These are some of the things I use from day to day.
Over the years I've bought, tested, worn out, and replaced a lot of tools and equipment. Some have earned a permanent place in my shop, while others didn't last long enough to recommend.
This page is a collection of products that I personally use, have used on real projects, or would confidently recommend to someone building a playset, working around the house, or tackling their own DIY projects. These aren't random products selected to fill a page. If it's listed here, it's because I believe it's worth your time and money. As I continue building projects, filming videos, and trying new equipment, I'll add to this page whenever I find something that genuinely makes the job easier.
This page is a collection of products that I personally use, have used on real projects, or would confidently recommend to someone building a playset, working around the house, or tackling their own DIY projects. These aren't random products selected to fill a page. If it's listed here, it's because I believe it's worth your time and money. As I continue building projects, filming videos, and trying new equipment, I'll add to this page whenever I find something that genuinely makes the job easier.
Looking for my DIY playset plans? Visit the DIY Plans page.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. That means if you purchase a product through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Your support helps fund new project plans, videos, and free educational content here at Jack's Backyard. I only recommend products that I personally use, have experience with, or would recommend to friends and family.
Your support helps fund new project plans, videos, and free educational content here at Jack's Backyard. I only recommend products that I personally use, have experience with, or would recommend to friends and family.
DIY Playset Building
Whether you're building a brand-new wooden playset or upgrading an existing swing set, choosing the right components can make all the difference. This section includes many of the playset accessories, replacement parts, and building supplies I recommend for DIY backyard projects.
You'll find slides, swings, swing hangers, rock climbing holds, steering wheels, telescopes, canopy tops, safety handles, rope ladders, ground anchors, and other accessories that can help you customize, repair, or improve your playset. These are products I've used, researched, or would confidently recommend based on years of designing and building custom wooden playsets.
If you're looking for complete commercial-grade hardware kits designed specifically for Jack's Backyard playsets, be sure to visit OtterWorks USA. If you only need individual playset accessories or replacement parts, the recommendations below are a great place to start.
You'll find slides, swings, swing hangers, rock climbing holds, steering wheels, telescopes, canopy tops, safety handles, rope ladders, ground anchors, and other accessories that can help you customize, repair, or improve your playset. These are products I've used, researched, or would confidently recommend based on years of designing and building custom wooden playsets.
If you're looking for complete commercial-grade hardware kits designed specifically for Jack's Backyard playsets, be sure to visit OtterWorks USA. If you only need individual playset accessories or replacement parts, the recommendations below are a great place to start.
|
|
General Woodworking Tools
Every successful DIY project starts with dependable tools. Whether you're building the Triton, Apollo, Endeavor, or Gemini playset, constructing outdoor furniture, or tackling projects around your home or shop, these are the woodworking tools and accessories I reach for time and time again.
This collection includes measuring and layout tools, drill bits, saw blades, clamps, levels, fastening tools, and other workshop essentials that help you work more accurately, assemble components more efficiently, and produce professional-looking results.
Many of these are the same tools you'll see me using throughout my Jack's Backyard build videos. They aren't here because they're the latest trend—they're here because they've earned a place in my workshop through years of real-world use.
This collection includes measuring and layout tools, drill bits, saw blades, clamps, levels, fastening tools, and other workshop essentials that help you work more accurately, assemble components more efficiently, and produce professional-looking results.
Many of these are the same tools you'll see me using throughout my Jack's Backyard build videos. They aren't here because they're the latest trend—they're here because they've earned a place in my workshop through years of real-world use.
|
|
|
Home, Garden, & Property Maintenance
Whether you own a home, rent an apartment, manage a business, or simply enjoy taking care of the places where you live and work, there's always something that needs attention. One day you're replacing a light switch, the next you're repairing a garden hose, servicing outdoor equipment, cleaning up after a storm, or tackling another project that wasn't on your schedule.
This section is a collection of products I've come to rely on over the years for maintaining homes, workshops, vehicles, and the property around them. You'll find everything from hand tools, ladders, pressure washers, sprayers, extension cords, and outdoor power equipment to plumbing supplies, electrical items, lighting, seasonal maintenance products, and everyday repair essentials.
Some of these are products I use regularly. Others are items I've researched extensively and would purchase with confidence. If I recommend something here, it's because I believe it offers good value, performs well, and helps make everyday maintenance and repairs a little easier.
