Using the wrong tool is a good way to make a bad situation worse, whereas having the right tool makes basic home maintenance and DIY projects a surprisingly empowering experience.
JACK OF ALL TRADES
Bosch IXO Lithium-ion Cordless Screwdriver R449, www.bosch-do-it.co.za/diy/
Driving in screws gets complicated when you’re working at awkward angles on tough materials, but the lightweight, cordless IXO rises to the occasion. And that’s just the start. Some of the optional attachments are a blower (useful for starting charcoal braais fast!), a spice grinder and a cutting tool that flies through carpet, plastics, cardboard, leather and more. It’s easy to operate and manoeuvre with one hand and the LED bulb in the nose conveniently lights up the work area.
TECH SPECS:
- Cordless
- 300g
- 10 drill bits
- USB charging
- LED light
SLICE IT NICE
Black & Decker Scorpion Powered Handsaw KS890ECN R849, www.blackanddecker.co.za
Without a proper workbench, sawing can be especially hazardous. This small, manageable motorised saw will rip through planks, plastic pipes, metal bars and more – you simply swap your blade. Special sensors set the right speed for any material. Use it like a jigsaw to cut a pet door, then take it outside to prune back branches that are too thick for your clippers. There is some room for improvement: it needs to be cordless.
TECH SPECS:
- 400 watts
- Variable speed
- Max 5 500 strokes/minute
PRECISION POWER
Dremel Micro Multi-tool R1 699, www.dremeleurope.com/za/en
Slightly bigger than a TV remote control, Dremel multitools are the gold standard for small jobs and detailed work. For sanding fine metal or woodwork, for cutting through small bolts, bars and ceramics and for sawing slots and holes in hard-to-reach places, there’s no end to its uses. The latest model has better speed controls and LED lights up front to illuminate your work, and it comes with 35 accessories.
TECH SPECS:
- Cordless
- 7,2V motor
- LED lights
- Maximum 28 000 rpm
STICK WITH IT
Bosch GluePen R449, www.bosch-do-it.co.za/diy/
Forget messing around with tubes of glue: for a quick fix, nothing beats a hot-glue gun. This one is battery-powered, so there is no cable trailing behind and getting in the way. Hold it like a marker pen for fine control, then point, press and shoot. The controlled flow of hot liquid is available for building models, crafting, doing school projects or fixing cables to skirting boards.
TECH SPECS:
- Cordless
- 142g
- Auto-off function
- USB charging
STRAIGHT SHOOTER
Bosch Quigo II Cross-line Laser R1 099, www.bosch-do-it.co.za/diy/
If you’ve ever tried hanging groups of pictures, or drilling holes for curtain rails, or marking a straight line for painting, you’ll know that it’s much harder than it appears. This cube will draw pin-sharp vertical and horizontal lines on the wall using a red laser beam. It’s auto-levelling, but you can tilt the cube to get diagonal lines and the clever holding bracket clamps to just about anything.
TECH SPECS:
- 6,5cm cube
- 7m range
- 220g
- Holding bracket
BORING IS FUN!
Bosch Uneo Maxx Cordless Rotary Hammer R1 199, www.bosch-do-it.co.za/diy/
Using clever technologies and a two-stage gearbox, this tool achieves something previously thought impossible: it delivers the raw drilling power required to hammer into concrete and masonry balanced with the finesse and control required for driving screws, and all that on battery power. It’s compact and light enough to be manageable without rippling forearms, and its special Syneon Chip optimises battery use for every kind of job.
TECH SPECS:
- Cordless
- 18V
- Maximum 900 rpm
- Rotary-hammer action
- 1,4kg
Related: 15 essential items to keep in your car
BUYING GUIDE
BANK ON BATTERIES
Battery-operated tools used to be considered underpowered by DIY enthusiasts, but that’s no longer the case. For power tools, higher voltage is better. For low-impact work, 10 to 12V is fine, but 18 to 20V is best for heavy-duty jobs.
STAY CONSISTENT
All manufacturers use different-shaped batteries, so they’re not interchangeable between brands. It’s not critical, but DIY amateurs might want to stick with one brand and one battery system.
BE BRAND SAVVY
There are about half a dozen good tool brands represented in South Africa. Some Internet research will help you to steer clear of the weaker brands.
CHOOSE WISELY
Lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries are the current top tech, able to deliver steady power and also keep going for longer. Avoid older nickelcadmium (nicad) batteries on serious tools.
BUY A BENCH
If you don’t have a dedicated workbench for clamping, hammering and sawing, it makes every job a little harder (and more dangerous) than it needs to be. Invest in a simple, sturdy fold-up model that you can pack away when you’re done.
PHOTO: iStock/DGLimages
