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

Dewalt Transportable Jobsite Desk Noticed

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

This factor has been wonderful. Even once I get my workshop arrange, I’ll most likely proceed utilizing this desk noticed and simply construct a big desk with an outfeed desk to suit this noticed. As soon as I try 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 reduce from items of plywood that I had already reduce down with my round noticed and miter noticed. I used the desk noticed to sq. up the perimeters of the plywood and reduce 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 exploit to construct the drawer bins, 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 device. It was the primary device I purchased once 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 loads with them, I at all times wished to improve to at least one with a 12-inch blade. This Dewalt 12-inch sliding compound miter saw (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 proper 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, quite a lot of which should be mitered on the corners.

Of all of my instruments, that is the one I exploit essentially the most. And this specific miter noticed has been the very best one I’ve ever owned. In case you’re available in the market for a miter noticed, and a 12-inch miter noticed is in your finances, I extremely counsel going for it over a smaller 10-inch. And you’ll want to get a sliding miter noticed. You are able to do a lot extra with a 12-inch sliding miter noticed than you may 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 venture. I particularly purchased this Ryobi circular saw (affiliate hyperlink) as a result of it got here with a rip fence, which you’ll be able to see hooked up to the entrance of the noticed. This little noticed is an actual workhorse at a fantastic worth.

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

Kreg Rip-Minimize Round Noticed Information

Whereas my round noticed did include a rip fence, you may see that the widest reduce 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 circular saw guide (affiliate hyperlink).

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

Dewalt Variable Velocity Rotary Sander

Each DIYer wants a very good sander, and this Dewalt variable speed 5-inch rotary sander (affiliate hyperlink) is the very best 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 possibly can most likely inform that I are likely to favor Dewalt model instruments anyway, however it’s the variable velocity choice 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 venture 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 quite a lot 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 transportable and I can lug them round wherever I have to 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 favor corded instruments (that’s only a private desire), however on the subject of drills, cordless are a lot simpler and handier to make use of. I bought this set with two drills, and so they’re wonderful.

For my closet, I used these to screw the cupboard bins collectively, and in addition to screw the cupboard bins 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 stage, (7) a velocity sq., and (8) a rubber mallet.

I actually don’t have any model preferences on all these instruments. I simply purchase no matter I would like for the time being, and I attempt to discover what I feel is the very best quality for the very best worth.

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

My suggestion for individuals 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 informed her. I believed I’d go this alongside to the remainder of you as nicely since others might discover this beneficial.

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

1. Begin with utilizing a desk noticed that has a model new ending blade on it. Ending blades have extra tooth and reduce cleaner and a bit slower than blades with fewer tooth which might be meant for quick, not-so-clean cuts, like these you’d use to chop by lumber used for framing.
2. If the desk noticed has a blade guard, be sure that it’s hooked up earlier than turning the noticed on.
3. 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 chill with MDF. With a model new ending blade on the noticed, it ought to reduce like butter.
4. When you’re comfy reducing MDF and have a really feel for the noticed, strive reducing plywood. It also needs to reduce like butter with a brand new ending blade on the noticed. Don’t reduce skinny 1/4-inch plywood as a result of it’s floppy and that makes it tougher to manage. Begin with 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch plywood that’s already reduce 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 feel you’ll be stunned at how simply it cuts.
5. When you’ve had plenty of follow with MDF and three/4-inch plywood, then work your manner 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 Dwelling Depot or Lowe’s, which are usually 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 by quite a lot of knots that you simply’ll get with the cheaper pine lumber. With that new blade, it ought to nonetheless reduce very easily, however you’ll most likely 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.
6. Be sure to don’t get your fingers wherever close to the blade. As soon as you need to push any materials to the top, be sure to’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!!!
7. By no means stand immediately behind the fabric you’re reducing, particularly when reducing stable lumber. Kick backs occur in a cut up second, so stand to the aspect as you’re pushing the fabric by.

I feel for those who follow 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 by these varied supplies, you’ll begin to really feel comfy with it. However the primary key’s to by no means get TOO comfy with a desk noticed. All the time bear in mind and on guard. Whenever you get too comfy is when accidents can occur.

I’d counsel that very same course of with a round noticed. Be sure that it has a model new blade on it and begin by reducing MDF to get a really feel for the device. As soon as you are 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, be sure that 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 follow to get comfy with them.