Eight Accessories That Will Make Your Tools Even More Useful
If you own a home or simply enjoy tending to your property, you probably have a ton of tools that help you do things you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. (Unless you’re more successful than me at hammering nails with your fist.) But the tools themselves can often be enhanced with accessories that make using them a little easier, more efficient, and safer—think of these accessories as tools for your tools.
Even the most well-stocked toolbox can be enhanced with a few simple and inexpensive accessories. Here are eight essentials for every DIYer to make their next project easier.
Bucket organizers
My DIY project involved multiple trips back and forth between the project site and my tool closet because I can’t carry a certain amount of gear at once. Stuffing tools and loose screws into pockets can get the job done, but it’s unsightly, especially when a notched hammer gets stuck in your pocket and you rip your pants while standing on the roof in full view of the neighbors, which has definitely never happened to me. That’s why a bucket organizer (like the Bucketeer ) is essential. It’s so simple it’s laughable: these organizers fit inside a bucket and act as a tool belt for the outside. You can still use the bucket as a bucket and easily carry your gear.
Depth stops
One of the lessons I’ve learned throughout my DIY journey is that I never have the control I think I do over my power tools. This is proven by all the times I’ve drilled too deep. Whether you need to drill a series of holes to a precise depth or want to avoid over-drilling through the back of something, you quickly realize that drilling by eye and feel is an easy way to screw things up. Having a set of depth stops like these is the solution. They clamp your drill bit and prevent over- or under-drilling. Besides ensuring precision, they also allow you to put all your power into the drill because you don’t have to worry about losing control at a critical moment and over-drilling.
Anti-vibration pads
DIY projects can be quite noisy. An anti-vibration pad like this one is an indispensable tool accessory. It reduces vibration noise and protects the surface beneath tools or materials, ensuring safe work. You can buy ready-made pads, but by purchasing a roll, you can cut them to the required dimensions. This means you can use pads under household appliances (such as washing machines) to reduce noise and vibration, under portable saws and other tools, or under materials being worked on. It’s a simple solution that will make working around the house much more enjoyable.
Dust collectors
Dust is a byproduct of almost any DIY project. You can try hanging plastic sheets or using tape and/or envelopes to collect dust, but in my experience, none of these methods work—dust still gets everywhere. That’s why this DeWalt dust collector is a brilliant tool accessory: it attaches to the wall and connects to your wet/dry vacuum, easily collecting all the dust from drilling and sanding.
Anti-vibration gloves or bandages
If you’ve ever used power tools for long periods of time, you know how tired your hands and wrists can get. You can reduce the strain on your body by reducing vibration transmitted from your tools with anti-vibration gloves or anti-vibration pads , which can be applied to hand tools (such as hammers). These accessories absorb vibration, not only making your work more comfortable but also improving your control, as the tool won’t vibrate directly in your hands.
Magnetic bracelets
If you’ve ever wasted an hour of your life trying to find a dropped screw because you didn’t have any spares (I can neither confirm nor deny that I’ve done this), you’ll need a simple magnetic bracelet like this one . It allows you to hold screws, bolts, nails, drill bits, and any other metal objects you’re working with hands-free.
Flexible drills
You’ll inevitably wonder how to drill or screw something into a corner or a very tight space where no power tool can fit. The answer lies in this amazing tool accessory: a flexible bit holder. It lets you drill into corners or hard-to-reach places where a regular bit won’t fit, eliminating yet another obstacle to completing your project.
Laser saw guide
If you use a miter saw or any other circular saw, you know that even with careful measuring and marking of materials, you can still mess up the cut. Even the slightest undercut and you’ll waste time sanding the ends or trying to make too-small additional cuts. Overcut and you’ll waste time, effort, and materials.
The laser pointer on the blade eliminates this risk. It clearly and precisely shows where the blade will penetrate, so you’ll immediately know if you’re off by even a fraction of a millimeter. You can adjust the direction before you start cutting, avoiding frustration and unnecessary waste.