Hasta La Ideas

As usual, we saw all manner of tools this year, and they continued to split into ever-finer categories: Utilitarian, artisanal, DIY, hi-tech, designey. Here are 25 that stood out to us.

Eye-catching handmade outdoor tools by Neru Design Works.

Festool’s new ExoActive exoskeleton.

Specialty tools: A straw splitter.

A smart design for dispensing dangerous chemicals: The Justrite Plunger Can.

Woodworker Takurou Seino’s clever jig for producing the naguri pattern in wood.

Ergonomic Partners’ zero-gravity tool arm.

The BullseyeBore is a laser gizmo that helps you drill straight.

Collet fans are a clever, low-tech solution for clearing chips while CNC milling.

This crazy on-body camera rig provides pivoting POVs.

A space-efficient tool storage system for firefighters: Slide-out and swing-out tool boards.

A look at the design of quick-release tool mounts for firefighters.

A portable alternative to the bench vise: A DIY panel wedge.

An incredible sidewalk craftsman demonstrates using a bow lathe.

Workshop jigs with beautiful forms.

Hatchet as objet d’esign.

A different design approach to stair-climbing handtrucks.

A combination carabiner/rope tightener.

This Jetlaser strips finishes in just seconds.

Clever design: A face shield that integrates with a baseball cap.

Hozo Design’s laser level with better UX.

A designey, no-mess fire extinguisher from Sweden

Arrowmax’s designey hand tools.

The Mambapod, a mini tripod with an F-style clamp in one leg.

And finally, a guy clearing ice off of a roof with a leafblower.