I’ve struggled every which way to store and deploy very long extension cords in our garage. A year ago, I splurged on the ideal solution which I had seen in hi-tech company workshops: a retractable cord stationed on the ceiling or wall. Like the retractable cord in a vacuum cleaner, you pull it out to the length you need and then when done, a quick yank will instantly wind itself back up. I got an 80-foot one to reach into the yard, as well as the garage or workshop, and it's so easy now that I don’t hesitate to roll out the cord. Innumerable generic brands make various lengths and gauge of wire. A 45-foot 12-gauge Suraielect Retractable is $90, and totally worth it to me. — KK

If I had to re-assemble my workshop from scratch, one of the first tools I would buy would be a cordless angle grinder. I would not have guessed that a decade ago, but I use mine all the time now.  I’ve found that an angle grinder is the perfect tool for cutting through thick or thin metal. I can cut rebar, metal sheeting, chicken wire, hardware mesh, rusty nails, old hinges, stripped screw heads, welded parts, etc. It is the cheapest way cut metal. The cordless part (a little more expensive) makes it so easy to grab and go. Because they grind with grit instead of cutting with teeth, they aren’t as scary as a saw, too. You can find them for all battery types; mine is a Dewalt DCG 412. — KK

The universal lubricant WD-40 usually comes in a hefty spray can. Even with a fine straw attached to its head, it still tends to overspray messily. For a more precise application of WD-40, use this compact On-the-Go Pen, which applies the lubricant with a focused felt tip, and is the right tiny size for a tool bag, car, boat, kitchen drawer, or bike. — KK

The best book about tools – the tools you can buy today – is this new illustrated tome by Theo Gray, called Tools: A visual exploration. It is comprehensive (covers hundreds of examples from hand tools to elaborate power tools), detailed, very graphic (clear photos for each thing), and witty. Most importantly, this overview of all tools is based on Gray’s 40 years of using all these tools to make an astonishing range of things. As a maker, I found his expertise and recommendations essential. I also read the book as a catalog of possibilities; each tool unfamiliar to me opened up possible new directions of making. Gray also made a free website with pictures of the tools without any text. — KK

I’m enjoying Stewart Brand’s newest book which is about Maintenance: of Everything. However, the book is not done yet. Stewart is posting drafts of chapters as he writes them in a way that solicits feedback from readers. So not only can you read the book early, you can influence the book, as many readers have already. Everything, from your car to your local town, needs to be maintained, but is often neglected, so this book has something useful and pertinent for everyone in making maintenance more exciting. — KK

How To Home is a YouTube channel with excellent videos that demonstrate how to complete common household repairs, such as wiring switches, fixing faucet leaks, and threading wire through walls and ceilings. Unlike many DIY videos, these feature high-quality audio, are well-lit, and aren’t blurry. — MF

When I’m installing picture hangers, toilet roll holders, curtain rails and the like onto walls, I often end up with loose wall anchors in the drywall. To address this, I use Wetnfix — plaster-coated gauze discs. Simply dip one in water, wrap it around the loose anchor, and insert it back into the hole. Within three minutes, the anchor is secured and ready for a screw. There's a helpful video available that demonstrates this process. — MF

I used to blame my measurement errors on the difficult-to-read graduations on tape measures. However, now that I have this Quickread tape measure, I can no longer use that excuse. The graduations are printed in both fractions and decimal equivalents. Also, the markings are oriented vertically rather than horizontally, making them easier to read. — MF

The iFixit Jimmy is a blunt, flexible steel blade attached to a handle. Because the blade is so thin, it's far more effective than a screwdriver for prying items apart. I use it to open battery access covers on electronic devices, or to carefully pry open laptops and phones for upgrading or replacing components. — MF

There’s this guy  – Todd at Project Farm – who maniacally tests tools on his YouTube channel. He invents systematic ways to test multiple versions of popular tools, which he buys himself. His evaluations are measured rather than qualitative. At the end of the long tests he displays a table of each tool’s performance and in a sentence or two gives his comparative verdict. This year, Todd rounded up his top 10 tests for the past year (2022), and put them into one super video. It’s a handy tool evaluator, and a good way to see if you’d find his other reviews useful. — KK

I’ve watched a lot of videos about people making their log cabin in the woods, but this one (I Spent 3 Years Alone Building a Log Cabin) by a Swedish kid is on a whole nother level. First the guy, Erik Grankvist, is 18 years old. Second the level of craftsmanship is unbelievable. He contours each log and splits humungous boulders by hand! Third he worked on it entirely alone, moving massive logs himself. Fourth he filmed himself, which is a huge chore. There is no narration for 1.5 hours, just mesmerizing old world craft at work.  I watched the whole thing. Two weeks after posting it got 9 million views. — KK

The Prepared is a free weekly newsletter about manufacturing, materials, engineering, infrastructure, factories, and the built world. It’s put out by hardware nerds. They also have a great cool tool review section on their website. The newsletter is insider talk about professionals making stuff for real. I look forward to it every week. —KK

Clear caulking and clear hot glue are the norms. But caulking and glue also come in colors, like black. For instance black caulking and black hot glue are perfect for projects involving light seals, or when working with dark materials. Curiously, a black patch or seam will often disappear more than a clear one. — KK

Van Neistat is a veteran maker, handyman, fixer-up, repair guru, and do it yourselfer. He made a short video, Your First Five Tools, with his recommendations for the basic minimal tools you need to make and fix stuff. Wise picks and great presentation. — KK

One of our Cool Tools podcast guests, Jeff Waldman, author of Tools: The Ultimate Guide, turned me onto the best construction screw there is. It’s the GKR R4, used to bolt together wood framing, decking, or cabinets. As he describes in our Cool Tools Show-and-Tell video, the engineering in this tiny piece of metal is amazing. It is designed to be super easy to attach large pieces of wood together very securely very fast. In my experience the GKR R4 screws are stronger and faster than comparable screws. — KK

The plastic strap on my Oculus Quest headset snapped, and I used Repair Wrap to fix it. It’s a roll of tape that comes sealed in a foil pouch. When you are ready to use it, open the pouch and dip the tape in water. Then wrap it aound the thing you want to repair. It cures in 10 minutes to form a rock-hard bond. — MF

This little Picquic screwdriver has 7 bits stored in the handle. I use it to fix eyeglasses, open battery cases, and repair other small items around the house. — MF

When hanging a picture, what is the best wall anchor to use? A cabinet? A shelf? It depends on several factors, including the weight of the item you are installing and the type of wall you have. Fine Woodworking’s article on choosing the right wall anchors is about as fascinating as an article about wall anchors can be. It’s worth bookmarking for future reference. — MF

I used a cheap soldering iron for years, but recently upgraded to Toauto Soldering Station. The temperature control and fast heat-up make a world of difference. It’s also nice having a solid base to hold the iron instead of the lightweight springy stand my old soldering iron came with, which would slide around the table. — MF

The Komelon Speed Mark Gripper Measuring Tape (1-Inch X 25Ft) has two things going for it that my other tape measure doesn’t. The markings are easy to read and I can extend the metal tape out eight feet before it bends. It’s also less expensive than I would expect for such a nice tape measure. — MF