Lowe's Tools Worth Buying Right Now (Deals, Jigs, and a Free Tool)
If you scanned the QR code from the video, you are in the right place. Every link is right below, so grab what you came for and then stick around.
I walked through Lowe's expecting the usual, and I came out with a $25 screwdriver that does eight jobs, a stainless steel dowel jig I did not even know they carried, and a battery deal that hands you a free tool on the way out the door. Some of these are on sale right now, and a couple of them are legitimately buy it for life tools.
In this post I am breaking down each tool, what it actually does in a real shop, who it is right for, and where it fits into a beginner woodworking setup. I will also cover a few shop safety habits that matter more than any jig you can buy. Thanks to Lowe's for sponsoring the video that goes with this post.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the tool deals coming, so thanks for your support. Prices are valid at the time of posting but are subject to change at any time.
Quick Links to Every Tool in the Video
The $25 Screwdriver That Replaces Four Others
The Klein Tools Tru Grip 8 in 1 screwdriver is the one that is flying off the shelf, and for good reason. Klein has been putting out strong tools for a while now, and this one packs a lot into 25 bucks.
Here is what you get:
A new Tru Grip handle that fills your hand and gives you real torque
A magnetic bit that pops out easily, with the magnetism carrying down the bit so screws stay put
A 1/4 inch nut driver built into the shaft
A stubby screwdriver hiding under the removable end cap
Seven bits total, stored right inside the handle
That stubby feature is the highlight. Pull the end off and you go from a full length driver to something that fits inside a cabinet carcass or a tight jig. If you have ever tried to drive a screw inside a finished box, you already know why that matters.
Who it is for: everybody. This is the kind of tool you keep in the truck, the kitchen drawer, and the shop apron. Worth every penny.
JessEm Dowel Jig: A Buy It For Life Joinery Tool
I had no idea Lowe's carried this one. The JessEm Dowel Jig is fully stainless steel and it will outlast you.
You can buy the bushings individually in 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, or 1/2 inch, or you can grab the complete kit so every size is covered. I like the kit because you never get caught without the size you need.
Why Dowel Joinery Is Perfect for Beginners
Dowel joints are strong, cheap, and they do not require a domino machine or a mortiser. I built the outside structure of my entire workbench with dowel joints, and it is still rock solid. If you are looking for beginner woodworking joinery that punches above its price, this is it.
How to Use It
Pick your dowel size and set the matching bushing.
Set the depth on your drill bit using the included stop collar.
Mark the center of your board with a center marking tool.
Line the V notch on the jig up with your center mark.
Clamp the jig down with any quick clamp and drill.
Move, reset, and drill the next hole.
A few details I really like. The knobs are gear driven, so when you tighten down it locks into the gears instead of drifting on you. The V notch on each guide makes centering fast and repeatable. And the indexing pin lets you drill two dowel holes on one edge, drop the pin into the last hole, and keep marching down a panel with perfect spacing.
Edge grain panels, end grain butt joints, 90 degree corners, it handles all of it. The panels came out dead flat on the first try.
CRAFTSMAN Sawhorses: Light, Compact, and Rated at 1,000 Pounds
Most folding sawhorses are bulky. The CRAFTSMAN sawhorse pair is the opposite. They are light enough to hold out at arm's length for a while, and they fold flat fast.
Legs snap into place as you deploy them
End tabs lock two horses together for carrying and storage, similar to the Versa Stack system
Rated to 1,000 pounds per the manufacturer
Sold individually or as a pair
Who these are for: anyone working out of a garage, a driveway, or a jobsite where the shop has to disappear at the end of the day. They are also a smart way to build a temporary outfeed or assembly surface with a sheet of plywood on top. Just make sure the sheet is centered and the legs are fully locked before you load it up.
Kobalt 10 Piece Screwdriver Set on Sale
The Kobalt 10 piece screwdriver set dropped to $14.98 from $24.98 through November 4, 2026. Availability can vary by location, but you should be able to grab it online through the link either way.
