Buy It For Life – 12 Home Improvement Tools Designed To Last A Long Time

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When building a tool collection, it's inevitable that you'll run into new additions that require regular replacement. Even when still relatively new, putty knives, scraping tools, and in my experience, electric sanders of virtually all types, are often great candidates for rotation rather than stable additions. This equipment is built to be tossed around, subjected to difficult conditions, and eventually damaged beyond salvageability. And this is saying nothing of things like hacksaw blades, rubber gloves, and angle grinder discs, which are better understood as consumables than tools themselves.

On the other end of the spectrum, beyond even the durable tools that survive frequent use for many years, are the special finds. These tools enter your garage and cement themselves as a part of your equipment collection for the long haul. Some of the longest lasting tools I personally own are genuinely elderly, like the nearly century-old mattock that makes its way out into my yard each spring. Forged steel tools are often found in this arena. Many are hand tools, and some are high quality, potentially pricey selections.

However, a rock solid performers that will stick with you for decades doesn't have to be a simple tool or an expensive purchasing decision. Some are just built to last as a standard, making them all the more valuable for a home improver seeking quality gear that helps inspire confidence and excitement to lace up and start working on the next task.

The run of the mill claw hammer is an essential tool for renters and homeowners alike. It's virtually impossible to perform numerous basic maintenance tasks without some kind of striking tool, and these are the most widely known ones in the world. However, many other types of striking solution can really up your game. 

Specialist hammers include things like ball peen options and dead blow hammers, but the primary change that most tool users will want to make is a simple shift in the construction of the claw. Instead of using a curved claw tool, opting for a rip claw hammer (or a framing hammer,) provides a much improved striking experience. These tools aren't as adept at nail pulling, but the vast upgrade to the swinging geometry makes up for it.

Opting for a hammer featuring a through-handle build like the Estwing 24-ounce model or the Estwing 12-ounce hammer with a leather grip offers vibration reduction integrated into a tool built for extreme durability. The Vaughan 999 model with a fiberglass handle is another legendary option for long lasting performance. If you're in the market for something truly game changing, a Stiletto hammer will set you back a pretty penny, but the titanium construction and immense range of integrated features are built to stand the test of time.

Speed squares are typically built from forged aluminum, delivering a lightweight body that's durable enough to provide years of service in your toolbox. I've used the same Swanson speed square in just about all of my own projects for at least the last seven or eight years. However, regardless of brand, this is one of the most underrated home improvement implements you'll find. Speed squares are capable of taking drops from a height in stride, and they play a central role in many layout tasks and cutting requirements.

They perform as a cutting guide when clamped to boards, or as a measurement tool that returns to your toolbelt (or tossed on the ground) after you've made your marks. These measurement utensils are unassuming and sit at the fringes of most thoughts regarding the big personalities in a toolbox. However, they always show up when you need them and with marks engraved into the surface of the tool rather than simply painted on, a unit like the Swanson model is built to last for significantly longer than other measurement devices like a tape measure.

Knipex is one of the best German tool brands on the market. The brand has been developing specialized pliers (and similar tools) since 1882. I'm personally a huge Knipex adherent and frequently use a few different pairs of pliers from the brand's catalog. They feel robust in your hands, and position themselves as a solution that can continue delivering functional use for generations, not just years. I'm not a professional, so mine don't get daily use, but they are genuinely high quality articles and show minimal signs of wear, unlike numerous other tools I rely on to roughly the same degree.

The brand's offerings run the gamut from heavy duty pipe wrenches to delicate snap ring and needle nose pliers. But Knipex isn't the only tool brand in this arena with tremendous staying power. Pro Tool Reviews recommends Klein Tools and Channellock as two high quality American brands with similar durability and performance levels. The outlet also notes that the Southwire 8-Inch Diagonal Cutters are the best they've used. Hardened blades or teeth, precision ground gripping zones, and buttery smooth lever action are some of the features you'll want to seek out when shopping for a pair of pliers you can rely on for the long term.

The Skil branded circular saw has been so influential that a generation of tool users still use "Skilsaw" as a generic term describing even tools from a different brand. The term can apply to any circular saw, but users are often specifically referring to ones configured with a worm drive setup, rather than the standard blade and motor stack geometry. Worm drive saws place the blade on the opposite side for better visual clearance, with the handle set behind the action to create a longer tool that's often easier to maneuver and delivers greater power to the cutting edge, especially for framing and rough construction work.

