Every Tool I’ve Used To Build My Dream Build-From-Scratch DIY Walk-In Closet
I’ve had a few people ask me about my tools lately, and specifically about the tools required to build my dream built-from-scratch DIY walk-in closet. So today, I want to show you every single tool that I’ve used (so far) to build my closet. Once I start building the island, I may use a few more that aren’t shown here today. If that happens, I’ll add those to this post as well.
Also, rather than showing you product pictures from websites like Home Depot or Lowe’s, I’m going to show you photos that I’ve taken of my own dust-covered, much-used, well-loved tools. While I will provide affiliate links for all of these, I want you to see that I’m not just trying to sell you products. I really am showing you products that I use, love, and vouch for myself.
Dewalt Portable Jobsite Table Saw
I don’t have my workshop set up yet, but once I do, I hope to have a big table saw with a large outfeed table. In the meantime, I have this DeWalt portable jobsite table saw (affiliate link).
This thing has been amazing. Even when I get my workshop set up, I’ll probably continue using this table saw and just build a large table with an outfeed table to fit this saw. Once I do that, I can bolt this saw to the table and use it to rip full sheets of plywood.
For my closet, I have used the table saw to cut all of the shelves to size, which I cut from pieces of plywood that I had already cut down with my circular saw and miter saw. I used the table saw to square up the edges of the plywood and cut them to the exact size I needed for the shelves. I’ve also used it to rip the pieces of 1″x2″ and 1″x3″ lumber for the shelf supports. Once I get to the island, I’ll also be using it to cut the pieces that I use to build the drawer boxes, drawer fronts, and cabinet doors.
Dewalt 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Over my years of DIYing, a miter saw has been my most-used tool. It was the first tool I bought when we lived in our condo, and it’s one I couldn’t live without. My first two miter saws were small, and while I could do a lot with them, I always wanted to upgrade to one with a 12-inch blade. This Dewalt 12-inch sliding compound miter saw (affiliate link) changed the game for me.
For my closet, I have used this to cut all of the plywood (that I had ripped down with my circular saw) to the right lengths. I also used it to cut all of the shelf supports and the 2″x4″ lumber that I used for the cabinet box feet. I’ll be using it to cut all of the trim and molding, a lot of which will have to be mitered on the corners.
Of all of my tools, this is the one I use the most. And this particular miter saw has been the best one I’ve ever owned. If you’re in the market for a miter saw, and a 12-inch miter saw is in your budget, I highly suggest going for it over a smaller 10-inch. And be sure to get a sliding miter saw. You can do so much more with a 12-inch sliding miter saw than you can with a 10-inch non-sliding miter saw.
Ryobi Circular Saw
Since I don’t have a table saw with an outfeed table that I can use to rip down full sheets of plywood, my circular saw has been invaluable for my closet project. I specifically bought this Ryobi circular saw (affiliate link) because it came with a rip fence, which you can see attached to the front of the saw. This little saw is a real workhorse at a great price.
Every single piece of plywood that I’ve used to build my closet was cut with this circular saw, and even choose another brand, I highly recommend getting one that comes with a rip fence.
Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide
While my circular saw did come with a rip fence, you can see that the widest cut I can make with that smaller rip fence is about 6 to 8 inches. For my closet, I needed to rip pieces of plywood that were 17 inches, so for that, I had to swap out the smaller rip fence for my Kreg rip-cut circular saw guide (affiliate link).
For my closet, I used this Kreg circular saw guide to cut down that entire stack of 29 pieces of 3/4-inch plywood into 17-inch-wide pieces.
Dewalt Variable Speed Rotary Sander
Every DIYer needs a good sander, and this Dewalt variable speed 5-inch rotary sander (affiliate link) is the best one I’ve ever owned. Over my 30+ years of DIYing, I’ve used several brands, but this one is my favorite. You can probably tell that I tend to favor Dewalt brand tools anyway, but it’s the variable speed option in particular that makes this one so great. I’ve had this thing for years, and it just keeps on going.
It has especially gotten a workout on my closet project because, in my effort to save money, I bought a lesser grade of plywood to build all of my closet cabinets. So that plywood needed a lot of wood filling and sanding to get it ready for paint. I’ve used this sander to sand every single piece of plywood that has gone into my closet.
