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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.
So, let’s get to it.
1. Siligun Caulking Gun
If you ever have trouble caulking in tight spaces, the Siligun Caulking Gun is for you. There’s no long plunger arm, and the mechanism is contained within the lightweight 4-inch body. It takes any 10-ounce tube, and as you use it, any excess can be trimmed away to reduce the size even more.
Although there are thousands of positive reviews, there are a few complaints that it doesn’t work with heavy-duty adhesives. That’s true, but it doesn’t claim to. The instructions clearly state that it’s for latex, acrylic, and silicone caulks.
Get the Siligun caulking gun at Amazon for $18.79.
2. Stanley FatMax Power Claw
With 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.
Get the Stanley clamp at Amazon for $27.99.
3. Reekon M1 Caliber Measuring Tool
A miter saw is a hugely popular tool, but I 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, mite, 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.
Get the Reekon measuring tool at Amazon for $149.99.
4. Matrixcamp Endoscope for iPhone and Android
This 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.
Get the Metrixcamp endoscope at Amazon for $19.99.
5. Elesude Ladder Tool
I 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.
Get the Elesude ladder tool at Amazon for $89.99.
6. Forj Thermoplastic Tape
Anyone 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.
Get the Forj tape at Amazon for $17.50.
7. Parigo LED Flashlight Gloves
A 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.
Get the Parigo gloves at Amazon for $9.99.
8. Rak Magnetic Wristband
I 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.
Get the Rak magnetic wristband at Amazon for $16.75.
9. Saker Contour Gauge
Vinyl 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.
Get the Saker gauge at Amazon for $19.36.
10. Stanley 2-Inch by 4-Inch Clamps
There’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.
Get the Stanley clamps at Amazon for $33.72.
11. Post-It Extreme Notes
OK, not a tool but still invaluable for DIYers. Like millions of others, I use Post-It notes to remind myself of tasks and leave messages for others. The issue is that in the garage, workshop, and yard, there are many surfaces where regular Post-It notes won’t stay stuck. The solution? Post-It Extreme Notes. These notes stick to almost anything, whether inside or outside, wet or dry, hot or cold. Plus, they peel off easily when you’re done using them.
Get the Post-It notes at Amazon for $24.49.
12. Milwaukee M12 Cordless Jobsite Fan
When 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.
Get the Milwaukee fan at The Home Depot for $149.
13. FastCap AccuscribePro
Sometimes, 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.
Get the FastCap scribing tool at Amazon for $15.99.
14. Worx ZipSnip Cordless Rotary Cutter
Using ordinary scissors to cut card, landscaping fabric, PVC sheet, and carpet can tire your hands and lead to painful cramping. The Worx ZipSnip Cordless Rotary Cutter is an almost effortless way to get the job done. It weighs just 0.86 pounds, so it’s easy to maneuver. It has a blade guard and lock-out switch for safety. The self-sharpening blade means it’s always ready to go, and the 4-volt battery can run for months off a single charge.
Get the Worx rotary cutter at Amazon for $35.91.
The prices listed here are accurate as of August 29th, 2024.