The Skil HD77 model circular saw is the epitome of durable, high quality cutting solutions. It's an old tool that many old-timers still have in their collections and use on a regular basis. The modern equivalent is the Skilsaw SPT77WML-01 model. Whether you're searching for a new variant or a vintage model, opting for a corded saw is non-negotiable. The lack of complex computerized components in the tool gives it a longer lifespan, certainly, and corded power is reliable and consistent. It won't hinge on maintaining a collection of the right kind of batteries to keep the tool cutting.

Stanley's range of metal bodied hand planes have served as the standard template for the design of the tool since they emerged in the late 1800s. Vintage Stanley hand planes are a great find at garage sales, and they can easily be 50 to 100 years old and still work just as well as the day they left their box for the first time.

For buyers seeking new tools, focusing on models with precise geometry and good quality grinds can limit the amount of material removal and setup you have to do personally. You'll also want to look for a build featuring high quality handles. Older models tended to source rosewood for their grips, but alternatives are deployed in modern builds because of restrictions on Brazilian rosewood products in particular. Naturally, keeping your planes in good working order will ensure they reach old age. 

The tools on the vintage market today were likely pampered in their younger years, even as their owners put them through a gauntlet of cutting demands. Keeping your plane's sole flat and free from rust or debris helps significantly. Oiling the handles on a semi-regular basis is equally valuable for maintaining a plane for many years.

Bench vises don't get the same level of attention as many other tools, often sitting patiently in the corner they've been installed until their services are required. They feature a pair of clamping surfaces, one mobile and one stationary, that can be closed to exert significant clamping force on a workpiece. Many include removable jaws, which makes underlying tool more durable and allows for interchangeability when dealing with round stock, soft materials like copper or plastic, or basic wear and tear that might otherwise demand a much larger fix or wholesale replacement.

Vises of this sort tend to live a long time even in demanding environments, and you'll find good secondhand options at flea markets, garage sales, and online. Some good options from the newly minted marketplace, however, include the Wilton 5½-Inch Utility Bench Vise and Central Machinery 5-Inch Multipurpose Vise. Both include anvils, swiveling capability, and replaceable jaws. They both also receive positive feedback from buyers with a 4.7 and 4.4 star average rating respectively.

The carpenter's vise is a little different. This is a hardy, cast workholding tool, as well. But it's designed to feature hardwood gripping planks attached to the faces. This makes every carpenter's vise one that offers personalization, interchangeability, and a unique flair that can support the specifics of an owner's work. The Irwin 6½-Inch Woodworker's Vise is a solid example. A cast iron body with purpose-built mounting holes for hardwood cheeks, the tool offers itself as a grabbing solution that can live on your workbench for many years.

The need for a knife in home improvement tasks may only arise when opening boxes or bags, but it can easily also serve as a prying solution or shaving tool to accommodate a custom or tight fit. Pocket knives actually feature a significant versatility that many home tool kits are missing. The market is flooded with cheap options that can certainly get the job done on a budget. There's nothing inherently wrong with something like an $11 Craftsman Pocket Knife (available at Amazon) or an inexpensive mini Gerber model ($15 at Amazon). However, these aren't tools designed for a lifetime or even really a long time of abuse.

The proven contenders for durable long-lasting sharpness and utility include Victorinox, the iconic Swiss Army Knife brand and one of the best hand tool makers out there, as well as Esee, Spyderco, Benchmade, and even Ka-Bar, the historic knifemaker of choice for U.S. Marines. They'll all run you notably more, with a price tag in or near the hundreds for a typical folding blade. But if you're looking for a tool that you can count on for decades of frequent use around the house, while hiking or camping, and everywhere in between, a premium model is the only choice.