Porter Cable Air Compressor and Nail Guns
I have only ever used small air compressors because they’re so portable and I can lug them around wherever I need to work with ease. This Porter Cable pancake air compressor (affiliate link) is my favorite one I’ve ever owned.
The two nail guns I’ve used on my closet are these Porter Cable 16-guage and Porter Cable 18-guage nail guns (affiliate links).
Makita drill
My Makita drills are the only tools I have that run on batteries. I generally prefer corded tools (that’s just a personal preference), but when it comes to drills, cordless are much easier and handier to use. I bought this set with two drills, and they’re amazing.
For my closet, I used these to screw the cabinet boxes together, and also to screw the cabinet boxes to each other and to the walls.
Miscellaneous tools
The other tools I’ve used on my closet are (1) clamps, (2) a pry bar, (3) a hammer, (4) a nail punch, (5) a tape measure, (6) a level, (7) a speed square, and (8) a rubber mallet.
I really don’t have any brand preferences on these types of tools. I just buy whatever I need at the moment, and I try to find what I think is the best quality for the best price.
So that’s every single tool I’ve used so far to build my dream closet. I can think of a couple of additional tools that I might use when it comes to building and installing the drawers in the island, but I’ll wait until I get to that project to add those tools to the list.
I want to end with a note about table saws and circular saws for any new DIYers or aspiring DIYers…
My suggestion for those who have never used a table saw before…
A couple of days ago, I had someone ask about table saws and circular saws. Specifically, she asked how a person who has never used these tools can get comfortable with them if they’re intimidated by these tools and are scared to try them.
I thought that was an excellent question, and after giving it some thought, this is what I told her. I thought I’d pass this along to the rest of you as well since others may find this helpful.
Here are my suggestions for getting comfortable using a table saw:
- Start with using a table saw that has a brand new finishing blade on it. Finishing blades have more teeth and cut cleaner and a bit slower than blades with fewer teeth that are intended for fast, not-so-clean cuts, like those you would use to cut through lumber used for framing.
- If the table saw has a blade guard, make sure it’s attached before turning the saw on.
- Start by cutting scrap pieces of MDF just to get a feel for the saw. Because MDF is basically glorified particle board and has no knots in it, I’ve never had any kind of kick back with MDF. With a brand new finishing blade on the saw, it should cut like butter.
- Once you’re comfortable cutting MDF and have a feel for the saw, try cutting plywood. It should also cut like butter with a new finishing blade on the saw. Don’t cut thin 1/4-inch plywood because it’s floppy and that makes it harder to control. Start with 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch plywood that is already cut to a size that’s small enough to handle, like a 2′ x 2′ piece. You’re just wanting to get a feel for the saw and get a feel for how it cuts these materials. With a brand new finishing blade, I think you’ll be surprised at how easily it cuts.
- Once you’ve had lots of practice with MDF and 3/4-inch plywood, then work your way up to cutting solid lumber. I suggest starting with something like primed finger joint boards i.e., the pre-primed white boards in the lumber aisle of Home Depot or Lowe’s, which tend to be a softer wood and have almost no knots in them. This will give you an opportunity to feel the difference between cutting plywood and solid lumber without having to worry about cutting through a lot of knots that you’ll get with the cheaper pine lumber. With that new blade, it should still cut very smoothly, but you’ll probably feel a difference between the plywood and solid lumber. So get used to that before you move to cutting solid lumber that has knots or solid hardwood lumber.
- Make sure you don’t get your fingers anywhere near the blade. Once you have to push any material to the end, make sure you’re using a push stick so that your fingers stay clear of the blade. Always be aware of where your fingers are in relation to the blade!!!
- Never stand directly behind the material you’re cutting, especially when cutting solid lumber. Kick backs happen in a split second, so stand to the side as you’re pushing the material through.
I think if you practice in that order — MDF, plywood, solid softwood lumber, and then solid hardwood lumber — and give yourself time to get a feel for the saw and how it cuts through these various materials, you’ll start to feel comfortable with it. But the main key is to never get TOO comfortable with a table saw. Always be aware and on guard. When you get too comfortable is when accidents can happen.
I would suggest that same process with a circular saw. Make sure it has a brand new blade on it and start by cutting MDF to get a feel for the tool. Once you feel comfortable with it, then try out some plywood. With a circular saw, if you’re cutting down anything smaller than a full sheet of plywood or MDF, make sure your material is clamped to your work table so that it doesn’t shift as you push the saw across the material. With both of these tools, it just takes practice to get comfortable with them.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I am amazed at how skilled you are at using power tools! I always call on my husband to do jobs requiring power tools and have declined his offers to show my how to use them because I’m afraid of them.
