The most important parts of a home workshop are always going to be the large-ticket tools. Drills, circular saws, and hand tools are necessary, but they are only part of the equation. After the initial excitement of a new tool wears off, most DIYers find that the real challenge lies in finding and purchasing the smaller accessories needed to build a project.

While tools provide the ability to perform a task, the right supplies enable that task to be performed more efficiently. Most people wouldn’t dream of buying paint without also buying the paintbrushes and rollers needed to apply it. Similarly, most people wouldn’t build a piece of furniture without the necessary fasteners and other supplies.

The Right Fasteners for Common Projects

The most time-consuming part of a home project is usually finding the right fastener. Most people have a random assortment of screws they’ve found or purchased at some point during a previous project. While an assortment of random screws may be adequate, they rarely contain the correct type or size of fastener needed for a particular project.

A well-rounded fastener collection should include:

• A selection of wood screws of varying length, but also thickness. A 6mm screw is far different than a 4mm screw, and using the wrong screw size can cause the wood to split, or create a weak joint.

• Machine screws and bolts. As previously mentioned, these are necessary for any project involving metal, or for creating knock-down furniture that can be taken apart and reassembled.

• A selection of Allen Head Screws in different lengths and diameters. These are extremely useful for building furniture and for projects where a clean finish is desired, as the Allen socket sits flush and can be countersunk easily.

Building a fastener collection is a gradual process. Each project teaches you what you should have had on hand. When you finally purchase the item you needed, it’s usually after the fact of the project completion.

More Than Just Wood Glue

Most home workshops have a bottle of yellow wood glue and possibly some super glue in the back of a drawer. That covers about 40% of the possible applications of adhesive, the remaining 60% will likely require either skipping the use of adhesive altogether, or attempting to use a poor substitute for the correct adhesive.

The two-part epoxy is the largest omission from most amateur workshops. Epoxy provides bonds that are often stronger than the materials themselves. Epoxy will bond materials that other adhesives cannot, fill gaps that would otherwise remain weak, and can even repair stressed areas.

Construction adhesive (the type in a caulk tube) is another item that is often lacking in home workshops. Construction adhesive is the difference between a shelf that is simply screwed onto the wall, and one that is securely attached to the wall. Construction adhesive allows you to attach wood to drywall, wood to concrete, etc., creating attachments that are both strong and flexible.

Contact cement is an adhesive that is used primarily for laminating and applying veneer. However, contact cement is the only adhesive that will properly adhere laminate to solid surface countertops, or attach edge banding. Having a small container of contact cement on hand will allow you to fix a countertop, or attach edge banding, without requiring a special trip to the store.

Keeping Your Projects Straight and True

The amateur’s biggest failing in terms of achieving professional-quality results is maintaining square and level throughout a project. Of course, owning a good level and square is the first step, however, there are additional products that make achieving square and level much easier.

Shims are severely underutilized in home projects. Shims are thin wedges made of wood or plastic, which allow for precise leveling adjustments. Whether you’re installing cabinets, hanging doors, or placing furniture on uneven flooring, shims will help ensure a level install every time.

Clamps are worth their own category, but for the purpose of keeping your project accurately positioned during assembly, clamps are invaluable. Clamps are never plentiful enough; having multiple sizes and types of clamps allows you to position your work pieces exactly where you want them to be, rather than holding them with one hand while fastening with the other.

Layout tools and spacers may seem like unnecessary items, but they will help create evenly spaced deck boards, rather than boards that become progressively tighter or wider. Consistent spacing will matter more than you think for the final appearance of your project.

Finishing Products and Treatments

Many DIYers skimp on protective finishes and treatments because they are so focused on completing the project itself, and do not consider how the project will ultimately hold up.

By having a variety of finishing products and treatments available, you can choose the best protection for each individual project. For example, polyurethane is excellent for high traffic surfaces, tung oil is ideal for items that will be handled frequently, and outdoor sealants are perfect for projects exposed to the elements.

You will either be over-protecting your interior items with too much gloss, or under-protecting your exterior items with inadequate durability, if you attempt to use only one product for all of your projects.

Wood filler and putty belong in the same category as finishing products and treatments. These products will allow you to hide errors and create a smooth surface for finishing. The difference between amateur and professional looking work is often based on the amount of effort you put into filling nail holes and smoothing them out.

All Types of Sandpaper

Most people have sandpaper in their workshop, but few have the right grit for the current task. Sandpaper is not a single product, it is a range of abrasive materials, from coarse to extremely fine. Using the incorrect grit will either mean a lot of extra work, or a finish that is not as smooth as it could be.

For most wood projects, having assorted grits from 80 to 220 will cover most of your sanding requirements. However, there will be occasions where you need 60 grit for heavy material removal, or 320 grit for sanding between coats. Sanding sponges are a small but valuable addition to your sanding arsenal, as they are easy to maneuver in tight spaces and can be used to sand curved or irregular areas that paper will not touch.

Small Items That Make Large Differences

There are also numerous small items that do not fit neatly into categories but make a significant difference in how efficiently you can work in your workshop. A good set of drill bits and driver bits, for example, is something that most people do not think about when considering what is required for their workshop, yet is something that is required as soon as your factory provided drill bits begin to show signs of wear. Painter’s tape for masking, marking, and temporary fastening is another item that can make a great deal of difference in how efficient you can work. A quality tape measure that does not break easily, or wear out, is another item that will make a great deal of difference in how efficient you can work.

Finally, safety equipment is another item that is often overlooked. Safety glasses that are actually comfortable enough to be worn regularly, hearing protection for loud tools, and dust masks for sanding are examples of safety equipment that are not exciting purchases, but will allow you to continue to work safely on your projects long term.

Building Your Supply Over Time

In reality, developing a well stocked workshop is a gradual process. Buying all the supplies at one time is overwhelming and expensive. Inevitably, you will purchase supplies that you do not really need, and miss supplies that you will use extensively. A better strategy is to acquire the supplies needed for a project as you need them.

At the conclusion of each project, evaluate what was missing or what you had to improvise around. Those are the items that you should add to your workshop. Over time, this will develop a supply base that is representative of the types of projects that you are building, and not a hypothetical list of potential supplies.

The workshops that function most effectively are not necessarily those with the most expensive power tools or the largest collection of equipment. Rather, they are the workshops where the necessary supplies are readily available when needed. Having the appropriate fastener on hand, the correct adhesive for the application, and the finishing materials ready to use transforms a space filled with tools into a functional workshop where projects can be completed efficiently and to a high standard. All of those unglamorous items stored in drawers and containers, the fasteners, adhesives, abrasives, and finishing supplies, are what enable consistent project completion rather than constant interruptions for supply runs or compromises that diminish the final quality of the work.