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For many people, BobVila.com is the home of DIY, and we’re always looking for ways to make projects easier for you. Sometimes, it’s by using a new technique or tip. Sometimes, it’s a new tool or gadget.
In this article, we’re introducing 14 products that will help you work more quickly, accurately, safely, or comfortably. Keen DIYers might already have encountered some of them (most of us are tool nuts, aren’t we?), but I’m betting there are at least a few you haven’t seen before.
Bit Holder
DeWalt Pivoting Impact Driver Bit Tip Holder
Buy at AmazonWe’ve all struggled to drive screws in places where our cordless drill or impact driver simply won’t fit. This simple impact driver bit solves that problem. It pivots up to 20 degrees, allowing you to drive fasteners in those awkward spots. It has a locking collar that allows it to perform straight or angled driving, and it works with any impact driver. It’s a simple and affordable drill accessory you’ll find yourself using often.
Versatile Power Strip
Stanley FatMax Power Claw
Buy at AmazonWith its three grounded outlets and super-strong spring clamp, the Stanley FatMax Power Claw allows you to plug in your tools wherever it’s most convenient. It can be attached to just about any surface, like a bench, ladder rung, frame, or pipe. It has rubberized grips that pivot for maximum grip, and they won’t mar most surfaces. There’s also a built-in resettable circuit breaker that adds a layer of safety not found in most power strips.
New-Age Tape Measure
Reekon M1 Caliber Measuring Tool
Buy at AmazonA miter saw is a hugely popular tool, but we know from personal experience that setting one up accurately can be time-consuming. The Reekon M1 Caliber is easy to use, fast, and precise. It clips to the saw fence and can be used for exact measurement of straight, miter, and bevel cuts with fractional or decimal readings. The Reekon M1 Caliber measuring tool isn’t cheap, but for regular miter saw users, it will be well worth the investment.
Scope Camera
Matrixcamp Endoscope for iPhone and Android
Buy at AmazonThis clever camera lets you see into places that would otherwise be inaccessible. It’s just 7.9 millimeters in diameter and plugs into your phone. The cable is semi-rigid for easy positioning and can reach up to 16.4 feet into HVAC vents, drain pipes, etc. Eight adjustable LEDs brighten the target area, and 1920P HD resolution provides clear images. It’s also waterproof, so you can check blockages or look for lost items just about anywhere. A hook or magnet can be attached for retrieval.
Ladder Stabilizer
Elesude Ladder Tool
Buy at AmazonI wonder how many of you have used a ladder that wasn’t stable? I’ve done it (and been lucky), but there’s a risk of serious injury every time. The Elesude Ladder Tool is a multifunction solution to a host of safety issues. It can create level support on sloping ground or roofs. It can provide a safe platform on stairs and be used as a ladder jack or standoff. Rubber gripper feet help make it secure and can support up to 500 pounds.
Repair Tape
Forj Thermoplastic Tape
Buy at AmazonAnyone who works on the house or yard regularly will eventually break something. For me, it’s the wooden handles on garden tools. Rather than throwing them away, they can often be fixed with Forj Thermoplastic Tape. Just wrap the tape around the broken area and apply heat. According to the manufacturer, it cures like steel with 1,000 pounds of tensile strength. It works on metal and plastics, too, so it’s useful for other tools and sports, or camping gear.
Lighted Gloves
Parigo LED Flashlight Gloves
Buy at AmazonA variety of tools, like elasticated LED headlamps and clip-on lamps, come with built-in LED lights. However, at times, it’s necessary to access tight, dark corners without any obstruction. Parigo’s popular LED Flashlight Gloves offer an affordable solution. These gloves feature bright LEDs on the index finger and thumb, and they are stretchy, providing a snug fit for most hands. Additionally, they are waterproof.
Magnetic Cuff
Rak Magnetic Wristband
Buy at AmazonI don’t know about you, but I’m forever dropping nails or screws and then searching through the debris to find them. Or I’m up a ladder and have to climb down again. The Rak Magnetic Wristband is designed for these situations. It is made of tough, tear-resistant, breathable fabric and features an adjustable strap to fit almost anyone. Embedded with 10 extra-strong magnets, it ensures that drill bits, bolts, nuts, screws, washers, and even Allen wrenches don’t end up on the floor.
Precision Gauge
Saker Contour Gauge
Buy at AmazonVinyl and laminate flooring are popular in part because they are relatively easy to install. That is until you encounter an obstacle like a door frame. The Saker Contour Gauge allows you to quickly copy any awkward shape and create the perfect fit. Simply push it up against the object, lock the teeth in place, and trace it onto the workpiece. The Saker gauge is made of ABS plastic, which is strong, durable, and won’t rust.
Clamps
Stanley 2-Inch by 4-Inch Clamps
Buy at AmazonThere’s an old woodworker’s adage that says, “You can never have enough clamps,” and it’s equally applicable to DIYers. It also seems that no matter how many you own, they are never the right size. With these Stanley clamps, that’s no longer a problem. They can be bolted right onto a piece of store-bought 2×4 lumber, so all you have to do is cut it to the length you need. Nonmarking pads protect surfaces, and they deliver up to 850 pounds of clamping force.
Hole Punch
Husky Spring Loaded Center Hole Punch
Buy at The Home DepotDrilling precise holes with a cordless drill can be a challenge as the bit head can often wander before finally biting into the wood. This simple tool eliminates that problem. It features a spring-loaded mechanism that punches a small indentation into the wood. That dimple serves as a guide for your drill bit, keeping it from wandering when you’re starting a new hole. The Husky center hole punch has an adjuster, so you can alter the tension to control how hard it strikes.
Portable Fan
Milwaukee M12 Cordless Jobsite Fan
Buy at The Home DepotWhen you’re working hard, you can soon get hot. It’s uncomfortable, and sweaty hands have poor grip, which can be dangerous. Plenty of fans are available, but none offer the effective personal cooling of Milwaukee’s M12 Cordless Jobsite Fan. The three speeds provide air at up to 400 cubic feet per minute, and the head rotates through 360 degrees. With the choice of a stand, spring clamp, magnetic feet, or keyhole hangers, it can go anywhere you need it.
Scriber
FastCap AccuscribePro
Buy at AmazonSometimes, with DIY and woodworking projects, you want to scribe a line parallel to an edge or the joint between two surfaces. Some people hold a pencil and run their finger along the edge, but this method is prone to inaccuracies. The FastCap AccuscribePro provides the desired precision. It’s made of tough polymer with brass fittings that won’t rust. There’s an adjustable grip for different-size pencils, a built-in sharpener, and a retractable compass point for added versatility.
Compass
Roto Tape Compass
Buy at AmazonThis handy tool is ideal for drawing accurate circles and arcs. It consists of a retractable measuring tape with a pencil. Simply place the pin, set the radius on the tape measure, insert a standard #2 pencil into the holder, and draw your arc or circle. It can create circles up to 12 feet in diameter, yet is compact enough to carry inside your toolbelt. You can also flip it over to draw straight lines or lines that are parallel to an edge.
