Stuff We Love

Our favorite DIY tools, materials + gear

Air to Spare

My bicycle pump has been gathering dust since I got this Makita cordless inflator. I can throw one of my tool system batteries in it and take it to almost any deflated situation. I just dial in the right psi limit on the inflator and let it do all the pumping.

The inflator tips store onboard, so you have to try hard to lose them. It makes quick work of filling small-volume items like bicycle tires and basketballs. It’s not so speedy with car tires and air mattresses, but it can get the job done. Most major tool manufacturers offer inflators now. I have the Makita DMP180ZX, which costs $100 as a bare tool; you’ll pay about the same for a DeWalt. The Ryobi version costs $30 and Milwaukee’s is about $80. You can find them online and at most home centers.

BILL BERGMANN, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Driving in Tight Spaces

The body of a drill driver often won’t allow for the optimal placement of a fastener. Flex drive bits are available, but they aren’t designed for the heavy torque of an impact driver. This DeWalt MaxFit Pivot Holder is impact-driver ready, and its 20-degree pivot allows firm seat on the head of a fastener. Milwaukee offers its impact-ready Shockwave Knuckle Bit ($14), which has a 30-degree pivot. Both bits lock for easy use as a non-pivoting driver. The 11-piece Milwaukee driver and bit set is $26. The DeWalt MaxFit Pivot bit holder is $10. It’s also part of a 14-piece set ($16).

JOSH RISBERG, LEAD CARPENTER

WHAT’S IN YOUR TANK?