The Ryobi Tools We Actually Use (And Why I Stopped Pretending Power Tools Weren’t for Me)
Let me tell you what happens when PopPop and I walk into our local woodworking store together. We browse for a while. We look at what we came for. And without fail, a sales associate approaches, makes eye contact with PopPop, and asks if they can help him, every single time. PopPop has gotten very good at his response. “Ask my wife. She’s the one shopping.” I love that man.
Power Tools Were Never Just for the Guys
I’m not your typical Mimi, and I make no apologies for that. I paint. I saw. I sand. I haul. I drill. I’ve torn down walls and built things from scratch. When a project needs doing, I want to be the one doing it, not standing to the side waiting for someone else to pick up the tool. It wasn’t always this way. Confidence with tools is something you build over time, with practice and with the right inspiration. Mine came from Norm Abram. If you grew up watching public television on a Saturday morning, you may remember The New Yankee Workshop. Norm Abram at his bench, surrounded by beautiful tools, building things with precision and patience and a calm confidence that made every project feel possible. He was the first person who made me believe that building something was within reach, that with the right tools and the willingness to learn, you could make what you wanted instead of settling for what the store had. I’ve carried that with me ever since.
What I Built When My Girls Were Young
When our daughters were small and the toy situation was getting out of hand, I didn’t go looking for a storage solution. I built one. I built large towers for toy storage with a bench between them, functional, sturdy, built to last. Those towers are still standing in our basement today, decades later, doing exactly what I built them to do. That project taught me something I’ve never forgotten. Building your own means you get exactly what you need: the right size, the right layout, the right quality, not just whatever the store happened to have in stock. ## What I Made Sure My Daughters Knew Before They Left for College When each of our daughters graduated from high school and headed off to college, they each received an IKEA tool kit. Not power tools yet, just a solid manual set with everything they needed to handle the basics: hanging a picture, tightening a loose hinge, handling the small things without calling anyone to do it for them. Both of them can now handle power tools: drills, table saws, the works. They grew up watching and helping, knowing that tools aren’t intimidating. They’re just instruments that help you get things done. That’s one of the things I’m most proud of.
Where to Start
If you’re new to tools, don’t let anyone make you feel like you need a fully equipped workshop. You just need the basics. A good manual tool kit gives you a hammer, a screwdriver set, a measuring tape, a level, and pliers. That covers the majority of everyday household tasks. Buy decent quality. Cheap tools are frustrating to use and don’t last. Then think about building up to power tools, and here’s where it gets genuinely exciting.
Why We Chose Ryobi
We're not contractors. We don't need contractor-grade tools. We do home improvement projects, seasonal projects, and creative builds, like the water table I designed myself when I couldn't find one at a reasonable price anywhere. That water table is going to be its own blog post and download very soon, because if I had this much trouble finding a good design, I know I'm not the only one. For the work we do, Ryobi ONE+ is exactly right. The reason is simple: one battery system. Every Ryobi ONE+ tool uses the same battery. You buy the batteries and the charger once, and from that point forward you're just adding tools. One charger, one platform, no duplicating your investment every time you need something new. We've built a real collection over the years. The tools we reach for most are the drill and impact driver, which are the foundation of everything, the circular saw for straight cuts on lumber and sheet goods, the jigsaw for curves and detailed cuts, the orbital sander for fast and satisfying finishing, and the detail sander for getting into corners where the orbital can't reach. There are many excellent tool brands out there, and I'm not here to tell you Ryobi is the only answer. What I will tell you is that for the homeowner, renter, and creative maker who wants a growing collection without a contractor's budget, the shared battery platform changes everything.
The Real Point
You don’t need permission to pick up a power tool, and you don’t need someone to show you first. What you need is a little confidence and the willingness to start somewhere. Start with a manual kit. Add a drill, and pay attention to how it feels to do something yourself, then build from there. We’ve put together the tools and starter resources we actually use and recommend in Wise Owl Essentials. Whether you’re just starting out or adding to a collection you already have, we’ll help you get there.
Mimi’s Tip
When you’re ready to buy your first power tool, go to the store and hold it before you buy it. Weight and feel mean more than the spec sheet. A tool that feels right in your hand is a tool you’ll actually reach for. Buy the battery and charger starter kit first, and your next tool purchase will cost you less.
