Sure-Footed Digging
Whether you’re digging up flower beds or planting trees and shrubs, the Total Control Big Step Shovel (about $18) from True Temper Hardware offers exceptional comfort and control. An extra-wide 2 1/2-inch footrest lets you provide more leg power when working while it reduces stress on the arch of your foot. A textured polymer tread on top of the footrest creates a nonslip surface.
The tip of the 42-inch ash handle is flared and covered with a nonslip coating for comfort. Tempered steel is used for the general-purpose round-point blade.
True Temper Hardware, (800) 833-3068.
Multipurpose Pole Pruner
Most pole pruners have a cutting head set in one position for pruning overhead tree branches. The head on the Fiskars Pruning Stik (about $65) rotates 240 degrees, making it possible to adjust the cutting angle for a variety of tasks, including trimming low-growing branches without bending and reaching branches up to 12 feet high without using a ladder.
An internal belt and chain mechanism make cutting easy, and there’s no exposed rope or chain to catch in branches. For the cutting stroke, either pull down on the sliding sleeve handle or pull on the ball at the end of the pruner.
The bypass blades cut branches up to 1 1/4 inches and fit into tight spaces inside dense shrubs. The aluminum unit weighs only 31 ounces and is 62 inches long. Pruning blades are hardened steel with a nonstick coating to reduce friction and resist rust.
Fiskars Lawn & Garden Division, (800) 500-4849; https://www.fiskars.com
Bit-Storing Drill
Tired of fishing through your pockets for the various bits you need for a project and then having to constantly switch back and forth? The Craftsman Redi Drill ($169) is equipped with an innovative revolving magazine that stores five bits and screw driving tips inside the drill.
To select a bit, the selector switch is moved until the desired bit appears in the viewing windows. Sliding the magnetic-tipped actuator forward pushes the bit out of its chamber and into keyless chuck.
The drill comes with three screw driving tips and two drill bits (5/32 and 3/16 inches); it can handle any combination of 3 1/2-inch bits or tips up to 3/16 inch diameter. The 3/8-inch chuck also accepts other bits in the usual fashion. Other worthwhile features: variable-speed motor, electronic clip clutch, comfortable T-handle design and electric brake.
The Redi Drill comes with a carrying case with two 12V nicad batteries and a one-hour charger.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., (800) 377-7414; https://www.sears.com
Reprinted from the pages of Today’s Homeowner Magazine. To receive more expert advice on improving your home, call (800) 456-6369 or visit the Web site at https://www.todayshomeowner.com
