6 Must-Have Gadgets For DIY Projects

Since we moved from the apartment into our home, the DIY project list has expanded like crazy. From a farmhouse kitchen table that I have drawn up, to an outdoor sitting area for around our fire pit. As with all DIY projects, there are must-have gadgets to make sure that everything goes off without any problems.

We've been researching the best and must-have gadgets recently so that all of the projects we have to complete don't go unfinished and pushed into a corner. The easiest way to do that is to make sure that you have the latest gadgets that not only save you time but also keep you safe.

6 Must-Have Gadgets For DIY Projects

Technology and gadgetry is so much fun. And, there are a lot of projects that you can do at home with the kids too. Playing with coins, microcomputers, and TroyPoint projects – creating, and learning doesn’t have to be book-based. Hands-on is often the most enjoyable for everyone. 

Cooking Gadgets

To start off the list of must-have gadgets, we start with an item you can use to help aid your culinary styling. Sure, you can use a barbeque or oven. But you can also have a go at using the sun for cooking. A solar cooker is a lot of fun to make and can really demonstrate the power of the sun’s rays. You will create a contraption that involves foil and a black pot for cooking.

A clear plastic box or a glass container will be placed over the top to help reduce heat loss. How fast the food cooks will depend on the temperature and the amount of sunlight available – but you could cook a dish in 30 minutes in the right circumstances. 

Jewelry Gadgets

If you have a tech lover and are in need of ideas for gifts, then PCB jewelry might just be the order of the day. Printed circuit boards are ideal for creating earrings and necklaces. They will be totally unique too. If you want to create multiple pieces of jewelry, then use an old motherboard as they are brimming with great options. 

You’ll need a hacksaw, mask, gloves, and eye protection as they are pretty tough to cut up. They are easy enough to drill holes in ready to attach to the earrings or necklace, though. It is best if you coat the whole thing in clear epoxy to stop those sharp bits scratching your intended giftee. 

USB Drives

You could probably buy a USB stick in any form you like, however, it is much more fun just to make your own. You’re going to need a few USB drives (consider one for practice), and some creativity. You can create cases from LEGO, glue, clay, or a plastic cow if it takes your fancy. In some cases, you’ll need to remove the outer case of the USB before you can fit your own one – you can do this carefully with a razor. 

Touchscreen Gloves

Sure, you can pick them up for a few dollars now, but making your own gives you a little more creative freedom. The key to this project is a conductive thread. You’ll add it to the tips of the fingers on your gloves. It can be pretty pricey, but you will be able to find some online without too much difficulty. 

Amazon Echo

This might be one of the coolest ones on the list, but you can build your own Amazon Echo by using a Raspberry Pi. The interesting thing about this one is that Amazon has an official guide for creating your Amazon Echo. And, when you are done, there is a heap of other projects that you can use a Raspberry Pi for (like a private syncing cloud, for example), so it can be a real learning tool. 

Lawn Maintenance

This is my favorite gadget ever. Last summer we worked with Husqvarna on a series showcasing their AutoMower system. Not only is it cost-effective over time, but it frees up TONS of time also. My husband and I spend less time in the yard mowing now since our AutoMower runs pretty much 24/7 throughout spring and summer. We set the schedule and let it go. The only thing we have to do is edging and gardening.