I made a list of my favorite tools I bought or used in 2020 so I thought, “why not update it with some tools I’ve bought since then?” I’m constantly buying and testing out tools (and I occasionally get some pro bono). I’m always discovering new *to me* tools that I think are awesome and that I want to share with you guys in case you’re looking for new tools to add to your arsenal. Continue reading below to see my 10 Tool Recommendations for 2022!

This list is always changing, but these tools have my vote for favorites I’ve used in the last year or so! I know some of these items might be a little spendy for the average person, which I totally understand. Some of these items took me years to pull the trigger on. I tend to come from the school of thought that if you’re saving money on the labor by DIYing a project, you can use that savings to invest in some tools that will help make your life easier.

Here’s the full list of tools via my Amazon Affiliate storefront if you’d like to purchase any of them. You don’t pay any extra and it helps support the Mrfixitdiy brand. You can learn more about the types of compensation I accept on my disclosures page.

Without further ado here’s the list in no particular order.

1.) DeWalt FlexVolt 60v Max 6-1/2″ Track Saw

DeWalt FlexVolt 60v Max 6-1/2″ Track Saw – $399

I’ll be honest. I never really used a track saw much before this year. I’ve always been pretty confident in my ability with a circular saw and when I needed it, I always just clamped down a level or straight edge to get a clean cut. That all changed this year when I bought the DeWalt Track saw. It has completely overhauled the way I cut sheet goods or just need to make a clean, straight cut. Having the flexibility of the 60v cordless power is amazing! It helped me so much when I tackled the massive kitchen remodel I tackled this year. HIGHLY recommend!

2.) Graco Magnum X7 Paint Sprayer

Graco Magnum X7 Paint Sprayer – $390

In the past I’ve always rented a Sprayer from Home Depot when I needed one for a larger job. That changed this year as I tackled a bunch of large home improvement projects and it didn’t make sense to rent a sprayer a bunch of times. I own the Graco TC Pro Handheld Cordless Sprayer also BUT when it came to painting the ceiling in my living room, and the cabinets and kitchen for my remodel, I needed something that could hold a lot more paint. The performance of the X7 was awesome, whether it was painting the exterior of the house, or the fine finish of the cabinets. I used the Graco FFLP208 for the fine finish tip for painting my cabinets. Swapping the tips gave me tremendous versatility and was worth it’s weight in gold!

3.) Festool 574930 CT 26 E HEPA Dust Extractor

Festool 574930 CT 26 Dust Extractor – $740

Look, I know spending $700+ on a shop vac seems insane! I told myself that FOR YEARS. I could never justify the expense of it and couldn’t see how it warranted that price. Well this past year I finally bit the bullet and bought my first Festool product and this was it. I bought it because I needed something for refinishing my kitchen cabinets in place. Since I reused many of the cabinet boxes and sanded them in place in the kitchen, I needed something that could keep the dust as manageable as possible. To be honest, I’ve never used a vacuum that even compares to keeping the dust down like this one does. Sanding the cabinets was virtually dustless. I paired this with my second Festool purchase, the Festool DTS 400 REQ-Plus Sander, and was not at all disappointed in my purchase. I was quoted over $5000 to refinish and paint the cabinets which wasn’t in my budget so this was the next best thing. 

4.) True Position Cabinet Hardware Jig

True Position Cabinet Hardware Jig – $199

This was another upgrade for me this year. I previously had another cabinet hardware jig but it just wasn’t up to par. With this jig you can easily set repeatable positioning for perfect placement on doors and drawer pulls which was huge for me to get a consistent look across all my kitchen cabinets. I love this tool and will be using it in all my cabinet projects moving forward!

5.) Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18 Ga. Brad Nailer

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18 Ga. Brad Nailer – $279

This was one of those tools I got from my friends over at Northern Tool & Equipment earlier this year. I’ve wanted a cordless brad nailer for a long time so I jumped at the chance to get my hands on this thing. Needless to say I was NOT disappointed. In fact, I love it so much I bought one for my brother for his birthday. This thing has been an absolute game changer for most of my woodworking projects as well as for trim and finish carpentry projects around the house. This is absolutely the first tool I reach for with glue-ups when I need something to hold while the glue sets up. It’s reliable, powerful, and versatile. Works perfect with the rest of my Fuel Lineup on the 18v battery lineup. If you’re in the market for a cordless brad nailer, this is easily my choice.

6.) Bora Tool Wood Storage Rack

Bora Tool Wood Storage Rack – $49.99

You can never have too much lumber storage! I spent WAY too much time tripping over lumber in my shop earlier this year (and every year quite frankly). I invested in a few more of these racks this year to help get materials up off the floor so that I could navigate around the shop safely. If you have any available wall space to put one (or a bunch) of these up, you’ll thank yourself for pulling the trigger on these. Super easy assembly and for under $50 on Amazon right now, it’s a no brainer!

