Maybe we could start and advice sticky with the must have tools and the tools worth hiring. I am VERY lucky in I do a lot of engineering so I have a lot of tools at my disposal. I also take the easiest option which may not be considered conventional but does double what I ask it to do (built in safety )
Her's me advice, break everything down into sections, walls can be built away from the structure, the base needs the most amount of care as everything is squared to this. I have a post hole auger for a 3pt hitch so I used then to make a few holes to sink some tubing (the comercial brand is sono), but I had some plastic that did the job. once all the tubes were level i filled them with concrete and but some saddles for 4x4's so now I had good support for my base.
For drills cordless are great but if your going to be drilling a lot of holes I like to have a mains drill at hand to do the donkey work. a good 14volt and above cordless will last a while putting screws, for people that are not used to weightlifting chack out the 14v makita, the work well and and very light, they also have a shorter body allowing them to reach into tighter spaces. i personally have 2 14.4v dewalt and a 12v dewalt, the reason is I used to get a great deal on batterys for dewalt. both are pricey but worth it in the long run.
I also love my table that holds a circular saw, you can flip the saw so it either works as a table saw, of you can flip it so it can be used as a radial saw. I also have a makita radial saw that is just convienence when cutting lengths. I have a fat max stanley hand saw that slices through wood and well worth having in your tool box, I have had mine 4 years and it still cuts with ease.
A reciprocating saw is also a worthy addition as they are available for very cheap and will cut your trimming time down considerably. A decent set square and drywall square (4ft) also make marking out much quicker.
Hammers are personal choice, I have my favorite which my builder friend hates, he has some fancy hammer and I hate it, the handle is cranked so I hit my knuckles when I use it, for what it's worth its one with an aerodynamic shaft, i believe it's stanley but not sure, some like the comfort of a wooden grip but I prefer a decent handle.
Drill bits I only but dewalt as they grip the screw head much better and don't wear very quickly, for phillips and flat bits I use my snap-on ones, I may want to undo the screw again so it pays to keep the head intact.
But most of all break everything into small projects, get the base done first and then build the walls. one step at a time and you stand a much better chance of finishing.
As for painting, I always find that less pain-full with an open bottle of wine.
jigsaws!, I guess you get what you pay for, I have a b&d in it's death throws, a couple of skill brand that have met their maker and a cheap UK one I brought with me that just hit the dustbin. Dewalt yet again has what seems a very solid base plate and a solid looking saw bit holder, the 2 parts that always wear out for me. It's $100 so I'm humming and hawing but the fact that once again the body is shorter making it cut tighter into corner will probably have me spending the money and seeing if it outlasts the $30 ones. Saying that if canadian tire has one on sale next week I'll probably buy it and see how long it lasts. Well I've jabbered on long enough, back to topic and lets see those pictures, i love seeing projects part done so I can see the skeleton rather than the figure in full flesh.
If anyone in the mean time finds a durable jigsaw please feel free to PM me and give me the details.
