DIY Dictionary

Air filter

An air filter is a replaceable or washable screen of fibers or pleated media installed in HVAC systems, air purifiers, shop vacuums, compressors, and small engines to trap dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and other particles from the air flowing through, improving indoor air quality, protecting equipment from wear, and maintaining efficient airflow.

Allen wrench

An Allen wrench, also called a hex key, is a small L-shaped or T-handled tool with a hexagonal tip that fits into hex socket screws; it’s used to tighten or loosen fasteners found on furniture, door hardware, faucets, bicycles, and machinery, providing good control in tight spaces and helping drive screws without a separate screwdriver or socket.

Anchor

An anchor is a hardware insert that grips drywall, plaster, brick, block, or concrete so a screw or bolt can hold weight securely, especially where there is no stud or solid wood; different designs expand, toggle, screw into the wall, or bond with adhesive to spread load and prevent fasteners from pulling out.

Angle grinder

An angle grinder is a handheld power tool with a high-speed rotating disc used to cut, grind, sand, and clean metal, masonry, and other hard materials; it accepts interchangeable wheels and accessories, includes a guard and side handle for control, and helps with tasks like trimming bolts, cutting tile, removing rust, and sharpening blades.

Anvil

An anvil is a heavy, hardened metal work surface—often a steel block with a flat face, rounded horn, and accessory holes—used as a solid backing for hammering, shaping, punching, and cutting metal, so DIYers and metalworkers can straighten parts, form brackets and rivets, and perform light forging with control, support, and energy rebound.

Apron sink

An apron sink, often called a farmhouse sink, is a deep, wide sink with a visible front panel ("apron") that replaces a section of the countertop and cabinet face, installed so the sink’s front edge is exposed, offering easy reach, extra capacity for large pots or trays, and a distinctive design used in kitchens and laundry rooms across materials like fireclay, cast iron, stainless steel, copper, and composites.

Backer board

Backer board is a rigid panel—typically cement, fiber-cement, foam, or glass-mat gypsum—installed behind tile or stone to create a flat, stable, moisture-resistant surface that resists movement and prevents damage to finishes, making it a better choice than drywall or plywood in wet or high‑traffic areas such as showers, tub surrounds, floors, and backsplashes.

Ball-peen hammer

A ball-peen hammer is a metalworking hammer with a flat striking face on one end and a rounded “ball” on the other, used for shaping and hardening metal, driving punches and chisels, setting rivets, and shop repairs; tougher than a claw hammer, it comes in multiple head weights with wood, fiberglass, or steel handles.

Ball valve

A ball valve is a shut-off valve that uses a drilled, rotating ball controlled by a lever or handle to stop or allow flow; in homes, it's used on water, gas, and HVAC lines for quick, quarter-turn control, reliable sealing, and easy isolation during repairs, making it durable, low-maintenance, and suitable for many piping materials and pressures.

Band saw

A band saw is a power saw that uses a continuous looped blade running on two wheels to make straight, curved, and deep cuts in wood, plastic, and metal, delivering smooth, controlled cuts with a thin kerf and enabling tasks like resawing thick boards, shaping irregular patterns, and making cuts that may be awkward or unsafe on other saws.

Baseboard

A baseboard is the horizontal trim board installed where the wall meets the floor, covering gaps, protecting drywall from scuffs and cleaning tools, and giving rooms a finished look; it comes in various heights, profiles, and materials (like MDF, wood, or PVC), and is typically nailed and caulked in place, then painted or stained to match the décor.

Beadboard

Beadboard is a wall or ceiling paneling with narrow, vertical boards or sheets that feature repeating rounded grooves (“beads”), creating a classic, textured look. Sold as tongue-and-groove boards or sheet panels made from wood, MDF, or PVC, it’s commonly used for wainscoting, ceilings, and furniture backs to add character and protect surfaces from scuffs and wear.

Bench grinder

A bench grinder is a stationary, two-wheeled power tool that mounts to a workbench or stand and uses abrasive wheels to sharpen, shape, deburr, and clean metal tools and parts; by pressing the work gently against the spinning wheel, you can restore edges on chisels and mower blades, remove rust, smooth welds, and even polish with the right attachments.

Bevel

A bevel is an angled edge or cut that isn’t 90 degrees, created by sloping a surface across its thickness; it softens sharp corners, improves fit between parts, sheds water, and adds decoration in materials like wood, metal, tile, and glass, made using saws, routers, planes, files, or a sliding bevel to measure and transfer angles.

Biscuit joiner

A biscuit joiner (also called a plate joiner) is a handheld woodworking tool that cuts matching oval-shaped slots in two boards so you can glue in thin wooden “biscuits” that swell and lock the pieces together, improving alignment and adding moderate strength for edge, butt, and miter joints used in furniture, cabinets, shelving, and trim projects.

Blade guard

A blade guard is a protective barrier on power tools like saws and grinders that covers part of the spinning blade or wheel, moves out of the way during a cut, and helps prevent accidental contact, debris throw, and kickback injuries while preserving visibility and proper support of the workpiece.

Bondo

Bondo is a brand name commonly used to describe two-part polyester fillers that cure hard when mixed with a small amount of cream hardener, used to smooth dents, fill holes, and rebuild damaged areas in metal, wood, fiberglass, and some plastics, typically followed by sanding and paint to create a smooth, durable surface for automotive and household repairs.

Box cutter

A box cutter is a small, handheld knife that uses a razor-like blade—often retractable or snap-off—to slice materials such as cardboard, packaging tape, plastic, carpet, drywall paper, and thin sheet goods; it’s designed for quick, controlled cuts, easy blade changes, and safer storage, making it a go-to tool for opening boxes, trimming materials, and scoring lines during DIY and home projects.

Brad nailer

A brad nailer is a light-duty nail gun that drives thin 18‑gauge brad nails with tiny heads, used to fasten trim, molding, and delicate wood pieces without splitting or leaving large holes; it provides quick, semi-hidden fastening and is often used alongside wood glue to hold parts in place while the adhesive cures.

Breaker box

A breaker box, also called an electrical panel or load center, is a metal cabinet that takes electricity from the utility and routes it to circuits throughout a home, housing the main shutoff and individual circuit breakers that stop power during overloads or faults; it also lets you safely cut power to specific areas for maintenance or repairs.

Breaker panel

A breaker panel, also called a load center or service panel, is the metal cabinet that distributes power from your utility into individual home circuits, using resettable switches (circuit breakers) to protect wiring from overloads and short circuits; it also contains neutral and grounding bars and provides a single main shutoff for the building’s electrical system.

Brick trowel

A brick trowel is a hand tool with a flat, pointed steel blade and a handle, used to scoop, spread, shape, and cut mortar while laying bricks or blocks, helping masons butter joints, tap bricks into line, and clean up excess, making it the go‑to tool for building walls, repairing masonry, and small concrete tasks.

Brushless motor

A brushless motor is an electric motor used in many modern power tools that replaces mechanical brushes with smart electronics to switch power to the coils, reducing friction and wear, improving efficiency, boosting power and runtime, running cooler and quieter, and requiring less maintenance than older brushed designs, especially in cordless drills, saws, grinders, and outdoor equipment.

Bucket trowel

A bucket trowel is a wide, short‑handled trowel with a flat, often rounded blade used to scoop, scrape, and transfer mortar, plaster, and adhesives from a bucket to a hawk, board, or work area, and to help mix and clean containers.

Cabinet hinge

A cabinet hinge is the hardware that joins a cabinet door to its box and lets the door swing open and closed, ranging from simple exposed butt hinges to concealed European styles; it determines how the door sits (overlay or inset), how far it opens, and how smoothly it moves, and it can often be adjusted to align gaps and close softly.

Caulk

Caulk is a flexible, paste-like material applied to seal gaps and joints in building surfaces, blocking air, water, and pests while improving appearance and efficiency; it comes in tubes used with a caulk gun and cures to a rubbery seal that can be paintable or nonpaintable, depending on the formula and location.

Caulking gun

A caulking gun is a handheld tool that holds a tube of caulk or adhesive and uses a trigger to push material out in a controlled bead, sealing gaps and cracks around windows, doors, tubs, sinks, and trim, reducing drafts and moisture, improving energy efficiency and appearance, and helping bond building materials during repairs and installations.

C-clamp

A C-clamp, also called a G-clamp, is a U-shaped metal clamp with a threaded screw that tightens a movable pad against a fixed frame, letting you hold materials securely while you glue, drill, cut, weld, or assemble, by applying controlled pressure that prevents movement or gaps until the task is done or the adhesive cures.

Center punch

A center punch is a hardened steel tool with a pointed tip that you tap with a hammer—or use spring-loaded—to create a small dimple so a drill bit starts exactly where you want, preventing wandering and improving accuracy on metal, wood, and plastic, while also helping transfer measurements, start screws, and mark layout lines for cleaner, safer DIY work.

Chain clamp

A chain clamp is a hand tool that uses a length of metal chain attached to a tightening or locking mechanism to wrap around and grip round, irregular, or oversized items, applying uniform pressure all the way around so you can hold, align, or temporarily secure parts during cutting, drilling, gluing, welding, or repair without relying on flat jaws that might slip or crush the workpiece.