For that price you are not going to find better. The handles feel good, the tips are clean, and the shafts are magnetic so screws stop falling off on you. You also get two precision drivers in both Phillips and slotted, which is handy for hardware, hinges, and small jig adjustments.
This is an impulse buy you will not regret.
Kreg Precision Setup Bars: The Accuracy Upgrade Nobody Talks About
I have had this set of Kreg Precision Setup Bars for about six years, and they might be the most quietly useful thing in my shop.
Here is what they solve. Every one of these tasks gets faster and more accurate:
Setting router bit depth on the router table
Setting fence to blade distance on the table saw
Setting band saw setups
Checking hole depths and mortise depths
Verifying dado stack height before you commit to a cut
They run from 1/8 inch up through the set, and every dimension on the bar is exactly what it says. A half inch bar measures a true half inch on all three points. They store in their own case so you actually put them back instead of losing them in a drawer.
If your joinery is close but not quite right, this is usually the missing link. JessEm also makes a setup gauge that fills a similar role.
JessEm Precision Squares: Features You Will Not Find Elsewhere
JessEm keeps raising the bar, and these squares are the proof. Available in 6 inch, 8 inch, and 12 inch.
What makes them different:
Flex grip surface that is laser etched into the square. It feels like sandpaper but it will not mark your wood, and it grips the board so the square stops sliding while you mark.
A balance tab that lines up directly with the blade so the square does not tip off your stock.
Notches for parallel layout lines, which is great for repeating lines down a board.
High contrast laser markings, black on silver, easy to read in shop light.
Measurements that start at the base of the blade, so you can set bit and blade heights directly off the square.
Inside markings for laying out directly on your project.
Which size should you buy? The 6 inch is the one I reach for most on general layout. The 12 inch earns its keep on larger case work and sheet goods. The 8 inch splits the difference if you only want one.
Bosch 8Ah Battery Kit With a Free Bare Tool
This is the deal that surprised me most. The Bosch 8Ah battery kit is $199, down from $249, through October 28, 2026, and you get to pick a free bare tool from a lineup of roughly a dozen options.
The battery is the newest CORE style pack with tabless cell technology, which means better run time and better power delivery under load. Eight amp hours is one of the bigger packs in the lineup.
My pick for the free tool is always the trim router, and here is why:
It has a drop detection safety feature. If you lose your grip, the motor shuts off. You cycle the power and get back to work.
The grip is genuinely ergonomic with a spot shaped for your hand.
Variable speed lets you slow down for larger bits.
The micro adjustment dial is one of the best on the market for dialing in exact depth.
That router sells for around $239 on its own. Getting it free with a $199 battery kit is the kind of math that does not come around often.
DeWALT Grabo Vacuum Lifter
The DeWALT Grabo has been out a while, but it is $249 down to $199 through October 28, 2026.
If you work alone and wrestle plywood or MDF by yourself, this thing changes your day. Drop a 20V battery on it, set it on the sheet, push the button, and it suctions down and gives you a real handle. The screen shows you PSI or bar so you know the seal is solid before you lift.
Safety note: always confirm the readout before you commit your back to a lift, keep the pad on a clean and non porous surface, and never trust a suction lifter over your feet or over anybody else. It is a helper, not a magic trick.
Kobalt 302 Piece Mechanics Tool Set
Over a thousand people bought the Kobalt 302 piece mechanics tool set last week alone, and it is $149 down to $99.
Metric and SAE, in its own case, including:
Ratchets and a full range of sockets, including deep well
Combination wrenches
Allen wrenches
Screwdrivers, bits, and nut drivers
Every piece has a home in the case, which means you should never lose your 10 mm socket again. If you have ever spent twenty minutes hunting for a wrench while a glue up sets, you know why organization is a shop upgrade, not a luxury.
JessEm Box Joint Jig: The Easiest Jig I Have Ever Used
If box joints have been intimidating you, the JessEm Box Joint Jig removes the excuse. I had it set up and cutting in a matter of minutes, and the first test joint came out perfect.
