What Tools Must I Absolutely Have for Doing DIY Farmhouse Repairs and Projects?

We want to help you understand what hand and power tools are necessary for completing do-it-yourself (DIY) home repairs and projects. 

And don’t forget, we are here to help you pick and purchase the perfect tractor when the time comes. 

Time to get started.

A major challenge for many people in the rural lifestyle is that they must do most, if not all, of the repairs around the house themselves.  This also goes for home projects.

This is a challenge, but it still can be fun with the right tools. 

Many rural lifestylers combat repairs by having a full workshop.  The workshop is used for woodworking and general house repairs and projects.

If you want to do your own DIY home repairs and other projects, we want to help you get started on the right footing. 

Essential Tools

Mechanics and other professionals have certain tools in their toolbox. 

You need to have specific tools as well.

Start by filling your toolbox with the essentials.

Here are some tools you should get right away:

• Claw Hammer.  They are great for nailing things into the wall.  They are better than using a stone or the back of a screwdriver.
• Standard and Needle-nose Pliers.  Pliers are great for twisting, prying, loosening, and pulling.  Needle-nose pliers are excellent for getting nails out of the wall.
• Screwdriver Set.  Get one with a sturdy handle and a complete set of screwdriver heads.
• Sledgehammer.  They will make it easier for you to break through walls or other sturdy structures you need to get into.

Also get a flashlight, tape measure, and a can of WD40. 

WD40 is the best lubricant to keep around for everyday maintenance and repairs.  It can lubricate many items like squeaky hinges and power tools.

Speaking of power tools.  Let’s discuss which ones to add to your workshop. 

Now you need to consider the size of your workshop, as well as the kind of work you’ll be doing.

Woodworking

Woodworking is very popular among rural lifestylers. 

If you are going to be fixing/building furniture or doing other types of woodworking --- you may want to invest in an industrial-grade molding sander.

Some DIY wood projects will also require a router or hand sander.  If you purchase a molding sander, you will not need to get a hand sander or a router.  Molding sanders are capable of handling just about any woodworking task.

There are some other power tools that are great for woodworking.  They include the power drill, jigsaw, and circular saw.  Each will help you do more accurate work, while also helping you speed up the completion of projects.

We also recommend getting a home generator to operate your power tools when the electricity  goes out. Backup generators provide power during outages and storms.  Face it --- there will be times when the power goes black.  Many times it takes a while to get the power back up.  Having a generator can power your home and all the critical appliances for hours or days. 

Electrical  

There are a handful of tools you will need to do basic electrical repairs.

Make sure you have a pair of good, sharp wire cutters and strippers.  They will make the repair process much easier. 

A few other items you will want to purchase include spare wires, insulation tape, long-necked screwdrivers, and a test pen or a multimeter (volt/ohm meter). 

Simple electrical problems (devices or outlets) can often be solved with a handheld multimeter and some “basic training” on how to use one.  You can find shorts, test outlets, and identify other electrical issues.  A multimeter makes the process fast, simple, and easy.  Modern models don’t need to be calibrated before use. And the new LED screens are easy to read and interpret.

Painting 

When it comes to painting, you will want to have a good arsenal for tackling DIY projects and repairs.

Brushes, paint remover, tarps, rollers, and of course paint are important. 

There’s one other tool, you will want to have on hand. 

You will want to have a high-quality paint sprayer.  They are great for accuracy, speed, and require less physical effort. 

Country homes take a beating from the weather.  The wear and tear mean more painting.  A good sprayer will help you avoid drips, runs, spills, and paint spots.  They also evenly distribute the paint. 

Guns

By guns we are referring to “staple” and “nail” guns.

A DIY workshop would not be complete without a staple gun, nail gun, an air compressor, and a long air hose.  They are essential to a host of home improvement projects.

Work on railings, siding, wooden steps, decks, porches, wood flooring, carpet, structural repairs, trim, and baseboards will be far easier.  Stapling or nailing by hand is much harder work and will take far longer. 

And make sure you get an extra-long hose and/or extension cord.  This way you can complete tasks like nailing fallen fence boards back to the posts.

Power/Pressure Washer

A power (or pressure) washer will come in handy due to the harsh climates.

Moss, mold, dirt, dust, and other undesirable elements will soon be all over your home’s exterior.

Power washers are also good for cleaning your foundation and all your decks. 

If you live in a large farmhouse or have huge barns, you will need a larger, more powerful model.  Make sure it will handle hard water if you are drawing from a well or pump with high-mineral content.

Saws

Saws are extremely important. 

At a minimum, you will need a basic, corded circular saw. 

The reality is that if you have a large country farmhouse and/or barn(s), you will likely need and use a full spectrum of saws.

A sliding compound miter saw will make cutting angles on even wide boards fast and simple.  You can also purchase a cabinet table saw that will be powerful enough to handle all your woodworking projects.

A jigsaw is essential for making odd-shaped cuts.

You could also purchase a cordless, lightweight circular saw for cutting in tight, hard to access areas.

Having the right saw for whatever project you need to complete will give you a huge advantage.

Household 

When you live in a rural area or way out in the country, you need to be well-prepared for whatever may come your way.

Life happens and sometimes it will throw you a bad curveball.

Stock up on bottled water, dry food, and canned goods.

We also recommend having an excellent home security system.

As you can see the list can keep going on and on depending on your needs. 

We provided a very basic list.  Hopefully, this list of basic tools helped you.  

If you need any further help, or have any questions about service issues, tractors, or anything else, please contact your dealer, local mechanic, or call us at 602-734-9944.  Please ask about our current new and used tractor supply.

Team Tractor Ranch - #1 Tractor Dealer in Arizona. We sell and service most major brands of tractors including Yanmar, Kubota, John Deere, TYM, Mahindra, Kioti, Case, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Ford, Deutz, Case IH, Farmall, International Harvester, Branson Tractors, LS, Shibura, Claas Tractor, McCormick Tractors, Valtra, Solis, YTO, Montana, and Nortrac.