Tools or Toys?

Some DIY items cross the line

There are certain tools I need to get the job done... then there’s some stuff I just WANT.

Recently I was invited to Lowe’s Annual Product Summit where I got to see new items from virtually every DIY brand. There were several things I wanted that would not fit in my carryon. So I’m sharing them with you.

For the record, product promotion is not the goal of Building With Blake I’m here to help DIYers like me in whatever way I can. I give most of my content away for free, so product commissions are one of my few forms of support. It’s not some hidden motive. In this case, I was just geeked out on the cool stuff I saw.

You can find everything in this video at My Lowe's Creator Storefront.

The Mowbot – An autonomous mower that climbs hills. These are hard to get, but I have them linked in my storefront.

Bosch Axial Glide Miter Saw – Its articulated arm has zero deflection compared to conventional slide rails. Its LED cut line indicator is dead accurate. And it can be pushed flush against a wall.

Wiha Terminator Bits – The unofficial strongest drill bits in the world. Not bad for less than $10. I go through drill bits like crazy, so I might be more excited about these than anything. And they have some really cool accessories.

LED Color Changing Bulbs – I’ve seen color changing bulbs before, but not in a decorative style like this. I have a lot of plans for these in future projects.

DeWalt Stealth Vac – I stood next to this thing while it ran and it was less noisy than the conversations next to me. A big improvement over the ear-splitting shop vac I’m using now. I need to get one in my shop.

Monument Grill – Lots of nice safety features on this, like LED indicators to show when the burner is on, or at temperature. It also has an app for monitoring temperature when you need to step away.

Origin 21 Acoustic Paneling – These are the best deal I’ve found on real wood veneer panels at $24.99 each. I have several ideas for projects with these. Currently some of them are even marked down to $19.

Surge Protector for your Whole Home – A power surge could destroy any electrical device in your house. You can protect everything with one device that plugs into your electrical panel. It’s only $83.

Bathroom Humidity Sensor – An automated switch for your bathroom fan that will automatically maintain your humidity level.

It’s all linked here.

This was an exclusive event for DIY content creators, and somehow I made the list. I’ve been mistaken for a Lowe’s employee on several occasions, so perhaps this is my career coming full circle. Either way, it was an exciting event to be part of.

Thanks for building with me, and I’ll see you on the next project.