I’m a Professional Carpenter, and These Are the Best Prime Day Deals on Tools

Amazon Big Deal Days runs October 7-8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sellers based on product reviews, comparisons, and price trackers before it ends.

If you’re looking to create a cordless tool kit or add one to one you already own, you’ve probably noticed how expensive tools can be. When purchasing new tools, the cost of batteries, bits, blades and accessories can be high, not to mention hand tools. Looking for deals on reliable brands that will hold up over time can save you money now and in the long run when you consider the cost of replacing batteries and tools as they wear out. Here are some of the best Prime Day deals on tools.

Cordless drills and screwdrivers

A cordless drill and screwdriver set is the cornerstone of a home tool set. These tools allow you to complete basic DIY projects like installing shelves or hanging a TV, and they will also be useful for more advanced projects like building furniture or repairing fences. THE Dewalt Max 20V Drill and Screwdriver Combo is $159, or 39% off its regular price. This set includes a drill, a screwdriver, two 20-volt batteries, a charger and a tool bag. This is the driver set I use at work, and it holds up to a lot of abuse. Batteries can last up to 10 years without needing replacement, even with daily use.

Best deal on a specialty set

This refurbished Makita 18-Volt Sub-Compact Drill and Screwdriver Combo is now $164.99, 31% off its usual price. This set includes a drill, impact driver, two 18-volt 1.5 amp-hour batteries, charger and tool bag. A subcompact drill or driver weighs less than three pounds, making it ideal for portability. These tools are also smaller than the average drill and driver, so they’re great for tight spaces.

Best deal under $100

The 18 volt Ryobi Cordless Electric Drill is $45; The set comes with a drill, 1.5 amp-hour battery and charger. This is a good set for a beginner; it will do everything you need for basic projects. The battery will hold a charge for about an hour and a half with moderate use.

Cordless power tools have become lighter and more advanced in recent years, allowing you to use electric saws for hours without changing batteries and finish the job without dragging an extension cord behind you. THE Milwaukee 18-Volt Cordless Random Orbital Sander is $99, or 39% off its regular price. This is the sander I use in my personal tool kit, and it works just as well as the corded version without the need for an outlet or extension cord. It comes with a dust attachment and a few sanding discs, but you’ll need an 18-volt Milwaukee battery to use it.

Best deal on a cordless saw

THE DeWalt 18-volt jigsaw is $168, or 30% off its regular price. This saw is ideal for creating custom shapes and making small, precise cuts. It comes with a versatile starter blade, but you’ll need an 18-volt DeWalt battery to use it.

Best Deal on Finishing Tools

The DeWalt 18-Volt Cordless Random Orbital Sander is on sale for $118.99, which is 52% off its regular price. This sander is a solid finishing tool for woodworking, and you can also use it to sand drywall repairs. It comes with a 2 amp-hour battery, charger, and tool bag, so it’s a great tool to expand your tool set or to get started.

Best deal under $100

THE Ryobi 18-Volt Three-Inch Cutting Tool is $99.99, 29% off its regular price. This is a saw designed for cutting metal, wood or PVC, so it’s a versatile addition to your home DIY tool kit. It comes with a three-inch metal cutting blade, but you’ll need an 18-volt Ryobi battery to use it.

Hand tools can be an overlooked part of a home DIY tool kit, but they are important for most home maintenance and DIY projects. However, getting all the different tools and items you need can get expensive. THE Irwin 6 ½ inch scroll saw is $8.99, 43% off its regular price. It can make precise cuts in wood for custom projects such as installing trim or making dovetail joints.

Best deal on screwdrivers

THE Craftsman Ratchet Screwdriver Set is $16.98, 29% off its regular price. This set comes with a ratcheting screwdriver handle, 24 bits and a telescoping magnetic pick-up tool. This is a good set for a simple home maintenance kit: it doesn’t take up much space, and it comes with almost everything you would need for basic home maintenance, like changing air filters or replacing cabinet hardware.

Best deal on a set of keys

There’s nothing more frustrating than being halfway through changing a filter or assembling a piece of furniture only to discover you don’t have the right size socket for the job. The Craftsman 159-piece socket set comes with three ratchet handles, a set of wrenches in SAE and metric sizes, and a variety of sockets up to 1/2 inch. It’s on sale for $99, which is 41% off its regular price.

Best deal under $20

A pair of Irwin 10-inch locking pliers is $12.93, which is 52% off their usual price. These locking pliers are essential for removing stripped or rusted nuts and bolts, removing nails and for various other tasks. I have a pair that I keep in my personal toolset that lasts over a decade, and I find new uses for them every time I start a new project.

Best deals on bits, blades and accessories

Having the right bit or blade on hand will save you time when working on a DIY project. Saving yourself a trip or two to the hardware store while you work will keep your project moving forward, but you may have noticed that the price of bits and blades can be high. The Bosch 41-Piece Drill and Bit Set is on sale for $24.12, which is 52% off its regular price. This set includes basic drill bit sizes and types for wood, metal, and masonry as well as some screwdriver bits. This is a good basic starter kit for a drill and screwdriver set because it has a little bit of everything.

Best deal under $20

The DeWalt 40-Piece Impact Driver Bit Set is on sale for $17.98, which is 41% off its regular price. The set includes a magnetic bit sleeve, socket adapter, extended bit set for tight spaces, multiple sizes and types of screwdriver bits, and a case. This is the set I have in my personal tool kit and I have found that the DeWalt bits withstand the torque applied by impact drivers without breaking, and they are convenient to swap with the included magnetic sleeve.

Best deal on saw blades

A two-pack of DeWalt 12-inch miter saw blades is on sale for $36.99, which is 52% off their regular price. The set comes with a 32-tooth coarse blade for quick cuts and a smoother 80-tooth blade for cleaner cuts. This set is ideal for home DIY projects where you will use two-by-fours for framing with your coarse blade and for cutting moldings and trim with your fine blade.

When does October Prime Day end?

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days ends tonight, October 8, but we expect some deals to still be in effect in the coming days. Come back to Lifehacker for coverage of the best of them throughout the week.

Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy offer competitive Prime Day sales that are especially helpful if you don’t have Amazon Prime.