7.) Kreg Tool Concealed Hinge Jig

Kreg Tool Concealed Hinge Jig – $54.99

Between rebuilding all my kitchen cabinets to my office and some shop cabinets, I did a buttload of cabinetry this year! This jig is a must if you’re using concealed hinges. I had another concealed hinge jig from a Rockler for a few years but I wasn’t crazy about it. This one is much simpler, intuitive, and versatile. Not to mention it’s $29 on Amazon which is a steal IMO. Adjusting it is super easy with a phillips head screwdriver and it fits the majority of concealed hinges you’ll find on the market. Cheap, easy, and effective! My 3 favorite things!

8.) Milwaukee Voltage Detector

Milwaukee Voltage Detector – $30

I’ve had this tool for a few years now but I got a TON of use out of it this year already. In fact, I used it so much that I broke my first one and had to buy a replacement. If you’re doing any electrical work around the house this is a must have. With my various remodeling projects this past year, I did a lot of electrical work. Moving to a new house, I also have done a ton of troubleshooting on the new place to figure out the electrical layout. This is my go-to tool for checking for live (hot) wires, line & load wires, and identifying circuits. It’s a super simple tool but it has paid for itself 100x over. It’s about the size of a sharpie so it’s super convenient to add to an electrical pouch or carry in your pocket. It has a loud beep and red light that flashes when voltage is present so it’s pretty fool proof (just make sure it’s on). It also has a little flashlight on the end that can be helpful in dark situations and to know that the pen is on. Highly worthwhile purchase for both convenience and personal safety.

9.) POPULO Electric Drain Auger

Populo Electric Drain Auger – $99

This was one of the more recent tools I bought at the end of last year. When we moved into the new house, a bunch of the bathroom drains were really slow moving. The kitchen also had some issues but I’ll save that story for another time. I purchased this electric drain auger after much frustration with my traditional drain auger and dealing with stubborn clogs I couldn’t remove with the shop vac. I can’t believe how impressed I’ve been with this tool. Anytime you buy a tool from an unknown (to me) brand, you always take a risk, but I am so happy with this purchase. It was pretty affordable and well worth the purchase price. It’s handled everything I’ve thrown at it thus far with incredible ease. Highly recommend.

10.) Bora Tool Centipede

Bora Centipede – $122

This is one of the more recent tools I purchased and it has really come in handy after our move. I don’t have a dedicated shop space setup yet so the versatility of the centipede has been a space and time saver. I can use it as a portable workbench, or as a spot to hold sheet goods while I build other cabinets and benches. It collapses small and tucks away so it’s super convenient. Even after I have the new shop completed, this will get regular use in my shop because it’s so versatile and useful.

So that’s it for this list! I hope you guys enjoyed checking out some of my favorites and I hope it helps you if you’re considering some new tools throughout 2022. I’d highly recommend adding these to your wishlists for the future. As I mentioned, this is an every evolving list so I’ll do my best to share some more of my favorites as I come across them.

If you like this list, here is previous list of recommendations as well as some recent projects I’ve done utilizing some of the tools I mentioned above.

My Top 10 Tools of 2020 (So Far)!

10 Tips to Paint Like a Pro!

I’m happy to announce that I’ve teamed up with The Home Depot through their ProSpective Program to put some new tools to the test. Each quarter I’ll be putting a few new tools to the test to see how they measure up and see if they can become part of my staple arsenal of everyday use tools!

This time around I’ll be taking a look at the DeWalt 20v MAX Cordless Brushless Hammer Drill/Driver Combo Kit w/ FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE.

Click here if you’d like to check out my previous review of the DeWalt 20v MAX Lithium-Ion Brushless 7 1/4″ Circular Saw w/ FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE.

Disclosure: This project contains a paid product placement by The Home Depot who generously supplied the tool(s) I’ll be reviewing today. All opinions are my own. 

What is FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE?

If you read my previous review, you’ll know this by now, but for those who are new, allow me to rehash.

What makes FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE unique is that it is the first battery system that changes voltage with the tool you’re using. For example, you can use a FLEXVOLT Battery on any of the DeWalt 20V MAX tools with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE that will allow for up to 4x the runtime vs a traditional 20v DeWalt Battery AND provides the power of a corded tool when used on a 60V MAX Tool.* (according to dewalt.com)

That means you have longer battery life on smaller tools when you need it AND more power on larger tools when you need that and it’s as easy as swapping the battery from one tool to the next. It’s an extremely versatile battery system providing for extreme ease of use which is something I am very interested in.

This 20V Max tool for example can be used with either a standard 20V MAX battery for small jobs OR a 60V FLEXVOLT Battery which provides for maximum versatility and power as a battery platform.

First Impressions

Right out of the box there are a few things that immediately stood out to me that I really like about these tools.

1.) Tool Weight & Size

This drill is a significant size and weight increase over my DeWalt 20v Atomic. The beauty of the Atomic is power in a small package but it has its limitations. This drill have significantly more power when paired with the 60v battery. (DeWalt claims +40% which I tend to agree). Where the Atomic measures in at 6.3″, this one measures in at about 8″.

