If you’re going to get my attention about something as seemingly basic as a screwdriver, you need to have some kind of special selling point, because at this point I’ve seen it all. Or at least that’s how it felt before I discovered Felo’s Ergonic screwdrivers.

The defining feature here is the multi-component handle, which combines an impact-proof plastic core surrounded by a flexible gel that is then coated with a squishy rubber-like (elastomer) material.

The result is a handle that actually conforms to your grip as you turn it, distributing the force across your entire hand to deliver optimal torque (up to 30% more versus traditional screwdrivers) to the tip, all while relieving hand/wrist strain. No more painful pressure points on your palm and fingers!

Pro tip: In the event you require even more torque than your hand alone can provide, each Ergonic handle has a hole through which you can insert a second screwdriver tip and rotate it for maximum power 🤘

On top of that, the handles are designed to be anti-roll, so you can set them on inclined or vibrating surfaces without fear of them getting away from you while you work.

Get a set of six Ergonic screwdrivers $43 on Amazon.

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Today we’ve got one of the most unique and specialized tools I’ve encountered yet — the Chopstick Master by Bridge City Tool Works of Portland, Oregon. Currently in its second generation as I write this, the “CSMv2” allows users to precisely and easily handcraft their very own chopsticks, smooth tapers and all.

It’s designed so that woodworkers of any level, even beginners and children, can reliably produce chopsticks they can use for themselves, gift to others, or perhaps sell at local craft fairs. The process takes only about 10–15 minutes too.

Watch their tutorial video to see how it works:

The Chopstick Master uses an angled jig to help shave down wooden chopstick blanks — a few varieties are included, but you can use whatever you like — into the perfect taper. It also includes a built-in chamfering tool to give chopstick tips a professional finish, rounding the edges slightly for a comfortable, ergonomic feel.

Also included is a sanding block to refine the chopsticks’ surface and ensure they are smooth to the touch, without any rough edges or splinters (although you may want to keep some 400-grit sandpaper nearby for the finer details). To finish things off, apply a thin coat of food-grade oil and let dry before storing/using.

There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from being able to turn a piece of wood into a practical, usable item, especially if you have minimal experience. It could also be a fun way to introduce a kid to the world of woodworking.

As of September 9th, 2024 the Chopstick Master Gen. 2 is marked down from $399 to $239.

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You can use any old screwdriver for most jobs that require one, but when it comes to working with electrical systems of any kind, safety becomes paramount. If a circuit somewhere happens to be live when you go to work on it — and ideally that’s not the case, but things happen that way sometimes — then you need to be using tools that can protect you from harm.

To that end, Wiha’s SoftFinish insulated screwdrivers are officially rated for 1,000 volts (AC) and individually tested to 10,000 volts, so you can have peace of mind that working on a hot connection won’t be the last thing you do.

Obviously, any risk taken is at your own discretion; I’m not advising that you work on any live equipment if you can avoid it, and you should always do your due diligence by cutting power and/or discharging capacitors beforehand.

Even if you don’t plan to work on anything electrical, these screwdrivers are great because their grippy, cushioned handles provide maximum comfort and control on every job, with less hand strain and fatigue compared to lesser drivers.

This pack of five screwdrivers is $35 on Amazon and comes with a 1 x 80mm Phillips, a 2 x 100mm Phillips, a 4.5 x 125mm slotted/flathead, a 6.5 x 150mm slotted/flathead, and a 2 x 150mm square-tip.

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Looking to take your DIY projects to the next level? Say hello to the Dewalt DCD800P1 drill/driver kit, a powerhouse of performance that tackles a wide range of tasks — from basic household repairs to pro-level construction projects — with ease.

This nimble little beast punches way above its humble 2.4lb weight, bringing both muscle and precision to the work thanks to its 2,000 RPM motor that offers multiple speed settings and a clutch with 15 different positions, not to mention the all-metal chuck (instead of plastic) that shows the company’s commitment to durability and longevity. You’ll be able to drill and sink screws through all sorts of tough materials — basically, anything short of concrete.

It comes with a 5Ah lithium-ion battery (20v max) and a charger, providing long-lasting power and minimizing downtime. With or without the battery attached, the tool feels very well balanced and comfortable to hold.

The built-in bright LED light with three modes is a handy addition, illuminating your work area nicely during those late-night DIY sessions.

