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MidwestJackalope t1_je5et11 wrote

I cheaped out on stud finders for a long time before I finally just paid for a proper, well functioning one. I like the Franklin ProSensor that "highlights" a stud with a row of LED's. I'd also recommend a few rolls of blue painters tape to help mark out studs and hanging locations that are easily removed when you're done.

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Gewgawn t1_je5n5bi wrote

That's what I use. Absolutely invaluable piece of equipment.

I believe they all or almost all have an indicator to let you know if there are electrical lines as well.

Another option is a wall a bot which is a smartphone peripheral that displays an "image" of what it senses behind the wall.

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Gorechi t1_je5omqz wrote

I have a walabot. Meh. I just use my magnet with a level on it. I forget I even have the walabot until I see it when grabbing something else from the tool box.

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elizabethwhitaker t1_je5i50s wrote

What ended up happening when you used the cheaper stud finders? Did you miss the studs and end up with extra holes in your walls?

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MidwestJackalope t1_je5jdmu wrote

I would get unreliable readings about where studs started and stopped. Even with tape horizontal and marking the positions it'd still be a "general area" of a stud. Ended up with a few extra holes because of it.

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NeighborhoodDog t1_je5ze7n wrote

Holy shirt this stud finder actually works. Second best thing is a magnet on a string.

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LindsayOG t1_je5wtx0 wrote

Plus1 for this stud finder. More money but is an absolutely fantastic stud finder. Makes everything else look like total junk.

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TheNewJasonBourne t1_je5dl6c wrote

I think you need a small set of screw drivers of various sizes; a general hammer; a 3ft level and a 6" level; a stud finder that will locate wood studs and also wiring and water pipes; a cordless drill/driver; small pliers

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Material_Community18 t1_je5kmcb wrote

Hammers can be overwhelming. Specially, you want a 14-18 oz finish hammer.

Assuming you live near a Home Depot, Ryobi power tools are good enough quality for a homeowner. A drill + impact driver set is a great value and will be invaluable.

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sbrooks84 t1_je65vgf wrote

Ryobi was my first set for sure. When they broke, I replaced with better versions. Harbor Freight was a godsend for one-off projects

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haxxer_4chan t1_je6l5id wrote

I'd add a utility knife, a cheapish ratchet set, and a set of metric and imperial allen wrenches to the above, and you'll be set to take on the vast majority of basic DIY projects and general things like furniture assembly for any new pieces

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SNAiLtrademark t1_je5gpza wrote

Don't get a drill. Get an impact driver. They can both do the same things, but an impact driver's main job is putting in screws, which is 95% of what homeowners actually do.

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hank_scorpion_king t1_je5hxg1 wrote

Drill bits chucked in drivers drill shitty holes. Too much runout. You need a drill, particularly for things like pilot holes for wall anchors, etc.

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SNAiLtrademark t1_je5pyei wrote

You can "drill" holes in drywall with a screwdriver and a hammer. If we were talking about woodworking, I'd agree; but this is homeowner stuff, they need to not over drive and strip screws more than clean holes.

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Thanatosst t1_je5zkr4 wrote

Drilling pilot holes in studs is 100% a thing someone wanting to hang things will need to do.

OP needs a drill first, impact driver later. Hell, I do a bunch of stuff around the house and in woodworking and I've gotten by without an impact driver.

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hank_scorpion_king t1_je6m2ui wrote

Eh, fair point. But sometimes you need to pilot hole a stud (like for hanging a TV mount). Tapping in a hole with a screwdriver also sounds less than ideal. You might twist the shank when you strike and overbore the opening, get a loose fit, etc.

I bought the Dewalt drill/driver combo set like 10 years ago. $100 on sale, worth every penny. I'm sure B&D or Ryobi sells an even cheaper set.

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jooes t1_je5xy0z wrote

I'd take a drill over a driver.

I'd rather have the chuck that can hold just about anything, than deal with a driver that can only hold certain kinds of bits. I feel like it gives you a bit more flexibility in what you can do. Sooner or later, you're going to need a holesaw or something, and you're going to find yourself saying, "Shit, I should've bought the drill"

Or just get both. They usually come in sets nowadays anyway. It's very convenient to have both.

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Green-Confection9031 t1_je5glvm wrote

You can put a level app on most smart phones. If you’re just using it to hang pictures, that should be sufficient. A drill and hammer would be beneficial as well as pliers for basic repairs. Any other tools you need can be bought as you need them.

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Buddha1812 t1_je5ytlz wrote

The case / buttons alway throw off the reading- just get a cheap torpedo level-

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DjangofettBR549 t1_je5c2jz wrote

I would get a basic battery stud sensor (Zircon is well known and works adequately for homeowner use) that senses wood, metal, and electrical. And a separate basic level; somemething longer than a "torpedo" level (longer length is more accurate and more versatile) - in the States I'd say a 2ft one, but presumably you have them in metric sizes(?), so something in the neighborhood of 60cm.

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entarian t1_je5dtvx wrote

Canadian construction uses feet/inches oddly enough. I learned metric all through school, and then still had to learn how to read a tape measure.

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DjangofettBR549 t1_je5e7h0 wrote

Never knew that... then again, I've never made it north of the border other than a business trip to Montreal several years ago

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Ok-Resist-556 t1_je5l8pd wrote

It's because dimensional lumber is still based on 2 by "x" (2×4 2×6 etc) all the lumber mills still use imperial. Plywood drywall etc is still 4x8 feet or larger. Construction has not changed because the system still works. So studs joists etc still follow the original imperial plan.