When paired with a standard 20v MAX battery the new drill weighs in at roughly 4.3 lbs while the Atomic weighs in around 3.125 lbs. The added weight actually helps when drilling in my opinion. If you have a good bit, you don’t have to apply as much pressure with your arm and body and it still feels well balanced.

2.) Metal Chuck (Drill)

There are few things that drive me as crazy as a poorly constructed chuck on a drill. That includes either being cheap and plastic, or that it loosens up on usage and drops the bit. Even the Atomic I own which I do like, has a plastic chuck.

I had a previous DeWalt drill several generations back that was guilty of coming loose all the time. I actually got rid of it for that exact reason. Not so with this drill! In fact the chuck cinches down extremely tight. There’s been a few times where I’ve tried to back off the chuck to release a bit (and had the drill set on 2 or 3) and if I’m not holding it super tight, it’s given me a little palm burn. I don’t consider that a bad thing by any means. It means the chuck is doing what it’s supposed to and holding strong!

3.) 3 Speed Transmission

I know there are other DeWalt drills with a 3 Speed Transmission at this point but this is the first DeWalt drill I’ve owned with a 3 speed transmissiont. In fact, when you put this drill on 3 it flies! I actually prefer to leave it on 2 most of the time but it’s awesome to know you have the extra power when you need it. When paired with the 60v battery, this thing hums and has plenty of power to tackle big tasks like drilling holes in concrete.

In fact both the drill AND the impact driver in this kit carry the 3 speed transmission. The impact driver also has a precision drive setting which gives you complete control for driving screws.

How They Stack Up

I’ll be honest, my go to drill and driver set have been the Milwaukee 18v Fuel set for years. I love everything about those tools and I didn’t feel like the DeWalt Atomic drill/driver set I have stacked up with them. However, that changes with this set. I feel completely comfortable reaching for either set for any projects I’m working on now.

This set comes in at $369 from Home Depot (comes with 6ah 60v battery, 20v MAX battery, charger, and bag) compared to $399 for the comparable Milwaukee set so I think you get all the upside, for a little bit of a savings. This is by far the best drill/driver combo I’ve used that is on par with the Fuel set that I love.

You also have the added benefit of swapping the 6ah 60v battery to the entire lineup of FLEXVOLT tools or other 20v MAX tools so you have a tremendous amount of versatility on the job site or around the house. The 20v MAX batteries you may have from previous generations of tools still work on these tools as well.

Overall Rating – HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I’ve got to say that I am really pleasantly surprised by these tools. As I mentioned above, replacing my Milwaukee Fuel drill/ driver combo is not an easy task to do but I’d feel equally comfortable taking this set to any job.

I’ve yet to find any drawbacks to the tools thus far (not to say there won’t be at some point) but I think this is a great value set for the active home owner or even the professionals. If you’re just starting out or if you’re just looking for a starter set I’d say this set offers more than you’d need but if you prefer the mentality of “buy once, cry once” this set should last you for years to come.

Thanks for checking out this review. Thanks to Home Depot for providing the saw I reviewed in this content. If you’re interested in more review content, check out some of the other reviews below.

How to Build a Simple Circular Saw and Drill/Driver Storage Cabinet

Tool Review: DeWalt 20v MAX Circular Saw w/ FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE

Cub Cadet CC30e Lawn Mower Review

I’m happy to announce that I’ve teamed up with The Home Depot through their ProSpective Program to put some new tools to the test. Each quarter I’ll be putting a few new tools to the test to see how they measure up and see if they can become part of my staple arsenal of everyday use tools!

First up I’ll be taking a look at the DeWalt 20-volt MAX Lithium Ion Brushless 7-1/4″ Cordless Circular Saw with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE.

Disclosure: This project contains a paid product placement by The Home Depot who generously supplied the tool(s) I’ll be reviewing today. All opinions are my own. 

What is FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE?

I’ve seen the FLEXVOLT line in stores and have gotten my hands on a few tools here and there at different trade shows over the last couple years but I’ve never previously owned any of the tools and used it myself on any projects at my home or workshop.

What makes FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE unique is that it is the first battery system that changes voltage with the tool you’re using. For example, you can use a FLEXVOLT Battery on any of the DeWalt 20V MAX tools with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE that will allow for up to 4x the runtime vs a traditional 20v DeWalt Battery AND provides the power of a corded tool when used on a 60V MAX Tool.* (according to dewalt.com)

That means you have longer battery life on smaller tools when you need it AND more power on larger tools when you need that and it’s as easy as swapping the battery from one tool to the next. It’s an extremely versatile battery system providing for extreme ease of use which is something I am very interested in.

This 20V Max tool for example can be used with either a standard 20V MAX battery OR a 60V FLEXVOLT Battery which provides for maximum versatility as a battery platform.

First Impressions

Right out of the box there are a few things that immediately stood out to me that I really like about this tool.

1. Tool Weight

The weight of the saw is really comfortable. It feels sturdy and professional but not cumbersome. With the 6.0Ah FLEXVOLT Battery installed, the tool weighs in at over 10 lbs (a full pound heavier than my Milwaukee FUEL Circular Saw with a 9Ah battery installed). While some might view this as an overall detraction, I actually think it gives the tool a more stable feel. The tool feels well balanced and less susceptible to subtle wrist movements that can affect the quality of a straight cut. It feels stable in one hand or extremely secure using both hands with the forward grip.

