5 Essential DIY Tools You Need, But Didn't Know You Need! Great gifts too! How did I get this far in Life without these amazing tools?

Here are 5 essential DIY tools you might not have known you needed. Though, since you are here on Uncharted DIY, you or someone in your life must love tools as much as I do!

So, you can Download FREE PDFs (bonus content not in the video) for each of these 5 tools. These PDFs have useful Tips and Tricks, and even plans for an easy and fun to build Flex Shaft Hanger Stand!

Even though I’ve gathered a lot of tools over the years, though there were some tools I thought might be frivolous or something I’d only use a time or two. But, these 5 essential DIY tools turned out to be so helpful, and solve problems so effectively that I wonder how I got this far in life without them! Here are 5 versatile tools or accessories that you need, but might not have known you need.

Without doubt, these tools have significant advantages: saving time, money, effort, and they often increase the quality of your results. They also can avoid wear and tear on your body and increase the comfort of your surroundings.

Of course, these 5 essential DIY tools also make great gifts for you or for someone in your life.

In no particular order, these tools are:

Rotary Tool (Dremel) with Flexible Shaft Attachment and Stand

Oscillating Multitool (Multi-tool)

Infrared Thermal Camera (FLIR)

Cordless Impact Driver

Digital Calipers

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission on items bought using them. These are the same recommendations I would make regardless of any compensation. For products that I have older versions of, I recommend the items that I would replace them with if I were buying them new.

Rotary Tool (Dremel) with Flexible Shaft Attachment and Stand

Rotary Tools, often referred to by the brand name Dremel, have the greatest number of potential uses compared with any other tools I can think of. As demonstrated in the video above, I’m convinced that everyone alive today would find creative uses for a Dremel Tool.

One additional accessory I have found to be essential, and also fixes the issues mentioned in the video, is the flex shaft attachment. I have links to these attachments, Dremel Tool kits with attachments, and commercial flex shaft hanger stands below. Hanger stands get the Dremel tool above your work and free up your hands, especially when combined with a foot control.

For about $25 in parts and a half hour’s work, you can build a sturdy, professional flex shaft hanger stand that clamps to almost any surface. Additionally, this DIY stand adjusts higher, and the swing arm extends further, providing more coverage of the work area than prefab stands allow for. It’s a fun and easy DIY project, and the plans are FREE.

Download a FREE 8-page PDF with Step-by-step DIY Plans and Tutorial with a visual parts list and easy to follow instructions.

Resources for Rotary Tool (Dremel) with Flex Shaft

Wen 2305 Rotary Tool Kit with Flex Shaft

From Amazon
Basic but great value Rotary Tool Kit

Dremel 4000 with Flex Shaft, 6 Attachments, 50 Accessories

From Amazon
Advanced Rotary Tool Kit

Foredom K-2220, SR Jewelers Kit with Foot Control

From Amazon
Premium Rotary Tool Kit

Dremel 225-01 Flex Shaft Attachment with Comfort Grip

From Amazon
Flex Shaft

Flex Shaft Stand 24-45″

From Amazon
Bolts to bench or table

Flex Shaft Hanger, Bench Clamp

From Amazon
Clamps to bench or table

Foredom Variable Speed Foot Control

From Amazon
Works with Dremel Flex Shaft Tool

HFT car wash mop

Telescoping Car Wash Mop

From Harbor Freight
Used in DIY Flex Shaft Hanger Stand PDF

Snap & Store Squeegee

From Harbor Freight
Used in DIY Flex Shaft Hanger Stand PDF

GreatNeck 100 12 Inch Adjustable Frame Butcher-style Hacksaw

From Amazon
Used in DIY Flex Shaft Hanger Stand PDF

Oscillating Multitool (Multi-tool)

The Oscillating Multitool (multi-tool) rivals the Dremel in its vast array of functions.

For me, one the multitool’s best features is its ability to plunge cut, which is cutting without having to first drill a starter hole.

