Eight Tools for the Serious Home-Improver

With summertime comes that long list of around-the-house projects to be done. Whether you're building an entire house or just fixing a hole in the wall, it's time to put down the puny screwdriver and pick up something with some more muscle.

Because, really -- if you have to spend the day making repairs you might as well have some nice toys to help the job go by quicker. So throw on some flannel, hit the hardware store, and get in touch with your inner Norm Abram.

Max Re-Bar-Tier
If you're the kind of person whose weekend project list includes pouring slabs of concrete, then I salute you -- and offer this tool as a helping hand. For everyone else it's pretty useless, but anyone who has spent hours tying steel wire around rebar joints knows that it's far down the list of fun activities.

Enter this new tool from Max USA, which completes a rebar joint tie in about one second, all with one-handed operation. Your fingers will thank you.

Craftsman Vibra-Free Orbital Sander
Any woodworker knows the key to a nice finish is plenty of sanding. Craftsman is looking to make the job easier (and cleaner) with its vibra-free technology, which means that parts inside the standard five-inch sander move in opposite directions of each other, eliminating any vibration.

In addition, an attached air separator traps dust, keeping the workplace clean.

Rigid Sea Snake Camera
Like a gadget from a James Bond movie, this technical wonder is sure to prove useful at some point in the job.