How to Be Handier

A bunch of tools floating inside a bubble in front of a blue background.

Listen and follow The Wirecutter Show:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio | Other platforms

If you’ve ever put off a home repair because you didn’t know where to start—or felt overwhelmed by the wall of tools at the hardware store—this episode is for you.

In this Wirecutter Show bonus episode, we chat with senior staff writer and tool expert Doug Mahoney, who’s spent years testing everything from screwdrivers to power drills. Doug breaks down exactly which tools you need to build your first toolbox, what’s worth spending extra on, and how to know when you’re ready to move from hand tools to power tools.

He also shares his favorite safety tips, the one tool every homeowner should have, and a few of his go-to picks for getting started.

This episode covers:

  • Why learning to use tools matters: Becoming handier saves money, gives you more control over your space, and makes your home feel like something you can shape—not just live in.
  • Where to start if you have zero tools: Doug says the “trifecta” for beginners is simple: a screwdriver, a hammer, and a tape measure. Add a utility knife and pliers as you go, and you’ll be able to handle most small jobs in your home.
  • Why pre-made toolkits aren’t worth it: Most ready-made toolsets are overpriced and filled with poor-quality gear. You’re better off buying a few solid, individual tools that last a lifetime.
  • What to look for in quality tools: The cheapest hammer or screwdriver might technically work—but good tools are easier to use, feel better in your hand, and perform better under stress.
  • When to level up to power tools: Once you’re ready to take on real repairs, a cordless drill should be your first power tool.

Products we recommend:

In addition to its indestructible steel design, this hammer is perfectly balanced, offers a great grip, and has a stellar reputation. Countless carpenters have proved that it will last a lifetime.

This manual screwdriver combines smooth ratcheting action with excellent bit storage and a uniquely comfortable handle to be the most well-rounded, capable tool of its kind.

The PowerLock is easy to use, durable, affordable, accurate, and capable of doing its job without additional features that aren’t necessary for around-the-house work.

These 10-inch pliers have a lifetime warranty, an easy push-button locking system, and comfortable handles. We’ve used the same pair problem-free for over a decade.

The 48-22-1502 Fastback can be quickly opened and closed with one hand, and it provides a secure grip and a spot to store five extra blades.

The DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme is the most comfortable drill we’ve ever held. It’s loaded with convenience features and packs enough strength and stamina to easily handle common jobs around the home.

$148 from Amazon

May be out of stock

$169 from Lowe's

Our panel of testers found these safety glasses to be the lightest and most comfortable to wear. And at about $2 a pop, they’re easily replaceable if lost or damaged in the line of duty.

Relatively comfortable, this mask filters out 95% of airborne particulates.

This light and slim multi-tool focuses on well-executed essentials—such as precise, comfortable pliers—and it has no fillers. It’s easy to carry daily and built to last.



from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/wyzFpK3
via IFTTT

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 30 Most Popular Prime Day Deals, According to Wirecutter Readers

Image
Amazon’s summer Prime Day — which is now a four-day event rather than the usual two days — is well underway, and we’ve been working hard to surface the best deals for our readers. We’ve sorted through thousands of on-sale items to pinpoint truly excellent discounts on the things our experts have found are worth your time and money. Among the 500-plus deals we’ve posted so far —less than 1% of every discount we’ve reviewed — some have grabbed the attention of our readers more than others. Here are the 30 Prime Day deals that our readers have loved the most, including soft sateen sheets, a luxe leather tote, an investment-worthy blender, and more. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/tDSahdQ via IFTTT
Read more

The Nugget Is the ‘Original Play Couch.’ Costco’s Version May Be Better.

Image
If you’re a parent of a child under 10, you’ve probably heard of The Nugget, the beloved play sofa that launched a thousand (well, at least 20) competitors. I’ve only recently discovered the category; but now that my eyes are open, play-cushion sets seem to be everywhere — even at Costco. I’m inherently skeptical of any product that claims to solve a need that I’m unaware of having. But, last summer, a junk collector hauled away our sofa, whose base had finally broken clean in half from eight years of my son’s intense, anime-inspired dance-jumping. It turns out we could’ve used a play sofa — and saved our couch  (as well as our cushions). The Nugget , the first play couch to widely popularize the concept, experienced viral popularity during pandemic lockdowns in 2020. It is also a Wirecutter favorite . Its modular design is simple: There are two long, hinged cushions and two triangular bolsters, all with removable, washable covers. And while The Nugget is arguably the most popu...
Read more

We Bought a 450-Pound Mystery Pallet Packed With Returned Goods From Amazon and Beyond. Here’s What We Found Inside.

Image
When I convinced my bosses at Wirecutter to spend over $700 on a 450-pound, 6-foot-tall cardboard box filled with hundreds of mystery products that had been returned to Amazon and other retailers, I assumed that what we’d find inside would be a revealing snapshot of what shopping looks like today. Anyone can buy these pallets stuffed with discarded products. For months, I’d watched content creators on social media giggle in excitement as they’d pull packages one by one from their own surprise boxes and rip them open, ceremoniously revealing a bevy of weird and wonderful items. A sparkly diamond ring! A cozy custom blanket emblazoned with the faces of a young couple! Some sexy (unworn) lingerie! I was certain that my own box would be a mix of great stuff, mediocre stuff, and some downright lousy stuff. My Wirecutter colleagues and I would use the items we found to meditate on product quality, manufacturing, and the retail life cycle. And we’d likely discover something interesting an...
Read more