Have you ever been assembling a new piece of furniture or equipment and had one too many pieces left over? Or have you tried to follow the instructions only to find that they don’t make sense? I have definitely been there, so here’s hoping you can save yourself time, money, and frustration by trying out a few of my favorite tips I have picked up over the years! Let’s dive into DIY Tips – How to Assemble Like a Pro and see what we can do to help you get things right the first time around!
This Blog is written as a part of a partnership with The Home Depot- the first stop for DIYers and Pro’s alike! I am honored to be part of The Home Depot Prospective Program, which allows me to share some of my favorite tips and tricks and the tools I use to get things done! While I am compensated for my time, all opinions are my own.
Why DIY?
DIY Tips – How to Assemble Like a Pro
I get asked constantly- Why DIY? The reality is there are a lot of reasons to DIY. Whether you’re motivated to save money, hope to avoid calling in the pros for simple tasks, or you’re looking to empower yourself to create a home you love, they’re all great reasons to pick up a tool and get started!
If you have ever scrambled to assemble the trampoline on Christmas Eve or put together your IKEA furniture, you know how tedious it can be. There seems to be a million and one pieces and it’s easy to make small mistakes that can affect the outcome. Since I had this fun Indoor Basketball Goal to assemble, it’s a good time to share some of my favorite tips to help make your DIY project a success!
Get the Right Tools for the Job
DIY Tips – How to Assemble Like a Pro
There are a lot of mistakes that can happen when using the wrong tools. Truth be told, I have a shop full of power tools but there are times sticking to hand tools is the right way to go.
As well, all tools are not all created equal. So, if you’re new to tools, or just starting to fill your chests it can be really tempting to cut corners on hand tools. The truth is though, investing in high-quality hand tools is a must and will save you time and money in the long run. The age-old adage in the tool world is buy the best tools you can afford at the time, as really well made hand tools will last you decades if properly maintained.
This specific set from Gearwrench is a unique twist on the classic tools. They’ve taken their tried-and-true design and added special features that have made it quickly my go to set for any project! This set is extremely versatile and has all the Gearwrench quality you’d expect from the iconic mechanic’s tool brand.
Included in the Gearwrench 55 piece Mechanics Set, are two sizes of ratcheting wrenches, both metric and standard nut sizes and a full bit set and accessories like the extension and adapters. I love the separate bit case as that is one thing I manage to lose often. Having an easy way to check what you have inside is a great way to stay ahead of that problem.
The star of the set though, are definitely the Ratchets. Not only do they accept sockets and the included bits, but they also pivot to allow you to get into seriously tight and odd spaces- something you’ll appreciate whether you’re assembling furniture, repairing an appliance, or working on your truck! As well having two sized ratchets adds extra versatility to the set and will allow you to use both a bit and socket at the same time, something I run into often. While I love to dabble in most every type of project- from renovations to mechanical and of course classic woodworking- I think this is a set you can easily transition from project to project easily.
You can find the Gearwrench 55 piece Rachet and Socket Mechanics Tool Set at The Home Depot for $49.97.
Organize Your Parts
DIY Tips – How to Assemble Like a Pro
I cannot stress enough to you how important it is to keep the pieces organized and be sure you’ve counted and checked before you start your build.
A couple of small tips I use to keep myself super organized and be sure I am using the right parts each time is I grab a muffin tin or small cups to organize my parts. It may be an extra step in the beginning, but I promise taking the time to sort and organize all the screws, washers, bolts etc. is something I genuinely find to make all the difference in your assembly process.
Tape for the win!
DIY Tips – How to Assemble Like a Pro
Another organization tip I would recommend is using tape to label your parts too, this isn’t a must, but it can really make your life easier- especially where there are a lot of similar parts. I also love to use painters’ tape or masking tape to hold small things in place while I work. It’s not something needed on every project, but it acts as a makeshift clamp and keeps some stubborn pieces right where you need them to be.
Have a Plan
DIY Tips – How to Assemble Like a Pro
I have talked about a lot of things here- but the major thing I would tell you is to have a plan. I have rarely ever seen an instruction booklet be easy to understand, so know that it’s okay to be scratching your head.
Whether parts aren’t lining up right, you’re trying to decode elusive instructions or you’re just overwhelmed, it’s all part of the process. A quick coffee break can make a huge difference on your outlook and usually whatever has gotten you frustrated will be a super simple fix!
Wrap Up
DIY Tips – How to Assemble Like a Pro
As we near the holidays, if you’re anything like me, I seem to always be scrambling at the last minute to assemble toys or seem to be tackling a build in the midst of hosting family and friends.
My last tip- if you ever bring a present for someone that has more than 20 pieces to assemble, do them a favor and do it first! Otherwise, it may be like this Indoor Basketball Goal and find itself still in the box two years later, ha!
All jokes aside, DIY-ing is a really fun way to learn and grow, and turn your house into your home! Whether you’re eager to save money, tackle renovations or a million things in between, hopefully these tips will save you a few headaches and get you into the DIY project of your dreams!
What DIY projects have you done? We love hearing from people who enjoy making their homes happy places with a little extra effort!
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