5 Small Tools That Will Make Your DIY Projects Much Easier

Do you like to tackle DIY projects around your home? You might have built a nice collection in your tool box, but there are certain small tools that many homeowners might not know about and will make your DIY projects much easier to complete.

1. Paint Can Pour Lid

Painting a room or a piece of furniture are two of the most common DIY projects and they are usually done with a can of paint. These cans can get messy, especially when you’re trying to pour the paint into a paint tray. The paint spreads all around the top, making it hard for you to hammer the lid back on. Over time, the paint can lid will start to rust and become distorted, dirtying up your paint and drying it up in the process. Ugh.

Try using these paint can pour lids, which cost only a little more than $2 each. They will seal the paint can completely with much less mess. And you can wash them and reuse them for more painting projects in the future!

2. 5-in-1 Tool

Multi-tasking tools are always better than several separate tools that only have one purpose each and take up more space in your toolbox. This 5-in-1 tool is so useful for many different DIY projects, from painting to repairing drywall.

It can scrape paint and wallpaper, spread drywall compound and wall putty, and open paint cans. Use this small tool to remove things from small spaces, such as old caulk from windows, old wood filler from furniture, and more. There’s also a half round cut-out on the tool that will remove paint off your paint roller.

Put it in your tool belt and you’ll be amazed at how often you’ll use it for all kinds of things!

3. Cabinet and Drawer Template

If you’ve ever installed hardware on brand new (or freshly painted) cabinet doors or drawers, you know how nerve-wracking it can be. You have to measure everything, make sure all of your holes line up so your hardware won’t look crooked, and actually drill into your precious cabinets.

These cabinet and drawer templates will give you a peace of mind and more confidence that you’re doing the job right. These handy small tools will do most of the measuring for you so that all of your pulls and knobs look perfect. See how Russet Street Reno added her beautiful new hardware to her cabinets and drawers using this small tool here!

4. Spray Paint Grip

Everybody loves how a can of spray paint can instantly make over anything, but it can make your trigger finger tired after long bouts of spraying. And when you get tired, your paint can start to come out in spurts, causing splatter and dripping. Not good. Give your finger a break and get a smoother finish with a spray paint grip.

5. Damaged Screw Extractor

Is there anything more annoying than a damaged and stripped screw that you can’t remove with your drill? The answer is no. A stripped screw can completely derail a project… unless you have a damaged screw extractor. This small tool makes it easy to remove damaged screws from your latest DIY project or from an older piece of furniture.

The best part about all these small tools is that they’re not expensive at all. Most of them cost under $20 (some way under that amount), but they will feel like they’re worth hundreds when they instantly solve a DIY problem you’re struggling with.

What other small tools do you think that every DIYer should have in their toolbox?

How To DIY Wooden Flower Pot

Every homeowner has some flowers in pots in front of the house, on the patio, balcony or in the backyard and every homeowner wants that their pots match the beauty of their flowers or trees. There are thousand types of flowers pots and they are made from various materials. Flower pots, especially big ones, can cost a lot of money and the quality of craftsmanship and materials are questionable. We always prefer natural materials and therefore we are presenting you this tutorial on how to make DIY wooden flower pot.

For this project you will need 8 lumber boards (1 x 1½ inch) 18 inches long (hardwood if possible), 38 lumber boards (1 x 1½ inch) 13½ inches long (hardwood if possible), 3 lumber boards (1 x 3½ inch) 13½ inch long (hardwood if possible), wood screws (2 inch), wood glue, cordless drill, hammer, nails (2½ inch) and a hand saw or a jigsaw.

First cut all the lumber in proper dimensions using a hand saw or a jigsaw  (if you haven’t already bought wood of wanted size). Take note that the aformentioned dimensions can be changed in scale if you want a bigger or smaller pot.

Take a closer look at the diagram below before you start with your project. It is always better to fully understand the plan and the concept before you start with the project. In that way you will certainly avoids mistakes during assembly.