This section is a collection of products I've come to rely on over the years for maintaining homes, workshops, vehicles, and the property around them. You'll find everything from hand tools, ladders, pressure washers, sprayers, extension cords, and outdoor power equipment to plumbing supplies, electrical items, lighting, seasonal maintenance products, and everyday repair essentials.
Some of these are products I use regularly. Others are items I've researched extensively and would purchase with confidence. If I recommend something here, it's because I believe it offers good value, performs well, and helps make everyday maintenance and repairs a little easier.
|
|
|
Automotive & Mechanical
For most of my life, I owned just enough mechanical tools to change the oil, rotate the tires, repair a lawn mower, or keep the tractor running. I never planned on building a mechanic's toolbox.
That changed when I bought a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 4x4 with the goal of restoring it as a dependable, long-term vehicle. Along the way, I found myself buying specialty tools, diagnostic equipment, pullers, torque wrenches, electrical tools, and countless other items I had never needed before. Before I knew it, one of my woodworking tool cabinets had been completely converted into a dedicated mechanics cabinet.
Today, those same tools help me maintain my 2013 Suburban, service trailers, repair small engines, work on the tractor, and tackle countless projects that come with owning equipment. The products you'll find here are tools, replacement parts, and accessories that I've purchased, used, and would recommend based on real experience—not because they're trendy or popular.
If you've ever found yourself saying, "I think I can fix that," you're probably in the right place.
That changed when I bought a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 4x4 with the goal of restoring it as a dependable, long-term vehicle. Along the way, I found myself buying specialty tools, diagnostic equipment, pullers, torque wrenches, electrical tools, and countless other items I had never needed before. Before I knew it, one of my woodworking tool cabinets had been completely converted into a dedicated mechanics cabinet.
Today, those same tools help me maintain my 2013 Suburban, service trailers, repair small engines, work on the tractor, and tackle countless projects that come with owning equipment. The products you'll find here are tools, replacement parts, and accessories that I've purchased, used, and would recommend based on real experience—not because they're trendy or popular.
If you've ever found yourself saying, "I think I can fix that," you're probably in the right place.
|
|
Camera & Content Creation
When I started making videos, I didn't set out to become a YouTuber... and trust me, I'm still not one. I only have a handful of videos, and I'm learning something new every time I pick up a camera. My goal has never been to become an influencer. I simply wanted a better way to share what I've learned after years of building playsets, treehouses, and other DIY projects.
This section includes the cameras, microphones, lighting, tripods, memory cards, editing accessories, and other gear that I use to document my projects and produce content for Jack's Backyard. Some of it is simple, some of it is surprisingly affordable, and all of it has helped me create better videos without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.
If you're thinking about documenting your own projects, starting a YouTube channel, or simply taking better photos and videos, I hope these recommendations help you get started with confidence.
This section includes the cameras, microphones, lighting, tripods, memory cards, editing accessories, and other gear that I use to document my projects and produce content for Jack's Backyard. Some of it is simple, some of it is surprisingly affordable, and all of it has helped me create better videos without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.
If you're thinking about documenting your own projects, starting a YouTube channel, or simply taking better photos and videos, I hope these recommendations help you get started with confidence.
|
|
Jack's Favorite Finds
Not everything fits neatly into a category, and that's what this section is for.
These are the products I've discovered over the years that simply make life a little easier. Some live in my workshop, some stay in the truck, some have found a permanent place around the house, and a few are just things I think are genuinely worth owning.
You'll find a little bit of everything here—tools, gadgets, organizers, shop supplies, everyday carry items, and the occasional product that made me stop and say, "Why didn't I buy this years ago?"
As I come across products that impress me, this section will continue to grow. If it's listed here, it's because I believe it's useful, dependable, or simply too good not to share.
These are the products I've discovered over the years that simply make life a little easier. Some live in my workshop, some stay in the truck, some have found a permanent place around the house, and a few are just things I think are genuinely worth owning.
You'll find a little bit of everything here—tools, gadgets, organizers, shop supplies, everyday carry items, and the occasional product that made me stop and say, "Why didn't I buy this years ago?"
As I come across products that impress me, this section will continue to grow. If it's listed here, it's because I believe it's useful, dependable, or simply too good not to share.
|
|