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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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, Tested and Reviewed

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 for Measuring the Humidity in Your Home

Staying on top of the humidity in a home can be important. Humidity—the amount of water vapor in the air—can impact the health of the family living in the home and can also affect some tr...

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 | THURSDAY
The Best Outdoor TV Antennas to Watch Local TV Channels for Free

Instead of subscribing to streaming services, you could be pulling in free TV channels from the airwaves around your home. The best outdoor TV antennas require only a small investment of ...

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 | TUESDAY
The Best Electric Garage Heaters for a Comfortable Bonus Space, Tested

Cold-weather days can turn your garage into a frigid, uncomfortable, and unproductive work space. An electric garage heater can keep your garage warm and toasty so you can continue workin...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 | FRIDAY
The Best Fishing Pliers for Unhooking Your Monster Catch

When fishing, a heavy thump on the end of your line and the sound of the wire pulling from your reel is a moment to celebrate. As you struggle to haul your catch onto the shore or into yo...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 | FRIDAY
The Best Portable Air Compressors of 2024

Editor's Note: Testing for this article took place in late 2023 and these products remain our current top recommendations for 2024 until we revisit this category. Stay tuned for our 2024 ...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | WEDNESDAY
9 Things You Shouldn’t Hide From Your Landlord

Secrets don’t make friends: Always fess up about these issues to stay on your landlord’s good side.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 | TUESDAY
The 10 Best Battery-Powered Leaf Blowers for Making Yard Work Easier

While the striking colors of turning leaves may look nice, after the leaves drop, they make a mess in your yard. Instead of tedious hours spent raking, consider purchasing one of the best...

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 | SUNDAY
The Best Fire Escape Ladders to Keep Your Family Safe in an Emergency

In the case of a house fire, an escape window might be the only safe route out of a home for those inside. For folks living in a 2- or 3-story home, exiting through an upstairs window can...