Dollar Store Tools - Are They Worth it?

From the die-hard handymen who can fix anything, to the people with ten left thumbs, we all need a supply of basic tools in our home. There are always “odd jobs” that need to be done. Things need to be tightened, measurements need to be taken, pictures need to be hung and walls need to be painted.

Those of us with higher ambitions than light maintenance might want to renovate entire rooms or build furniture.

So, what about dollar store tools? Is the dollar store a good place to buy the tools for these small and large projects?

The answer to that question depends largely on where you sit on the handyman spectrum. If you are the kind of person who routinely hammers up drywall and nails bits of wood together, you are probably better off spending the money on higher-end tools that are designed for extensive use.

On the other hand, if all you’re interested in is light home maintenance, like tightening loose screws on door handles, you could get most of your tools at a dollar store and they will work just fine.

For instance, for two dollars at Dollarama, you can pick up a screwdriver set consisting of a number of different screwdriver heads, as well as a magnetic holder. You select whichever head matches the screw you are working on, attach it to the holder and you’re good to go.

This tool is made for light use. The metal is soft compared to more expensive screwdrivers, and after a period of time, the heads will wear down. But if you are only looking for something to use occasionally, this could work well for you.

The same goes for nails and screws. You can get boxes of nails and screws in assorted sizes for around one and three dollars. If you’re using them to hang pictures or install lighter fixtures like towel rails, they work fine.

If you are making a piece of furniture or putting up a heavier fixture like a ceiling fan, you will need to shop at a hardware store for something more durable.

The following table lists a few other home maintenance items that most households need at some point, that can be purchased from your local dollar store.

As with anything, when shopping for tools it is a good idea to make a list beforehand. Assess your home maintenance needs, and then head to the dollar store for the items that will meet those requirements.

Do you purchase tools from dollar stores?