2. Blade-Right / Right-Handed Saw

This saw is considered a sidewinder saw which means it’s a direct drive saw with the blade sitting directly on the opposite side of the motor. A right-handed / blade-right saw like this puts the main handle in your right hand with the auxiliary grip in your left hand. The blade sits off to the right side of the tool while both grips sit off to the left as you’re holding it. This means that neither hand has to reach over the top of the tool to secure with the auxiliary grip.

As a right-handed person, this is the preferred configuration for any saw for me. You can find saws in both a right or a left configuration so if you’re left-handed or prefer a different configuration, you may want to consider what options are available to you.

3. Built In LED

One of the really cool features of this saw is the built in LED at the front of the saw. This is the first circular saw I’ve ever used to have a light built into it to illuminate your cut line. This is really helpful in low light situations or just to improve overall visibility during your cut. The LED light automatically illuminates when the saw is engaged so there are no added steps involved. I think this is a very cool feature that I can see other manufacturers also adopting in their new saws.

Power & Speed

It’s clear after the first cut that this saw is built for power and speed when using the FLEXVOLT 60v battery. The saw easily slices through a variety of thicknesses from plywood, to dimensional lumber, to dense hardwood. In fact I noticed very little change in the performance of the saw regardless of the thickness or density of the wood I cut. The saw shows no signs of weakness in all the test cuts I ran.

In addition to the power, the saw also seems quieter than its competitors. I don’t have a decibel meter to confirm this, but the saw seems to have a less shrill sound in operation to me than other similar saws I’ve used.

Safety

This is perhaps where this saw surpasses all others I’ve used recently. One of the best features of this saw in my opinion is the built-in electronic brake. What this means is that as soon as you remove your finger from the trigger, the saw blade stops spinning. This is an absolute game changer for job site safety and as someone who has had a table saw injury in the past that could have cost me my fingers, I am all for it!

The saw blade reacts in a fraction of a second to stop once your finger is off the trigger. This means that in the event of a kickback, or if the guard were to stick and you set the saw down quickly after use, the blade can not cause harm to you or your materials. If your finger is off the trigger, the blade won’t spin. Plain and simple.

I think this is an absolute game-changer for saw technology and I hope to see it adopted as an industry standard across all circular saws.

Overall Rating – HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I’ve got to say that I am really pleasantly surprised by this tool. Not only does it feel and look good, but its performance is outstanding. The power of the tool allows for incredibly easy cuts without binding or slowing down. The tool has the power to easily cut through materials from 1/2″ plywood to 2″ thick hardwood without losing anything. The battery life in a 6Ah battery provides ample use for most home and workshop projects and easily allows you to swap between tools throughout the project without requiring a charge.

For the price ($199 Tool Only at Home Depot), I think you’re hard pressed to find a better value in a circular saw. When paired with the versatility of the FLEXVOLT line of tools, this is a fantastic addition to your tool arsenal.

Thanks for checking out this review. Thanks to Home Depot for providing the saw I reviewed in this content. If you’re interested in more review content, check out some of the other reviews below.

How to Build a Simple Circular Saw and Drill/Driver Storage Cabinet

DeWalt 20v MAX Cordless Brushless Hammer Drill/Driver Combo Kit w/ FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE Tool Review

STIHL Battery-Powered Tools Review

My Top 10 Tools of 2020 (So Far)!

I’ll admit it, I’m a bit of an addict for new tools! I’m constantly buying tools just to test them out or because they seem like a cool product or can save me time. I’m also fortunate to do this as a business and I occasionally get some sent to me for review pro bono! (I LOVE when this happens). With that said, I’m always discovering new *to me* tools that I think are awesome and that quickly become some of my “go-to” tools for a job.

I thought I would put together a list of tools I’ve gotten to use a lot in 2020 that I absolutely love in case you’re looking for some tools for yourself or the tool lover in your life this fall. This list is ever changing, but so far in 2020, these tools have my vote for favorites I’ve used this year!

Here’s the full list of tools via my Amazon storefront if you’d like to purchase any of them. You don’t pay any extra and it helps support the Mrfixitdiy brand.

1.) Collins Tool Co. Miter Spring Clamps

Collings Tool Miter Spring Clamps – <$50

These things are freaking excellent! Whether you’re doing interior trim work around the house or woodworking in the shop, these tools have become a staple for me anytime I’m doing any type of miter work. These are perfect for baseboards, window and door casings, hobby woodworking projects, you name it! If you’re looking to get something for yourself or the woodworker in your life under $50 then these are a no brainer in my opinion. You’ll find endless uses for them once you have them in your toolbox.