Chalk line

A chalk line is a handheld layout tool with a reel of string inside a small case; the string is coated with colored chalk and snapped against a surface to leave a straight, temporary guideline. Hook one end, stretch the string tight, then snap to mark accurate lines for cutting, aligning, and installing in carpentry, drywall, roofing, masonry, and flooring.

Check valve

A check valve is a one-way mechanical valve installed in plumbing, pumps, and heating systems that lets fluid move in the desired direction but automatically stops flow if it tries to reverse, protecting equipment, preventing backflow and siphoning, maintaining system pressure, and helping keep potable water, sump pumps, well lines, and hydronic loops working reliably without manual intervention.

Chisel

A chisel is a hand tool with a shaped cutting edge on a hardened steel blade, designed to be pushed by hand or struck with a mallet to cut, pare, or shape wood, stone, or metal; it lets you remove controlled amounts of material for tasks like mortises, hinges, tile removal, and detailed shaping in home projects.

Circuit tester

A circuit tester is a small, handheld tool that indicates whether electricity is present or a path is complete in a wire, outlet, switch, or appliance; it helps DIYers safely verify power is off before work, confirm correct wiring, trace faults, and test continuity, using simple lights, beeps, or displays to show voltage, polarity, or open/short conditions.

Circular saw

A circular saw is a power tool that spins a round, toothed blade to make straight cuts in lumber, plywood, sheet goods, plastics, and some metals, guided by a flat baseplate (shoe); available in corded or cordless models, it handles rip, cross, and bevel cuts with material-specific blades and common accessories like guides, fences, and dust ports.

Claw hammer

A claw hammer is a hand tool with a flat striking face for driving nails and a curved, split claw on the back for pulling nails or prying apart materials, commonly used for household tasks like framing, trim work, hanging hardware, and light demolition; it comes in different weights and handle materials to suit comfort, control, and task requirements.

Combination square

A combination square is a measuring and marking tool that pairs a metal ruler with a sliding head set at 90° and 45°, often including a bubble level and scratch awl, so you can mark square and miter lines, check edges for accuracy, set depths on saws and routers, and transfer measurements on wood, metal, and plastic with repeatable precision.

Combination wrench

A combination wrench is a double-ended hand tool with an open jaw on one end and a closed, ring-shaped box end on the other—both the same size—used to grip and turn hex or square nuts and bolts, offering quick placement with the open end and high‑grip, slip‑resistant turning with the box end in tight or awkward spaces.

Compound miter saw

A compound miter saw is a bench-top power saw with a circular blade on a pivoting arm that makes quick, repeatable crosscuts at set angles; its head tilts (bevels) and rotates (miter) to cut two angles at once, producing accurate trims, frames, and moldings from wood, MDF, and some plastics.

Compression fitting

A compression fitting is a plumbing connector that seals a pipe or tube by tightening a nut to compress a soft metal or plastic ring (ferrule) against the tubing and the fitting body, creating a reliable, watertight joint without soldering; commonly used on copper, PEX with inserts, and plastic supply lines for faucets, toilets, and appliances.

Compressor

A compressor is a machine that squeezes air into a storage tank to raise its pressure, then feeds that pressurized air through hoses to power pneumatic tools, inflate tires and sports gear, spray paint, and clean surfaces; home models range from small portable "pancake" units to larger stationary setups and are rated by PSI, CFM, tank size, noise, and duty cycle.

Concrete anchor

A concrete anchor is a fastener designed to attach objects to solid concrete, masonry, or brick by expanding, threading, or bonding within a drilled hole, creating a secure hold for loads in tension and shear; common styles include wedge, sleeve, screw, and epoxy anchors used for mounting fixtures, framing, machinery, and safety-critical hardware.

Concrete float

A concrete float is a flat, smooth-faced tool—handheld or pole-mounted—used on fresh concrete right after screeding to level minor ridges, embed aggregate, and bring up a thin layer of paste, improving flatness without sealing the surface, and leaving a uniform, slightly textured base for edging, jointing, or later trowel finishing.

Concrete mixer

A concrete mixer is a tool or machine that blends cement, sand, gravel, and water into fresh concrete by tumbling or mechanical agitation; it ranges from small handheld paddles and portable electric drums to towable gas units and truck-mounted mixers, delivering consistent, workable batches that reduce labor and improve results for slabs, footings, fence posts, sidewalks, pads, and countertops.

Construction adhesive

Construction adhesive is a high-strength, gap-filling glue packaged in cartridges or tubes and designed to bond common building materials—such as wood, drywall, concrete, metal, foam, and ceramic—creating a durable hold while reducing the need for screws or nails; it can be used indoors or outdoors, sets within minutes to hours, and cures to a long-lasting bond suited to many home projects.

Cordless drill

A cordless drill is a handheld, battery-powered tool that spins drill or driver bits to bore holes and drive screws in wood, metal, plastic, and light masonry, with variable speed and adjustable torque, a quick-change chuck, and built-in safety features, giving you portable power for repairs, furniture assembly, and many home projects without the hassle of a trailing power cord.

Corner bead

A corner bead is a rigid strip—typically metal, vinyl, or paper-faced—that caps the outside corner of drywall or plaster, protecting it from impact while creating a straight, clean edge that’s easy to finish with joint compound; it’s used on walls, soffits, window returns, and arches to prevent cracking, chipping, and uneven lines.

Countersink

A countersink is a cone-shaped recess in a hole—or the bit that cuts it—used to let flat or bugle screw heads sit flush or slightly below the surface, to remove burrs, or to start holes cleanly, improving appearance, reducing snags, and helping parts fit tightly in wood, metal, and plastic projects.

Countersink bit

A countersink bit is a drill bit with a conical cutting tip that creates a tapered recess at the top of a hole so flat-head screws sit flush or slightly below the surface; it also chamfers or deburrs edges in wood, metal, and plastic for cleaner, stronger screw seating and a better-looking finish.

Crosscut saw

A crosscut saw is a hand or power saw built to cut across wood grain; its teeth are shaped to slice fibers cleanly, leaving a smoother edge than rip saws, and it’s used for trimming boards to length, cutting framing lumber, molding, and sheet goods, with versions from traditional handsaws to Japanese pull saws and powered miter saws.

Crown molding

Crown molding is a decorative trim installed where walls meet ceilings that creates a finished transition, hides small gaps or waviness, and adds character with shadow lines; it comes in many profiles and materials, can be painted or stained, and is usually joined with mitered or coped corners for a crisp, continuous look.

Cutoff wheel

A cutoff wheel is a thin, circular abrasive or diamond-embedded disc used with angle grinders, rotary tools, or chop saws to slice through metal, tile, masonry, and other materials by removing material along a narrow kerf; designed strictly for straight cutting, not side grinding, it requires correct speed rating, guarding, and technique for safe, clean cuts.

Cutting mat

A cutting mat is a protective, self‑healing work surface placed under craft knives, rotary cutters, and utility blades to prevent damage to tables, improve cutting accuracy, and extend blade life; most mats include printed grids and angle guides, and come in sizes and thicknesses suited to sewing, model making, paper craft, and light DIY projects.

Dado blade

A dado blade is a special table saw blade set that cuts wide, flat-bottomed grooves and notches—called dados and rabbets—to create strong, accurate wood joints for shelves, cabinets, and boxes; it works by stacking cutters and shims to adjust width, and requires a compatible saw, a matching throat plate, careful setup, and safe feeding techniques.

Deburring tool

A deburring tool is a handheld or machine-driven cutter used to remove sharp edges, raised metal slivers, and rough plastic or pipe shavings (burrs) left after cutting, drilling, or machining, creating smoother, safer edges that fit better, seal properly, and finish cleanly in plumbing, electrical, metalworking, and general DIY projects.

Deck screws

Deck screws are corrosion-resistant exterior-grade screws designed to fasten decking boards and other outdoor wood or composite materials to framing; they typically feature weatherproof coatings or stainless steel, a flat, self-countersinking head, sharp cutting tips, and star or square drives to reduce stripping, providing strong, long-lasting connections that resist rust, loosening, and splitting better than standard interior or drywall screws.

Deck stain

Deck stain is a protective, penetrating finish for outdoor wood surfaces—especially decks—that adds color, repels water, blocks UV rays, and helps resist mildew; it comes in clear to solid-coverage options and oil- or water-based formulas to enhance grain, reduce graying and splintering, and extend service life when applied to clean, dry wood and maintained with periodic cleaning and recoating.

Demolition bar

A demolition bar is a heavy-duty pry bar made of forged steel, designed to provide leverage for tearing apart building materials, pulling nails, lifting and prying framing or decking, and breaking free stuck components during teardown and remodeling; it typically features beveled chisel ends, a curved or straight profile, and nail-pulling slots for fast, controlled demolition work.

