Tag Archives: DIY tools
Milwaukee 2626-20 Oscillating Multi-Tool: Our Shop?
In our shop, the Milwaukee 2626-20 M18 oscillating multi-tool quickly proved it’s more than a “nice-to-have” gadget. With up to 18,000 OPM, it hums through a surprising range of tasks—flush cuts in trim, quick notches in plywood, and those awkward, corner-hugging jobs that usually demand three different tools. We appreciated that Milwaukee includes woodcutting blades and a sanding pad with sheets, letting us jump straight into real work without a separate accessory run. The cordless layout keeps our bench area uncluttered, and the tool feels ready for jobsite abuse. Since it’s sold as a power-tool-only kit, we treated it as a smart add-on for anyone already running M18 batteries.
Milwaukee 12V Cordless Rotary Tool Review: Our Shop?
In our shop, the Milwaukee Cordless Rotary Tool, 12.0V quickly proved it isn’t trying to be a full-size die grinder—it’s aiming to be the grab-and-go problem solver that lives within arm’s reach. We used it for quick deburring, light sanding, trimming plastic, and touching up tight corners where a larger tool feels clumsy. The cordless freedom kept our workflow moving, and the compact feel made detail work less fatiguing during short bursts. Power delivery feels suited to precision rather than brute force, which is exactly what we want from a rotary tool at this size. In this review, we’ll break down what impressed us, what slowed us down, and where it earns a permanent spot on our bench.
Edward Tools Drill Mixer Review: Right for Our Shop?
In our shop, mixing paint and joint compound is one of those small chores that can quietly steal time—unless the tool is right. The Edward Tools Paint and Mud Mixer for Drill aims to be that fix, with a 15 3/4" zinc-plated steel shaft and a 5/16" non-slip hex head designed to stay put in the chuck. It’s rated to mix 1 to 3 gallons, which fits the everyday buckets we actually use, and the reinforced weld suggests it’s built for repeated, gritty jobs. What caught our attention most is the promise of easy cleanup—because dried mud on a mixer is a slow-motion nightmare. In this review, we’ll see whether it blends smoothly, resists wobble, and earns its place on our wall.
Bosch PS31 12V Drill/Driver Review: Our Shop Fit?
We didn’t expect a 12V drill to earn much bench time, but the BOSCH PS31-2A 12V Max 3/8-Inch Drill/Driver Kit kept sneaking into our hands. Its compact body slips into cabinet corners and tight stud bays where bulkier tools usually stall the job. The variable-speed trigger feels predictable, letting us feather in small screws without stripping heads, then ramp up for light drilling when needed. With two 2 Ah batteries in the kit, downtime stayed low—one pack working while the other sat on the charger. It’s not trying to be a brute, and we didn’t ask it to. For everyday assembly, punch-list fixes, and quick shop tasks, it may be exactly our pace.
Wire Twister Tool Review: Right for Our Home Shop?
We didn’t expect two small drill attachments to change how we handle wiring projects, but this Wire Stripping and Twisting Tool set made a strong first impression in our home shop. The “quick stripping” feature feels like it’s designed for real-life use: we slid in the cable, let the drill do the work, and watched the insulation peel back with less fuss than our usual manual stripper routine. The wire nut twister is the real time-saver, especially when we’re connecting multiple leads in a junction box and want consistent twists without sore wrists. It’s not magic—setup and steady drill control matter—but it’s a compact, portable upgrade that earns a spot in our toolbox.
BYYDDIY Probe Tool Review: Right Fit for Our Shop?
In our ongoing search for small tools that do big work, the BYYDDIY Stainless Steel Dual Head Facial Reflexology Tools (P-L) caught our eye. It arrives with a simple felt bag, but the real story is in the metal: two distinct ends designed for precision pressing, tracing, and targeted release. In our hands, it feels more like a studio instrument than a casual accessory—cool, weighted, and easy to sanitize between sessions. We can see it fitting into facial mapping routines, alongside cupping, or as a quick trigger-point helper for neck and shoulder tension. Still, we’re asking the practical question: does this probe earn its counter space, or will it become another “nice-to-have” in our kit?
Universal Socket Adapter Review: Right for Our Shop?
In our shop, “one more socket set” usually earns an eye-roll—until a tool actually earns its drawer space. The Universal Socket, Self-adjusting Socket claims to replace a handful of sizes by gripping everything from standard 1/4''–3/4'' and metric 7mm–19mm, and it comes with an adapter for a wrench, ratchet, or power drill. On paper, that’s a tidy answer to mismatched fasteners, odd bolts, and those half-stripped nuts that love to hide in tight corners. In practice, we found it most promising for quick fixes and mixed hardware bins, not precision torque work. Still, as a compact “grab-and-go” option—or a gift for the DIYers in our lives—it’s hard not to be curious.
Bielmeier Cordless Staple Gun Review: Shop Fit?
In our hunt for a lightweight stapler that doesn’t tether us to an outlet, the Bielmeier Pink Cordless Staple Gun caught our eye—partly for the playful color, mostly for the promise of real utility. This 2-in-1 battery-powered staple gun doubles as a brad nailer, and the included 2,650 staples and nails makes it feel ready for work right out of the box. We tested it on quick upholstery touch-ups, thin wood trim, and small DIY repairs, where the 4V setup favored convenience over brute force. The compact body fit comfortably in our hands, and the cordless design made tight corners less of a wrestling match. The big question: does it earn a permanent spot in our shop?
Hammerhead HAHD075 Hammer Drill Review: Right for Us?
We didn’t pick up the Hammerhead 7.5-Amp 1/2 Inch Variable Speed Hammer Drill (HAHD075) expecting miracles—we wanted a solid, do-it-all workhorse for weekend projects and the occasional stubborn wall. From the first trigger pull, the variable speed control felt predictable, letting us ease into pilot holes and then push harder when the material demanded it. The 1/2-inch chuck gave our bits a confident grip, and the included 6-piece bit set was a practical bonus for getting started right away. In hammer mode, it carried enough punch to make masonry feel less daunting, though it still asked for steady hands and patience. The real question: does it fit how we build?
BLACK+DECKER 20V Drill/Driver Kit Review: Our Shop?
We’ve tested plenty of starter tool sets, but the beyond by BLACK+DECKER Home Tool Kit with 20V MAX Drill/Driver, 83-Piece (BDPK70284C1AEV) feels like it was built for real-life fixes, not just a pretty box. The drill/driver is the headline: light in the hand, quick to grab, and capable enough for everything from tightening cabinet hinges to sinking screws into stud-grade lumber. What surprised us most was the “everything’s here” factor—bits, fasteners, and hand tools that make small projects feel doable without a second trip to the hardware store. It’s not a pro contractor loadout, but for our shelves, switches, and weekend builds, it earns its spot.
