Any woman knows it’s often quicker and easier to do something herself than to wait for, pay for or pray for someone else to help her out.
So more women are becoming do-it-herselfers. If you’re a handywoman—or want to be—consider investing in lighter-weight tools designed to feel comfortable in a woman’s hand.
The new Tomboy Traveler is an eight-piece kit of pink tools: magnetic head hammer, pliers, utility knife, ratcheting screwdriver, tape measure, torpedo level, mini hacksaw, latex-grip gloves, and of course, a pink bag to hold it all. The kit costs $79.95; order it and lots of other right-sized tools from www.tomboytools.com.
Among the lightweight, smaller-grip tools at Barbara K! is a new 12-volt power drill that allows you to sling the battery pack on your hip while using it, substantially lightening the drill’s weight. The Power-Lite Cordless Drill kit also works with the battery pack attached for a true cordless effect. The kit, which has a rubber grip and multiple speeds, sells for $49.99 at www.amazon.com.
The freshest trend in tools for all genders is the lightweight lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack. Like the battery in your laptop computer, these small batteries pack the same power as larger ones but don’t add as much weight to the tool and don’t fade as fast. Sears has a six-piece set of 20-volt Craftsman Professional lithium-ion tools for around $599.99 that includes a drill, circular saw, reciprocating saw, jig saw, impact driver, work light, utility bag, two batteries and a charger.
Ryobi’s 12-volt, four-piece Power Pack is small on size and big on performance. The combo kit includes includes a drill, circular saw with blade, blade wrench, hybrid saw with two jig saw blades, worklight, two batteries, 40-minute charger, tool bag and operator’s manual. The 12-volt lithium-ion battery weighs 33 percent less and holds the charge four times longer than standard tools, the company says. Buy the kit for $119 at Home Depot.
Make household chores easier with lightweight tools that last for a long time between battery charges.
