BOSCH PMD 7 DIGITAL DETECTOR
Whether you’re putting up pictures, shelves or curtains, if you’re worried about drilling into walls because you’re not sure what sits behind (pipes/electrical wires etc), this tool will help reassure you. In terms of DIY gadgets, you’ll struggle to beat this one for simplicity. Hold the device next to the wall and if it’s safe to drill into the area, a green light will show; if you need to be cautious and drilling isn’t recommended, a yellow light; and if you definitely need to steer clear, it will beep and the light will turn to red. £38.99
MAC ALLISTER 750W 4-STAGE PENDULUM ACTION JIGSAW MEJS750
This well-priced corded jigsaw will help you when you’re in desperate need of cutting materials such as MDF. While you will have probably pencilled in the areas you want to cut, this comes with a “line generator”. What this means is that a red laser will shine in front of the tool so you can cut straight lines with ease. There are three blades supplied and when you need to adjust the base, you can do so without additional tools. £47
BLACK + DECKER ASD184K-GB 18 VOLT DRILL DRIVER
Great for the DIY novice, this cordless drill driver has been made to be as user-friendly as possible. Simply choose which function you want by pressing either the drill or screwdriver icon on top of the gadget. The real gadgetry here, though, is the Autosense Technology. When using it in screwdriver mode, it will recognise when it needs to stop (because the screw is flush) and will stop turning – reducing the likelihood of a screw going in lopsided. On top of all of that, it comes with an LED light, so if you’re using it in a dark cupboard, you’ll be able to see exactly what you’re doing. £74
KARCHER WV2 WINDOW VACUUM CLEANER
Whether you’re sanding, painting, plastering or drilling, DIY can cause quite a mess, and while you probably have a vacuum cleaner for the floor, what about the dust that clings to your windows? The answer is the Karcher WV2 Window Vacuum Cleaner, removing excess water and leaving a smear-free clean. This could be particularly useful if you’ve been using a steam-based tool (for a task such as removing old wallpaper) and you’ve been left with condensation on your windows/mirrors. It takes a while to charge up (140 minutes) but will give you 25 minutes of charge time – which is plenty to get the job done. £47.99
MAKITA 6844 AUTO-FEED SCREWDRIVER 110V
If you’re planning on doing a job which requires a lot of screws, then this could be the tool for you. Rather than putting each one in manually, this gun comes with an auto feed belt. You can use it for screws 45-75mm in length and you can adjust the driving depth. The instructions in the manual are simple to follow (and include pictures) and once you’ve adjusted it to the setting you want, it will prove to be a real time-saver. You just push the lock button and the trigger at the same time (to turn the gun on) and apply pressure on to the tool which will then drive the screw forward. £256.99