Must-Have Tool: Power Screwdriver

One of the most useful tools a handy homeowner can have is a cordless (battery) screwdriver.  It has numerous applications and is particularly useful for doing a lot of electrical and appliance work.  Many screws on fixtures, receptacles and switches are an inch long or more and take dozens of turns to tighten or remove each screw.  This power driver makes short work of all that turning.

Same thing for working on appliances where you have many sheet metal screws that must be removed to get inside.  If you have ever assembled furniture or a tool or toy (Some Assembly Required), you probably wish you had a power driver.  Hanging window blinds and driving mounting screws in walls also begs for a cordless screwdriver, as does installing a ceiling fan (especially the blade screws).  If you work on cars they come in handy as well since you often have to remove many screws to get inside certain compartments.  Almost anywhere you need to turn a screw, a power screwdriver

Best Wire Nuts Ever

Twist-on wire connectors are commonly used to join two or more wires together in fixtures or junction boxes. In some places they are called Marrettes (a trade name) but the name wire nut is most universally recognized (Wire-Nut is also a trade name).

There is heated debate among professionals about whether or not you need to twist the wires together first before spinning the wire nut over the connection.  My personal opinion is that you should twist first.

Choosing the appropriate size connector is sometimes complicated since each one is designed for a range of gauges and number of wires.  Too large or too small for the bundle and the connection isn’t tight or secure.  Picking a loose wire nut from a tool bag or bin means you really don’t know what it is designed to handle.

Why dwell on these subjects when you don’t have to worry about them at all?  Wago makes the best wire nuts you will ever use.  Once you start working with them, you’ll never want to go back.