2.) Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18v Cordless Router

Milwaukee FUEL 18v Cordless Router – $200+

Of all the cordless lineups out there, the M18 Fuel lineup is by far my favorite (and I’m not paid to say that). The tremendous amount of tools that have been released that all run on the same battery platform is absolutely awesome in my opinion. Rather than extra chargers and different batteries each time you buy a new tool, you can buy the tool only if you already have other tools in the FUEL lineup. The router is the latest tool I’ve purchased to add to my arsenal of FUEL tools and it is A BEAST. It does everything it’s corded alternative did for me and the portability and ease of use makes it my go to anytime I need a router now. This is a must have for anyone that finds themselves working on the go or just wants a strong, reliable router for woodworking, trim, etc.

3.) Micro-Jig MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps

Micro-Jig MATCHFIT Dovetail Clamps – $30

Every woodworker knows you can never have too many clamps. No matter how many you own, your newest project seems to involve every clamp you own. What’s awesome about these is you can create your own woodworking jigs and clamp rigs however and whenever you need them using any 14° dovetail router bit. You don’t need to spend a bunch of money on T-track or something to create a jig to hold your workpiece. These clamps slide into any dovetail channel and are super strong and easy to use. Their uses are almost limitless and having a versatile tool like them is really useful especially if you have a smaller workshop.

4.) Paslode Cordless XP 30° Framing Nailer

Paslode Cordless 30° Framing Nailer – $350+

Alright so this one I’ve had for several years now BUT I’ve continued to use it a lot this year and it continues to be one of my favorite all-time tool purchases. This thing just performs! Is it pricey? Absolutely. (Not that different than buying a compressor, hose, and a pneumatic gun though) It’s more than paid for itself in the amount of time it has saved me from lugging around and using an air compressor. It keeps the job site cleaner and safer (no tripping on hoses). The gas canisters last a really long time as does the battery. I honestly have zero complaints about this tool and I’m so glad I have it!  I also use it for cement composite siding projects. I’d highly recommend this tool for any framing or remodel projects you’re doing.

5.) WEN Variable Speed Drywall Sander

WEN Variable Speed Drywall Sander – $120

It’s no secret that I HATE drywall. I’ve been pretty vocal about how much I despise taping, mudding, and sanding drywall. Well that hasn’t really changed much, BUT I did invest in a drywall sander this year and it’s made keeping the annoying drywall dust under control MUCH easier. I always assumed a drywall sander was really expensive, but I found this WEN drywall sander very affordable and it was such a big help when I was working on the drywall for my office remodel this year. It’s one of those tools that I’m not sure how I’ve gone without. Needless to say, I won’t be doing drywall without it ever again!

6.) Rolgear 15 in 1 SILENT Ratchet Screwdriver

Rolgear 15 in 1 SILENT Ratchet Screwdriver – $30

A screwdriver is just a screwdriver, right? Well yeah, except for when it’s this one. I’ve actually had a set of these for a few years, but I started using this screwdriver all the time on my projects this year. With 15 interchangeable bits for every type of screw, and a super easy adjustment for ratcheting tight or loose, this screwdriver is awesome. And it’s completely silent so no ratchet clicking noise. It’s super comfortable in the hand, well balanced, and ergonomic. This tool is perfect for all sorts of applications but I use it a lot for electrical and mechanical maintenance projects around the house. If you’re looking for a “one size fits all” multi-purpose screwdriver I encourage you to check this one out.

7.) Kreg Crown Pro – Crown Molding Cutting Tool

Kreg Crown Pro – Crown Molding Cutting Tool – $30

This one is a bit of a specialty item. Do you need it? Well no, probably not if you’re not doing a bunch of crown molding. But if you have at least one room of crown molding to do like I did this year, it’s worth the investment. Finding the spring angle and setting up a jig for cutting crown molding on your miter saw can be a time suck and be a pain in the butt. This jig takes out all the guesswork and makes it a quick and easy setup. For $30, it’s well worth it simply to save yourself a headache. Crown molding takes some time to get used to and can be challenging so anything that helps simplify the process is worth it in my book!

8.) Aquor Water Systems House Hydrant

Aquor Water Systems House Hydrant – $80+

Ok so maybe this is more of a product than a tool, I don’t know. Regardless, I installed one of these this year as a how-to project video and I love it! It’s a slick modern upgrade to the traditional hose bib. What’s cool about it is that it’s self draining and the majority of the unit is actually in the wall. If you live in a cold climate, there’s no risk of freezing and breaking in the winter months, and no need to do a season ending water line drain before the frost. If you’re looking to upgrade your hose bibs around the house, I’d highly recommend checking out the House Hydrant.

9.) SENSE Home Energy Monitor

SENSE Home Energy Monitor – $299

This is another one of those “tools” that’s a little different but has been amazing for me in 2020. I installed this monitor on my home about a year ago and it has helped me prioritize money/energy saving projects on the house over the past year. For example, my old fridge was a complete energy suck and was costing a lot of money to run! It also helped me realize exactly how much money I was putting towards HVAC and it made me prioritize re-doing the insulation in my attic before the summer heat this year which has made a noticeable difference in my energy bills. The app interface is easy to use and learns your home over time to help identify each item and how much power they draw. I highly recommend it.

