Tools That Seem Gimmicky, But Actually Work!

Today we’re rounding up a few of our favorite tools that seem gimmicky, but actually do the job they claim to do!

We’re firm believers in using the right tool for the job and buying that tool once. We prefer tools that wear well and last for more than a handful of uses. That said, there are a lot of options when it comes to common tools, let alone specialty tools with only one intended purpose. We’ve tried a bunch of these specialty tools and many of them have been passed along or donated, but a handful rise to the top and deserve your hard-earned money.

You Know the Kind…

…The tools that might just happen pop up in your social media feed right around the time that you’re researching best methods to tackle a project. The ones that claim to save you time/money/hassle and maybe let you complete the work in an impossibly simple manner. We’ve tried a lot of these tools and some of them are absolute plastic junk. We’ve also tried a many of these tools that seem like they might be a gimmick, but they actually do what they claim.

We’re sharing our picks below and highlighting their use cases!

---

If you’re measuring a distance of more than 15′ to 20′, which happens to be the length of most common tape measures, the laser measuring device is the way to go. This little $50 wonder works indoors or out, allowing for fast measuring of almost any space. They can be a little tricky to use in ultra-bright light, but the learning curve is pretty short. We carry one of these with us in our truck so it’s always at the ready. There are also off-brand models available for as little as $20, but we can’t vouch for their reliability or accuracy. We’ve always used Bosch versions and have never been let down.

This clever device features a pair of 24″ aluminum tracks that link together to make perfectly straight 48″ cuts. A sled attaches to the shoe of the saw and the saw itself is used to trim the plastic edge of the tracks once in place. The kit works with almost any circular saw and features a simple mechanism to lock the sled in place for easy install and removal. We love this kit for trimming doors, cutting plywood, and making other long cuts that would otherwise require a table saw. It stays put, cuts precisely and deploys in seconds once the initial setup is complete. It’s a compact solution that can replace the functionality of a much larger table saw in many cases.

Just this past weekend, I took on the task of replacing a handful of bad deck boards at our Michigan Tree House and put this little pouch through its paces. I prefer to work without a full-on tool belt because I find them cumbersome and awkward, but having fasteners and a couple of hand tools at the ready is incredibly convenient. This little guys clips onto a belt or waistband and is almost imperceptible through most of the tasks I’ve used it for. I’ve also used it for working from a ladder, where horizontal tool storage is largely unavailable and it’s performed flawlessly.

We were gifted a set of Never Measure picture hanging tools by the manufacturer a few years back and I can’t even count the number of times we’ve used them for hanging tasks! Simply turn the dial in the center to spread the plastic ‘wings’ evenly apart, then lock in the distance between two points. The tiny peak at the top of the tool designates the center. Mark your location and hang whatever it is you need to hang! This tool worked flawlessly for the gallery wall in our completed (but not yet revealed!) primary bedroom makeover and cut my install time by at least half.

Oh, Handy Pail, how we love you. The simplest of tools, executed to ergonomic and functional perfection. For the cost of a decent paintbrush, you get the smartest paint tool around, although we highly recommend upgrading to the combo kit linked above for simple, no-mess cleanup. The adjustable hand strap is comfortable. The magnetic brush holder is placed at the perfect height and the molded disposable liners pretty much eliminate cleanup. If you don’t already own one of these, do yourself a favor and grab one prior to your next painting task!

The right angle attachment (or the full-on right angle drill, which we also recommend) is one of those tools that will save you heaps of time when the requirement inevitably arises. Sometimes, there’s a physically limiting situation where a standard drill simply can’t fit into a space. The right angle attachment (or drill) does exactly what the name implies and fits into the tightest of spaces to make fastening or drilling tasks a snap. You might not know you’ll need it until you actually do need it, so you may want to go a head and pick one up now! We’re never without one in our toolbag.

So what did we miss? We’re always on the lookout for tools that will help us work smarter and faster, but it can be challenging to know which tools actually work!

Looking for more tool tips? Check out our big list of recommended tools, broken down into levels of need here. We’ve also broken down our favorite lawn and garden tools here and our favorite painting tools here!