Tools & DIY

The second battery is the detail that makes this a more useful starter kit: keep one charging while the other is in the drill. The two-speed gearbox and variable trigger let you adjust your approach for drilling or fastening, while the ratcheting chuck simplifies bit changes. With batteries, charger and bag already in the kit, it avoids the extra purchases that can make a bare tool less convenient.

One set covers several cuts without switching between separate purchases. IRWIN built these for repeated jobsite use, so the strike caps and grips make sense for practical repair and fitting tasks.

For a wood stove or campfire, the X11 gives you a dedicated splitting tool without the length of a full-size axe. Its compact format is easier to store and carry to the woodpile. It is designed for smaller pieces; choose a longer splitting axe for large rounds, and use it with a stable chopping block and clear swing area.

Insulation can make a screwdriver too bulky for a deep terminal or tight recess. Wiha uses a slimmer blade design to improve access while retaining its insulated tool format. The real value depends on whether the included tip sizes match your work; use appropriate electrical safety procedures.

The frustrating part of a repair can be stopping to hunt for a different size. This 3/8-inch drive set keeps both metric and imperial deep sockets together, with laser-etched markings to help you pick the right one. Heat-treated CR-440 steel, a black oxide finish and DirectTorque geometry round out the set's practical design.