10.) Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool

Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool – $125

I was never much for a multi-tool as an everyday carry tool until this year. I got my hands on the Center-Drive from Gerber and I immediately fell in love with it. It has a lot of the features people love about a multi-tool in a small package and also has a built in screwdriver with a variety of interchangeable bits. It’s awesome to know that you have a tool in your pocket that can tackle a huge array of jobs.The only thing it’s missing in my opinion is a pocket clip!

So that’s it for this list! I hope you guys enjoyed checking out some of my favorites and I hope it helps you if you’re considering some new tools this year. As I mentioned, this is an every evolving list so I’ll do my best to share some more of my favorites as I come across them.

Here are some recent projects I’ve done utilizing some of the tools I mentioned above.

How to Monitor Your Home’s Energy Usage

How to Upgrade to a Modern Water Spigot

The outdoor water spigot hasn’t changed much in about 100 years since the advent of indoor plumbing. They’re typically made of brass and look something like this.

There are a few problems with them. They protrude outside the house and in freezing climates, they can be difficult to drain. This can cause them to freeze or break in the winter. It’s also common for your hose to leak around them when you thread it on which can get a little annoying.

Today I’m going to show you how to install a sleek new modern take on the water spigot. It’s called the house hydrant from Aquor Water Systems. 

Disclosure: This post contains a paid product integration from Aquor Water Systems. All views and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Adding a New Shutoff Valve

The first step is to shut off the water to the line. There’s no shutoff valve on this one, so I have to shut the water off at the main line. I’ll be adding a new shutoff later on.

Next, open up the valve and drain off any water remaining in the line. From there, use a pipe cutter to cut the supply line in the area you’re working on. The exact location isn’t super important for this. I just want to make sure I cut it back far enough that I have the ability to work.

From there, slide on a new shutoff valve for the water line for the new hose bib. These sharkbite fittings make it super DIY friendly. They just slide right over the existing copper water lines and snap in place. You could shut the valve here and turn the water on for the rest of the house if you want, but I’m leaving it off for the time being. 

Preparing for Installation

Next, let’s take a look at the components that come with the new house hydrant. Full disclosure, Aquor did send me this house hydrant to install and review. After I came across their product online, I reached out to them to test it out. 

The box comes with mounting instructions, an accessory book, a removable faucet, cover plate, and the house hydrant itself. Aquor also supplied me with a chrome cover plate, a separate removable faucet, and a hose. 

First, I’m going to install a mounting block to the side of the house. This is recommended by the manufacturer to ensure we have a 90 degree mounting surface. Before I can install it, I’m adding a small piece of 2×6 inside the block to act as a backer. Then I mock up the mounting location sticker and pre-drill the block with the hole saw.

In this case, I want to move the location up slightly from where the old water spigot was. This gives me more room to install siding around it later on. It will still pass through the rim joists and into the basement on this house. I mock up the new location for the block and use a 1 ½” hole saw on my drill to drill out the hole. Once the hole is drilled, I’m using some roofing nails to hold the mount in place. 

Installing the House Hydrant

Next, I go back inside and mount a small piece of pex piping to the newly installed shutoff valve. Then I feed it so it reaches out the hole. Aquor actually recommends a little extra piping. It’ll allow me to easily remove the hose bib later if I ever need to do any service or maintenance on it. 

From there I’m adding a threaded pex adapter to the end of the house hydrant using some thread tape and pipe thread compound.  I’ll use a pex clamp tool and a clamp to secure the house hydrant to the new pex line. Then, slide it back into the wall and install it with the mounting screws. 

The last thing to do is turn the water back on, check for any leaks, and test it out. What’s cool about this product is that the handle goes right into the wall and threads into place. I should mention that it does take some getting used to to ensure the handle is seated properly before twisting into place. Once you’re done, remove the handle. The excess water drains from the line so you never have to worry about it freezing. The cap also covers it up, so it looks relatively seamless for next time. 

Project Complete!

So that’s it for this modernized version of a water spigot! I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you learned something new. Or, maybe it introduced you to a new product that you maybe weren’t aware of. I want to say a quick thank you to Aquor Water Systems for sending over this house hydrant for me to install. If you’re interested in checking it out and seeing all the options, here to visit their site.

And if you enjoyed this project, then you just might love these as well: 

How to Install a Sprinkler System

5 DIY Plumbing Tools Everyone Should Own

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you next time! 

The team at Cub Cadet sent me their NEW all electric CC30e lawn mower to put to the test

Disclosure: This video and article contains a paid product integration by Cub Cadet. All views and opinions expressed herein are my own.

The Battery System

The yard is just over an acre in size and we were able to tackle the whole thing on a single full charge. This mower is powered by a single brush-less motor and the blade itself is directly powered by the motor so there’s no changing of belts or anything like that. The mower plugs in using the included cable via a standard 110v outlet. It takes about 4 hours to fully charge.

What’s nice is that you can still operate the mower at a partial charge without needing to fully charge the unit before operating it. The remaining charge is indicated next to the mower start button. 