As shown in the video, other great uses for this oscillating multitool (OMT) include:

cutting door jambs in place for adding a new hardwood or tile floor
detail sanding where it would be difficult to use a dedicated sander
plunge cutting
flush cutting
cutting pipes – from pvc, abs, conduit and copper
scraping off flaking paint
removing old mortar and adhesive
cutting off trim and moldings
grinding out grout
cutting clean holes in drywall
cutting off rusted, seized nuts
and, doing tile work, just to name a few!

Importantly, the ability to mount the blades at almost any angle, and/or flip the blade allows you to get the OMT into spaces other tools might not fit. The small arc of oscillation makes it a precise tool.

In fact, it may surprise you how often you’ll find yourself reaching for an Oscillating Multitool.

Download a FREE Oscillating Multitool Tips and Tricks PDF that has useful tips (not covered in the video) for getting the most out of this multipurpose tool.

Resources for Oscillating Multitool

Genesis GMT15A Oscillating Tool, 19 Piece Accessory Kit with Storage Box

From Amazon
Basic but great value, corded tool, hex key blade change

Dewalt 20V Max XR Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit, Variable Speed

From Amazon
Advanced, cordless, quick-change, brushless motor

Rockwell Felt Polishing Pad, Universal Fit, 2-pack

From Amazon
Polish stone, tile, granite, stainless, other metals, fiberglass

Bionso 31 Piece Oscillating Saw Blades, Universal Fit

From Amazon
9 types of blades in storage box. Big savings over individual blades.

Crescent Wiss 9-3/4″ MetalMaster Compound Action Snips

From Amazon
Straight cut. Customize your blades, repurpose old blades.

Warner 6″ ProGrip Full Flex Broad Knife

From Amazon
Use as a guard to avoid scratching or gouging surfaces.

Infrared Thermal Camera (FLIR)

As can be seen in the video, using an Infrared Thermal Camera is like adding a completely new sense to the ones we were born with.

Despite the fact that the first thermal camera was developed in 1929, it is only in the last few years that the cost to own one of these amazing thermal cameras has dropped to an affordable level for everyday people.

Infrared Thermal Cameras are often referred to as FLIR cameras, for Forward Looking Infrared. In contrast to night vision technology that amplifies available light, infrared cameras sense the heat being generated by all people, animals, objects and materials. Essentially, they can “see” through smoke, haze, fog and certain types of thin objects, displaying the patterns of heat differences as shades or colors on the screen. Similarly, they work in complete darkness.

So, why would you need one? As an illustration, just a small sampling of things I have used mine for includes:

Checking the walls for insulation gaps, or cold spots that could indicate water leaks, leading to mold
Tracing the heating ducts through the floor or ceiling to spot any leaks or hotspots
Identifying a dragging brake caliper, causing the wheel to heat up
Finding the source of a radiator leak
Inspecting the door seals on refrigerators and freezers
Determining which cylinder was misfiring in an engine

And, as shown in the video, there are other fun, but less serious uses.

I chose a FLIR One brand camera because of the technology they call MSX. This overlays the thermal image with a regular camera, making it much easier to interpret what the images on the screen are. Thermal cameras have much less resolution than standard cameras, so this added information is extremely helpful.

You will find a stunning amount of cool things to do with your infrared thermal camera!

Download a FREE Infrared Thermal Camera Tips and Tricks PDF

In addition to tips shown in the video, this PDF has useful tips for using this amazing device.

Resources for Smartphone Infrared Thermal Camera

FLIR ONE Gen 3 – Android (USB-C) Thermal Camera for Smartphones with MSX Image Enhancement

From Amazon
This is the basic model for Android. Pro and Pro LT models available.

FLIR ONE Gen 3 – Apple iOS Thermal Camera for Smartphones with MSX Image Enhancement

From Amazon
This is the basic model for iOS. Pro and Pro LT models available.

