198

Are there any household gadgets you found unexpectedly useful after you'd gotten them? (lemmy.world)

submitted 7 months ago by IonAddis@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

209 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I was thinking about how I missed having an indoor thermometer that measures humidity. It's such a small specific thing, one I'd never think of getting unless pushed to it (which I was by one particularly dry winter). But I like having one now.

What are your small, "random" or "junk drawer" type of gadgets that you actually use or like having around?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] Etterra@lemmy.world 25 points 7 months ago

Seriously the most useful thing I ever bought for around the house is barely even a gadget. It's literally just a screwdriver where you can flip the tips and the shaft so that it has four tip sizes; two Phillips and two flatheads. Oh and also a tape measure. That tape measure will save you literally all of the headaches when it comes to purchasing furniture. A good socket set of Allen wrenches for assembling set furniture too.

[-] gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 7 months ago

. A good socket set of Allen wrenches for assembling set furniture too.

I'll push back and say that the 3-pack of imperial, metric, and SAE hex wrenches you can get these days are better than a socket set

Sure, ratcheting is nice, but the ability to rapidly service ANY hex item without dicking around with my sockets or having to memorize which exact size a specific screw has been amazing

Just grab the matching collection of wrenches (idk what to call them, Swiss army wrench?) for the size you're working in, or all 3 if you're unsure, and you'll be done in no time!

[-] technomad@slrpnk.net 2 points 7 months ago

You're talking about those folding ones aren't you?

[-] gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 7 months ago

Yeah, these:

Ratcheting is nice, but the torque I can get with these + ease of use and carrying means I never use my hex sockets anymore

[-] dnick@sh.itjust.works 1 points 7 months ago

These are nice for when you need to tighten something random and you have no idea what size it might be. They do not excel at being a dedicated tool for a larger job. Definitely a matter of preference, but if you find yourself being the go-to person for assembly, a dedicated tool of the correct size is like night and day. If you find yourself just needing something convenient that can jump from bed frame to electronics project and fit in your pocket, these are the way to go. Personally I'd have a hard time imagining not having both options in different tool boxes.

[-] Etterra@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

For me ratcheting is way more important. Trying to get one of those stupid little Allen wrenches to turn in the space you've got to maneuver is oftentimes a pain in the ass, and of course the thing gets tighter to turn with that silly little no leverage piece of crap as you drive it in.

[-] gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 7 months ago

I don't think I've encountered one that's hard to reach with my folding set, actually. Probably the one time I'd want to get my socket set, so fair enough if you encounter it more often

[-] Pulptastic@midwest.social 2 points 7 months ago

I bought several of those flippy screwdrivers and keep 1-2 on each level of the house and in the garage. I never have to leave the floor or often the room to fix something I notice is loose.

this post was submitted on 14 May 2024

198 points (98.1% liked)

Ask Lemmy

27253 readers

1533 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions

Rules: (interactive)

1) Be nice and; have fun

Doxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them

2) All posts must end with a '?'

This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?

3) No spam

Please do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.

4) NSFW is okay, within reason

Just remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].

5) This is not a support community.

It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.

6) No US Politics.

Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online

Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.