Usability

One of the most noticeable differences between the CC30e and a standard gas mower is the sound. When you get on the unit and start it, it doesn’t make a sound beyond a beep. The mower operates virtually silent without the blade engaged. Even when the blade is engaged, it’s substantially less noisy. So now you can operate early in the morning or later in the evening without bothering your neighbors. 

For ease of use, this mower is about as user friendly as it gets. It’s one of the most straightforward mowers I’ve ever used. You control the throttle via a single pedal on the driver’s right foot, a brake with the left foot, and reverse with a single button. There’s a parking brake switch, and even cruise control for those longer straight runs. It even includes operator presence safety, meaning it shuts off if you get off.

No Assembly Required!

The mower comes fully assembled and ready to go out of the box once it’s been charged fully with the only assembly being whether you’d like to utilize the mulching/bagging feature or the side discharge attachment for the mower deck. 

For cutting height, you have 5 cut heights ranging from 1.5” to 4”. These are easily adjustable with the lever on the driver’s right side and a cutting area of 30”. 

Final Thoughts

Overall I really like this mower. I think it’s pretty obvious that the future of power tools and yard equipment is headed towards all electric. This mower proves that you can have the performance of a gas machine with much less maintenance. This mower doesn’t need any oil changes, filter changes, or spark plug changes. As long as you keep the blades sharp and the battery charged, you’re good to go. 

I think this mower is a great tool for the average homeowner with a small to medium sized lot that is relatively flat. I do think if you had a larger or bumpy lawn, having a suspension system would be helpful. Additionally if you have a yard that’s relatively wide open, you may want a wider deck. My brother’s lawn is pretty large, but it was a more than capable machine to handle it. 

If you have any further questions about this mower, feel free to leave them in the comments down below and I will do my best to answer them. Or you can visit their website at cubcadet.com.

I want to say a quick thank you to Cub Cadet for sending this lawnmower for me to test out. If you’re in the market for something similar I’d highly recommend you check it out before you make your purchase. You can’t beat the no maintenance aspect of an electric mower and it’s really cool to finally see a riding mower that is capable of actually replacing the need for a gas mower. 

If you liked this post, check out these outdoor projects as well!

How to Install Sod

DIY Raised Planter Box (w/ Hidden Wheels)

Thank you so much for watching and I’ll see you next time!

Over a year ago, me and the rest of the guys of SoCal Woodshop put in an order for the Shaper Origin as a club from their pre-order batch, and after waiting for what seemed like forever for it to arrive it finally showed up a few months ago. Needless to say we’ve been very excited to test it out. This tool is a handheld router that acts like a CNC machine with a built in computer that lays out the shape for you to follow. As you work your way around the shape, the tool autocorrects it’s position as it goes making sure you always have the exact cut you’re going for. It’s a seriously impressive tool and so I thought I’d take a crack at actually using it to build a wooden kitchen utensil set.

You’re really only limited by your imagination with this tool but for my first project with it, I decided to test it out with one of the project files available from the Shaper website. I downloaded the file for these kitchen utensils to my creator hub and it automatically synced to the tool via wifi so all I had to do was load it up.

Milling the Work Piece

But first, I needed to prep some material to cut the shapes from. I had a good sized piece of 8/4 cherry that I decided to use so I took it to the bandsaw and resawed it in half. Next I planed it down slightly so both pieces were uniform thickness around 3/4″. Then I laid the 2 pieces together and clamped them to my workbench.

How the Shaper Origin Works

In order to reference the piece and the shape you’re cutting, the machine uses a camera to read this domino looking tape that you lay out on or around the work surface. How much tape and at what spacing depends on the size of the project you’re working on. Since this is a smaller project, I needed to add the tape every few inches so the tool had plenty to reference.

Once laid out, I could move the tool around to scan my work area and place the file image on the work surface to be cut out.

Next it’s time to make sure the right bit was installed in the router. In addition to the design file, the Shaper website also has detailed instructions on every step of cutting out the shapes which you can follow along with.

Cutting Out the Design

Once through the prompts on the machine to get started, I’m ready to cut. It’s literally as easy as following the lines on the screen to cut out the shapes.  

One issue I’ve come across while cutting out the shapes is that once I cut through much of the tape, the machine starts to lose it’s orientation. I added another surrounding piece of the same thickness and some additional tape and rescanned the work area. It didn’t lose where my file was placed so it didn’t end up affecting anything. I’d suggest that you try and place the tape around the workpiece you’re working on rather than on the cut area itself to avoid this with your project. 

I also broke from the instructions a little bit and decided to make my utensils a little thicker than what’s written. Rather than cutting all the way through the cherry to release them, I’m releasing them by resawing them again on the bandsaw.

 Finishing the Wooden Kitchen Utensil Set

All that’s left to do is finish them up! I did a little shaping for the beveled edges on my benchtop sander first. Then I did some additional shaping with the oscillating sander. I also added a round over on the larger implements at the router table before final sanding them by hand.

