This bundle of Ryobi cordless power tools is perfect for beginner DIYers. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Ryobi cordless tools make do-it-yourself home improvement easier, but oftentimes, new homeowners don’t have the right ones when they need them.
And, buying a new tool for each new project can seriously cut into the savings of doing it yourself.
Here’s where the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit can save the day (or project). It includes most of the power tools needed for repair and improvement projects around the house.
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product from these links, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
This kit includes all the tools you need to start any home improvement project. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
The kit includes a drill/driver with a powerful motor that provides up to 515 in./lbs. of torque.
Need a little extra torque? This kit’s got you covered with an impact driver with up to 1,800 in./lbs. of torque for tougher jobs.
You also get two types of saws: A 5.5-inch circular saw is handy for making finished cuts and a reciprocating saw for rougher cuts.
In just one charge, the circular saw can make over 215 cuts, and the reciprocating saw can make over 145 cuts. Plus, the easy-release blade lever on the reciprocating saw makes for quick blade changes.
No combo tool kit is complete without one of the handiest tools you can have in your workshop: a multi-tool. This fast-cutting tool with 20,000 max OPM is perfect for cutting and sanding in tight spots.
Rounding out this six-piece tool kit is an LED flashlight with over 280 lumens of light output.
All of these tools come with an 18V 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery, 18V 1.5 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery and 18V Charger.
You don’t need to run up and down the aisles to find the extra parts you need to start using these Ryobi cordless tools. The RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit includes the accessories you need to get you started:
18T carbide blade
Hex wrench
Reciprocating saw blade
Hex key
Flush cut blade
Plunge cut blade
6-inch wood blade
Sanding pad
5 pieces of sandpaper
Tool bag
Plus, all the tools included operate on the same battery system, and there are dozens more that are compatible. Any Ryobi 18V ONE+ product works with the batteries included.
Watch the video to learn all about this Best New Product!
Fallen trees can cause thousands of dollars in damage during natural disasters.
It’s storm season, and as soon as a tornado or hurricane strikes, clean-up begins.
Often, storm clean-up requires participation from volunteers who supplement the work of experts in removing miles of debris. Many are weekend warriors who have never tackled such an immense task – and may never have used a chainsaw in such rigorous circumstances.
Those brave volunteers need some guidance on how to prepare for, use and maintain a chainsaw during intense storm clean-up efforts.
A good chainsaw is the best tool to clean big debris such as limbs and fallen trees.
Jared Abrojena, an Antioch, California-based certified treeworker and certified arborist, addresses the topic in layman’s terms. The 2015 ISA Tree Climbing World Champion, Abrojena is an expert on how to trim and fell trees. He often shares insights from his own experience working with a team of arborists to clean hundreds of fallen trees on the grounds of the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, just weeks before the 2013 Masters.
Abrojena’s nine necessary tips – if followed – ensures that the work of brave storm clean-up volunteers is safe and effective. They are:
A worker demonstrates proper safety when using a chainsaw. (DepositPhotos)
Safety first. Take some time to train before getting started. Be sure to read through the owner’s manual for the chainsaw you’ll be using.
Be prepared. This is a catch-all of tips regarding regular chainsaw maintenance and the possession of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Map it out. Assess the full scope of damage, and creating a plan for how to tackle it. The plan should include coordinating with other volunteers, divvying up the work and prioritizing
Know your limitations. Don’t volunteer for a job you’re unprepared for. There will be plenty of work to go around, so only tackle tasks that you are comfortable handling.
Buddy up. No one should trim trees by themselves, given the risk of error or injury. Pair up with another volunteer, but stay a safe distance apart when operating saws.
A good start. A chainsaw is best started on the ground, with the chain brake engaged. Don’t “cut” corners during intense, fast-paced clean-up efforts.
The right cut. To achieve the right cut, use careful pruning practices to relieve tension from a branch or tree limb.
Take it easy. You aren’t Superman, and most mistakes occur when you’re tired. Take frequent rests and stay hydrated.
Pamper your equipment. Ongoing maintenance during storm clean-up is critical, since you’ll be pushing your chainsaw hard. Pause often to clean filters and tighten chains.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
No matter how beautiful your kitchen may be, a cumbersome dish rack sitting atop the counter can be a bit of an eyesore. Not only is this one super functional (more to come on that), but it looks beautiful to boot. It has a smooth, modern finish and is available in two subtle shades, airy white or sleek black. We also appreciate the box-like shape, with high walls that hide your drying dishes and minimize visual clutter.
We love that this dish rack is versatile and can conform to a number of kitchen spaces. You can use it as an over-the-sink drying rack, nestle it behind the faucet, or keep it on the counter beside the sink. Wherever it’s stored, its slim design won’t take up too much precious space and the draining faucet rotates a full 360-degrees to accommodate your placement of choice. It also features a sloped design towards the drain to avoid dish water pooling and getting trapped in the bed of the rack. The utensil holder is even removable and adjustable, so it can be stored inside of the rack or hung along any of the outside edges to make more room for dishes.
Whether you’re looking for an instant upgrade or have just been putting off buying a dish rack for far too long, look no further than Yamakzi Home for the sleek and stylish solution. Who knows — dish duty just might become your new favorite chore!