Dowel

A dowel is a straight, cylindrical rod—most often hardwood but also metal or plastic—used to align, pin, or reinforce parts by fitting tightly into matching holes; in woodworking and DIY it creates strong, hidden joints, acts as a peg or axle, and comes as long rods or pre-cut pins in standard diameters.

Drill bit

A drill bit is a removable cutting tool that fits into a drill or driver to bore clean, sized holes in wood, metal, plastic, masonry, and other materials; bits come in many shapes, sizes, and materials to match the job, and their cutting edges remove material as they rotate at speed.

Drill press

A drill press is a stationary power tool with a motor-driven spindle and an adjustable table that holds materials while a drill bit is lowered in a straight, controlled line, allowing precise holes at set depths and angles in wood, metal, and plastic; it improves accuracy, repeatability, and safety compared with a handheld drill for tasks like drilling, countersinking, sanding, and mortising.

Drywall anchor

A drywall anchor is a small hardware insert that grips the hollow drywall panel so a screw can hold more securely when there’s no wall stud; it expands, toggles, or threads into the gypsum to spread the load and prevent pull‑out, letting you hang items like shelves, mirrors, and curtain rods without damaging the wall.

Drywall knife

A drywall knife is a broad, flat-bladed hand tool used to spread joint compound and tape seams on drywall; it features a flexible stainless steel or blue steel blade with a straight edge, available in widths from 4–14 inches, and is used for filling screw holes, feathering joints, scraping, and finishing corners when paired with a corner knife or mud pan.

Drywall saw

A drywall saw is a hand or folding saw with a narrow, pointed blade and coarse teeth that pierce and cut gypsum board, letting you make openings for electrical boxes, vents, lights, and repairs; it starts cuts without predrilling, follows curves or straight lines, and offers fast, controlled cutting with an ergonomic handle and hardened, rust‑resistant teeth.

Dust mask

A dust mask is a face covering designed to reduce the amount of airborne particles you breathe in during dusty tasks like sanding, sweeping, or mowing; simple “nuisance” masks offer comfort for larger, non-hazardous dust, while NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators (such as N95) fit snugly and provide real protection against fine particles, including sawdust and, with the right rating, hazardous dust like silica.

Ear protection

Ear protection refers to devices like earplugs and earmuffs that reduce the noise reaching your ears during DIY projects, construction, and yard work, helping prevent hearing damage and ringing (tinnitus); by sealing the ear canal or covering the ears, they cut sound levels so you can use power tools, mowers, and generators more safely and comfortably.

Edge banding

Edge banding is a narrow strip of PVC, ABS, wood veneer, or metal applied to the exposed edges of plywood, MDF, or particleboard to cover raw cores, protect against moisture and chipping, and create a finished look; it comes as iron‑on, peel‑and‑stick, or machine‑applied rolls used for cabinets, shelves, and flat‑pack furniture.

Electrical tape

Electrical tape is a stretchy, pressure‑sensitive insulating tape—usually PVC or rubber—designed to safely cover and protect electrical conductors, provide strain relief, bundle and color‑code wires, and seal splices from moisture and abrasion; it is rated for specific temperatures and voltages, flame retardant, and should complement proper connectors rather than replace them.

Epoxy resin

Epoxy resin is a two-part liquid system—resin and hardener—that you mix to create a strong, waterproof, and chemical‑resistant plastic that bonds, fills, and coats surfaces; as it cures by a controlled chemical reaction, it forms a hard, durable finish used for repairs, adhesives, castings, and protective coatings on wood, concrete, metal, and more.

Extension cord

An extension cord is a flexible length of insulated cable with a plug on one end and one or more sockets on the other, used to bring temporary household or tool power to places a built‑in outlet can’t reach, with ratings for indoor or outdoor use, wire thickness (gauge), amperage, and length that affect safety, performance, and voltage drop.

Featherboard

A featherboard is a woodworking safety and workholding accessory for table saws, router tables, band saws, and similar tools; its flexible fingers apply angled, spring-like pressure to hold lumber tight to the fence or table, guiding stock steadily past the blade or bit, reducing kickback and chatter, improving cut quality, and freeing your hands to focus on feeding and control.

Feather edge

A feather edge is either a long, straight leveling tool used to smooth and check flatness in plaster, render, and floor screed, or a tapered, knife‑thin edge created on materials; the term also names the tapered timber boards used for fencing and cladding, whose overlapping thin-to-thick profile sheds water and creates a neat, continuous face.

Finishing nails

Finishing nails are slender nails with small heads designed to be driven slightly below the wood surface and filled, creating an almost invisible fastener; used for trim, molding, casing, and cabinetry, they provide reliable hold without splitting delicate stock and can be installed with a hammer and nail set or a 15‑ or 16‑gauge finish nailer.

Finish sander

A finish sander is a small, easy-to-control power sander with a flat rectangular pad that moves in tiny orbits to smooth wood and painted surfaces, especially near the end of a project; it removes light scratches and tool marks, prepares surfaces between coats, and leaves a fine, even finish with minimal risk of gouging.

Flange

A flange is a flat rim, collar, or ring that projects from a pipe, fitting, fixture, or surface so you can bolt, screw, glue, or seal parts together, align them, or anchor them to a floor or wall; common examples at home include toilet (closet) flanges, pipe and duct flanges, and floor flanges used for mounting rails, furniture, and equipment.

Flap disc

A flap disc is a circular abrasive for an angle grinder, built from overlapping sandpaper-like flaps on a rigid backing, used to grind, shape, blend, and finish metal, wood, and some plastics in one pass; as it wears, fresh grit is exposed, giving faster removal than sandpaper sheets and a smoother, cooler cut than hard grinding wheels.

Floor jack

A floor jack is a wheeled, hydraulic lifting tool with a long handle and a pivoting saddle that rolls under a vehicle and raises one corner or end by pumping the handle, allowing safe placement of jack stands for jobs like tire changes, brake work, or oil changes; compared with scissor or bottle jacks, it offers smoother lifting, better stability, and faster setup on flat, hard surfaces.

Flush cutter

A flush cutter is a small, spring-loaded hand tool with sharp, ground-flat jaws that snip wire ends, zip ties, soft metal pins, and other small protrusions right at the surface, producing a clean, nearly flush cut that minimizes sharp edges, sanding, and rework on home DIY, electronics, and craft projects.

Flush trim bit

A flush trim bit is a router bit with a small guide bearing that rides along a template or finished edge while the cutters shave the workpiece to match, producing edges that are perfectly even with the reference surface; it’s commonly used for trimming laminate, cleaning up plywood, copying shapes, and finishing edge banding in woodworking and carpentry.

Foam brush

A foam brush is a low-cost applicator with a wedge-shaped foam head on a small handle, used to spread paint, stain, varnish, and glue on trim, furniture, crafts, and touch-ups. It lays down smooth coats with minimal brush marks, excels at edges and small surfaces, and can be rinsed for reuse or simply discarded after the job.

Forstner bit

A Forstner bit is a woodworking drill bit that cuts smooth, flat-bottomed holes with clean edges, guided by a center point and rim cutters, making it ideal for hinge cups, overlapping or partial holes, and precise joinery; it excels in hardwoods, softwoods, and plywood, and is commonly used in a drill press or a well-controlled hand drill.

Framing square

A framing square, or carpenter’s square, is a flat L-shaped measuring and layout tool with a long blade (about 24 inches) and a shorter tongue (about 16 inches), marked with scales and layout tables, used to check 90-degree corners, lay out stairs and rafters, mark straight and square cuts, and guide accurate measurements on lumber and sheet goods.

Friction tape

Friction tape is a black, woven cotton cloth tape saturated with a rubber adhesive (usually tacky on both sides) that adds grip, guards against abrasion, and provides basic electrical insulation for wire splices, bundles, and tool handles; it excels at staying put on rough surfaces but isn’t a stretchy, weather-sealing replacement for modern vinyl electrical tape.

Gasket

A gasket is a compressible ring or sheet placed between two joined surfaces—like pipe flanges, faucets, or engine parts—to create a tight, leak‑stopping seal by filling tiny gaps and irregularities; made from materials such as rubber, cork, fiber, PTFE, or metal, it works under bolt or clamp pressure to keep water, air, gas, or oil where it belongs.

GFCI outlet

A GFCI outlet is a safety receptacle that constantly compares the electricity going out on the hot wire to the amount returning on the neutral and shuts off power in milliseconds if it detects a small imbalance—often caused by current leaking through water or a person—helping prevent electric shock in wet or damp locations like bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, and outdoors.

Glue gun

A glue gun is a handheld tool that heats cylindrical glue sticks and dispenses melted adhesive through a nozzle, creating quick-setting bonds on materials like wood, fabric, cardboard, plastics, and ceramics for crafts, light repairs, and home projects; models vary by size and temperature, and the glue cools within seconds to provide a tacky, durable hold suited to temporary or semi-permanent tasks.

Glue spreader

A glue spreader is a hand tool used to apply adhesives evenly over a surface, ranging from simple plastic paddles and silicone spatulas to notched trowels and roller applicators; it helps control coverage, thickness, and mess so joints bond securely in tasks like woodworking, flooring, laminating, crafts, and other DIY projects.

