Every Tool I’ve Used To Build My Dream Build-From-Scratch DIY Walk-In Closet

Dewalt Moveable Jobsite Desk Noticed

I don’t have my workshop arrange but, however as soon as I do, I hope to have an enormous desk noticed with a big outfeed desk. Within the meantime, I’ve this DeWalt moveable jobsite desk noticed (affiliate hyperlink).

This factor has been wonderful. Even once I get my workshop arrange, I’ll in all probability proceed utilizing this desk noticed and simply construct a big desk with an outfeed desk to suit this noticed. As soon as I do this, I can bolt this noticed to the desk and use it to tear full sheets of plywood.

For my closet, I’ve used the desk noticed to chop the entire cabinets to dimension, which I lower from items of plywood that I had already lower down with my round noticed and miter noticed. I used the desk noticed to sq. up the perimeters of the plywood and lower them to the precise dimension I wanted for the cabinets. I’ve additionally used it to tear the items of 1″x2″ and 1″x3″ lumber for the shelf helps. As soon as I get to the island, I’ll even be utilizing it to chop the items that I take advantage of to construct the drawer packing containers, drawer fronts, and cupboard doorways.

Dewalt 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Noticed

Over my years of DIYing, a miter noticed has been my most-used software. It was the primary software I purchased after we lived in our condominium, and it’s one I couldn’t stay with out. My first two miter saws had been small, and whereas I might do rather a lot with them, I all the time wished to improve to at least one with a 12-inch blade. This Dewalt 12-inch sliding compound miter noticed (affiliate hyperlink) modified the sport for me.

For my closet, I’ve used this to chop the entire plywood (that I had ripped down with my round noticed) to the fitting lengths. I additionally used it to chop the entire shelf helps and the two″x4″ lumber that I used for the cupboard field ft. I’ll be utilizing it to chop the entire trim and molding, lots of which should be mitered on the corners.

Of all of my instruments, that is the one I take advantage of essentially the most. And this explicit miter noticed has been the perfect one I’ve ever owned. In the event you’re available in the market for a miter noticed, and a 12-inch miter noticed is in your price range, I extremely counsel going for it over a smaller 10-inch. And be sure you get a sliding miter noticed. You are able to do a lot extra with a 12-inch sliding miter noticed than you possibly can with a 10-inch non-sliding miter noticed.

Ryobi Round Noticed

Since I don’t have a desk noticed with an outfeed desk that I can use to tear down full sheets of plywood, my round noticed has been invaluable for my closet undertaking. I particularly purchased this Ryobi round noticed (affiliate hyperlink) as a result of it got here with a rip fence, which you’ll see hooked up to the entrance of the noticed. This little noticed is an actual workhorse at an amazing worth.

Each single piece of plywood that I’ve used to construct my closet was lower with this round noticed, and even select one other model, I extremely suggest getting one which comes with a rip fence.

Kreg Rip-Lower Round Noticed Information

Whereas my round noticed did include a rip fence, you possibly can see that the widest lower I could make with that smaller rip fence is about 6 to eight inches. For my closet, I wanted to tear items of plywood that had been 17 inches, so for that, I needed to swap out the smaller rip fence for my Kreg rip-cut round noticed information (affiliate hyperlink).

For my closet, I used this Kreg round noticed information to chop down that complete stack of 29 items of three/4-inch plywood into 17-inch-wide items.

Dewalt Variable Pace Rotary Sander

Each DIYer wants a very good sander, and this Dewalt variable velocity 5-inch rotary sander (affiliate hyperlink) is the perfect one I’ve ever owned. Over my 30+ years of DIYing, I’ve used a number of manufacturers, however this one is my favourite. You may in all probability inform that I are likely to favor Dewalt model instruments anyway, however it’s the variable velocity possibility specifically that makes this one so nice. I’ve had this factor for years, and it simply retains on going.

It has particularly gotten a exercise on my closet undertaking as a result of, in my effort to economize, I purchased a lesser grade of plywood to construct all of my closet cupboards. In order that plywood wanted lots of wooden filling and sanding to get it prepared for paint. I’ve used this sander to sand each single piece of plywood that has gone into my closet.

Porter Cable Air Compressor and Nail Weapons

I’ve solely ever used small air compressors as a result of they’re so moveable and I can lug them round wherever I must work with ease. This Porter Cable pancake air compressor (affiliate hyperlink) is my favourite one I’ve ever owned.