You must start your assembly with the four corners of your future flower pot. Take two 18 inches long boards and connect them together in “L” shape like in the picture below. First drill four holes with a small bit on each board, put a stripe of wood glue and then connect two boards with wood screws. Always first drill small holes because otherwise the board may crack when you try to screw without holes. Repeat the process for another three corners.

Now take two corner parts which you made in previous step and connect them with 13½ inches boards like in the picture below. Put a stripe of wood glue and nail the boards down. Always leave ½ of inch space on the bottom side. Repeat this procedure in order to get another side panel.

When your two side panels are finished you will connect them on both sides with 13½ inch boards like in the picture below. Also put a stripe of wood glue and nail the boards down.

Now you have complete pot without the bottom. Use two 13½ inches boards and nail them sideways on the bottom part of your pot. Then use three wider boards and nail them from the inside of the pot on the boards which you previously nailed sideways like in the picture below.

Your new flower pot is now finished. As you can see this is the project that anyone with no woodworking experience can finish in a couple of hours.

We advise you to put at least two coats of primer sealer in the inside of the pot if you are putting the soil directly into the pot. If you want your pot to look beautiful for a long time we advise you to paint it with exterior paint on the outside also.

Understanding Power Tools

Almost every home in America has at least one power tool, but many homeowners are not always sure how and when to use them. Start by checking out our guide to power tools below, and be sure to read the instructions and follow the safety guidelines that came with your power tool before using it. You'll be finishing up your own home project in no time.

Safety First!
When working with any type of power tool, always remember to put safety first. By following these simple guidelines, you will be able to use your power tools in the safest manner possible.

Follow the manufacturer's guidelines and directions
Wear eye protection
Wear clothing that does not hang or dangle loosely
If wearing gloves, make sure they are leather
Make sure that the safety guards are in place and working
Replace damaged parts or damaged tools before using them
Always keep a firm grip on your tools
When sanding, wear a dust mask
Wear ear plugs or ear muffs when operating a noisy power tool
If you have long hair, tie it back
When using tools outdoors, plug them into a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet

Jigsaw (or Sabre Saw)
A jigsaw is a small, handheld saw that moves a narrow blade up and down. Because the blades are narrow and the cutting action is vertical, these saws are ideal for curved or intricate cuts. Jigsaws are very easy to use for more delicate woodcutting. Hobbyists and DIY home improvers frequently use this saw. A large variety of blades can be purchased for these devices.
Common Uses:
*Cutting a radius in woodwork

Circular Saw
Circular saws are one of the most versatile power saws. These saws enable you to cut boards, plywood, larger pieces of trim, etc. Most circular saws are packaged with a standard blade; however you may wish to purchase additional blades. Circular saws are available in both corded and battery operated models.
Common Uses:
*Cutting 2 x 4s for framing
*Cutting deck boards for decking
*Cutting a full sheet of plywood into smaller sections

Miter Saw (or Chop Saw)
Miter saws are most commonly used for smooth, accurate cuts of wood trim. However these saws can also be used to cut 2 x 4s and 4 x 4s. This saw has a number of pre-set angles that you can use, which is a great feature when you are making repetitive cuts.
Common Uses:
*Making miter cuts on moldings
*Multiple cuts on similar length stock

Electric Sander
Sanders mechanically speed up the movement of sandpaper to more quickly smooth out a rough surface. The most basic sander is a 1/4-sheet pad sander that allows you to create a more finished look on your surface.
Common Uses:
*Refinishing furniture
*Preparation of new wood for finishing

Power Drill
A power drill is not only good for drilling various sized holes, but it also allows you to use other accessories such as driver bits, wire brush wheels, sanding drums and many other attachments. Drills can either be corded or battery operated. Cordless models are available in various voltages including 9.6, 12, 14.4 and 18 volts.
Common Uses:
*Drilling holes in wood, metal and masonry
*Driving Screws