For the DIY-er working on a deck, the “Wrecking Claw’’ from Angel-Guard products is a must-have. Designed to pull up boards neatly and with ease, this souped-up pry bar is nearly 4 feet long and relies on leverage rather than brute force, eliminating the need for bending, hammering, and crawling. $49.97 at The Home Depot, 1213 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, 617-327-5000, homedepot.com
Dewalt’s “Flexvolt Cordless Reciprocating Saw’’ is an extremely light, portable tool with a wide variety of uses ranging from trimming branches to cutting through pipes to taking apart old barns and sheds. This saw has the power of a corded tool with the mobility of a cordless one. Includes two lithium-ion batteries, a charger, and a bag. $379 at Koopman Lumber, 1050 General Edwards Highway, Sharon, 781-806-0592, koopmanlumber.com
Wagner’s “Smart Edge Manual Trigger Roller’’ eliminates some of painting’s greatest frustrations, like getting in tight spaces around molding and up against floors and ceilings. Rather than being dipped in a paint bucket, this roller holds up to 6 fluid ounces in a tube and dispenses it with the press of a trigger. $19.97 online at homedepot.com
Working in the heat can be tough, and so can getting wet paint, cement, or caulking to dry quickly. Both of those struggles are solved with Milwaukee’s “M18 Jobsite Fan.’’ This powerful tool can circulate air more than 40 feet, meaning it can quickly dry or cool down a large jobsite. The fan comes with a power adapter but can also run on Milwaukee’s M18 18-volt battery, which can power more than 100 compatible tools. $69 at The Home Depot, 1149 Hingham St., Rockland, 781-871-6200, homedepot.com
Also from Milwaukee, the “Ultimate Jobsite Backpack’’ is one of the best ways to stay organized while working on projects. Made of supertough ballistic material, this durable backpack has 48 pockets for all of your tools, electronics, fasteners, and more. The pack includes two hard-shell pockets designed to protect delicate equipment. $119.97, available online at homedepot.com
From Werner, the 48-by-16-by-20-inch aluminum “Pro Deck Work Platform’’ is a solid, comfortable way to reach tough spots while completing a project. Lighter and more portable than a ladder, the platform provides a bigger work space with plenty of room for you and your tools or paint. The load capacity of the 17-pound platform is a robust 300 pounds. $31.18 at Lowe’s, 1500 Broadway, Saugus, 781-417-1027, lowes.com
Jon Mael is a freelance writer based in Sharon. He can be reached at jmael2014@-gmail.com.
