As a DIY veteran, I know that having the right tools is essential to doing a good job. But like many of us, I don’t always have time to head down to the local hardware store to browse the aisles. The obvious convenience of Amazon means that I don’t need to leave the house when I need a new tool.
Coupled with next-day delivery, I can get what I want fast and be ready to tackle a project rather than wasting time trawling for tools. Here, I list the five tools that I use and reorder on a regular basis, ensuring I always have what I need.
1. Paintbrushes
I’m a big fan of Harris paintbrushes and have been using them for as long as I can remember. They offer a wide range of types, styles and sizes, something for every paint project.
Personally, I prefer paintbrushes with wooden handles. I simply like the tactile nature of them, and they just work beautifully in the hand. Harris Trade Brushes are a favourite of mine. They come in a variety of sizes, are well-made, and utilise fine-tipped synthetic filaments that provide a smooth flow when painting woodwork. They're ideal for painting skirting boards, door frames, architrave, and cutting in.
Similar in quality to the Trade brushes is the Ultimate range. Recently, I’ve been using Harris Ultimate Blade Paint Brushes when painting walls. Their tapered ends help ensure I get crisp, clean lines around sockets and along edges (without masking tape).
Both the Harris Trade and Ultimate brushes are ideal if you regularly tackle paint projects, but if you’re an occasional painter and decorator, the Harris Essentials range fits the bill, and with lower prices. These are still quality paintbrushes but don’t expect them to match the quality of the Trade or Ultimate brushes.
Harris Essentials Walls & Ceilings Paint Brush Set
A 5-pack of budget-friendly paintbrushes ideal for painting around sockets and cutting in on ceilings. Boasts soft synthetic bristles giving an even flow.
Harris Trade Paint Brush Multi-Pack
A high-quality set of wooden paintbrushes aimed at tradesman. These well balanced brushes sport fine tips helping to get a smooth finish with minimal brush marks.
Harris Ultimate Blade Paint Brushes
Top end paintbrushes that are designed with Harris Blade technology that have a tapered end to help get crisp edges around switches, sockets, door frames and more.
2. Paint rollers and trays
Paint rollers, trays and accessories are something I like to purchase online. As soon as I know I’ve got a paint project coming up, I’m straight on to Amazon ordering everything I need.
I’m a big fan of Harris rollers. The classic Seriously Good 9-inch roller set is a go-to for walls and ceilings thanks to its anti-splatter fabric, which helps keep the paint on the wall and not me. For gloss or satin paint on woodwork, I’ll invest in mini smooth foam rollers like this Harris Seriously Good Woodwork Mini Roller Set.
But I don’t exclusively use Harris when it comes to rollers. Part of the beauty of using Amazon is that you can shop around and take a punt on brands that you might not have used before. Another brand I use is ProDec, and I’ve recently been using their IceFusion rollers, which give a lovely smooth finish.
And it's not just rollers I get from Amazon; paint scuttles and liners (yes, I do use them sometimes) are also purchased online. I typically use a ProDec 10 or 15-Litre Plastic Paint Scuttle Bucket. They’re recyclable, robust and much better than using a standard flat tray.
Harris Seriously Good Walls & Ceilings Paint Roller Set
This set of four nine-inch medium pile roller sleeves includes a roller and roller handle. They have a comfortable grip and help stop the splatter when painting walls and ceilings.
Prodec Advance Ice Fusion set
This six-piece set includes a nine-inch roller sleeve and roller, a four-inch sleeve and roller and a tray. The medium pile sleeves are designed to get a really smooth finish.
Prodec Large Plastic Paint Scuttle Bucket
Traditional flat roller trays can spray paint over the edge of a tray. This paint scuttle helps keep a cleaner work area and and make it easier and quicker to apply paint.
3. Sanding discs
When painting doors, windows, architrave, stairs or any type of woodwork, sanding is a key part of the preparation. I have a random orbital sander and detail sander, so I’m always purchasing new sanding discs. I would say it makes sense to buy a selection of sandpaper grades and grits and buy in bulk.
Even high-quality sanding discs can quickly dull, especially when performing heavy-duty sanding. But whatever sanding project you’re working on, it's always good to have spares, so you can swap over when you need to. It helps ensure you get a job done quicker.
I don’t typically choose a brand name; instead, I select discs that are highly rated and competitively priced, and I purchase at least 20 at a time. Here I’ve selected a few that I’ve tried, used and bought again.
Kongming 225mm Sanding Disc
A quality aluminium oxide hook and loop sanding disc that stays put and lasts. No mixture of grades here, choose your grit and buy in packs of 10, 25, 50 or 60.
Stebruam 125mm Sanding Discs
These 125mm sanding discs cut through surfaces quickly and cleanly. You can choose from mixed-grade sets or a single grit and choose quantities of 50 or 100.
Black Decker Mouse Sanding Discs
These sanding discs are specially tailored for Black+Decker Mouse detail sanders, but work on other similar size sanders. Includes 40 discs of four different grits.
4. Masking tape
Every DIYer needs masking tape, whether it's to achieve crisp, clean paint lines on walls or around door frames, prevent paint spray from ruining the top of a skirting board, or to stick down dust sheets, you need a good one.
Blue painters tape is one of my favourites, and I’ve always used the popular ScotchBlue brand. It comes in three sizes: 25mm, 36mm, and 48mm. Personally, for me, it's the 36mm width. This gives me more versatility in terms of where it can be used and what it's used for, but all work well.
Frog Tape is another great choice, but it's typically slightly more expensive, but if there’s a good deal on, I’ll invest in a few rolls. And, if you’re looking for a budget tape, I’ve been using tesa Masking Tape from Amazon. This is great for covering paint on woodwork and general jobs.
Scotchblue Multi-Surface Premium Masking Tape
A medium-adhesion painters' tape in distinctive blue that can be used on a variety of surfaces, including walls and wood. Ensures crisp lines and is easy to remove.
Frog Tape Green Multi Surface Painters Masking Tape
A multi-surface green masking tape featuring PaintBlock technology that helps prevent paint bleeding under the tape and ensures clean lines. Ideal for walls, windows and metal. Can be left for up to 21 days.
Tesa Masking Tape Economy
A cost-effective natural finish masking tape that is ideal for protection against paint drops and splashes on edges.
5. Screwdriver bits
If you're a DIY enthusiast, it's almost certain that you own a cordless drill. If you’re like me, you’ll do a lot of work driving in new screws and removing old ones, and you can quickly blunt a screwdriver bit.
If you leave a screwdriver bit rounded off, it won’t function properly and can damage the screw head. As you drive in a screw, the bit will slip, so you won’t get a tight fit, making the screw more difficult to remove.
The best solution is to keep a range of screw bits ready for different jobs and swap when needed. Phillips is the most common choice, but ensure you select the bit specifically designed for the task at hand.
DeWalt Screwdriver Bit Set
A set of 25 extra hard Pozi 2 screwdriver bits that work with most Phillips screws. Comes in a neat storage case to help make sure you don't lose them.
Saxton Impact Duty Screwdriver Drill Driver Bits
A set of 10 50mm long Pozi 2 screwdriver bits tailored for impact drivers. Boasts a quarter inch standard hex fitting and heat treated for extra strength.
Bosch Professional 40-Pieces Drill Set
If you're in need of a mixture of screwdriver bits this 40-pieice set has what you need. Includes standard Philips, Pozi, Hex, Torx bits, six extended bits and screw case.
When that Amazon parcel drops on your doorstep, you can get started on your next DIY project. Get some help from the following guides to make good use of those tools and get the perfect finish when painting wooden doors, painting windows and sanding doors