USB C to Micro USB OTG (On-The-Go) Gold Plated Adapter

From Amazon
Used to adapt Micro USB OTG Android devices to USB C for use with FLIR One, Seek Thermal and more.

Cordless Impact Driver

I thought I wouldn’t use an Impact Driver much…until I needed one for a big deck project. Surprisingly, now it is one of my favorite tools!

For me, when it comes to making quick work of tough jobs, or projects requiring a lot of fastening, nothing beats an Impact Driver.

They don’t replace a good drill driver, which is excellent for making precise holes and helpful for driving screws. Instead, impact drivers excel at driving: long screws, short screws into dense material, lag screws, structural screws, concrete anchors and carriage bolts. And, they are great for nut setting and working with metal construction.

When driving hundreds of screws for building a large deck, an impact driver saves huge amounts of time, and wear on your equipment and your body! Driving 10” structural lag screws is time consuming with a wrench or ratchet wrench, but they take only seconds to do with an impact driver. They also minimize the potential for stripping screws since the impacts (at around 50 pulses per second) keep the bit in tight contact with the screws.

Overall, impact drivers have different prices and features, but are money well spent.

In view of their versatility, I bought a Kobalt 24V Max brushless combo kit with a drill, impact driver, battery and charger since the combo is a great value. This impact driver has 3 power settings, electronic variable speed and a finish mode for precise control. It has plenty of power, and since they are brushless, they are stronger and go much longer in between battery charges. I can highly recommend this Kobalt combo kit.

In truth, the only thing I regret about buying an impact tool is that it took me this long in life to get one! I could have saved so much time and effort!

Download a FREE Impact Driver Tips and Tricks PDF with useful tips (in additional to tips in the video) for getting the most “impact” from your impact driver.

Resources for Impact Driver

Kobalt 24V MAX Brushless Variable Speed 1/4″ Impact Driver

From Amazon
Driver, charger & battery

Kobalt 24V MAX Brushless 2 Tool Combo Kit

From Amazon
Great value combo kit with impact driver, drill, charger & battery

Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Drill and Driver Bit Set

From Amazon
40 piece driver set

Makita Impact Gold Ultra-Magnetic Torsion Insert Bit Holder

From Amazon
Flexes under load and takes pressure off bit for durability. One handed fastening.

Dewalt Right Angle Attachment, Impact Ready

From Amazon
Works with drills and impact drivers. For close-quarter fastening and drilling.

Lexivon Impact Grade Socket Adapter Set, 1/4″, 3/8″ and 1/2″ Drive

From Amazon
Fits drills and impact drivers. Allows use of sockets for nuts and bolts.

Digital Calipers

Often, taking an “eyeball” measurement just doesn’t cut it. Many objects have compound curves, holes and surfaces that are tough to get an eye on with a ruler or tape measure.

In this situation, accuracy is needed way beyond what those tools can provide. Digital Calipers save the day!

As seen in the video, Digital calipers can cost a small fortune, but unless you require extreme precision, inexpensive calipers (around $30) can provide a huge step up in the measuring department.

In fact, many come with 3 universal systems of measurement: decimal inches, millimeters and fractions. They can measure down to .001”/ .03mm, and the more expensive ones can do even better.

Digital calipers are much easier to read than Vernier or dial calipers. And, they can do some cool math tricks, saving you from complicated calculations!

Generally, they measure outside and inside dimensions, have extendable depth gauges for slots and holes, and most have a step feature that measures points along a surface.

I use my digital calipers to measure nuts, bolts, bearings, brake rotors, cables, machined parts, leather thickness, gaskets, and sizing drill bits, dowels, shims, and springs. They are also used in plumbing, 3D printer calibration, woodworking, reloading, fabrication, and turning on a lathe to name a few.

I find myself reaching for them often and since they are so inexpensive, I keep one in the office, one at my workbench and one in my toolbox. I even bring them to the hardware store to make sure I can measure how various parts will fit together.