While the legendary Craftsman is no longer considered a top-tier producer, the former Sears flagship tool brand still offers steady additions to any workshop. Moreover, hand tools (and toolsets) from Craftsman retain the brand's iconic lifetime warranty coverage (assuming you can manage to break one). Ostensibly, this also suggests that any replacement gear you bring into your collection is also protected. The warranty coverage makes Craftsman hand tools a fantastic option for those seeking longevity. The brand may not deliver the same pillar of premium feel and extreme durability (with a similar warranty coverage) as a brand like Snap-On, but it's accessible, cost-effective, and still high quality. At the end of the day, you're not likely to break a Craftsman ratchet or screwdriver unless you're seriously punishing it.

Alongside many other brands, Craftsman make a range of mechanics toolsets. Some of the most useful for buyers across the spectrum include its 83-piece set, available from Amazon for $60 in a compact carrying case, and a toolbox-type collection of 230 pieces ($129 from Amazon). Both feature 4.8 star average ratings and provide quality tool coverage from screwdrivers and wrenches to Allen keys and various ratchet and socket inclusions. The tools themselves are finished with a polished chrome for durability and rust resistance, and feature plenty of quality build specs like 72-tooth ratchet heads. The warranty on top adds another dimension that can't be ignored.

Many home improvers might focus their attention on impactful power tools and other similar implements when building their must-have list, but the sewing machine can open up a whole new world of repair and improvement opportunities. Sewing ripped material allows you to refurbish just about anything made from fabrics, and the skill allows for upholstery retooling, as well. Auto restorers can revamp the seats in a car or fix up other soft furnishing in the car rather than having to source all new parts. Home improvers have the option to customize their property to a far more expansive degree.

Sewing machines don't have to be technical or fancy, either. Some of the most durable options on the market include brands that have been around for generations, and their vintage units are highly prized options for collectors and tool users alike. Some of the most reliable sewing machine brands include Singer, Janome, Bernina, and Juki, to name just a few. Plenty of vintage equipment from these makers are still going strong, meaning you may just stumble upon a tool that will last you a lifetime by targeting one of their units.

Leatherman multitools are known for durability and staying power. Today's versatile champion from the brand is the Wave+, available at Amazon for $130 and featuring a 4.8 star average rating from over 12,000 total reviews. Leatherman also offers a wide range of other multitools, with varying tool inclusions and sizes for all manner of user requirements. However, finding a vintage model online or at a garage sale is equally satisfying. Older models that have already served another user faithfully will typically deliver no less versatility or durability, and may come at a nice discount, too.

What every Leatherman tool has in common is its build quality. Users consistently rave about the tool, saying they carry and use the tool on a daily basis for tasks ranging from pedestrian to highly demanding. The tools are capable of handling just about anything you might throw at them. Moreover, they're backed by a monumental, 25-year warranty policy.

Metabo HPT is a power tool option that sits well in professional collections. The brand makes good equipment, certainly, but its warranty policy elevates it to a unique level. Metabo HPT Lithium Ion cordless tools are shepherded under a lifetime limited warranty that covers the original purchaser, as long as the tool wasn't subjected to "industrial use." The warranty policy extends to the "serviceable life of the product," meaning as long as Metabo HPT makes the components that go into the tool, it will repair or replace the unit if it fails to perform its function.

The best candidates for a coverage policy like this are the brand's jigsaws, hammer drills, nailers, and other, similar units — reviewers have raved about Metabo HPT's cordless nailers, and its compound miter saw, in particular. All of these tools feature a largely static design language, meaning the parts that underpin their build aren't likely to change anytime soon. The result is a warranty coverage that's likely to extend out significantly further than most other brands or even over many other tools in the Metabo HPT lineup. 

Pipe clamps are an interesting gripping solution because they are built as a disconnected set of ends rather than a complete clamp. Users add the pipe themselves, making the clamps infinitely adjustable. Because they don't feature the same level of internal components, and rely on a user-supplied length of pipe, they have a unique advantage over their counterparts in the durability department.

Pipe clamp components are also typically forged from cast iron, making them significantly more durable than the standard plastic clamps that often adorn workshop walls. Moreover, if you do manage to bend or snap a pipe, the most likely point of failure in the chain, simply swapping the length out for a replacement is simple and will get you back on the horse in no time. Bessey's ½-inch model is a quality option (with a 4.8 star average rating at Amazon) and Pittsburgh's ¾-inch cast steel clamps are also highly rated (4.7 star average at Harbor Freight).