10 BEST DIY GADGETS - The Independent, 15 September 2004

As chosen by technology expert Mark Harris

Panasonic EY6813 rotary hammer £500
Forget hammer drills, no self-respecting DIYer is without a rotary hammer these days. This cordless model can tackle light chiselling and masonry removal but also has variable speed control for more delicate drilling tasks. The high capacity battery recharges in about 45 minutes and perhaps its only drawback is that it uses special SDS-plus bits that won’t be compatible with older drills.
Panasonic (0870 535 7357; www.panasonic.co.uk)

Dremel 10.8V Lithium Ion Cordless £100 --- BEST BUY
Whether you build boats from matchsticks, etch wine-glasses or carve wooden animals, a rotary tool should be top of your shopping list. This Dremel comes with a bewildering range of 60 accessories to cut, engrave, grind, sand, clean and polish a wide variety of materials. It uses the latest power technology to deliver higher speeds (up to 35,000rpm) and a longer battery life than rivals.
Dremel (0845 939 5395; www.dremeleurope.com)

Black & Decker Scorpion power saw £70
The days when DIY gave you blisters and muscles are fading fast. The 400W Scorpion reciprocating saw comes with three blades (including a jigsaw) to power effortlessly through wood, plastic, PVC and (thin) metal at up to 5000 strokes per minute. And with comfortable polyurethane Gel Tech pads on the grip, your hands should stay soft as your biceps.
Black & Decker (01753 511234; www.blackanddecker.co.uk)

Bosch D-Tect 100 Wallscanner £600
You only have to avoid drilling into a couple of water pipes or electrical ducts for this ultimate all-in-one detector to pay for itself. Not only can the professional D-Tect sniff out all kinds of plastic and metal pipes, cables, wooden joists and cavities, it will even tell you exactly how deep it’s safe to drill.
Bosch (01895 834 466; www.bosch.co.uk)

Credit card spanner £4
Don’t leave home without this handy mini-tool. Thin enough to slip into your wallet and made from rigid stainless steel, it’s perfect for tinkering with bikes, cars or office furniture. It doesn’t have the leverage or grip of a real set of spanners, but you can’t beat it for portability and convenience.
The Gadget Shop (0870 840 0567; www.gadgetshop.com)

Black & Decker LZR4 laser 360º £100
Looking like something out of Star Wars, this tripod-mounted laser offers automatic levelling and a 360-degree solid laser line around the whole room. It’s ideal for larger jobs, such as planning kitchens or bathrooms. If the maximum height of 1.5 metres isn’t enough, you can even hang the detachable laser head from the ceiling (also great for parties).
Black & Decker (01753 511234; www.blackanddecker.co.uk)

JCB Powerstrip with RCD £20 --- BEST BUDGET BUY
Corded power tools should always be used with an RCD (Residual Current Device) plug. This switches off the power instantly if you should cut through the cord, reducing the risk of a dangerous electric shock. JCB’s handy powerstrip combines an RCD with four protected sockets and a 10-metre extension cable.
JCB Shop (0500 144444; www.jcbshop.com)

Leatherman Charge Ti £115 --- BEST LUXURY BUY
Multi-tools don’t come much tougher than the new Charge Ti. Titanium handles keep the strength up and the weight down, while a glazed 154CM steel knife promises to stay sharp for three times longer than untreated blades. There are all the usual pliers, cutters, openers and files, and all tools can be locked open to prevent them folding back into the handles.
Whitby & Co (01539 721032; www.whitbyandco.co.uk)

Mayhem Pistol screwdriver £10
How many times have you started to assemble a flat-pack cupboard only to find you’re missing the right tool? This multi-head driver might look cheesy but its sci-fi curves conceal ten different flat and Phillips screwdriver heads. The ratchet-action pistol grip works well, but it’s really only suitable for lighter DIY tasks.
The Gadget Shop (0870 840 0567; www.gadgetshop.com)

Pocket Micro Torch £26.95
This tiny blow torch deserves a place in your toolbox. Measuring just 7.5cm, it uses standard butane lighter gas to create a powerful 1300-degree flame that’s hot enough to solder, fuse plastic and rubber or even (just about) melt glass. You’ll only get around 20 minutes of continuous flame from each refill but that’s more than enough to caramelise a round of crème brulées.
Paramount Zone (0870 011 3206; www.paramountzone.com)

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