Grease gun

A grease gun is a hand-operated or powered tool that pumps lubricating grease through a nozzle into fittings called grease nipples (zerk fittings), allowing you to apply precise amounts of grease to bearings, hinges, and moving parts on equipment, vehicles, and household hardware, reducing friction, quieting squeaks, and extending component life with clean, targeted lubrication.

Ground fault

A ground fault is an unintended path that lets electric current leak from a live conductor to ground—often through water, a metal case, or a person—so power flows outside the normal hot-to-neutral route, creating a shock and fire hazard that devices like Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) detect and shut off within milliseconds, often caused by damaged insulation, moisture, or wiring mistakes.

Grout

Grout is a cement- or resin-based paste used to fill the joints between tiles or masonry units, locking them in place, supporting edges, keeping out dirt and moisture, and improving the finished look; it is applied after tiles are set, pressed into the gaps with a grout float, cleaned off the surface, then often sealed to resist stains and wear.

Hacksaw

A hacksaw is a handheld frame saw that holds a thin, replaceable metal blade under tension, used for cutting metal pipes, rods, bolts, brackets, and plastics, featuring a U-shaped frame with a handle and fine teeth that cut on the forward stroke, making it a compact, affordable tool for precise straight cuts in plumbing repairs, hardware trimming, and small shop projects.

Hacksaw blade

A hacksaw blade is a narrow, replaceable strip of toothed steel that mounts in a hacksaw frame to hand-cut metal, plastic, and other hard materials; blades come in various lengths, materials, and teeth-per-inch (TPI) ratings to match the task, and are tensioned in the frame so the teeth cut smoothly on the push stroke.

Hammer drill

A hammer drill is a power drill that adds a rapid hammering action to its spinning motion, letting you drill holes in hard materials like concrete, brick, and stone; switch off the hammer mode and it works like a regular drill for wood or metal, making it a handy choice for installing anchors, fasteners, and fixtures in masonry.

Hand plane

A hand plane is a manual woodworking tool with a flat sole and a sharp blade that shaves thin layers from wood, letting you smooth surfaces, straighten edges, fit doors and trim, and fine-tune joinery by taking controlled cuts; it’s guided by hand rather than power, giving precise, clean results.

Hand saw

A hand saw is a manual cutting tool with a toothed steel blade and a handle, used to cut wood, plastic, and similar materials by moving the blade back and forth, offering control for tasks like framing cuts, trimming moldings, and shaping small parts where power tools may be impractical, noisy, or unsafe, and giving quick, accurate results with minimal setup.

Heat gun

A heat gun is a handheld power tool that blows a concentrated stream of hot air—hotter than a hair dryer—to soften, shrink, or loosen materials, helping with jobs like stripping paint, shrinking heat-shrink tubing, thawing pipes, bending plastic, removing adhesives, and activating certain finishes; most models offer adjustable temperature and airflow for control and safety.

Hex key

A hex key, also called an Allen key or Allen wrench, is an L‑shaped hand tool with a six‑sided tip used to tighten or loosen screws and bolts that have a hexagonal recess; it comes in metric and inch sizes, reaches tight spaces, and offers solid control for assembling furniture, adjusting hardware, and bike or appliance repairs.

Hinge jig

A hinge jig is a template or guide that helps you drill or route precise holes and recesses for door, cabinet, or gate hinges, ensuring consistent placement, alignment, and depth; it clamps or registers to the workpiece and works with common tools like a router, drill, or Forstner bit so hinges fit cleanly and operate smoothly.

Hole punch

A hole punch is a hand or power tool that cuts clean, round openings by shearing material against a sharp die, letting you make consistent holes in paper, leather, rubber, plastics, and thin metal for binders, belts, grommets, rivets, and electrical knockouts without drilling, using simple leverage, a hammer blow, or a screw-driven or hydraulic mechanism.

Hole saw

A hole saw is a cup-shaped saw that attaches to a drill and cuts large, clean, circular holes by removing a ring of material rather than drilling out the whole area; it uses a central pilot bit to stay centered and can cut wood, plastic, thin metal, drywall, tile, and more with the right design.

Impact driver

An impact driver is a handheld power tool that uses rapid, hammering bursts of rotational force to drive screws, lag bolts, and other hex‑shank fasteners with high torque, reducing cam‑out and wrist twist compared to a drill; it accepts 1/4-inch hex bits and excels at heavy fastening tasks in wood, metal, and masonry anchors.

Insulation board

Insulation board is a rigid sheet of foam, fibrous, or mineral material that resists heat flow and air leakage, often with foil or plastic facings; DIYers cut and fasten it to walls, roofs, floors, and foundations to create continuous insulation, reduce energy loss and noise, and manage moisture when seams are taped and edges sealed.

Jack plane

A jack plane is a mid-size hand plane, typically 14 inches long (often called a No. 5), used to quickly trim, flatten, and straighten wood; set for medium to coarse shavings with a slightly curved blade, it bridges rough stock removal and finer planing, making it a go‑to tool for prepping boards, fitting doors, and general carpentry tasks.

Jamb saw

A jamb saw is a specialized hand or power saw designed to undercut the bottom of door jambs, casings, and baseboards so new flooring can slide neatly underneath. By trimming trimwork at a precise height, it creates clean transitions, hides cut edges, and preserves required expansion gaps for tile, laminate, vinyl, and hardwood installations.

Jigsaw

A jigsaw is a handheld power saw that moves a narrow, up-and-down blade to make curved, straight, and plunge cuts in wood, plastics, metal, and more, using different blades and speed settings; it’s widely used for cutouts, notches, and detailed shapes in DIY projects because it’s easy to control and can start cuts inside a workpiece through a drilled hole.

Joint compound

Joint compound, often called drywall mud, is a spreadable paste used to fill and smooth seams, screw holes, and minor surface flaws in drywall; it is applied over joint tape and corner beads in several thin coats, then sanded to create a paint-ready surface for walls and ceilings in new construction, remodeling, and repairs.

Joist

A joist is a horizontal structural member—commonly made of dimensional lumber, engineered wood, or steel—installed in parallel to support a floor, ceiling, or deck by carrying weight to beams, ledgers, or walls; subflooring or ceiling finishes attach to joists, and their size, span, and spacing are selected to meet code requirements and the loads a space must handle.

Keyhole saw

A keyhole saw is a narrow, pointed hand saw with a stiff, tapered blade and a pistol-style handle used to start small holes and cut tight curves or openings in thin materials like drywall, plywood, and plastic; often called a compass or pad saw, it pierces with its tip and steers easily for detailed cutouts and on-the-spot adjustments.

Knockout plug

A knockout plug is a small metal or plastic piece used with pre-scored holes (“knockouts”) in electrical boxes, panels, and some plumbing fixtures; it either seals an unused opening or is intentionally removed to create an entry for conduit, cable, or an appliance connection—such as the dishwasher inlet on a garbage disposal—helping maintain safety, cleanliness, and compliance with manufacturer instructions and electrical codes.

Kreg jig

A Kreg jig is a branded pocket-hole drilling guide that lets you join wood by driving screws at an angle; it aligns the bit, sets drilling depth, and holds your work steady so you can build cabinets, frames, and furniture quickly with strong, hidden joints using special self-tapping pocket-hole screws.

Ladder stabilizer

A ladder stabilizer is an add-on that attaches to a ladder to widen its base or hold it away from a wall, reducing side-to-side wobble, protecting gutters and siding, spanning windows and obstacles, and improving balance and reach so you can work more safely and comfortably on painting, cleaning, roof, maintenance, or light repair jobs.

Lag bolt

A lag bolt, also called a lag screw, is a heavy-duty, hex-head wood fastener with deep threads that you drive with a wrench or socket into a predrilled pilot hole to secure heavy lumber, attach hardware to studs or posts, or fasten wood to masonry anchors; it’s designed for strong, long-lasting connections in structural and outdoor projects.

Laser level

A laser level is a tool that projects a bright, straight laser line or dot to create exact horizontal, vertical, or square references, helping you align and level items like cabinets, tile, shelves, and framing; many models self-level automatically, mount to tripods or walls, and work indoors or outdoors with a detector for long distances.

Lattice trim

Lattice trim is a thin, flat molding strip—typically about 1/4 inch thick and 1–2 inches wide—used to hide gaps and seams, frame lattice panels, and create simple decorative lines on walls, furniture, and exteriors; sold in wood, PVC, and composites, it often comes pre-primed for paint and installs with finish nails or construction adhesive for a clean, low-profile finish.

LED work light

An LED work light is a portable or mountable lighting tool that uses energy‑efficient light‑emitting diodes to deliver bright, focused illumination for jobsites, garages, and home projects, offering cool operation, long life, and rugged housings, with options like handheld, clamp-on, tripod, and rechargeable designs to safely light tight spaces, task areas, or entire rooms during construction, repair, painting, or emergency tasks.

Level

A level is a measuring tool and a construction term referring to perfectly horizontal alignment; the tool—ranging from simple bubble (spirit) levels to digital and laser models—helps you check or establish true horizontal planes, right angles, and slopes so shelves, cabinets, floors, and other installations sit straight, align correctly, and function as intended.

