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fromWIRED
3 days ago15 Design-Forward DIY Tools Worth Upgrading to This Year
DIY has evolved into a significant cultural force, with the global market nearing a trillion dollars, driven primarily by cost-saving motivations.
One of the weird quirks of working from home and owning a lot of cars is that I might go a month or a few between driving a specific vehicle. This is especially true in the winter, when I just won't drive my favorite cars at all to keep them out of the road salt. Many of my vehicles don't have the privilege of sipping from a battery tender. Yet, when I'm ready, the cars fire up when it's time to drive.
If you don't want to spend much, you can get its most basic model, which we've recommended many times. That one comes with 25 bits, and has three levels of torque for $29.99 (usually $59.99). But if you want more power and versatility, its PixelDrive model might be the better option.
The Clean+Wash Hygiene tweaks the way debris is collected. It still has a dirty-water tank and a debris tray, but it keeps both in the head of the device rather than cycling dirty water back up into a separate tank on the cleaner. Disposal looks similar to the old device, with the user still needing to empty both the dirty water and the debris tray, but removal of these items can happen at the same time.
The TiLink is a 24-in-1 titanium bracelet that doubles as a watch strap, creating this interesting yin-yang of capabilities. Compatibility spans across all watches with lug widths between 18-26mm, which means the TiLink can attach to the Apple Watch as well as Garmin, Samsung, Google Pixel, and analog watches. One side tracks your biometrics and messages, the other has screwdrivers, wrenches, a magnifier, and a fire starter machined from aerospace-grade titanium.
Repair and assembly are usually framed as chores, tasks to be completed as quickly as possible, so we can move on to something more enjoyable. The bi:ts tool challenges this perception by transforming the act of tightening a screw into something closer to play. Instead of feeling like labor, the experience becomes tactile, intuitive, and surprisingly satisfying. At the heart of the product is a joystick-inspired interface, borrowed from the language of game controllers.
These unassuming pliers replaced my multitool for a fraction of the cost But sometimes there's a tool that completely changes the way you work, and you wonder why it took you so long to get one. This is how I feel about my Stanley Maxsteel MultiAngle Base Vise . It's an invaluable tool that goes a long way for me in the workshop.
Living in Cleveland, winters can be brutal with lake-effect snow and frigid temperatures. So in the winter of 2021, I bought myself a two-stage snow thrower. The model did a great job until I pulled it out of the shed to prep for a recent storm...and it wouldn't start. I struggled mightily with the pull cord before remembering it had an electric start.
I've spent a lot of money on multitools over the years. That's because I like the idea of a single tool that serves many functions, and partly because no single tool is ideal. Furthermore, there's a small bit of me that just loves new, shiny things. But ultimately, multitools all fall short in one way or another. Also: This $7 cable is secretly the most useful thing in my tech bag Too bulky.
Working from home has become commonplace, and having the proper equipment around your home workspace can be the difference between an inviting workday and an uncomfortable slog through your daily tasks. Readily available are gadgets that make working from home easier, as well as gadgets to boost productivity when working from home. They range from ergonomic furniture to electronics you can put to use on a daily basis.
They do nothing to save you power Scam "power saving" devices are rampant online. These devices plug into an outlet and promise to "improve the use of energy," "extend the life of electrical equipment," and even "avoid illegal electrical waste." Sounds great, right? Also: This USB power meter I tested is shockingly accurate - especially for how cheap it is Well, despite the bold claims and the sticker on the front of the unit, they are too good to be true.
The best products are the ones that solve everyday problems, like being able to see into your blind spot when driving, or decluttering that mess of cables on your desk. So if you're looking for cool stuff that's actually useful? You've come to the right place, as all the life-improving things you'll find below are not only practical, but each one will set you back less than the cost of dinner out.
You know what's better than a bougie home find? A bougie home find that's actually useful. And this list is brimming with tons of posh-meets-practical things. Think luxe linens, custom-look lighting, pro-level organization options, and tons of stuff that will make you feel like you're living the high life every single day. We're especially wowed by the genius design features found here, and you will be, too.