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Painting a room is a surefire way to transform a space, but it’s not always the easiest task to take on. From tight corners to small spaces, giving a room a fresh coat can be a challenge — but now’s the best time to get started. It’s spring cleaning season, and since the warmer weather makes it easy to air out a room post-paint with a couple of open windows, you’re not alone if you’re considering taking on a painting project. And if so, you’re likely also on the hunt for perfect painting tools, since having the right supplies is the secret to success. To help you get started, we’ve created a shopping guide with all the essentials you need to make even the trickiest paint jobs a breeze. Here are 10 of the top essential tools for painting a room — choosing the paint color is up to you.
When it comes to home repairs, there’s a lot that’s the same today as it was 100 (or more) years ago. Hammers still look — and work — basically as they did when they were first invented. Handheld saws might be more comfortable and more efficient these days, but their mechanics are unchanged. And paintbrushes? Well, they might be made with different materials now, but the vintage ones are just as recognizable as their modern-day counterparts.
The same can be said of home repair advice. While there might be a few big changes — ahem, electricity and modern plumbing — there are also plenty of instances in which the old instructions hold up to present-day scrutiny. That’s why when I found a 97-year-old home repair manual (“The Practical Book of Home Repairs,” by Chelsea Fraser) available for free online, I knew I had to check it out. Inside, there are plenty of explainers, tutorials, and illustrations by the author that remain equally useful today as they were when this handbook was published in 1925.
Of course, among all the gems there were a few grimace-worthy pieces of advice, too. Here, read some of my favorite takeaways — and some tips that didn’t stand the test of time.
Helpful: A Graphic Explaining Quarter-Sawn Wood
If you’ve bought wood furniture recently, especially in antique shops or other vintage stores, you might have noticed the phrase “quarter-sawn wood.” I will admit here that while I knew that meant the piece was prettier, I didn’t actually know what quarter-sawn meant. Behold: a super handy graphic that shows how logs are cut for standard wood boards versus quarter-sawn wood. Essentially, it’s all in the name. While regular boards are cut straight through the whole of the log, quarter-sawn boards are cut by first sawing the log into, well, quarters. From there, pieces are cut that show off the natural grain of the wood.
Horrifying: The Instructions for Cleaning Paint Brushes
Fraser’s advice for cleaning up old paint brushes: To clean a paint brush, place it on an old newspaper or in a shallow dish. Pour on turpentine or kerosene and then gently pummel the bristles up and down or squeeze them with a blunt stick. Wipe off the brush with waste or a rag, then give it another soaking in the cleaning liquid, repeating the wiping and drying.
Listen, kerosene is a solvent that is technically useful for cleaning up oil paints (as were used back then) — but the idea of just throwing around a flammable fuel willy nilly is a little terrifying. Thankfully, paints today are most commonly water-based and can be cleaned up with soap and water.
Helpful: Guidance on How to Use a Hammer
Using a hammer is relatively straightforward, but this is a great illustration for anyone who hasn’t picked one up before. Rather than holding it closer to the head — as Fraser says beginners tend to do — you should grip the end of the handle. Striking straight on will put all of the force into the nail, making the job quicker and easier, and will also prevent marks on your wood or wall from the hammer.
Horrifying: Advice on Gas Leaks
Oh, how times have changed. Fraser advises his readers that if they smell gas, they should open windows and extinguish any flames. Smart! But then he goes on to tell them to look for leaks themselves after dark using an electric lamp. Not so smart!
Today, if you smell a gas leak, the best thing to do is evacuate immediately and call your gas provider’s emergency line. In other words: Let the pros handle it.
Helpful: A Tip for Screws
Fraser notes that a too-small or too-big screwdriver won’t do the job right, since both will slip out of the screw while you’re trying to drive it in. That goes for both flat-head screwdrivers and Philips head screwdrivers, which were actually invented after this book was published.
Another great tip? Tap your screw before you start to drive it, so it can stay in the right spot while you screw.
Horrifying: Fraser’s Ladder Advice
Fraser suggests that if you can’t reach high spots on your home’s siding, you might have luck placing the ladder on the roof of your home’s porch or a nearby shed. Modern safety experts would definitely disagree. As the American Ladder Institute notes, a ladder’s feet should always be on firm, level ground.
Helpful: Instructions for Fixing Dented Wood
For shallow dents in furniture, Fraser says to use an iron and a damp rag, which will help the indented wood rise back to the surface. This is great advice that still holds true today — and can even be used for wood floor dents, too.
Horrifying: Past Ingredients for Paint
The ideal paint, according to Fraser, should contain pure white lead or red lead. Eek! Lead from paint, we now know, can damage the brain and nervous system if ingested (especially by children). Today, paint is manufactured without lead; if you have a vintage home, you can buy lead-testing kits to determine if your existing paint job needs to be covered.
Hilarious: The Name for Plungers
Fraser calls this tool a “plumber’s friend” with nary a mention of the word “plunger” in sight. This is one thing from the 1920s I say we bring back!
Megan is a writer and editor who specializes in home upgrades, DIY projects, hacks, and design. Before Apartment Therapy, she was an editor at HGTV Magazine and This Old House Magazine. Megan has a degree in Magazine Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She is a self-taught weighted blanket connoisseur.
