Skip to main content

Recommended Tools & Products

I only link products I personally use, love, or would buy again.

Some links are affiliate links, which help support Kathartic Studios at no extra cost to you.

⭐ My Favorites (Start Here!)

  • Tools I Reach for Every Project

  • Best Beginner Buys (Start Small, Upgrade Later)

  • Worth the Splurge

  • Budget Alternatives That Actually Work

  • Products I’d Immediately Replace if I Lost Them

  • 🛠 Tools

    Power Tools

    • Drills & Impact Drivers

    • Sanders (Orbital, Detail, Belt)

    • Saws (Miter, Circular, Jigsaw)

    • Nailers & Staplers

    • Specialty Tools (routers, planers, etc.)

    Hand Tools

    • Scrapers & Putty Knives

    • Chisels & Files

    • Hammers & Mallets

    • Pry Bars

    • Utility Knives

    Measuring & Layout

    • Tape Measures

    • Squares & Levels

    • Stud Finders

    • Marking Tools

    Sanding & Surface Prep Tools

    • Sandpaper & Discs

    • Sponges & Blocks

    • Wire Brushes

    • Detail Sanding Tools

    Clamps & Workholding

    • Bar Clamps

    • Corner Clamps

    • Quick-Grip Clamps

    • Bench & Work Surface Accessories

    Safety & Shop Gear

    • Respirators & Masks

    • Gloves

    • Eye & Ear Protection

    • Drop Cloths & Plastic

    • Shop Vacs & Dust Control

    🎨 Paint, Finish & Surface Prep

    Paint Types

    • Chalk Paint

    • Milk Paint

    • Latex / Cabinet Paint

    • Specialty & Decorative Paints

    Stains & Washes

    • Traditional Stains

    • Gel Stains

    • Whitewash / Milk Wash

    • Wood Bleach & Toners

    Sealers & Topcoats

    • Polycrylic / Polyurethane

    • Hardwax Oils

    • Lacquers

    • Water vs Oil-Based Finishes

    Wax & Oils

    • Furniture Wax

    • Tung Oil / Danish Oil

    • Conditioning Oils

    Application Tools

    • Brushes (by finish type)

    • Rollers & Covers

    • Sprayers & Accessories

    • Mixing & Prep Tools

    Stripping, Cleaning & Repair

    • Paint Strippers

    • Deglossers

    • Wood Fillers

    • Epoxy & Repair Compounds

    🧱 Building Materials & Hardware

    Lumber & Sheet Goods

    • Dimensional Lumber

    • Plywood & MDF

    • Reclaimed & Specialty Woods

    Trim, Paneling & Moulding

    • Shiplap

    • Vertical Paneling

    • Decorative Moulding

    • Ceiling Treatments

    Fasteners & Adhesives

    • Screws & Nails

    • Construction Adhesives

    • Wood Glue

    • Caulks & Fillers

    Hardware

    • Drawer Pulls & Knobs

    • Hinges

    • Slides

    • Specialty Hardware

    🚿 Kitchen & Bath

    Bathroom DIY Essentials

    • Vanities & Cabinets

    • Fixtures & Faucets

    • Tile & Tile Tools

    • Grout, Sealers & Refinishing Kits

    Kitchen DIY Essentials

    • Cabinet Paint Systems

    • Hardware

    • Countertop Solutions

    • Backsplash Materials

    💡 Lighting & Electrical

  • Light Fixtures

  • Sockets & Switches

  • Wiring Tools

  • Mounting Hardware

  • Smart Lighting Options

  • 🪵 Furniture Flips & Wood Projects

    Furniture Repair

    • Structural Fixes

    • Veneer Repair

    • Cane & Upholstery Supplies

    Table & Wood Builds

    • Table Bases & Hardware

    • Joinery Tools

    • Finishing Products for Raw Wood

    Decorative Techniques

    • Distressing Tools

    • Texturing Compounds

    • Gilding & Metallic Finishes

    🖌 Decor, Crafts & Creative Projects

    Home Decor DIY

    • Vases & Decor Bases

    • Texture & Stone Effects

    • Decorative Paint Supplies

    Crafts & Home Goods

    • Soap Making Supplies

    • Candle & Wax Tools

    • Molds & Additives

    Art & Wall Projects

    • Canvas & Surfaces

    • Paints & Mediums

    • Stencils & Cricut Supplies

    💻 Design, Planning & Content Tools

    Design & Planning

    • SketchUp

    • Measuring Apps

    • Mood Board Tools

    Filming & Content Creation

    • Cameras & Tripods

    • Lighting

    • Editing Software