Lock nut

A lock nut is a nut designed to resist loosening from vibration and torque by adding friction or a mechanical feature—like a nylon insert, deformed threads, or a captive washer—so bolted joints stay tight on furniture, machinery, decks, and household projects without relying only on standard thread fit or liquid thread-locking compounds.

Lumber

Lumber is sawn and processed wood sold as boards and beams for building and DIY projects, available in standard sizes, species, and grades; it may be kiln-dried or pressure-treated, and is chosen for strength, appearance, and cost to frame walls, build decks and fences, craft furniture, or create trim and shelving.

Magnet stud finder

A magnet stud finder is a small handheld tool that uses a strong permanent magnet to locate the steel screws or nails that fasten drywall or other wall coverings to wood studs, allowing you to mark stud positions for safer, sturdier mounting without batteries, electronics, or calibration, by simply sliding it across the surface until it sticks to hidden fasteners.

Mallet

A mallet is a striking tool with a broad, nonmetal head—typically rubber, wood, plastic, or urethane—designed to deliver controlled force without marring, denting, or deforming the workpiece; DIYers use it to tap joints together, drive woodworking chisels with less damage, seat pavers or tile, adjust parts during assembly, and nudge materials where a metal hammer would cause marks.

Masking tape

Masking tape is a paper-backed adhesive tape designed to stick securely yet remove cleanly, used to protect surfaces, create paint lines, label items, and hold parts temporarily during DIY tasks; it tears by hand, accepts writing, and comes in various widths, tack levels, and formulations for paint, heat, UV exposure, and delicate surfaces.

Masonry bit

A masonry bit is a carbide- or diamond-tipped drill bit designed for drilling into hard building materials such as concrete, brick, block, stone, and mortar; paired with a hammer drill or rotary hammer, it chips and grinds while the flutes remove dust, producing accurate holes for anchors, fasteners, and service penetrations in construction and DIY projects.

Measuring tape

A measuring tape is a flexible ruler housed in a handheld case or open reel, marked in inches, feet, and/or millimeters, used to quickly measure lengths, widths, and distances for building, repairs, sewing, and crafts; its sliding end hook and retractable blade make it easy to pull, lock, read, and store measurements on jobsites, in workshops, and around the home.

Miter box

A miter box is a simple guide with pre-cut slots that holds a hand saw at fixed angles—usually 45°, 90°, and often 22.5°—so you can make accurate, repeatable crosscuts and miters in trim, molding, and small stock without power tools; it pairs with a backsaw and helps beginners cut clean joints for frames and finish work.

Mortar

Mortar is a workable paste made from cement or lime, sand, and water that hardens to bond bricks, blocks, stones, and tiles, fill gaps between them, and cushion slight irregularities; it also refers to thin-set tile mortar, a cement-based adhesive with fine aggregates and polymers used to set ceramic, porcelain, and stone to floors, walls, and countertops.

Mortise

A mortise is a precisely cut recess, cavity, or slot in wood, metal, or masonry designed to accept a matching part—often a tenon, hinge leaf, or lock case—so the pieces fit flush and lock together, creating strong, accurate joinery or allowing hardware to sit level with the surface for doors, furniture, frames, and structural work.

Multimeter

A multimeter is a handheld electrical tester that measures voltage (AC/DC), current, and resistance, and checks continuity, diodes, and more, so you can verify power, trace faults, and confirm safe operation in circuits. DIYers use it to troubleshoot outlets, switches, light fixtures, appliances, and batteries, reducing guesswork and helping prevent damage or shocks during repairs.

Nail set

A nail set, also called a nail punch, is a small, hardened steel tool with a pointed or cupped tip that you tap with a hammer to push a nail’s head slightly below the wood surface, protecting the surrounding material from dents so you can fill the hole and achieve a smooth, paintable or stainable finish on trim, cabinetry, and other fine carpentry.

Needle file

A needle file is a small, fine-toothed hand file—typically 4–6 inches long with a narrow, pointed profile—used for precise shaping, smoothing, and deburring in tight spaces on metal, wood, plastic, and other materials, making it handy for tasks like fitting hardware, cleaning threads, refining cutouts, and finishing small parts and delicate edges.

Needle-nose pliers

Needle-nose pliers are hand tools with long, tapered jaws that reach into tight spaces, grip small parts, bend wire, and trim ends using a built-in cutter; their slim profile and pointed tips give control for tasks like electrical work, jewelry repair, and household fixes where regular pliers are too bulky to fit or hold precisely.

Nitrile gloves

Nitrile gloves are disposable or reusable protective gloves made from synthetic nitrile rubber that resist oils, fuels, and many chemicals, offering better puncture resistance than latex and avoiding latex allergies; DIYers use them to keep hands clean and protected during painting, auto repairs, cleaning, plumbing, and handling adhesives, though thickness and chemical compatibility should match the task.

Oil-based paint

Oil-based paint is a traditional coating that uses an oil (usually alkyd) as the binder and a solvent such as mineral spirits to keep it liquid, producing a hard, durable finish that levels smoothly, resists moisture and wear, and adheres well to challenging surfaces, but it has stronger odors, longer dry times, and requires solvent cleanup compared to water-based paints.

Orbital sander

An orbital sander is a handheld power tool for smoothing wood, paint, and fillers by moving a round or square sanding pad in tiny, fast orbits that reduce visible scratch patterns; it uses hook-and-loop discs or sheets, connects to dust collection, and is great for light shaping, surface prep, and between-coat sanding on furniture, doors, trim, and general home projects.

Oscillating tool

An oscillating tool is a compact, handheld power tool that moves its accessory in a tiny, rapid side-to-side arc, allowing controlled cuts, sanding, scraping, and grinding in tight spots; by swapping blades and attachments, you can plunge-cut drywall, trim door casings, remove grout or caulk, undercut jambs for flooring, and tackle detail work without bulky saws.

Paint scraper

A paint scraper is a hand tool with a flat, sharpened blade used to lift, shave, or peel away paint, varnish, glue, or other surface coatings from wood, metal, glass, and masonry so you can repaint or refinish. It ranges from simple putty-knife styles to pull scrapers with replaceable blades and specialty shapes for corners, trim, and windows.

Paint tray

A paint tray is a shallow, sloped pan with a deep well for paint and a ribbed ramp that lets you load and evenly distribute paint on a roller, reducing drips and splatter; it keeps paint accessible on the floor or a ladder shelf during wall, ceiling, or trim work, and often accepts disposable liners for faster, cleaner cleanup.

Panel saw

A panel saw is a large cutting tool—either a wall‑mounted vertical frame or a sliding table machine—built to make accurate straight cuts in full sheet goods like plywood, MDF, melamine, and acrylic, allowing you to quickly break 4×8 panels into square parts for cabinets, furniture, and other projects with better control, repeatability, and safety than handheld saws.

Phillips bit

A Phillips bit is a cross-shaped screwdriver bit designed to fit Phillips screws and used with hand drivers or power drills to drive and remove fasteners in wood, metal, and plastic; it comes in common sizes like PH0, PH1, PH2, and PH3, and its tapered design helps prevent overtightening by allowing controlled cam-out under high torque.

Phillips screwdriver

A Phillips screwdriver is a hand tool with a cross-shaped tip designed to fit Phillips screws, centering itself in the X-shaped recess to drive or remove fasteners in wood, metal, and plastics; it is widely used for household projects like furniture assembly, hinge installation, and outlet covers, and comes in sizes that match specific screw heads.

Pilot hole

A pilot hole is a small, pre‑drilled guide hole made before inserting a screw, nail, or larger bit, so fasteners start straight, grab cleanly, and materials don’t split; sized to the fastener and material, it reduces driving force, improves alignment, and is used across wood, metal, and masonry for tasks like hinges, cabinets, decking, anchors, and hardware.

Pipe cutter

A pipe cutter is a hand or power tool that slices through plumbing pipe by pressing a cutting wheel or blade into the material, creating a straight, burr-minimized cut; models are sized and designed for specific pipe materials—such as copper, PVC, steel, or cast iron—and are used to quickly make accurate cuts for repairs, replacements, and new installs.

Pipe thread sealant

Pipe thread sealant is a tape, paste, or liquid applied to tapered pipe threads that fills microscopic gaps and provides lubrication, allowing fittings to tighten smoothly and seal against leaks in water, gas, air, and hydraulic systems—provided the product is matched to the pipe material, fluid, pressure, and temperature.

Pipe wrench

A pipe wrench is a heavy-duty adjustable hand tool with serrated jaws and a pivoting hook jaw that bite into round metal pipes and fittings, providing strong, non-slip grip to turn, tighten, or loosen threaded plumbing connections; unlike smooth-jawed wrenches, its teeth and self-tightening action are designed for soft metals like steel or iron pipe, not for hex nuts or finished surfaces.

