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I used to be basic tool girl. Give me a saw, drill and sander and I’m good to go.
But recently I had the opportunity to try a few new tools and I have definitely changed my basic tool mindset. Today I’m sharing 4 speciality tools worth considering and if you’re thinking like I did – that you only need the basics – I’m about to change your mind.
These four tools: Ryobi belt sander, Dremel multi-max, Husky socket wrench and Ryobi hammer drill quickly found themselves useful in my everyday projects. Let me show you a bit about each tool and where I used them recently.
First the Ryobi cordless, brushless belt sander where have you been all my life!!! Fast, powerful and extremely effective – the results speak for themself.
This outdoor coffee table was built from older pressure treated boards used in a previous project. In hopes of giving this table a fresh finish I wanted to sand off the layer of weathered muck, dirt and wear before applying stain.
Grab on to the adjustable pommel handle with your dominant hand and get ready because this sander will almost walk itself down your boards. The brushless motor provides 50% longer runtime along with tons of torque to get the job done fast. You can see the belt sander completely removed the top layer with ease.
My favorite feature of the Ryobi belt sander is the lock-on switch which allows you to focus on the job of sanding without having to depress the power button the whole time.
Next up is the Dremel Multi-Max MM45 multi tool. I will say that most households could probably benefit from a multi-tool and this Dremel version is a winner.
The package comes complete with a storage case and various accessories to tackle most basic projects. You’re good to go with a sanding head with sandpaper sheets and various style blades for all kinds of cutting applications.
I quickly inserted the wood cutting blade and was able to trim a filler shim on a cabinet makeover I was working on.
Check out that flush cut above! The one-handed operation is a breeze along with the on/off switch right up near your thumb. This little tool has a very powerful 4.0 amp motor and you can feel the power in your hand.
Dremel also has additional blades to fit your project needs:
These blades are capable of cutting all types of materials – wood, metal, plastic, nails, screws, stainless steel bolts, galvanized pipe, plaster and lathe, cement board, fiber board, sheet metal, slate and ceramic tile. And you notice the various holes near the base? The blades are universal and made to fit all multi-tools but of course I recommend the Dremel Multi-Max 😉
My favorite feature of the Dremel Multi-Max besides the one handed power is the quick lock blade change mechanism.
You simply swing open the quick lock, insert the blade below which does have a magnetic feature to keep the blade in place while you close the quick lock from the front. Bam. Done. No wrenches, no twisting around and around. So simple and easy and now you can get on with your project.
Third is a tool I never knew I needed until now. The Husky gimbal and universal socket set is something special, it’s not your regular socket wrench and I’ll show you why.
This little palm ratchet provides multi-directional rotation for easy access in hard to reach areas. I used the Husky gimbal ratchet to assemble some new outdoor furniture and it was a breeze. So compact yet the swivel head allows you to ratchet from any angle.
The set comes with all the standard socket heads and driver heads you might need plus it’s own carrying case keeps everything neat and tidy. I will say this is definitely the smallest socket wrench I’ve ever used and really great for super tight spaces.
The last speciality tool you definitely want to consider is the Ryobi brushless hammer drill. Most homes have concrete walls somewhere – usually in the basement or garage – and drilling into concrete can be tricky because it tends to just crumble. Enter the hammer drill. Think of it as a mini jack hammer doing to job of a regular drill.
I have concrete walls in my garage laundry area and we’ve been living here for 4 years not taking advantage of the vertical wall space because I couldn’t drill into the concrete.
Enter the Ryobi hammer drill to solve my problem. I simply drilled two holes into the concrete and inserted hooks. Amazing how one little tool can help to transform the space!
I hope you enjoyed reading about my experiences using these speciality tools. Please leave any questions in the comments and I’ll do my best to provide answers.
Wishing you all the best with your DIY projects.
* I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in this Tool Review Program. 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 WOMMA Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
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