Makita drill

My Makita drills are the one instruments I’ve that run on batteries. I usually choose corded instruments (that’s only a private desire), however with regards to drills, cordless are a lot simpler and handier to make use of. I purchased this set with two drills, and so they’re wonderful.

For my closet, I used these to screw the cupboard packing containers collectively, and in addition to screw the cupboard packing containers to one another and to the partitions.

The opposite instruments 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 degree, (7) a velocity sq., and (8) a rubber mallet.

I actually don’t have any model preferences on these kind of instruments. I simply purchase no matter I want in the meanwhile, and I attempt to discover what I believe is the very best quality for the perfect worth.

I need to finish with a observe about desk saws and round saws for any new DIYers or aspiring DIYers…

My suggestion for many who have by no means used a desk noticed earlier than…

A few days in the past, I had somebody ask about desk saws and round saws. Particularly, she requested how an individual who has by no means used these instruments can get comfy with them in the event that they’re intimidated by these instruments and are scared to strive them.

I believed that was a wonderful query, and after giving it some thought, that is what I advised her. I believed I’d go this alongside to the remainder of you as properly since others could discover this beneficial.

Listed here are my ideas for getting comfy utilizing a desk noticed:

Begin with utilizing a desk noticed that has a model new ending blade on it. Ending blades have extra tooth and lower cleaner and a bit slower than blades with fewer tooth which can be supposed for quick, not-so-clean cuts, like these you’d use to chop via lumber used for framing.

If the desk noticed has a blade guard, ensure it’s hooked up earlier than turning the noticed on.

Begin by reducing scrap items of MDF simply to get a really feel for the noticed. As a result of MDF is principally glorified particle board and has no knots in it, I’ve by no means had any form of sit back with MDF. With a model new ending blade on the noticed, it ought to lower like butter.

When you’re comfy reducing MDF and have a really feel for the noticed, strive reducing plywood. It must also lower like butter with a brand new ending blade on the noticed. Don’t lower skinny 1/4-inch plywood as a result of it’s floppy and that makes it tougher to regulate. Begin with 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch plywood that’s already lower to a dimension that’s sufficiently small to deal with, like a 2′ x 2′ piece. You’re simply eager to get a really feel for the noticed and get a really feel for the way it cuts these supplies. With a model new ending blade, I believe you’ll be stunned at how simply it cuts.

When you’ve had a lot of apply with MDF and three/4-inch plywood, then work your approach as much as reducing stable lumber. I counsel beginning with one thing like primed finger joint boards i.e., the pre-primed white boards within the lumber aisle of House Depot or Lowe’s, which are typically a softer wooden and have virtually no knots in them. This provides you with a chance to really feel the distinction between reducing plywood and stable lumber with out having to fret about reducing via lots of knots that you just’ll get with the cheaper pine lumber. With that new blade, it ought to nonetheless lower very easily, however you’ll in all probability really feel a distinction between the plywood and stable lumber. So get used to that earlier than you progress to reducing stable lumber that has knots or stable hardwood lumber.

Be sure to don’t get your fingers wherever close to the blade. As soon as you need to push any materials to the tip, be sure you’re utilizing a push stick in order that your fingers keep away from the blade. All the time pay attention to the place your fingers are in relation to the blade!!!

By no means stand instantly behind the fabric you’re reducing, particularly when reducing stable lumber. Kick backs occur in a break up second, so stand to the aspect as you’re pushing the fabric via.

I believe for those who apply in that order — MDF, plywood, stable softwood lumber, after which stable hardwood lumber — and provides your self time to get a really feel for the noticed and the way it cuts via these numerous supplies, you’ll begin to really feel comfy with it. However the primary secret’s to by no means get TOO comfy with a desk noticed. All the time remember and on guard. While you get too comfy is when accidents can occur.

I’d counsel that very same course of with a round noticed. Be certain it has a model new blade on it and begin by reducing MDF to get a really feel for the software. As soon as you’re feeling comfy with it, then check out some plywood. With a round noticed, for those who’re reducing down something smaller than a full sheet of plywood or MDF, ensure your materials is clamped to your work desk in order that it doesn’t shift as you push the noticed throughout the fabric. With each of those instruments, it simply takes apply to get comfy with them.