Oh, I do own and use an upholstery staple gun but can’t manage to hook it up to the air compressor so I always ask for my husband’s help with that.
When my husband passed away, I had several people ask what I was going to do with all his tools and I said “use them”. And that’s exactly what I’ve done!
Our local High School had a night course in wood working. I learned a lot. We had to use a joiner, plainer, and the table saw. The table saw was the scariest. You have to learn what side to push the wood or it does kick back. And it depended on how big the wood was that was being pushed. This was a good class because it taught me how to use all the different kinds of tools and not to be afraid of them.
Great suggestions for a first time user. But I would also (in my overly safety conscious mind!) to ALWAYS have someone nearby in case of an accident! My husband (with years of experience) was using his table saw one day when he experienced a kickback, and cut the pit of his finger off. I was inside and heard him scream like I’d never heard before, and went to find him clutching his hand and turning white. I opened the car door told him to sit in the passenger seat and ran in for a wet towel and a dry towel. We lived close to the hospital and I knew I could get him there faster than calling 911. In the end, he got stitched up and we returned home and tried to find the rest of the finger, but it had been shredded, so no reattachment. He soon after sold that saw and never wanted another replacement. Glad I was home that day, as he came very close to passing out quick!
not the *pit* but the tip! I do this so often, I need to proofread more before hitting send!
I am terrified of all powered saws and I felt your description of what happened to your husbands finger just reading this comment. Also, Walk the Line with Joaquin Phoenix has a scene with the table saw and the result. Nope, cannot watch and will never get over it to even try a table saw.
Kristi – you are so very brave and accomplished. I love reading your blog on all the things you do, successes and messes. You do beautiful work and it is such a pleasure to see your visions become reality.
I forgot to mention that he had hit a hidden knot, which caused the whole thing. And he’d been using these tools for many years. Just a freak accident, but yes, table saws are one of the tools that are more dangerous. I myself have used a circular saw and a compound miter saw (I had my own circular saw and other tools!) once he taught me how they work. I even used my circular saw at work (in retail, making shelves) and impressed quite a few ladies! LOL! It’s so empowering to know I can do it!
Like these kind of posts. They have been very helpful for me. I finally got to look at your youtube channel! I’m so glad you started doing this! Although, I still like reading the blog.
Those are all great tips for learning tools. I’d also add to have someone show you. Of all the tools I’ve used I believe someone has shown me how to use them. Most recently has been a router and circular saw. Had more confidence and was less intimidated using them after being shown. I have a lesser brand dual bevel sliding compound miter saw and have been wanting to upgrade to the equvilent Dewalt. Do you find that yours not being dual beval is limiting? Loving your closet!
I’ve never found it limiting. I’ve been able to do everything I’ve ever needed to do with this saw.
I do own a shop full of tools. Everyone always thinks they are my husbands. I felt your advice on a circle saw was great and the only thing I would change about a table saw is move #7 to #1.
I started with a compound miter saw, then bought a delta contractors saw, from there I was able to make a lot of shop furniture from a book called “Woodworking for Serious Beginners”. This had an experienced man teaching a woman. Still on Amazon. Who knew you would need so many clamps!
I would like to ask you how you move sheet goods like the mdf and plywood? I find now that I’m older I can’t pick up the stuff to move it even on to saw horses. Is there any tool you use for this. I’ve seen a few but since I am also short I think they wouldn’t work for me.
I’m able to carry everything using a panel carrier except for 3/4-inch MDF. That’s too heavy for me, so if I want to use it, I have to have it cut down at the store. But I can carry everything else as long as I use a panel carrier. I just have a cheap orange one from Home Depot.
Great tips(!) for getting used to “scary” tools with rotating blades. One addition to tip #6 – for me, watching the blade and NOT my fingers locks my brain in, meaning I know where the blade is because I’m looking at it (and my material running through/under it) and my brain usually has a pretty good idea where my hands are so (so far!) my fingers have stayed safe. This is especially true for, what I consider the most dangerous tool we DIYers use, the router. And push sticks, as Kristi pointed out, are a MUST! Be safe! Have fun!