11 Useful Specialized Tools You Never Knew Existed
If you’ve ever attempted a DIY project using only a store-bought hammer and screwdriver, you’ve learned the most important lesson: the right tools make all the difference.
The difference in effort required to complete a job when you have exactly the right tool is astounding. There are plenty of cool power tools you probably didn’t know about, but even the most basic hand tools can make a real difference. If you’re planning any gardening projects, consider investing in some of these simple yet powerful specialized tools to make your work easier.
Cabinet jack
I’m a do-it-yourselfer and hate asking for help or relying on other people’s plans, so I usually take charge and try to do everything myself. My first attempt at installing kitchen cabinets myself was one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. If you’ve ever tried to install a wall cabinet and then push it down so you can screw it in, you know what that’s like.
Meet cabinet jacks : simple, adjustable platforms that raise cabinet frames to the desired height, leaving both hands free to tighten screws. They instantly transform a dreaded chore into a fairly simple project. And they can lift almost anything, so you can get more out of them than you think.
Magnetic sensor
You don’t have to be particularly clumsy (note: I am , of course, particularly clumsy) to experience the horror of dropping a bunch of small screws or washers while working. Picking up small objects by hand is slow and frustrating, and some of these tiny metal objects can easily get stuck in every available nook and cranny. Bonus points if you just dropped that unique screw that came with your tool and can’t figure out how to replace it.
A magnetic grabber like this one is the solution. Flexible, retractable, and illuminated, this tool makes finding and retrieving lost fasteners incredibly quick and easy, so you’ll never have to waste time on your hands and knees searching for a lost screw again.
Air wedge
Sometimes you just need to put something under your work surface to level it or create space underneath it. You can fiddle with a bunch of wedges or pieces of wood to create instability, or use one of those air wedges —inflatable wedges that you place under the object you’re lifting and inflate to the perfect size. They’re especially useful for leveling something because you can place the wedge underneath, place a level on top, and inflate until it’s perfect.
Augur beat
I like to reuse old lumber for framing projects—no one will see the unsightly wood, and throwing it away seems wasteful. But that means I have to deal with a lot of stuck screws and nails, and that can be a real headache. If you’ve ever started drilling into a wall and hit a screw in one of the studs, you know how much of a hassle that can be if your drilling options are limited.
Meet the Augur drill bit . It will easily cut through screws and nails, allowing you to drill new holes even in old studs or other wood structures littered with fasteners from past projects.
Reversible key
When working with square bolts and round objects (like pipes), you’re constantly changing wrenches. This means carrying an extra tool and constantly searching for another one. Unless you have a reversible adjustable wrench . A reversible jaw allows you to easily switch between bolts and round parts using just one tool.
Screw removal pliers
Stripped screws will drive you crazy. When the head is so pitted that no part of the universe can grasp it, your entire project can go down the drain as you spend hours trying to convince it to give in and unscrew itself. Unless you have a pair of screw extractor pliers in your toolbox. These pliers are specifically designed to grab stripped and broken screws and remove them with relative ease.
Cartridge extractor
If your faucet or shower handle is leaking, it’s likely the cartridge has failed. If you’ve ever tried to remove this cartridge to save money on DIY plumbing, you’ve probably overestimated the plumber, as removing them can be very difficult. Unless you have a cartridge puller—a handy tool that grips cartridges and applies the necessary force to remove them. Different faucets require different pullers, so you’ll need to first identify the faucet brand (for example, this cartridge puller fits several specific Moen models), but it’s worth it if you value your time.
Hook and Pick
You might not think you’d need a hook and pick set , but once you have one, you’ll never stop using it. I’ve used these dental-like tools to scrape, remove small, fragile parts, grab items in hard-to-reach places, and bend and reposition clasps on jewelry and other items. They’re also a lifesaver when you have tangled necklaces or chains, as they’re incredibly easy to pick up even the smallest links. Trust me, you’ll use them more than you think.
Hand concealer
If you’re painting several rooms in your home or sealing floors before you begin, you’ll need to use a lot of masking tape to protect the surfaces. Handheld masking tape makes this part of the job much easier. Simply fill a roll with masking tape, and it will allow you to apply long strips without the hassle of twisting the tape or uneven application that requires peeling and reapplying. (You can also make a homemade version using a paint roller—it’s not as easy to use as the real thing, but it will still make covering your work area easier.)
Magnetizer
For a long time, I was amazed when I’d find a screwdriver in my toolbox and discover it was magnetized. This saved me from losing screws and made them much easier to tighten. Can you believe it? Most screws and bits can be magnetized (and demagnetized) with a magnetizer/demagnetizer tool . It can also be used to magnetize blades and other thin tools for quick removal of needed parts.
Corner clamp
Have you ever tried drilling or screwing two pieces of wood together at a 90° angle? It’s not much fun. But if you have an angle clamp, like the Can-Do , it becomes much easier. This clever clamp allows you to hold pieces at different angles, making it easy to drill initial holes and then secure them without losing your head when things slip and twist.