Tom Scalisi

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Name: Tom Scalisi

Title: Contributing Writer

Tom Scalisi is a freelance writer, author, and blogger with a passion for building. Whether it’s a DIY project or an entire website, Tom loves creating something from the ground up, stepping back, and admiring a job well done.

Expertise and Experience

Tom’s first experience working with tools was when he was around 8 or 9 years old, when he learned how to take old bikes apart, swap the parts, and create mismatched bikes that were barely rideable. As he got a little older, he fell in love with working on cars and building things, so he decided to go into the trades as soon as he could. He worked in the fire alarm industry, then in building maintenance and carpentry, and then ran his own contracting business for several years. He was also a police officer for a busy city agency where he served on the department’s emergency services unit as a negotiator.

Tom has been stockpiling tools of all sorts for as long as he can remember. He has a passion for hand tools and power tools alike, always needing to know more about them, how to use them, and how to get the most out of them. While he loves building and fixing, he also gets quite a thrill from using that knowledge of tools and techniques to craft a how-to or buyer’s guide that helps DIYers get things done.

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OCTOBER 6, 2020 | TUESDAY
The Best Oscillating Tools Tested in 2023

When it comes to popular power tools, the oscillating tool is the new kid on the block. It features a small blade that’s fixed at one end while the other end moves rapidly back and forth ...

OCTOBER 5, 2020 | MONDAY
The Best Benchtop Planers Tested in 2023

Benchtop planers—box-shaped power tools that reduce board thickness while smoothing the surface—top many a woodcrafter’s wish list. They fine-tune the wood used to create cabinets, booksh...

OCTOBER 4, 2020 | SUNDAY
The Best Cordless Impact Wrenches Tested in 2023

There are few things more frustrating than struggling with stubborn nuts and bolts that don’t want to budge. A handheld ratchet wrench has its well-deserved place in every garage, but som...

OCTOBER 1, 2020 | THURSDAY
The Best Jobsite Radios Tested in 2023

 Jobsite radios are tougher than ordinary radios. They’re built to take abuse on a near-daily basis and still keep cranking out tunes. They might face billowing clouds of drywall dust, a ...

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | WEDNESDAY
The Best Bench Vises Tested in 2023

You only have two hands—which can be a challenge with certain projects, such as when you still need to hold an item and yet require both hands to work on it. Indeed, there may also be tim...

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 | MONDAY
The Best Futon Mattresses for a Seating Upgrade

Simple and comfortable, the best futon mattress can create a seating option that doubles as a bed when entertaining overnight guests. Placed on the right sofa frame, these mattresses can ...

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 | SUNDAY
The Best Rat Poisons of 2023

For homeowners, DIYers, and renters concerned about rat infestations or prevention, the best rat poison can take care of the problem. If rats make it into a home, these edible poisons mak...

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 | SUNDAY
The Best Gutter Cleaners Tested in 2023

If you don’t have gutter guards to prevent clogs from fallen leaves, cleaning your gutters is a necessary (and messy) job. Leaves and debris that pile up in your gutters can cause water t...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 | SATURDAY
The Best Smart Plugs of 2023

Home automation has taken huge leaps in recent years. Through apps and voice commands, smart devices help people make shopping lists, dial phone numbers, record TV shows, adjust thermosta...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 | SATURDAY
The Best Hygrometers of 2023

Staying on top of the humidity in a home can be important. Humidity—the amount of water vapor in the air—can impact not only the health of the family living in the home, but can also affe...