Planer

A planer is a woodworking tool—available as a hand plane or a powered machine—used to shave thin layers from wood to smooth surfaces, reduce thickness, true edges, and fine‑tune fit; it works by moving a sharp blade across or the wood past rotating knives, producing flat, parallel faces and crisp edges for doors, shelves, trim, and furniture projects.

Plaster trowel

A plaster trowel is a flat, rectangular, handheld finishing tool with a smooth metal blade and handle used to spread, level, and polish plaster, joint compound, and similar coatings on walls and ceilings, helping create even surfaces, sharp corners, and tight, durable finishes during new construction, drywall repair, or decorative skim-coating projects.

Plumb bob

A plumb bob is a pointed weight hung from a string that uses gravity to locate true vertical (plumb) reference lines, helping you align walls, posts, cabinets, tile, and other building elements accurately, especially where laser levels aren’t practical or power isn’t available. It’s simple, reliable, and works indoors or outdoors.

Plumb line

A plumb line is a simple tool made of a string and a pointed weight called a plumb bob; it uses gravity to show a true vertical line, helping you align walls, posts, tiles, doors, and cabinets by hanging freely and settling straight down, giving a dependable up-and-down reference for building, remodeling, and layout tasks.

Plywood

Plywood is a manufactured wood panel made by gluing thin layers of wood (veneers) with alternating grain directions, producing strong, stable sheets for building, furniture, and repairs; it’s sold mostly as 4x8‑foot panels in various thicknesses, species, and grades, including options rated for interior, exterior, or marine use and specialized finishes.

Pneumatic nailer

A pneumatic nailer is a nail gun powered by compressed air that drives collated nails or pins into wood and other building materials through a trigger-activated piston; connected to an air compressor by a hose, it delivers fast, consistent fastening for framing, trim, roofing, and flooring, provided the right nails, air pressure, and safety practices are used.

Pocket hole

A pocket hole is an angled, countersunk pilot hole drilled with a jig and stepped bit in one board so a self-tapping, washer-head screw can be driven into another board, pulling the pieces tightly together from the inside or edge to create a strong, hidden wood joint commonly used for cabinets, frames, shelves, and many furniture projects.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is a tough, clear or tinted plastic used as coatings, adhesives, and foams; for DIY it most often means a protective wood finish (oil- or water-based) that seals surfaces against moisture, abrasion, and stains on floors, furniture, cabinets, trim, and doors.

Post level

A post level is a small, two- or three-sided spirit level that straps or clamps to a post, pipe, or stud so you can check plumb and level on adjacent faces at the same time, hands-free; it typically has vertical, horizontal, and sometimes 45-degree vials, fold-out arms, and magnets or elastic bands to help install straight, upright structures quickly and accurately.

Power planer

A power planer is a handheld electric tool that uses a fast-spinning cutter head to shave thin layers from wood, helping you flatten boards, reduce thickness, smooth rough lumber, bevel or chamfer edges, cut shallow rabbets, and trim sticking doors quickly and accurately; an adjustable depth knob, fence, and dust port improve control, cleanliness, and straight, repeatable passes.

Power strip

A power strip is a multi-outlet device that plugs into a wall receptacle to let you power several low- to moderate-wattage devices from one location, often with a built‑in on/off switch and overload protection; some models add surge protection or USB charging, but they are not all the same and must be matched to your needs and the environment.

Pressure washer

A pressure washer is a powered cleaning tool that pumps water at high pressure through a spray wand to lift and rinse away dirt, mold, paint, and grime on outdoor surfaces such as siding, decks, concrete, fencing, vehicles, and equipment, using interchangeable nozzles and detergents to match the task while reducing manual scrubbing and water usage compared to a garden hose.

Pry bar

A pry bar is a sturdy metal lever with tapered, chisel-like ends used to lift, separate, and pull fastened materials by turning small force into greater leverage; DIYers use it for removing trim, pulling nails, lifting appliances slightly, opening crates, and general demolition while protecting surfaces with a wide blade and built‑in nail slots.

Putty

Putty is a moldable paste or dough-like material used to fill gaps, seal joints, and repair surfaces; it cures to a firm, sandable state and comes in formulas for wood repair, glazing windows, plumbing seals, and general patching, making it handy for smoothing flaws, fastening glass panes, and preparing surfaces for paint and finish.

Putty knife

A putty knife is a handheld tool with a flat, usually flexible metal or plastic blade and a handle, used to spread, smooth, and scrape fillers like wood putty, spackle, and joint compound, remove loose paint or caulk, clean surfaces, and press materials into small gaps, with blade widths and stiffness chosen for the task.

PVC pipe

PVC pipe is a rigid plastic tube made from polyvinyl chloride used for household drains, venting, irrigation, and DIY frameworks; it’s lightweight, low-cost, and resists rust and chemicals, sold in various diameters and pressure ratings (“schedules”), and joined with matching fittings using primer and solvent cement to create watertight, long-lasting connections.

Rafter

A rafter is a sloped structural beam that runs from the roof’s ridge (peak) down to the wall plate, supporting the roof deck and transferring loads from shingles, snow, and wind to the walls; rafters are installed in pairs or sets to shape the roof and create its slope (pitch).

Ratcheting wrench

A ratcheting wrench is a hand tool with a toothed, one-way mechanism built into the box end that lets you tighten or loosen nuts and bolts by swinging the handle back and forth without lifting it off the fastener, speeding work in tight spaces while reducing knuckle-busting slips compared to a standard open-end or box-end wrench.

Rebar

Rebar, short for reinforcing bar, is a ridged steel rod placed inside concrete to add tensile strength, helping slabs, footings, walls, and other pours resist cracking and bending; it comes in various sizes, grades, and coatings, and is tied into grids or cages before concrete is poured to create stronger, longer-lasting structures.

Recessed lighting

Recessed lighting, also called can lights or downlights, are ceiling-mounted fixtures installed flush with the surface so only the trim is visible, directing light downward or at an angle to provide general, task, or accent lighting while keeping a clean, uncluttered look and freeing up headroom in kitchens, baths, living areas, and hallways.

Reciprocating saw

A reciprocating saw is a corded or cordless power tool that drives a straight blade back and forth at high speed, letting you quickly cut wood, metal, plastic, and even nail‑embedded lumber in tight or awkward spaces; with the right blade, it handles demolition, pruning, plumbing cuts, flush trimming, and plunge cuts on remodeling jobs.

Respirator mask

A respirator mask is a protective face covering that filters hazardous airborne particles and, with the right cartridges or filters, certain gases and vapors; it seals to your face (and sometimes covers the eyes) to reduce what you inhale during tasks like sanding, cutting, spraying, or cleanup, provided it’s correctly selected, fit-tested or fit-checked, worn consistently, and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Riser

A riser is a vertical component that adds height or carries a service upward: on stairs, it’s the upright board between treads; in plumbing, irrigation, gas, or electrical systems, it’s a vertical pipe or conduit that routes lines from floors or underground to higher levels. Risers help create safe stair geometry and provide organized pathways for water, fuel, and cables within a building.

Rotary tool

A rotary tool is a compact, handheld power tool that spins a small bit at high speed (often 5,000–35,000 RPM) for light-duty tasks like cutting, sanding, grinding, carving, polishing, engraving, and drilling; by swapping accessories, one tool handles many detail jobs on wood, metal, plastic, tile, and more, in tight spaces and for precision work around the home.

Router

A router is a handheld or table-mounted woodworking power tool that spins a cutting bit at high speed to shape edges, cut grooves, and hollow areas in wood and some plastics; with different bases and bits it performs tasks like rounding corners, making dadoes and rabbets, flush-trimming, and pattern routing for furniture, cabinetry, and trim work.

Router bit

A router bit is a replaceable cutting tool that fits into a powered router to shape, trim, and cut wood, plywood, MDF, and some plastics. Spinning at high speed, different bit profiles make edges, grooves, joints, and decorative details, while different shank sizes and bearings match the router and guide the cut for accurate, smooth results.

Saber saw

A saber saw—often called a jigsaw—is a handheld power saw that moves a thin, straight blade up and down to cut curves, straight lines, and openings in materials like wood, plastic, laminate, and thin metal; it’s favored for its control in tight spaces, ability to start cuts inside a panel, and wide blade selection.

Safety goggles

Safety goggles are sealed eye protectors with impact‑resistant lenses and a soft, contoured frame that creates a 360° barrier to block flying debris, dust, and liquid splashes during tasks like sanding, grinding, drilling, spraying, or handling chemicals; they secure with an adjustable strap, fit over glasses when needed, and often include vents and anti‑fog coatings for clear vision.

Sanding block

A sanding block is a handheld tool that holds sandpaper flat and evenly against a surface, giving you better control, consistent pressure, and smoother results than sanding with bare fingers; blocks can be rigid or cushioned, accept different grits, and are used on wood, paint, drywall, metal, and plastic for shaping, surface prep, and between-coat finishing.

Sandpaper

Sandpaper is a flexible sheet coated with abrasive grit used to smooth, shape, or clean surfaces such as wood, paint, drywall, and metal by scratching away high spots; it comes in different grits, materials, and formats (sheets, discs, belts, sponges) that determine how fast it cuts, how smooth it finishes, and where it performs best.

