Best DIY tools for your garden projects

A lump hammer brings you the power of Thor when it comes to light demolition work, driving in masonry nails or cutting stone or metal with a steel chisel. The fibreglass shaft of this one means that it’s shock-absorbing without losing any strength, meaning less weary wrists for you.

A manual screwdriver such as this is a boon for fiddly jobs on account of its magnetic bit holder to securely hold the bits in place (thus preventing any swearing). It comes with 10 bits that cover the majority of garden jobs.

A cordless drill lets you roam around the garden, and this rechargeable one is a great choice at a great price. It has the power and speed to drill into wood and metal; there’s a hammer action for drilling into masonry and concrete, plus low speed for controlled driving.

Never skimp on a tape measure, as even tiny measurement inaccuracies can cost you dearly in terms of time. This metal offering is compact, and the retractable tape has a large end to hold it firm, plus a magnet for measuring on magnetic metals. Double-sided printing makes for easy reading, too.

With a carbon steel head and fibreglass core, this is light but strong and durable. The ribbed handle is comfy and the claw is well-angled for levering out old nails.

Think a staple gun isn’t a toolkit, er, staple? Think again! Driving metal staples into wood, plastic or soft masonry and super-useful for attaching materials, it’ll speed up your upcycling projects. Lightweight with an anti-jam mechanism, this is easy to use.

With any garden DIY job, a multitool stashed in your pocket will come to your rescue in endless ways. This is our go-to, with pliers, wire stripper, three screwdrivers and more.

Rather than trashing your kitchen scissors, use a Stanley knife for any minor slicing-and-dicing tasks. This cheap-as-chips option has snap-off blades, so you’ve always got a fresh sharp cutting point, there’s a secure multi-position slide button for a just-right blade length, and the blade retracts for safe storage.

A powered jigsaw is a godsend for both speed and accuracy when cutting raw materials and a battery-powered model like this Makita’s Cordless Jigsaw means you don’t need to find an extension lead. If you’re a regular DIY-er it’s worth the investment, with a powerful rechargeable battery, easy blade-change function and – best of all – an LED job light that creates an easy-to-trace cutting line.

A cold chisel or bolster, along with a lump hammer, will break up small areas of old concrete and cut bricks to size. And as you have to whack it pretty hard, we’re thankful for this handguard to keep hands safe. The chrome-vanadium steel blade will keep its edge too.

Bosch Green tools are a big name in the power tool industry and are designed for home use. They use high-quality parts that filter down from Bosch's Blue trade tools but for a significantly lower cost. The PSB 1800 LI-2 cordless drill offers power and comfort for drilling and screw-driving operations and packs plenty of punch from its torquey motor and range of modes. Therefore it would be suitable not only for screw driving and drilling but also light impact drilling into masonry.

Another Bosch Green product that works wonders for home DIY is this sander. This 125mm corded random orbital sander is impressively smooth, has a 270W motor, a dust extraction attachment, and variable speed, weighs a little over 1.5kg weight and can do anything from sanding to polishing.

The Einhell reciprocating saw has a 650W motor - ideal for cutting wood up to 150mm thick or 10mm steel. Weighing just 2.8kg, it's comfortably light and all for an affordable price.

The Einhell TE-AG 115 Angle Grinder has a strong metal gear head, guaranteeing optimal transmission and low-vibration operation. This is all you will need for a basic little grinder - suitable for cutting, grinding and roughing in the home, workshop and garage. Weighing under 2kg and 720W of power, this power tool is easy to use with the grippy handle, which has three positions from which it can be attached - either on the side or top.

This quality blade set will make all the difference when it comes to a reciprocating saw's performance. The set offers a mixture of blades suitable for wood, metal, and plastic so you can get straight to your DIY project.

A proper pair of work gloves is useful for absorbing the vibrations when using power tools, making a few hours of project work much more comfortable.

A good reliable handsaw is an absolute must-have if you regularly work with timber. This Stanley FatMax is a quality saw that lasts and will make tasks that much easier. The fine teeth (11 per inch) are three-sided and are sharp. Although this saw is a little more pricey than others, it is made to last and will be a reliable tool you can go back to again and again.

If you are looking for a hacksaw, this handy piece works great for getting through metal and plastic. Plus, replacement blades are easy to acquire and inexpensive, so you can keep this tool efficient for years.

An absolute DIY starter kit must-have. This well-made six-piece Stanley set has all the essentials - three sizes of Phillips and three of Slotted. These screwdrivers aren't insulated but do have a cushioned grip and magnetic tips for more comfortable usage.

This set of reliable spanners are equally as useful as screwdrivers in your DIY kit. This 25-piece set is made of chrome vanadium steel and has all you need, from 6mm to 32mm spanners.

Generally speaking, socket sets are faster than spanners, and this set from Bahco is a 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch set and is made from chrome vanadium plating for corrosion resistance. The carry case is really durable and well-made.

Another crucial addition to your DIY starter tool kit should be pliers. This set from Draper includes the basics. It comes with a combination of pliers, long-nose pliers, and diagonal cutters. The jaws are made of hardened carbon steel with a soft grip, so you can easily use them without sore hands.

Levels are great for putting up shelves or picture frames, and this classic 90cm level from Stabila is ideal for all eventualities. Featuring two vertical and one horizontal vial and shock-absorbing end caps.

If you are looking to buy a bench vice then it is good to get a high-quality one. This 100mm vice from Stanley is constructed from cast iron, and the hardware is chrome-plated for corrosion protection. Just screw it into place, and you won't need to buy another one.

If you want a quick and clean cutting or sanding job done, or anything where a third hand is needed then this clamp would be a great addition to your DIY set. Irwin's 150mm fast squeeze-grip clamp has a solid build quality at an attractive price. It also comes in a pack of two.

A trusty hammer is an absolute key tool in any kit. This high-quality 6-ounce Surestike hammer gives you the quality without the hefty price tag. The head and shaft are solid and shaped for strength and durability. It also is made with a large D-shape face and an injection-moulded hand grip for comfort.

For prying and levering, a quality crowbar with ground claw and chisel comes in handy, and this tool from Silverline is made from solid forged, hardened and tempered carbon steel and is powder coated for comfort while being used.

A tape measure is one of those items that are useful for many things in life, from measuring suitcases for travel to fitting paintings on the wall. There is nothing worse than a floppy tape measure; so we have picked out this Ox Tools tape measure, which is reliable and works a treat as the blade has a tough nylon coating and is very rigid. The five-metre tool measures in imperial and metric units and can extend to an impressive 2.8 metres.

This tough toolbox with rust-proof latches is a great way to keep all your tools together. The V groove on the lid allows you to use it as a sawhorse if needed, and the inside is constructed from structural foam for extra strength. This box has an extra-large storage capacity, so it is ideal if you have many items you want to keep organised.

If you are after a powerful, well-made staple gun, then this tool made in Sweden has various uses and will last a lifetime. Ideal for crafters and home DIYers.

Get inspired each month with Modern Gardens magazine. In every issue, you will find the latest trends and shopping hints (that wonu2019t break the budget), easy and simple DIY projects with clever upcycling ideas, and a look at some of our readers' gardens for you to enjoy. Whether youu2019re looking for the latest digital edition or are interested in our monthly subscription, Modern Gardens has everything you need. Available to download on Android and Apple devices.