If I had to build my toolbox again from zero, these are the five tools I would buy first, and every one of them is on sale for Lowe’s Black Friday 2026: a DeWalt 20V drill or impact driver for $99, the DeWalt oscillating multi tool for $99, a Werner 6 ft fiberglass step ladder for $69, a Klein stud finder with a Bosch laser, and the Kobalt 46 in rolling work bench for $398.
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Early next year my husband and I are moving to Japan to renovate an abandoned house, and we are flying over with empty suitcases. That means most of my tools are staying behind. I have spent the last few weeks deciding what I would buy first if I had to start over, and it was harder than I expected.
Lowe’s Black Friday deals are live, so I am sharing that list now. Most of these stay on sale through the holidays, and every pick is on my Lowe’s Storefront. If you are building your very first kit, my beginner DIY tools guide walks through what each tool does.
- Best first tool: DeWalt 20V drill/driver or impact driver, your choice $99
- Biggest savings: DeWalt XR oscillating multi tool, $99 (save $100)
- Best DeWalt bonus: 3 free select DeWalt tools with the 20V 8Ah battery 2 pack
- Best gift under $20: Klein stud finder, $17.98
- How long they last: most of these run into December or January. The bathroom deals end November 18 to 25
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What Tools Would I Buy First If I Were Starting Over?
These are the five that go in before anything else. They are the tools I reach for on almost every project, from client bathrooms to my brother’s shed.
- DeWalt 20V MAX drill/driver or impact driver, your choice $99. If you only buy one cordless tool, start here. A drill driver handles holes and most screws. An impact driver is the one you want for long screws into framing and decks. Both run on the same DeWalt 20V batteries, so anything you add later works with it.
- DeWalt XR 20V oscillating multi tool, $99 (save $100). This is the problem solver. It undercuts door casing so new flooring slides under, trims baseboard in place and cuts clean openings in drywall. At $100 off, it is the best deal on my list.
- Werner 6 ft fiberglass step ladder, $69 (save $80). Fiberglass instead of aluminum makes it the safe choice around electrical work. Six feet reaches most ceilings for painting, light fixtures and smoke detectors.
- Klein stud finder, $17.98, and a Bosch laser, $49.98. Measure twice, hang once. The stud finder tells you where the screws go, and the laser makes sure the shelf, gallery wall or curtain rod is actually level. Bosch lets you pick the BLAZE 100 ft laser measure, the self leveling cross line laser or the laser tripod.
- Kobalt 46 in rolling work bench, $398 (save $100). Every tool needs a home. This one has 9 drawers, a solid wood top to build on and wheels, so it goes wherever the project is. It comes in 8 colors, pink and lavender included.
Bonus: Free Tools With the DeWalt Battery 2 Pack
If you are building a DeWalt kit, this one pairs with the drill. Buy the DeWalt 20V MAX XR 8Ah battery 2 pack and you get 3 select DeWalt power tools free. The drill, impact driver and multi tool above all run on those same 20V batteries, so it is the cheapest way to fill out your kit. The product page shows which tools count as the free ones.
What Else Is Worth Grabbing?
- DeWalt 20V air inflator, $149. It rides in the car for tires, bikes and air mattresses, and runs on the same batteries.
- DeWalt rolling tool backpack, $119. Tools on wheels, so you are not hauling a toolbox up the stairs.
- Masisa fluted wall planks in 8 ft and 10 ft, 10% off through November 18. The easiest accent wall I know.
- Lutron dimmers like the Maestro LED dimmer and the Caseta smart kit, 20% off through November 18. A small swap that changes how a room feels at night.
- Dremel 8150 rotary tool kit, $59.98. Sanding, carving and cutting all the small stuff (and the most fun tool on this list).
Doing a Bathroom This Winter?
I have been in the middle of a client bathroom renovation, and these are the deals I would grab if I were starting one.
- allen + roth Sparrow 22 in 3 light vanity light, $74.98 (save $25) through November 18
- Lancashire, Rian and Roveland vanities, $50 off through November 18
- Delta Eldren bathroom faucets in single hole and widespread, up to $30 off through November 25
- KOHLER Elliston 2 piece toilet, $199 (save $70). The least glamorous upgrade with the biggest payoff.
Gifts for the DIYer Under $50
Shopping for someone who is just getting into building things? Every one of these is under $50, and the pink Kobalt line is my favorite stocking stuffer this year.
- Kobalt pink mini diagonal pliers, mini long nose pliers or 6 in 1 screwdriver, your choice $6.98
- Klein center and edge stud finder, $17.98
- Kobalt 4V cordless screwdriver in pink, $19.98
- Kobalt pink household tool set, $49.98
Shop Everything in One Place
Every pick in this post is on my Lowe’s Storefront, so you can shop the whole list without opening twenty tabs.
Prices are the ones Lowe’s shared for Black Friday and can change, so double check at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Lowe’s Black Friday 2026 deals end?
It depends on the item. The DeWalt drill and impact driver run through January 20, the multi tool through January 30 and the stud finder through January 27. The Werner ladder ends December 9 and the Kobalt work bench November 25. The bathroom deals end sooner, between November 18 and 25.
Should I buy a drill driver or an impact driver first?
If you are buying one, get the drill driver. It drills holes and drives most screws. Add the impact driver when you start building decks, framing or anything with long screws. They share the same DeWalt 20V batteries.
Is a fiberglass ladder worth it over aluminum?
Yes, if you will ever work near electrical. Fiberglass does not conduct electricity the way aluminum does, which makes it the safer pick for changing light fixtures and smoke detectors.
Want the stuff that does not make it into the blog? Every week I send one email with what we are building next, what it really cost, and how the move to Japan is going. It is free and it is the first place I share new projects.
If you want to watch us turn an abandoned house in Japan into a home, subscribe on YouTube. That is where the whole renovation lives.
Questions about any of these tools? Email me at hello@selenebuildsthings.com.
Read Next
- How we are saving $100,000 to move to Japan
- What you can and cannot DIY on a renovation in Japan
- What to fix before selling a house you renovated yourself
Until next time,
Selene