Saw blade

A saw blade is the removable cutting edge used on hand and power saws, typically made from steel, carbide, or diamond, with teeth or an abrasive rim designed to cut wood, metal, plastic, or masonry; blades differ in diameter, shape, tooth count, and tooth geometry so you can match the blade to the material and type of cut, from ripping framing lumber to trimming plywood or cutting tile.

Sawhorse

A sawhorse is a sturdy, portable stand—usually used in pairs—with a flat top and splayed legs that supports boards, doors, and panels during cutting, sanding, painting, or assembly; made from wood, metal, or plastic, it creates a stable work surface and can be topped with a sacrificial 2x4 or sheet to form a temporary bench or table.

Screw extractor

A screw extractor is a specialized, hardened tool designed to remove screws that are stripped, seized, or broken off, by gripping a drilled pilot hole and turning the fastener out in reverse; used with a drill or wrench, it lets you back out damaged screws without enlarging the hole, saving surrounding material and avoiding more invasive repairs.

Scroll saw

A scroll saw is a small, benchtop power saw with a thin, reciprocating blade that moves up and down to cut tight curves, delicate patterns, and inside shapes in wood, plastic, and soft metals; it offers precise control, variable speed, and a tilting table, making it safer and more accurate than a jigsaw for fine detail work like fretwork, puzzles, and decorative inlays.

Sealer

A sealer is a clear or tinted coating applied to surfaces such as wood, concrete, stone, tile, or masonry to block moisture, stains, and contaminants, improve durability, and sometimes enhance color or sheen; it can penetrate into the material or form a protective film and is used before use, between coats, or as a final topcoat.

Seam roller

A seam roller is a small handheld tool with a narrow wheel and handle used to press, flatten, and bond seams, edges, and overlaps in materials like wallpaper, vinyl flooring, roofing membranes, laminate, and fabrics; it removes air pockets, improves adhesive contact, and helps create a smooth, secure joint without leaving marks, with roller materials ranging from hard metal to soft rubber or silicone for different surfaces.

Self-tapping screw

A self-tapping screw is a fastener that cuts or forms its own threads as it’s driven into a material, such as metal, plastic, or thin wood, so you usually don’t need a pre-threaded hole or a nut; available in thread-forming and thread-cutting styles (and some with drill-like tips), it provides quick, secure attachment for sheet goods, fixtures, and hardware.

Set screw

A set screw is a headless, fully threaded screw tightened with an internal drive (often a hex or Allen key) to lock one part to another—commonly securing a gear, pulley, collar, or knob to a shaft—by pressing its tip against the mating surface to stop rotation or movement without leaving a protruding fastener.

Shank

A shank is the plain or shaped portion of a tool or fastener that connects the working end to what holds or drives it—such as a handle, drill chuck, or driver. It transmits force, keeps the tool aligned, and is sized or profiled (round, hex, SDS, smooth, ringed) to fit specific tools and tasks.

Shims

Shims are thin, wedge-shaped or flat pieces made of wood, plastic, or metal that you insert between surfaces to fill gaps, adjust height, or correct alignment during installation or repairs, helping you level doors, windows, cabinets, floors, and equipment so parts fit snugly, work smoothly, and stay square without over-tightening fasteners or reworking surrounding materials.

Shop light

A shop light is a bright, wide-coverage lighting fixture or portable lamp for garages, workshops, and basements, designed to flood benches and floors with clear task light; modern models use efficient LEDs (older ones used fluorescent tubes), hang from chains, mount under shelves, clamp to surfaces, or sit on tripods, plugging into standard outlets to reduce shadows and improve visibility during projects and repairs.

Shop vac

A shop vac, or wet/dry vacuum, is a rugged canister vacuum for garages, workshops, and job sites that sucks up heavy debris, fine dust, and liquid spills; it pairs a powerful motor, wide hose, and bucket-style tank with interchangeable filters and bags, and often connects to power tools for dust collection or converts to a blower for quick cleanup.

Sill plate

The sill plate is a horizontal framing member anchored to the top of a foundation wall or slab, made from treated lumber or metal, that provides a flat, secure surface to attach wall studs and the rest of the structure, distributes loads, and seals the house to the foundation against moisture, air, and pests.

Socket set

A socket set is a kit of interchangeable, size-labeled sockets that fit over nuts and bolt heads and attach to a ratchet or other driver, letting you tighten or loosen fasteners quickly and with better leverage; sets usually include metric and SAE sizes, deep and shallow sockets, extensions, and a storage case for home, auto, and general repairs.

Socket wrench

A socket wrench is a hand tool that uses a removable socket and a ratcheting handle to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts quickly and with better leverage, letting you turn fasteners in tight spaces without lifting the tool off the hardware; it comes in different drive sizes and sockets to match metric or SAE hex heads, as well as accessories for reach and angles.

Solvent

A solvent is a liquid (sometimes a gas) that dissolves or loosens other substances, making it easier to thin coatings, clean tools, remove residues, or prepare surfaces; in DIY, common examples include water, mineral spirits, acetone, and alcohols, each chosen for its ability to break down specific paints, adhesives, oils, or grime.

Spackle

Spackle, or spackling compound, is a ready-to-use paste used to fill small holes, dings, and cracks in drywall and plaster; it spreads with a putty knife, dries quickly, sands smooth, and can be primed and painted to blend repairs into surrounding surfaces, making it ideal for quick interior wall touch-ups and minor repairs.

Spade bit

A spade bit is a flat, paddle-shaped wood-drilling bit for power drills that uses a center point and cutting edges to bore fast, large-diameter holes in softwood and hardwood; it’s commonly used for rough-through holes in studs, joists, and doors, runs on a 1/4-inch hex shank, and trades smoothness for speed, often needing a backer board to reduce tear-out.

Spade shovel

A spade shovel is a digging tool with a flat, straight-edged, often rectangular blade and a short D- or T-handle, designed to slice soil, sod, and roots, cut clean edges, and dig narrow trenches, making it ideal for edging lawns, transplanting, shaping garden beds, and other tasks that need controlled, straight-sided excavation.

Spanner

A spanner is a hand tool that grips and turns nuts, bolts, and other fasteners by applying torque to their flats or heads; called a wrench in North America, it includes fixed-size, adjustable, socket, and specialized styles used for tightening, loosening, assembly, and maintenance tasks on furniture, plumbing, bicycles, appliances, and building hardware.

Speed bit

A speed bit, often referring to a spade-style wood-boring drill bit, is a flat, paddle-shaped bit with a center point and sharp cutting edges designed to drill large holes quickly through wood and similar materials, commonly used for rough-in tasks like running wires and pipes where speed matters more than a perfectly clean hole.

Speed square

A speed square is a triangular measuring and marking tool with a raised fence that hooks over the edge of a board, letting builders and DIYers draw quick square and angled lines, set roof pitches, scribe parallel marks, check corners, and guide a circular saw; it combines functions of a try square, miter square, protractor, and layout guide in one compact piece.

Spirit level

A spirit level is a straight tool with one or more liquid-filled vials and an air bubble that shows whether a surface is perfectly horizontal (level) or vertical (plumb), helping you hang shelves, set posts, install cabinets, and align parts accurately in DIY projects by centering the bubble between two lines.

Square drive

Square drive is a square-shaped driver interface used in two common ways: as a square recess in screws (often called Robertson) that grips a matching bit with low cam-out, and as the square shank on ratchets and torque wrenches that locks into sockets (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", etc.) for turning nuts and bolts in DIY and mechanical work.

Staple gun

A staple gun is a hand-held fastening tool that drives U‑shaped metal staples into materials like wood, drywall, fabric, and plastic to secure coverings, insulation, housewrap, cable, and crafts; available in manual, electric, and pneumatic versions, it delivers quick, repeatable attachments for light-duty tacking through heavy-duty construction tasks with matching staple sizes and crowns.

Steel wool

Steel wool is a bundle of very fine steel filaments formed into pads or rolls, used as an abrasive for cleaning, smoothing, and polishing surfaces such as wood, metal, glass, and stone; it comes in grades from coarse to extra fine, allowing tasks like removing paint and rust, rubbing out finishes, and scuff-sanding between coats.

Stud finder

A stud finder is a handheld tool that helps you locate the hidden wooden framing members (studs) behind drywall or plaster so you can fasten heavy items safely, reduce guesswork, and avoid hitting wiring or pipes; it uses magnets to detect nails or electronic sensors to measure density changes and mark stud edges or centers.

Stud wall

A stud wall is a framed, hollow interior or exterior wall built from vertical members (“studs”) fixed between horizontal plates, then covered with plasterboard or drywall; it creates partitions, supports openings, and can carry loads, while the cavity provides space for insulation, wiring, and plumbing; studs are usually timber or light-gauge steel.

Tap and die set

A tap and die set is a hand tool kit used to cut or repair screw threads: taps cut internal threads in holes (like nuts or threaded holes), and dies cut external threads on bolts, rods, or pipes, helping you fix damaged fasteners, create custom threaded parts, and ensure tight, reliable connections in metal and sometimes plastic with controlled hand pressure.

