosscuts, rip cuts, and angle cuts in plywood or dimensional lumber.

What to look for:

  • 6 1/2” or 7 1/4” blade size

  • Cordless for portability (or corded if you’re mostly in one place)

  • Depth and bevel adjustments

🛠️ Pro tip: Use a circular saw with a speed square or guide rail to get clean, straight cuts.

3. Random Orbital Sander

An orbital sander is one of the most underrated beginner tools — but it makes a huge difference in the look and feel of your finished project. It quickly smooths out rough wood, blends joints, and preps surfaces for painting or staining.

What to look for:

  • 5” sanding pad with hook-and-loop attachment

  • Variable speed (helpful but not required)

  • Comfortable grip and dust collection port

🔄 Always start with a lower grit (like 80), then move up to 120 or 220 for a smooth finish.

Other Tools Worth Adding Soon

As your confidence grows and your project list expands, you’ll want to add a few more tools to your collection.

Miter Saw

While a circular saw can handle most beginner cuts, a miter saw makes it easier (and faster) to get accurate, repeatable cuts at precise angles. It’s great for furniture building, trim, framing, and more.

What to look for:

  • Sliding feature to cut wider boards

  • Compound bevel capability

  • 10” or 12” blade (I’ve always used a 10” saw and it’s been plenty big)

🎯 Want to learn how to use it? Check out my Beginner’s Guide to a Miter Saw

Pin Nailer or Brad Nailer

These lightweight nail guns are a game-changer for trim, furniture, and decorative builds. They’re much faster (and cleaner) than a hammer, and leave tiny holes that are easy to patch or hide.

  • Pin nailers use 23-gauge headless pins. They’re best for delicate trim and small moldings where you don’t want the nail to be visible.

  • Brad nailers use 18-gauge nails. They have a bit more holding power and are better for furniture building, small assemblies, and thicker pieces of wood.

What to look for:

  • Cordless for ease of use

  • Pin nailer for delicate trim

  • Brad nailer for furniture and thicker pieces

Tip: Choose one that works with your battery platform if possible. I really like the cordless Ryobi nail guns. Inexpensive and do a great job.


Tips for Choosing Tools

  • Buy the best you can afford. You don’t need top-of-the-line tools to get started, but try to avoid the cheapest ones — they often don’t last and can be frustrating to use.

  • Look for combo kits. Starter kits that include a drill, charger, and battery are often the best value when you’re building your toolkit from scratch.

  • Stick to one battery platform. Tool batteries can be expensive, so it pays to stay loyal to a single brand. As you collect more tools, you can buy the “tool-only” versions (without batteries) at a lower price — and just swap in the batteries you already have.

  • Check for brushless motors. Brushless tools typically run cooler, last longer, and are more efficient — a worthwhile upgrade if it’s within budget.

  • Pay attention to ergonomics. Make sure the tool feels good in your hand, isn’t too heavy, and has controls that are easy to use.

  • Start small and build as needed. You don’t have to buy everything at once. Start with the core tools, and add others as your skills and your projects grow.

  • Cordless = freedom. For most beginners, cordless tools offer plenty of power and let you work anywhere without being tethered to an outlet.

Beginner-Friendly Projects to Try

Ready to put your tools to use? Here’s a few of our beginner projects that use the tools above and learning as you go:

Ready to know more?

Visit my Tools 101 page for more beginner guides like:

DIY can feel overwhelming at first — but with the right tools and a little direction, you’ll be surprised what you can build.

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Erin Longfellow
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Basic Woodworking Terms for Beginners