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Fatshortstack t1_je5gw1c wrote

Keep it small to start, can always build on your tools over time. You need a hammer, screw driver set (can be small primarily #2 Robertson (square shape, which is also red), #2 philips ( 4 sided diamond)). Those are the 2 most commonly used shapes and sizes here in Canada. Stud finder will be helpful so go for it, but I also suggest using break away butterfly clips for when you need to use a screw but there is no stud. There a but more expensive but are more idiot prof and better quality. Here's a link so you know what I mean. You don't need them for everything but if there holding weight I recommend.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/toggler-1-4-in-snaptoggle-anchors-10pcs/1000695135

Get yourself an adjustable wrench which will help withe toilets, and facets. Other then that, het what you need as you need it. Congratulations and good luck!

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skanadian t1_je5kbfh wrote

Most commonly used tools in my house; Socket set, drill, bits, drywall anchors, hammer, rubber mallet, screwdrivers, 1m level, tape measure, allan keys (bathroom fixtures), stud finder, vice grips, tongue and groove pliers, needle nose pliers, crazy glue, floor jack, breaker bar.

But ya, definitely suggest buy-as-you-need.

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FORDOWNER96 t1_je5pesk wrote

Get your stuff at harbor freight. You'll be fine. Brand new house doesn't need the top quality tools. Bower or something like that at the freight.

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iceynyo t1_je5wsyt wrote

Just an FYI, the Canadian equivalent of "harbor freight" would be "princess auto"

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LindsayOG t1_je5xe4a wrote

They aren’t in Canada.

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FORDOWNER96 t1_je62h0m wrote

Ok........ shrugg

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TheEggman00 t1_je6pqrn wrote

Black and Decker usually has a cheap tool set with a drill, 3 sets of bits, interchangeable ratchet screwdriver, small level, measuring tape and bunch of other stuff at Crappy Tire that usually goes on sale for around 59.99-69.99 a couple times a year. They always have the set and it goes on “sale” all the time, but only goes that low once or twice a year. IFYKYK. I’ve since significantly upgraded but I got a lot of use out of that stuff, and I still have most of the odds and ends hanging out in the toolbox that come in handy sometimes.

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ObligatoryOption t1_je5diem wrote

Studs are typically spaced 16" apart so you may find it convenient to get a level at least this length for when you need to span two studs for a shelf. Less commonly, studs can be spaced 24" apart, so you would be safest to get a 24" level.

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ilikefluffydogs t1_je5m2il wrote

For power tools ryobi is probably the best bang for your buck option. I personally prefer Milwaukee tools but they are a lot pricier and I justify it by doing a LOT of work on my house DIY.

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Jonsnoosnooze t1_je5y2a4 wrote

You need to find a stud? Got one right here!

Kidding aside, check out project farm on YouTube for their stud finders review.

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Buddha1812 t1_je5z8wm wrote

Purchase a Bosch laser level - ~45$ USD- this will make putting up anything shelf/picture etc a breeze. And get a label maker and properly label your circuit breakers- it will make your life much easier when you have to deal with wiring issues/swapping out fixtures-

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echoshizzle t1_je5ka8b wrote

If you end up getting into a battery-powered ecosystem, try to pick one and stick with it. Not sure what they sell in Canada, but Ryobi is a great value in the states.

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cheeto-bandito t1_je5nrpk wrote

I love my CH Hanson magnet stud finder. Never going to be disappointed to find that the stud finder has dead batteries. The only downside is that I can't point it at myself to verify that it works.

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TheNorthComesWithMe t1_je5wfqb wrote

Make friends with your neighbors and borrow their tools while you build out your own set. Garage sales/estate sales are great places to get used tools.

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LindsayOG t1_je5x9a3 wrote

Look for a laser protractor/digital inclinometer for beaming a straight line on anything. Aliexpress.

I DIY everything pretty much so it’s hard to think about what is basic. Set of screwdrivers. Light hammer, utility knife. Basic set of sockets and wrenches. Basic set of pliers. Cordless drill/driver. Caulking gun. Quality drywall anchors. Tape measure and a level. You’ll eventually need to fix small things too.

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andymcn0 t1_je656xb wrote

I can’t go near a stud finder they keep going off.

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Guygan t1_je6651q wrote

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Loquacious94808 t1_je66gvo wrote

When I had to work on my house I waited for a sale at HD and bought one of those brushless tool sets, drill, 90 degree drill (helps drilling in tight spaces), ratcheting drill, oscillating multi tool, sawsall, orbital sander, and round saw. Once you have the tools you can find out how to do anything and safely. I have used every one many times.

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pheen t1_je6bczz wrote

I'd highly recommend a toolbag with a shoulder strap. Makes working on projects around the house a breeze and you're not running back and forth because you forgot something. Below are my recommendations for getting started with links. There are cheaper alternatives to everything, but these are all tools you'll quite often as a homeowner and I follow the "buy once, cry once" philosophy.

And since your original question included picture hanging... buy a picture hanging kit with a bunch of hardware. You'll need it for years of hanging and you'll be happy you don't have to run out to buy each time.

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raynorelyp t1_je5jkj2 wrote

Drill, hammer, Phillips head screw driver, flathead screwdriver, snake, impact driver, dolly, wd40 silicone lubricant, basin wrench, regular wrench.

Edit: measuring tape, laser level, stud finder, extension cords

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