Add this new secret weapon to your project kit for $169 on Amazon.

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A bubble level (or “spirit level” in some circles) is an indispensable tool for builders and makers everywhere. There are some pretty large and expensive levels out there too, but most of the time, you’ll do just fine with a one-handed torpedo level like the Keson LKTRF.

At 9 inches in length, LKTRF is a popular choice with plumbers and anyone else who often has to work in tight spaces. The rounded end allows it to get flush against walls with beveled corners, and the two “FOCUS” vials offers 20% magnification for more accurate readings.

Despite being quite lightweight, this level is super sturdily constructed so you don’t have to worry about the body warping and thus affecting the tool’s reliability.

Get the Keson LKTRF for $18 on Amazon. They also offer a straight-edge model (LKTSF).

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A pocket screwdriver is an invaluable tool to keep around, whether it’s in your actual pocket or stashed in an easily accessible drawer somewhere. One way or another, it’s one of those things you’ll find yourself using all the time.

This particular pocket screwdriver from California-based K20 Tools is made entirely of metal (stainless steel and hardened steel for the respective pieces) and features two double-ended bits (one long, one short) that each have a #2 Phillips head on one side and a flat head on the other, and are strongly held in place by a recessed magnet.

Add this useful tool to your home or EDC collection for just $14 on Amazon.

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Every once in a while you come across a tool that makes you go, “Why didn’t I think of that?” The Morgan Square is a perfect example of this, and one that has a bit of a heartwrenching story behind its creation and naming.

Designed with carpentry, woodworking, and construction work in mind, the Morgan Square is a clever device that lets you make measurements and mark them at the same time.

No more switching between a tape measure and a carpenter’s square — the two steps are combined into one fluid motion, which amounts to a ton of time saved over the course of a project and beyond. (You do still need to bring your own tape measure and pencil to use with it, though.)

You can see how the Morgan Square works in their video walkthrough of its key features:

Every detail of this tool has been considered to make your framing work easier, from the pencil holder to the 1½” width of the tongue (for accurately marking both sides of where a stud will go) to the additional 1½” marking (for locating the king, trimmer, and cripple studs at wall openings).

Get the 8″ x 8″plastic Morgan Square in one of four colors for $20 on Amazon. You can also find metal editions in various sizes (and other color choices) on the official website.

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A ratchet wrench is an indispensable part of any toolkit, but we’ve all had to deal with working in narrow spaces where you can’t turn the handle effectively (or at all).

For those situations, the Japanese-made TONE Quick Adapter makes things much easier. It mounts between the ratchet handle and socket, allowing you to quickly turn nuts and bolts using just your fingers by spinning the knurled black ring. It’s awesome for automotive work, bicycle repair, fixing the internals of machinery, etc.

The adapter comes in a few different ratchet wrench-compatible sizes, each of which also has a slimmer “mini” counterpart:

• ¼” (model: QA-02) and ¼” mini (model: QA-02S)
• ⅜” (model: QA-03) and ⅜” mini (model: QA-03S)
• ½” (model: QA-04) and ½” mini (model: QA-04S)

Each one costs somewhere between $31–$34.

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Sometimes it’s the little features that turn an okay tool into a great one, and in the case of the Newborn 250 caulking gun, there are two of them worth noting:

1. The steel revolving frame makes it easier to maintain a single bead of caulk/sealant around corners or in tight/hard-to-reach spaces. Simply rotate the barrel with your non-trigger hand as you work.
2. It uses a smooth rod plunger mechanism rather than the old-school ratchet style, giving it an 18:1 thrust ratio instead of a measly 6:1 or 5:1. What this means for you is, it takes way less effort to extrude caulk from the tube, giving you much more control over the smoothness of the bead and helping prevent hand fatigue.

Aside from that, this is just a well made tool that features a corrosion-resistant zinc alloy handle and trigger, along with the standard-issue built-in spout cutter and puncture tool. And lastly, the end of the plunger rod is hooked so you can hang it on a ladder rung or from your belt loop.

Get this excellent caulk gun for $27 on Amazon.

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When a job calls for the toughest, most indestructible tool storage you can get your hands on, Milwaukee’s PACKOUT Large Tool Box is there to endure whatever is thrown its way.