To finish the utensils, I applied a coat of our SoCal Woodshop Board Wax which really brought out the color and grain of the Cherry. Myself and the rest of SoCal Woodshop make each batch of this wax by hand. It’s 100% food safe so it’s perfect for kitchen projects like this, as well as cutting boards, and butcher blocks. If you’re interested in testing it out for yourself, you can find it here. 

I think my favorite piece is the tiny little spread knife. I don’t know why I like it so much but I haven’t seen anything like it before.

And here are the finished cherry kitchen utensils. I’m really happy with the way these came out. I’ve never made a set like this before and as a first project with the Shaper, I couldn’t be happier. This tool is definitely something that has a ton of possibilities. Any software that can create SVG files can be used to create working files for the tool. The designs can be scaled to virtually any size you can imagine. You’re not limited to how big you can make something.

I hope you guys enjoyed this project and getting a look at what the Shaper Origin is capable of. If you did enjoy this project, here are a few other woodworking projects you might enjoy. 

DIY Cheese Cutting Board

Wooden Banksy Wall Art

Thank you so much for checking out this project and I’ll see you next time!  

This week the team at STIHL challenged me to see how much work I could get done on a single charge with their new STIHL battery powered tools. Their Lightning Battery System lineup of tools was just released so I got a chance to put them to the test! Check out the video above to see the tools in action and for my full review!

To find a Stihl dealer near you click here.

If you liked this content, check out more of my tool reviews:

Making Kitchen Utensils with the Shaper Origin

My Table Saw Accident & How to Avoid Your Own

Well…as much as I’ve always dreaded it and hoped it wouldn’t happen, I am a table saw accident statistic. A few weeks ago I managed to make some careless mistakes while operating my table saw that lead to my hand making contact with the blade. I am extremely lucky and am fortunate that I didn’t lose any fingers; however my fingers did get chewed up pretty badly leading to a bunch of stitches across 3 fingers on my right hand and I’m going to be out of commission for at least a month or more. I had ordered a SawStop Table Saw 3 Days before the accident happened and was waiting for the shipment to arrive. Talk about timing! Anyway, it might sound odd to take table saw safety advice from someone who has had an accident with a table saw, but I can assure you that I have been around this tool for close to 20 years and have always had a fearful respect for the table saw and I never considered myself someone who didn’t operate the saw safely so if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. My goal with this video is to show you exactly what happened in my accident, how & why it happened, how I could’ve avoided it and hopefully give you a few tips on how you can avoid a similar situation. Check out the video to see exactly what happened. 

WARNING: I AM INCLUDING SOME GRAPHIC IMAGES OF MY ACCIDENT BELOW. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO SEE THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT, PLEASE DO NOT CONTINUE READING AND INSTEAD JUST WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE THAT OUTLINES HOW AND WHY THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

Again, I was extremely lucky that the damage was not worse, and many people who have had table saw accidents have lost fingers or done even more significant damage so I feel very fortunate.

MY ACCIDENT

So here’s what happened in my accident. I was ripping a drawer front down to it’s final size to install in my custom vanity build and the piece got behind the blade resulting in the piece getting kicked back at me, striking me in my side and my hand being sent into the blade. I’m not sure if my hand went into the blade as a reaction to being hit with the piece or if the kickback of the piece itself sent my hand into the blade, but I made 3 critical mistakes that led to the accident and here is the result of the accident. 

As you can see I could have easily lost some or all of 3 of my fingers. I had X-Rays done and initially they thought there was no sign of bone damage so I was lucky in

but after I mentioned I couldn’t bend the finger they found I had a small fracture in the knuckle on the ring finger. Initial signs were good as far as tendon damage and I had movement and feeling in my fingers. I also had significant bruising on my side from the impact.

The ER Doctor gave me 13 stitches across the 3 fingers (3 in the ring finger, 8 in the middle, and 2 in the index). Some areas were unable to be stitched because the skin around it was too macerated to stitch so they said that would need to heal subdermally.

They gave me a clam shell splint to wear over the stitched fingers that I wore for a little over a week before the stitches were removed.

So as I keep saying, I was SUPER LUCKY! I feel so fortunate that I didn’t lose the fingers. I don’t know what my life would be like moving forward if that happened and I hate to think about that possibility. I never wanted to make a video like this but now that it’s happened to me, I sincerely hope it never happens to anyone else.

HOW TO AVOID YOUR OWN ACCIDENT

Here are a few tips I suggest to try an avoid an accident.

In addition to these tips, Woodcraft has an extensive list of safety tips which you can check out here.

At the end of the day, it comes down to developing good saw habits and never letting them slip! Always respect the tool and make sure your mind is focused on the task at hand while working with the saw. It’s too dangerous a tool to not give it your complete attention anytime you’re using it. If you can afford a SawStop (I know how hard it is to save for one, trust me!) I’d suggest you purchase one. Hopefully someday in the near future every manufacturer will be forced to include a similar technology but until that time, SawStop is the best option.

I hope this post and video are helpful to you in some way and at least get you thinking about the possibility of trying to improve your saw habits so that this type of accident never happens to you! Thank you guys so much for checking it out and for the outpouring of support across social media. It means a lot to me and I really appreciate it.

Cut safe!