Here is the part I appreciated most. My router table did not have the T track layout this style of jig normally wants, so I clamped it down with T track clamps and it worked without complaint.
Setup in short:
Mount or clamp the jig to your router table.
Install the included indexing key.
Set your bit height to match your stock thickness.
Make a cut, slide the workpiece over onto the key, and repeat.
That is it. The included key and spacing do the hard math for you, which is exactly what a beginner needs from a jig.
Router table safety reminder: always feed against the bit rotation, use a backer board to prevent blowout on the exit side, and keep your hands behind the jig body, not beside the bit.
Bonus Pick: DeWALT 8Ah PowerPack Battery
The DeWALT 8Ah PowerPack is $229 down to $179 through October 28, 2026. This is DeWALT's top of the line tabless pack.
Pair it with power hungry tools. The DeWALT 20V plunge router is the obvious one, with 2 1/4 peak horsepower, an anti rotation safety feature, and overload protection that warns you when you are pushing too hard.
The other reason to grab it now is the DeWALT 20V track saw that is coming soon. That saw is going to want a big pack behind it. Mine is already on order.
Shop Safety Habits That Matter More Than Any Jig
New tools are fun, but the habits are what keep you working. A few things worth building into every shop session:
Never freehand a cut at the table saw. Use the fence or the miter gauge, never both at once on a crosscut.
Use push blocks, not push sticks, on rip cuts. A push block keeps downward and lateral pressure on the workpiece so it stays against the fence. This is the single biggest kickback reducer for beginners.
Add featherboards to the fence and the table when you are running long stock. They hold the board where it belongs so your hands do not have to.
Keep the riving knife installed. It is there to stop the kerf from pinching the back of the blade, which is where kickback starts.
Check for flesh sensing technology if you are shopping for a new table saw. SawStop pioneered it, and other brands are following. It is worth the conversation with yourself before you buy.
Wear eye and hearing protection every single time, even for the two second cut.
Unplug or remove the battery before changing a blade or a bit. Every time, no exceptions.
The tools in this post make your work more accurate. Your habits are what make it safe.
Common Beginner Mistakes These Tools Fix
If you are just getting started, here are the mistakes I see most and the fix for each:
Guessing at setup instead of measuring it. Fix it with the Kreg setup bars or the JessEm setup gauge.
Squares that slide while you mark. Fix it with a JessEm precision square.
Weak joinery on early projects. Fix it with the JessEm dowel jig. Dowels are cheap, strong, and forgiving.
Trying to muscle sheet goods alone. Fix it with the Grabo or a helper.
Buying cheap and buying twice. Fix it by spending once on the stainless jigs and squares, and saving on consumables.
Get the Daily Tool Deals
Deals like the ones in this post move fast and sell out, especially the ones I feature in videos. If you want them in your inbox before they disappear, sign up for my daily tool deals email here. It is free, it takes about thirty seconds to read, and it saves you from digging through a hundred fake sales.
You can also join the 731 Woodworks newsletter for new video and website sale notifications.
Turning Woodworking Into a Business
If you are past the hobby stage and want to actually make money in your garage shop, that is what Sawdust Startups is for. It is my coaching community for woodworkers who are building a real business around their shop, with group coaching calls, frameworks, and folks who are a few steps ahead of you and happy to share what worked.
Final Thoughts
You do not need every tool in this post. You need the right two or three for the work you are doing right now, plus the discipline to set them up correctly and run them safely. Start with the $25 Klein screwdriver and the Kobalt screwdriver set while it is on sale, add the setup bars when your joinery starts getting fussy, and grab the dowel jig when you are ready to build furniture that lasts.
My advice is not to wait on the sale items. They have a habit of selling out once they show up in a video.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for supporting the channel. Go make some sawdust, and be safe doing it.
Check out more blog posts below for more tool breakdowns, shop upgrades, and beginner woodworking tips.
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