It boasts an impact-resistant body with metal-reinforced corners — along with a metal-reinforced carry handle and heavy duty latches — that can hold up to 100 lbs of weight. It also has an IP65-rated weather seal to keep out rain and worksite debris.

What makes the PACKOUT series of tool boxes even more awesome is that all the various sizes/styles feature integrated locking cleats, so they can be stacked and securely connected together into one modular rolling tool transport system:

The 22″ PACKOUT Large Tool Box (model#: 48-22-8425) is $105 on Amazon and is the component I would personally suggest starting with before you work your way up to the full rolling system.

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All craftspeople, handyworkers, and hobbyists should have at least one X-Acto blade in their toolkit, and the X-Acto Knife Set is a great way to collect every variation of it in one go.

It comes with three knives — one for precision cutting, one for trimming/cutting medium- to heavy-weight materials, and one just for cutting heavy materials — plus ten more assorted blade styles, all in a conveniently giftable and transportable carry case. With this kit in hand, there’s no precision cutting project you won’t be able to tackle.

Get the kit for $26 on Amazon.

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When you’re in the middle of a complicated building/repair project, one of the more annoying little things that tends to up is having to keep track of the various socket sizes needed for the job. There are specialty tools designed to get around this problem, like this 48-in-1 wrench we wrote about last March.

Another way to solve the problem is with a universal socket tool like this one from the brilliant minds at RAK. It’s a single socket that self-adjusts to a wide variety of fastener sizes/shapes on the first try, thanks to the 54 spring-loaded steel pins inside the tip. It’s kind of like a pin art toy in tool form.

This one socket can grip onto bolts, hex nuts, wingnuts, screws, hooks, and other odd-shaped fastener heads, in sizes ranging between ¼” to ¾” (standard) or 7mm to 19mm (metric), all without ever having to swap out socket heads.

It also comes with an adapter that lets you attach it onto your existing power drill:

Get this handy universal socket + drill adapter set for $13 on Amazon.

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I wouldn’t call myself particularly deft with a needle, but I do think everyone should have a sewing kit around for those times when a small repair is needed for an item of clothing. The most common example I can think of is replacing a button that’s popped off a shirt, a pair of pants, etc.

This beginner’s kit comes with probably more stuff than you’ll even need if you’re not sewing things up very often. Better safe than sorry though, right? It’s got a couple dozen spools of thread in every color you could possibly have a use for, a pair of sharp scissors, a bunch of pins and needles of varying kinds, a measuring tape, a magnifying glass for those extra tiny tasks, a seam ripper, a threader, a thimble, and more.

The whole 130+ piece kit comes in a travel-sized, zippered PU leather case so you can keep it in a bag or glovebox and always have it ready when the need arises.

Get this starter sewing kit for just $10 on Amazon.

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They say that duct tape can fix just about anything, but we all know from experience there are some things it just can’t handle. Leaky pipes are a good example. A badly broken shovel handle also isn’t going back together that way, at least not in a useful sense.

However, with some FiberFix Repair Wrap in your kit, you really can fix anything you would normally try wrapping duct tape around. This stuff is based on the idea behind medical casting tape (the stuff you’d use to immobilize a broken/fractured limb) in that, after being dipped in water, it’s designed to set rock-hard within minutes of application, leaving behind a strong waterproof seal that can hold up for months or even years.

The company’s instructional video shows the proper way to use the product:

Notice those gloves he’s wearing during the process? Those come included with the tape, and you definitely want to use them yourself because that hardening resin getting directly on your skin will be a huge pain to remove.

FiberFix Repair Wrap is meant to be used one entire roll at a time, and it comes in three widths: one-inch ($18), two-inch ($23), and four-inch ($28).

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A five-gallon bucket is always a useful thing to have around, but when you’ve loaded one up, carrying it around by that tiny plastic handle quickly becomes a literal pain. So what you do is, attach one of these Bucket Boss grips over that handle and say goodbye to those calluses.

The grip is made from thick yet flexible rubber and is molded to fit great in the hand. My only quibble is that it doesn’t really have a way to stay fastened on the handle once slipped on. People have found all sorts of workarounds to keep the grip permanently attached or at least glued/taped together, so it’s not a huge deal, just something to know going in.

Get the Bucket Boss grip for just $6 on Amazon.

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