Tool testing

Tool Reviews for Women, By Women

Our latest blog posts

  • Best Circular Saw for Beginners — What to Buy First
    A circular saw was my very first power tool — and I bought it before I even owned my house. I needed to build a desk in my rental, and a circular saw was the answer. I started with a corded Bosch, which served me brilliantly. This guide covers everything a beginner needs to know: what to look for, which models to consider, and how to use one safely for the first time.
  • the carpenter holds the drill and drills the window.
    The Essential Tool Kit Every Home Should Have
    After five years of DIY homeownership — shelves, flooring, a full bathroom renovation, a deck, a partition wall and more — I have a pretty clear idea of which tools genuinely earn their place in a home and which ones just collect dust. This is the list I’d give any new homeowner: the tools you’ll reach for constantly, the ones that will save you money for years, and the ones that are genuinely worth spending a little more on.
  • the carpenter holds the drill and drills the window.
    Best Clamps for Woodworking & DIY — Don’t Underestimate These
    I own about 15 clamps right now and I dream about owning more. My wife thinks I’m slightly unhinged, and honestly? I get it. But ask any woodworker and they’ll tell you the same thing — you can never have too many clamps, and you’ll never truly understand why until you’re mid-project with glue setting and not enough hands. This guide covers every type worth owning, the best brands, and how to build your collection sensibly.
  • the carpenter holds the drill and drills the window.
    Best Tool Bags & Boxes to Keep Everything Organised
    My current tool storage situation is one orange plastic toolbox from B&Q with a handle. It’s simple. It works. But as my tool collection has grown, it’s starting to feel like trying to fit a wardrobe into a suitcase. This guide covers everything from starter boxes (including why a basic one is absolutely fine to begin with) to the proper modular systems worth investing in once your toolkit outgrows it.
  • the carpenter holds the drill and drills the window.
    Best Oscillating Multi-Tools for DIY — Our Top Picks
    If you’ve never used an oscillating multi-tool before, get ready to wonder how you ever managed without one. It cuts, sands, scrapes and grinds — switching between jobs with a blade change. I own a DeWalt and it gets more use than almost any other tool in my workshop. Here’s everything you need to know to choose yours, with honest picks at every price point.
  • the carpenter holds the drill and drills the window.
    Best Pressure Washers for Patios & Driveways — Tested
    Few things are more satisfying than a pressure washer turning a grimy patio back to its original colour. I’ve owned a Bosch Aquatak (RIP) and currently use a Kärcher K2 — and I’ve learned what actually matters when buying a pressure washer for home use. This guide gives you the honest version, with tested picks at every price point from budget to best-in-class.
  • the carpenter holds the drill and drills the window.
    How to Upcycle an Old Chest of Drawers — Step by Step
    There’s something deeply satisfying about rescuing a tired piece of furniture and turning it into something you’re genuinely proud of. I’ve got an old chest of drawers sitting in my conservatory right now waiting for exactly that — new paint, new handles, new legs, the works. This is the guide I’m following myself, and I’ll be sharing the full before and after right here on HerWorkshop.
  • the carpenter holds the drill and drills the window.
    How to Lay Laminate Flooring Yourself — Complete Guide
    Laying laminate flooring yourself is absolutely achievable — and one of the most satisfying home improvements you can do. I laid mine just before moving in, with a charity-shop jigsaw and zero time buffer. There are two or three tiny imperfections in my floor that only I can see, but I see them every day. This guide is everything I wish I’d known before I started, including the steps most tutorials skip over.
  • the carpenter holds the drill and drills the window.
    Bosch vs DeWalt vs Makita — Which Brand is Best for Home DIY?
    Bosch, DeWalt, Makita — three brands that dominate the power tool market, and all of them genuinely excellent. So how do you choose? The honest answer is that you’re not just picking a tool, you’re picking a battery ecosystem you’ll be building on for the next decade. I’ve used all three, and I have a clear personal preference — here’s everything you need to know to make the right choice for your situation.
  • the carpenter holds the drill and drills the window.
    Best Tool Kits for New Homeowners — Everything You Need
    Moving into your first home is exciting. Then the shelves need hanging, the tap is dripping, and you realise you own zero tools. I’ve been there — and I made plenty of mistakes building my toolkit from scratch. This guide is everything I wish someone had handed me on moving day, from the best starter kit under £60 to the cordless system I’d choose if I were starting again today.
  • the carpenter holds the drill and drills the window.
    Best Jigsaw for Beginners — Our Top Picks Tested
    Never picked up a jigsaw before? You’re not alone — and you’re in the right place. I’ve tested the best jigsaws for beginners at every price point, from a brilliant £55 corded Bosch to the DeWalt I use myself in my own workshop. Whether you want to spend as little as possible or buy once and buy well, this guide will help you find the one that’s right for you. No jargon, no faff — just honest advice from someone who’s actually used them.
ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m Estelle. French, based in the UK, and genuinely addicted to tools.

I’ve built decks, laid floors, renovated bathrooms, and constructed fitted furniture — all myself. I started HerWorkshop because great tool advice shouldn’t feel like it was written for someone else.
Honest reviews. Practical guides. No mansplaining.
Welcome — let’s build something.

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