Everyone needs a new favorite tool every now and then. The crew at Ask This Old House certainly have a few, and in this segment, they’ll show host Kevin O’Connor what they are so he can add them to his wish list.
Richard: Anti-Fogging Face Shield
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey needs glasses to see, but he also needs to protect his eyes and airways. He found a face shield that fits over the glasses, and it includes a small filter to help him see and breathe easier while he works.
Pro Tip: Richard Trethewey, This Old House plumbing and heating expert, says the replaceable filter is key: “You can change it out, put a clean one in, and they work really well.” He adds that the shield “does a great job protecting your lungs” — an important consideration for anyone working around dust, flux fumes, or solder.
Mark: Masonry Mortar Bag
Mason Mark McCullough wasn’t a fan of the baker’s bag when he first saw it, but now he’s all in. This handle tool allows him to point and repoint brick faster, taking him 10 minutes for what used to take an hour. He simply fills the bag with mortar and pipes in between the bricks or block.
Heath: Magnetic Multi-Bit Screwdriver
Master electrician Heath Eastman gave one of his employees a good-natured hard time about this tool, but he’s recently come around on. This multi-bit screwdriver features a flat and Philips combination bit that makes electrical work easier. The bits are also magnetic and impact-ready, making it a great choice for electricians and DIYers alike.
From the Expert: Heath Eastman, This Old House master electrician, explained why the combination bit works so well: “It’s actually a slotted screwdriver with the square drive in the middle… when you use it, it doesn’t slip at all. The square drive can slip. The slot can slip, the combination? Nothing.”
Heath admitted he was initially skeptical when one of his crew members started using the screwdriver on the job. “One of my guys was using this, and I kind of gave him a hard time, saying, ‘Why would you bother? We already have everything we need,'” Heath recalled. “But I used it, and I can’t give it up.”
Mauro: 17-in-1 Painter’s Tool
Gone are the days of Mauro’s simple painter’s tool. Today, he uses a 17-in-1 tool which features a point for opening cracks, a scraper, a putty knife, several screw wrenches, a nail set, two screwdrivers, a roller cleaner, a nail puller, and a bottle opener, among others.
Tom: Turner’s Apron
It’s no secret that Tom has been spending a lot of late nights working with his lathe. To help keep him safe while working with spinning irregular pieces of wood, he dons his turner’s apron. This leather apron has built-in tool storage, a flexible throat guard, and stout construction.
Resources
- Richard – Anti-fogging face shield
- Mark – Masonry mortar bag
- Heath – Magnetic multi-bit screwdriver
- Mauro – 17 in-1 tool
- Tom – Turner’s apron