Tarp

A tarp (tarpaulin) is a large sheet of flexible material, usually polyethylene, canvas, or vinyl, with grommets or reinforced edges, used to cover, protect, or contain items and areas from rain, sun, wind, dust, and debris during projects, transport, or storage, and commonly secured with rope, bungees, or clamps. Available in different thicknesses and sizes for tasks like painting, roofing, camping, and protecting materials on jobsites.

T-bevel

A T-bevel, also called a sliding bevel or bevel gauge, is an adjustable hand tool with a stock (handle) and a pivoting blade that locks at any angle, used to copy, set, and transfer angles on wood, tile, or metal for layout and cutting, especially for corners, miters, and joints beyond 90 degrees.

Teflon tape

Teflon tape, also called PTFE thread seal tape, is a thin, nonadhesive film wrapped around male pipe threads to fill gaps and lubricate the connection, helping create a watertight or airtight seal and making future disassembly easier; it's used on tapered threaded fittings for plumbing, gas, and air systems, with specific grades for water, fuel, and oxygen service.

Tile cutter

A tile cutter is a tool used to score and cut ceramic, porcelain, glass, or stone tiles for flooring, walls, and backsplashes, ranging from simple manual score-and-snap units to water-cooled electric saws, allowing straight, angled, and specialty cuts with clean edges so tiles fit around fixtures, corners, and layout lines during installation and repairs.

Toggle bolt

A toggle bolt is a hollow-wall anchor made of a machine screw and spring-loaded “wings” that fold to pass through a drilled hole, then open behind drywall, plaster, or hollow masonry to clamp the material and spread load over a wide area, allowing you to hang items securely where no wall stud is available.

Torpedo level

A torpedo level is a compact, straight-edged spirit level—typically 6 to 9 inches long with tapered ends—used to check level, plumb, and often 45° in tight spaces; many models add a magnetized, V‑grooved base for gripping metal pipe or conduit, making it a go-to tool for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and homeowners setting shelves, hardware, and fixtures accurately.

Torque wrench

A torque wrench is a hand tool that lets you tighten nuts and bolts to a specific tightness by measuring the twisting force (torque), preventing under- or over-tightening that can lead to loose parts, damaged threads, or crushed gaskets; it alerts you—by a click, pointer, or digital signal—when the target value in ft-lb or Nm is reached.

Trim router

A trim router is a compact, handheld woodworking tool with a small, high-speed motor used to shape edges, flush-trim laminates or veneers, cut shallow mortises, and perform light routing tasks; it excels at precise, one-handed work on cabinets, shelves, and small projects where a full-size router would feel bulky, heavy, or harder to control.

Trowel

A trowel is a small hand tool with a flat or shaped blade and a handle, used to scoop, spread, shape, and smooth materials like mortar, concrete, plaster, and tile adhesive; homeowners use different trowel styles for tasks such as bricklaying, tiling, patching walls, and finishing concrete, where blade size, shape, and notch pattern control coverage and surface finish.

Tubing cutter

A tubing cutter is a hand tool that slices cleanly through pipe and tubing—like copper, PEX, PVC, aluminum, or thin-wall steel—by tightening a small cutting wheel around the outside and rotating until the wall separates, producing square, burr‑light cuts that fit better, seal more reliably, and require less cleanup than a hacksaw for plumbing and HVAC projects.

Utility knife

A utility knife is a compact, handheld cutting tool with a sharp, replaceable blade, used for scoring, trimming, and slicing materials like drywall, cardboard, carpet, vinyl, and plastic; it typically features a retractable, folding, or snap-off blade design to allow safe storage, quick blade changes, and controlled, precise cuts for DIY projects and household tasks.

Vacuum clamp

A vacuum clamp is a workholding device that uses a sealed suction area and a vacuum source (pump or venturi) to pull a workpiece tightly against a flat surface, pod, or mat, creating strong, even holding force for routing, sanding, drilling, CNC work, and veneering without screws or squeeze clamps.

Varnish

Varnish is a clear or lightly tinted protective finish for wood and other materials that dries to a hard, transparent film, sealing out moisture, resisting wear and UV light, and enhancing natural grain; made from resins, oils, and either solvents or water, it’s commonly used on furniture, floors, trim, cabinets, doors, and outdoor pieces to improve appearance and durability.

Vice grip

A vice grip (properly “locking pliers” and often sold as Vise‑Grip) is a hand tool with adjustable serrated jaws that clamp onto objects and lock closed using a lever mechanism, letting you grip, hold, or turn parts hands‑free until you release them—useful for loosening rounded fasteners, clamping during repairs, or holding pieces while cutting, drilling, soldering, or gluing.

Voltage tester

A voltage tester is a small handheld tool used to check whether electricity is present in a wire, outlet, switch, or appliance, helping you confirm if a circuit is live or safely off before work; models range from simple non-contact pens that sense AC fields to two-lead testers and multimeters that measure actual voltage and give visual or audible results.

Water level

A water level is a simple leveling tool consisting of a clear hose partially filled with water that uses gravity and the principle of communicating vessels to show the same height at both ends; it lets you transfer a level reference around corners or over long distances where a spirit level or laser can’t reach, for accurate layout indoors and outdoors.

Wet saw

A wet saw is a power tool that uses a diamond blade cooled and lubricated by water from a reservoir or pump to cut hard materials like tile, stone, and masonry, reducing dust, heat, and chipping for cleaner results; often built as a tabletop saw with a sliding tray or as a handheld unit, it delivers smooth, accurate cuts for flooring, backsplashes, countertops, and similar projects.

Wire brush

A wire brush is a hand or power-driven tool with bristles made of steel, stainless steel, brass, or abrasive nylon used to clean, deburr, and roughen surfaces by scraping with the wire tips, commonly for removing rust, paint, corrosion, and mill scale, preparing metal, masonry, or wood for finishing, and cleaning welds, threads, and tools without removing significant base material when used correctly.

Wire nut

A wire nut is a twist-on plastic cap with an internal metal spring that joins and insulates two or more electrical wires inside a junction box, forming a tight splice that resists loosening, arcing, and shorts during home wiring tasks such as connecting lights, switches, and outlets; sizes are color-coded to match wire gauge and the number of conductors.

Wire stripper

A wire stripper is a handheld tool that removes the protective insulation from electrical wire without nicking the metal conductor, using sized cutting notches or precision blades; it helps you prepare clean, accurate wire ends for connections, repairs, and installations in household circuits, low-voltage systems, and electronics while improving safety, reliability, and speed.

Wood filler

Wood filler is a sandable, paintable or stainable paste or putty-like repair compound made from binders, resins, and often wood fibers, used to fill nail holes, cracks, dents, and small voids in wood so you can create a smooth, level surface before finishing; it hardens within minutes to hours and can be shaped, drilled, or planed like wood after it cures.

Wood glue

Wood glue is a family of adhesives formulated to bond wood fibers by penetrating the grain and curing into a tough, durable film; used for furniture, trim, cabinetry, and crafts, it includes PVA “carpenter’s” glues, polyurethane, epoxy, hide glue, and CA, each offering different strength, water resistance, open time, and cleanup requirements.

Wood screw

A wood screw is a threaded fastener designed specifically to join wood to wood or to attach hardware to wood; it uses sharp, coarse threads and a tapered or partially tapered shank to cut into the fibers and pull parts tightly together as it is driven, holding securely without a nut and coming in various head shapes, drive styles, sizes, and corrosion-resistant finishes.

Workbench

A workbench is a sturdy, flat-topped table designed to support building, repairing, and crafting tasks, providing a stable surface, clamping points, and tool organization for woodworking, metalwork, electronics, and general home projects; it can be fixed or mobile, with features like vises, dog holes, shelves, and power access to make tasks safer, faster, and more accurate.

Workbench vise

A workbench vise is a mechanical clamping tool mounted to a bench that uses jaws tightened by a screw or quick-release to hold wood, metal, or plastic pieces steady so you can cut, drill, saw, plane, sand, file, or glue safely and accurately with both hands free. It improves control, repeatability, and project quality on DIY tasks.

Work light

A work light is a portable, high-output lamp that brightly illuminates a task area so you can see details, work safely, and reduce mistakes in dim or shadowed spaces; models range from corded halogen floodlights to rugged LED units with tripods, clamps, or magnetic bases for garages, jobsites, attics, crawlspaces, and outdoor projects.

Worm drive saw

A worm drive saw is a circular saw that uses a worm gear to drive the blade at lower speed but higher torque, placing the motor inline behind the blade; it’s typically heavier with a left-side blade for better cut visibility, and is favored for long, straight cuts in framing, ripping sheet goods, and cutting thick or wet lumber where steady power and control matter.

Wrench set

A wrench set is a collection of hand tools in multiple sizes designed to grip and turn nuts, bolts, and other fasteners, typically including open-end, box-end, or combination wrenches—and sometimes ratcheting or adjustable styles—so you can tighten or loosen hardware on furniture, plumbing, bicycles, appliances, and vehicles with the correct fit and leverage.