RESOURCES:

The CORE.4 Tool LIST:

Learn these and BUILD almost anything.

“I have personally used and professionally tested each item on this list during my 35+ years as a General Contractor and Career Tech. Educator. Some may say I have a weird attachment to these tools and that I’m a little too ‘Enthusiastic’ when I talk about them . . . I’m OK with that. (I’m the founding member of the Tool & Hardware Geek Club:) I can’t wait to teach you everything I have learned over the years! Let’s Go BUILD Something Great!” Mr.V.

This List also represents the exact tools Mr. V uses in his Mammoth High School and Mono County Adult Education classes. (And yes, if a tool can survive high school students, you know it’s built to last!)

To help support our DIY education mission, most product photos below link to our Amazon Affiliate pages. If you choose to purchase through these links, we earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Every bit helps us keep the PracTacular HOME Mission going strong.

Thanks for your support and for being part of our hands-on learning community.

[1.1] Safety Glasses: “Safety First and Always” is our #1 ProTip. These are certified to protect and feel great all day. Don’t forget your PPE’s!

+/- $6.75

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[1.2] Safety Glasses for over prescription spectacles: The perfect cost effective solution for seeing clearly and keeping your eyeballs safe as you work.

+/- $17.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[2] Reusable Ear Protection: Second only to our eyes is our ears. Knocking down damaging tool noises to just a whisper (25 dB) is what will keep us listening well our entire DiY life. Don’t forget your PPE’s!

+/- $6.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[3] Case for Safety Glasses: Stops the crushing and scratching of our glasses as we take them in and out of our Primary Tool case. Keep your Safeties safe.

+/- $13.00

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[4.1] Construction TAPE Measure: This is our #1 TOOL in the Core-4. It is great for larger projects and is a good Fit for medium to larger human hands.

+/- $22.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[4.2] Compact Construction TAPE Measure: The perfect TAPE to have at all times. Great for every HOME DiY situation and Fits perfectly in medium to small human hands.

+/- $23.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[5] Primary TOOL Case: For over 25 years, I have used a case like this to load In & Out on every project. It holds all the Core-4 Tools along with critical fasteners, tapes, and adhesives for the most common DiY tasks. I think of it like the classic Doctors bag; I always have it incase someone is in HOME improvement need. This is a Home Depot item.

+/- $ 40.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[6] Compact Tool Bag SYSTEM: All your must have tools right at your finger tips. Don’t let the small size fool you…This this organizes our tools that perform over (45) HOME DiY functions! [Check the video for How this is possible]

+/- $ 23.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[6.1] Quick Adjust Tool Belt: The right belt makes our tool bag system work in any situation. This one is strong, comfortable, and most importantly, it can adjust to any waist size quickly without the hassle that others always have.

+/- $ 10.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[6.2] Three Pocket Pouch: This quick clip on pouch is the best ‘Helping hand’ we have as we work by ourselves most of the time. It clips on just at the right spot too reach down and grab the faster or part you need to get the job DONE!

+/- $ 15.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[7] Quick-Change Utility Knife: After trying just about every utility knife out there, this one always gives us the most function, safety, and high performance. It has a hidden storage area for extra blades and the quickest blade changing function I have ever found.

+/- $ 10.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[8] Mechanical Carpenters Pencil Set: Weather we are working on rough framing, finish carpentry, or metal fabrication, this pencil set has us covered. It has so much function and it fits perfect in our Tool Bag for quick grab and go. then it slips right back into the same spot every time. It has a great fit and feel in our hand so we can always mark accurately no matter what we are working on.

+/- $ 9.25

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[9] Multi-Screwdriver Set: This Set of Two drivers is an outstanding value. Milwaukee says this tool dose thirteen things but I use it for (16) functions! [watch the INFO.Video and I’ll count them out for you]

+/- $ 37.00 | $18.50 each

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[10] VISE-GRIP Pliers Set: This Set of four can handle about 90% of our DIY projects around the house. Quality tools with great feeling grips give us the comfort, control, and less hand fatigue we are looking for. The first three fit perfectly in our Compact Tool Bag.

+/- $ 38.50

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[11] Electrical Wire Cutter and Stripper: This is a must have, 5-in-1 multi-tool that is alway in our Bag. It not only handles electrical tasks but also has a build in Shearing tool that saves our minds when we are installing drawer & door hardware screws. (check the Vid. to see what I’m talking about)

+/- $ 38.50

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[12] High Contrast Speed Square: Out of the 6 or 7 Squares I’ve used over the years, this one with its easy to read color combo and thick aluminum design gives us the accuracy we demand and durability we need. This tool is used for many things including a cut-guide for our Circular Saw.

+/- $ 14.00

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[13] Multi-Mark Tool: This is a power packed tool in a supper compact package. We can use this for at least (8) different functions including a quick Level which works great for hanging artwork and shelving. As a Finish Carpenter, I love the margin off-set Jig on the top and sides of the tool. (I’ll show you all about it in the Vid.)

+/- $ 17.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[14] Magnetic Stud Finder Tool: This is the ONE that will never fail us because it uses a natural and renewable energy source…Magnetic force. Small enough to slip into our Compact Bag and accurate enough to always find the center of the wall Stud. With a supper PracTacular design & function, this tool is always ready and will never be out of batteries!

+/- $ 10.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[15] 54-Piece Power Drill/Driver Tool Set: One of my all time favorite Tools, on the planet, is in the lower right corner of this package! It pilot-holes, counter-sinks, and drives all kinds of fasteners in one compact, supper quick tool. This pack also has everything else we need for using our Hammer/Driver/Drill cordless power tools like a PRO.

+/- $ 68.90

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[16] Pocket-Hole Jig Kit: This amazing compact tool allows us to build furniture, home decor, shelving and even cabinetry ANY where on the planet. Just about anything that needs to be joined together, this tool can be set up to get it done. It produces excellent quality joinery with just a little bit of practice and some PracTacular How.2 skills.

+/- $ 40.00

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[17] Quick-Grip Clamps: The perfect starter set of four to get our building/improving groove on. There are too many ways to use these things to mention here, so just get them and lets Go Build Something Great:)

+/- $ 33.00 | $8.25 each

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video

[18.1] The GoAnywhere Workbench System – Sawhorse Set : This starts our System with a sturdy base for both our 2×4′ worktable or sets up for a full sheet of plywood cutting. They are strong yet very light and easy to store away in small places. The under shelf is the perfect spot to hold our Circ. Saw and other supplies.

+/- $ 60.00 | $30.00 each

Check out Mr.V’s INFO.Video