24 Days of DIY Favs!

We thought we’d have a little fun with a Christmas countdown, DIY style. In the next 24 days, we will “unwrap” a gift a day of tools and products that we think are “must haves” for the DIYer. Join us and share your “must haves” in the comments!

To see a video of each product in action, make sure to follow us on Instagram.

Day 1: Magnetic Stud Finder

We like the magnetic stud finder because it works, and works well! When it finds a stud, it sticks! We've tried other styles without much success, but since using this one we have success every single time. 

See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 2: Rockler Silicone Glue Brush

Day 3: Rotary Cutter

​We like the Rockler Silicone Glue Brush for many reasons. As a glue brush, it's a perfect choice. Because it's silicone, dried glue removes with ease. You can use the brush end or the spatual end to spread glue and to clean up glue messes. We've found it to be an essential cleaning tool as well. Once you start using it, you'll find a multitude of uses for it.

See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

​We like the rotary cutter to quickly cut up t-shirts into rags. We use lots of rags to clean and stain. The rotary cutter, along with a cutting mat, quickly and efficiently cuts up the rags you need. 

See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 4: Carpenter Pencil

​We like the carpenter pencil because it's surprsing how often we need to mark something! Its thick pencil point makes it less likely to break and the flat design means it stays put and won't roll away. Pair it with a carpenter pencil sharpener and you'll always be ready.

See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 5: Sugru

​We like Sugru because it's a creative product we didn't know we needed until we started using it. When other glues won't work, Sugru can quite often take care of the fix. 

See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 6: Heat Gun

​We purchased this heat gun specifically to strip paint, but have recently found many other applications. We've used it to soften chalk in order to remove it, to melt wax to make fire starters, and to scorch wood for a decorative finish. 

See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 7: Inkzall

​We like the inkzall because it acts like a sharpie but works on a variety of dusty and dirty surfaces, doesn't roll, and doesn't have to recapped right away. 

See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 8: Apple iPhone

​We like the iPhone becasue it's an efficient and reliable tool for us to make videos, still pictures, social media, etc. 

See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 9: Robo Grip

​The RoboGrip has been a part of our tool box for quite a while.  We continue to use and recommend it because it works so well. It's somewhat hard to find, but is well worth having at least one on hand. 

See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 10: Puppy Pad

You wouldn't think puppy pads would be a tool found in a workshop, but it is in ours! We use them to cover work surfaces when we are working with messy stuff like paint or stain. They keep the mess contained making it easy to clean up. 

​See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 11: Krud Kutter

Since discovering the Krud Kutter/Scotch-Brite combo, they've been our 'go-to' combo for cleaning as the first step in any project. There is not much this combo doesn't get clean.​

​See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 12: Kreg Jig

We purchased the basic Kreg system long before we actually used it. During one of our first big builds we realized we needed some help with wood joinery--out came the Kreg.  We found it to be the perfect tool for the job! Simple and effective!

See it in a project here.

​Buy it here.

Day 13: French Cleat

We like using a french cleat to hang heavy objects. It works well and is easy to use. They come in various sizes. 

See in a project here.

​Buy it here.

Day 14: Disposable Gloves

​We like to use disposible gloves when we are working with messy DIY materials. They are a cheap way to protect our hands from paints, stains, as well as when we use concrete which can be irritating  to the skin. We use so many, we buy them by the case!

See in a project here.

​Buy it here.

Day 15: Ryobi Battery Tools

​We like Ryobi battery powered tools so much our collection has grown from a single tool to a half dozen in just a few months! Some hands-on testing in August with the tools convinced us to invest in the Ryobi 70+ system. 

See in a project here.

​Buy it here.

Day 16: DAP RapidFuse

There are a lot of glues on the market, but only RapidFuse has found a permanent place in our workshop. We like it because it is not an expanding glue like some and sets up very quickly. It really works. 

See in project here.

​Buy it here.

Day 17: Bulk Gloves

These gloves come in handy for DIYing...everything from keeping our hands clean to helping with gripping and, most importantly, to take to Home Depot with us when choosing lumber to prevent getting splinters in our hands. They are inexpensive and come in bulk at Cosco.

See in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 18: Vintage Irons

​This surprising, low tech, 'Fav' helps when we need to weight something down or to prop something up. They are quite verstile in the workshop--not so much in the sewing room! Find them at yard sales and estate sales--the heavier the better. The weight will be cast on the top of the iron below the handle. 

See in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 19: Amazon Tap

We love Amazon tap becuase it's a portable speaker  - with great sound quility- that with a tap responds to your requests. We play music in the garagae, office, living room, etc. while we DIY and we use it for home automation. We can control Steph's smart lights, thermostat, and more with it. 

See it in a project here.

​Buy it here. 

Day 20: Spray Paint Handle

The Rust-Oleum paint spray handle puts an end to finger fatigue! It's a simple device that attaches to a can of spray paint allowing you to use a trigger to spray efficient all while keeping your fingers clean. 

See it in a project here.

Buy it here.

Day 21: Wire Strippers

We like wire strippers/ cutters because they are a must for any basic electrial repair in a home. We have used them to replace electical outlets, light switches, and making lamps.

See in project here.

Buy it here.

Day 22: Speed Square

We like the speed square because it helps us mark and make straight cuts! We use this more and more, with every new woodworking project. This is a workshop must!

See in project here.

Buy it here.

Day 23: Orbital Sander

A good quality orbital sander is a must-have in the garage. It makes quick work of most any sanding project.

See in project here.

​Buy it here.

Day 24: Tape Measure

Measure twice-cut once! There are lots of tape measurers on the market with a surprising number of features built into them. We like this Stanley one because of the large numbers, the addition of the fractions printing onto the tape, and the quick retraction bar on the bottom. 

​See in a project here.

Buy it here.

Please note: We are not sponsored by any of the companies/products that we used. These products were picked and bought by us.

FYI: We are not professionals, and we don’t claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

FYI: Affiliate links are being used on this page. Purchasing via these links help support MDP!

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