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Tool School Odds and Ends

by on Jan 21, 2019

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot

Over the last twelve months we worked with The Home Depot to come up with a whole series of projects and tool reviews called Tool School. We had a blast testing out everything from wet-dry vacuums to framing nailers, high-tech measuring gadgets and low-tech (but incredibly useful) cutting tools.

Here are a few that didn’t make it into any of our previous projects or roundups, but I still thought deserved a mention:

Rigid 18-Volt OCTANE Cordless Brushless 1/2 in. Hammer Drill/Driver

Black and orange colored power drill bearing the brand Ridgid.

This combination hammer drill and driver is built so solid, you feel like you could drive a truck over it, and then pick it right back up and start using it. A power driver is for screwing things in. A drill is for making holes in things. An impact driver generates huge torque, and is perfect for heavy duty tasks, like making holes in joists. But it’s not that versatile and it’s hard to control. This hammer drill/driver produces plenty of torque (1,300 lbs) while also allowing you pinpoint control over the tool, with a micro-clutch and three modes (drill, drive, hammer). It’s paired with RIGID’s new 18-volt OCTANE battery system, which communicates with the tool to provide 65% more power under heavy loads. 

Perfect for: putting holes in masonry, stone, and concrete. 

 

6-1/2 x 24T/60T Demo Demon Saw Blades

A red disk of a saw blade sitting on a white board with holes in it.

A portable 6-1/2 inch circular saw is one of the most useful tools you can have on a job site. It’s light enough to carry around with you, up ladders and into tight spaces. But it’s also powerful enough to get even bigger jobs done. I’ve used them for framing walls, cutting shims, demolition, and even cleaning up yard waste.

Because this tool is so versatile, it’s important to grab the right saw blade for the job. Diablo has you covered with blades for every task. These carbide blades are strong, light, and designed for clean, accurate cuts. For rough work and demolition, try the 24-tooth Demo Demon; it has a non-stick coating that keeps the blade from locking up in pitchy, high-friction materials. For finer work, go for the 60-tooth Ultra-Finish blade – it has a super thin kerf for faster cuts, and is ideal for cross-cutting a variety of hard woods, molding, and paneling. 

Perfect for: your next construction project

 

 

Husky Heavy-Duty Ratchet Tie-Down

this bungee hook can lift very large loads (up to 3333 lbs!).So you might wanna get a few of there bad boys because they come in different sizes .

Enough with the bungee cords, ok? When you have something you really want to keep strapped down, use the tool that’s built for just that: a ratchet tie-down. These guys come in all sizes, so it’s good to have a few different ones on hand. This 27-foot ratchet tie down from Husky is not for light jobs – you’ll want to reach for it when your load is large and heavy (it’s rated for a working load of 3333 lbs!). Think: hauling an awesome piece of reclaimed lumber, strapping down a vintage bandsaw that you found on Craigslist, or bringing in the dock for the winter at the cabin. 

Perfect for: keeping everything together. Very. Together.

 

Trademaster Firm Grip Duck Canvas Gloves

Sparks fly as a person works on a pipe outside

You simply can not have too many pairs of work gloves around your house/garage/shop/office/etc. They always come in handy, and you should always err on the side of using them (except when operating certain power tools and saws, where gloves can actually make things more dangerous). These gloves from Trademaster do a nice job of balancing comfort and dexterity with toughness and impact protection. The heavy-duty cotton duck canvas is durable, but breaks in with wear for maximum comfort.  The fingers and palm are reinforced, and the fabric dries quickly, making it great for wet job. Best of all, these gloves are touch-screen-compatible, so you can post your Instagram stories, check your social feed, and then get right back to work!

Perfect for: anyone with fingers.

 

30 ft. Self Leveling Cross Line Laser Level with Clamping Mount

old metropolis podmurna on the table

This gadget replaces a whole bunch of other tools. Basically, anytime you want to level, align, or make something plumb, this 30-ft laser level can make the job a snap. It’s self-leveling, which means it does half the work for you, and the flexible mounting clamp means you can place it almost anywhere on the worksite for accurate positioning. 

Perfect for: getting your #*@! straight 

 

 

 

 

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. All opinions are mine alone. Thanks for reading, and for supporting the brands that make Curbly possible.

I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the ProSpective2018 Campaign. As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

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