What the Heck Happened To Regular Gear Shifts?

You sit down in the driver’s seat of your car, push the start button, and then reach for the gear lever. Except it’s not there. The console has ten cup holders and three phone charging ports, but no gear shift. Nothing above it on the dash either: that’s also lever-lackin’. Upon the column like an old school pickup? Nope. 

There was a time when shifting gears was one of the most fundamental parts of driving. You reached for a lever, moved it into position, and felt a mechanical connection between your hand and the machinery responsible for making the car move. Whether you drove a three-on-the-tree sedan, a four-speed muscle car, or a truck with a modern automatic, there was a lever involved in changing gears.

Then automakers decided that shifting gears was probably too much work.

Today’s vehicles increasingly replace conventional gear selectors with things that are decidedly not gear selectors. Rotary knobs, push buttons, electronic switches, touchscreen menus, and all manner of non-levers are now in vogue. 

The question is simple: What happened to gear shifts, and why did automakers decide that one of the most recognizable controls in an automobile needed reinventing?

From Mechanical Necessity to Electronic Suggestion

Early automobiles required direct mechanical connections between the driver’s controls and the transmission. Whether automatic or manual, gearboxes used levers and linkages to move internal components into position to make the vehicle drive. The gear lever was a functional necessity.

As automatic transmissions became more common in the 1960s, the familiar PRND (Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive) arrangement became standard. Whether mounted on the steering column or the center console, the selector offered a straightforward interface with an obvious purpose. And it was usually physically connected to what it was doing in the transmission. 

The mechanical connection also provided useful feedback. Moving a lever into Drive felt different from selecting Reverse or Park. The driver could often determine the selected gear by feel without looking down at the shifter.

Msst recently, however, electronic controls began replacing mechanical linkages. Known as shift-by-wire, these systems communicate the driver’s selection electronically rather than relying on a direct physical connection between the selector and transmission. By the 2010s this was the norm in consumer vehicles and the disconnection between driver and machine began in earnest. 

This technology offered automakers more freedom in where and how they placed gear controls. It also opened the door to an increasingly strange assortment of alternatives. With the advent of increasingly smartphone-on-wheels designs, making the gear shift a radical part of design is now all the rage. 

The Great Shifter Disappearance

Once a conventional mechanical linkage was no longer necessary, designers gained considerable freedom. A rotary dial could perform the same function as a traditional lever. A collection of buttons could accomplish the same task. A small electronic toggle could select Drive or Reverse without occupying much space.

Some manufacturers embraced the change enthusiastically.

Jaguar Land Rover became particularly associated with rotary gear selectors, including the rising dial used in certain Jaguar and Land Rover models. Chrysler experimented with rotary selectors in vehicles such as the Ram 1500 (quickly finding out that many truck owners hate them), while Ford and other manufacturers introduced electronic switches and compact selectors across portions of their lineups. Honda famously went to push buttons that were immediately compared to the (questionable, short-lived) push-button shifting American Motors used in the 1950s. 

Mercedes-Benz moved many gear selectors to a steering-column stalk, freeing space on the center console. Not wanting to be left behind, Hyundai did the same, but with bulkier shifters located down low on the column. Others kept a traditional-appearing shifter, but made it barely move and difficult to shift into neutral (Nissan) or manual control (Subaru). 

The reasoning isn’t entirely unreasonable. A conventional shifter can consume valuable cabin space, particularly in vehicles with complex center consoles. Replacing it with a dial or switch can free room for storage, cupholders, charging pads, and other amenities.

Electronic selectors can also reduce the number of mechanical components required between the cabin and transmission.

But there is a difference between making a control smaller and making it better.

A conventional lever communicates something to the driver through its position and movement. A rotary dial or momentary switch often depends on a display or indicator to communicate the selected gear. The control becomes less self-explanatory, and the driver may need to look down to confirm what the vehicle is doing.

That isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, but it raises an obvious question: What problem was the new design solving for the person behind the wheel? This question often goes unanswered.

Cars Have More Stuff, and That Stuff Has To Fit Somewhere

Automotive interiors have become battlegrounds for designers seeking to make each new model feel more modern than the last. Large screens, minimalist dashboards, floating center consoles, and increasingly elaborate ambient lighting have become selling points. Traditional physical controls can appear old-fashioned in comparison. 

And despite design trends toward “minimalism” in vehicle cabins, prospective buyers are expecting more. We want cup holders capable of increasingly large volumes. We want phone chargers so we don’t have to plug anything in. We want a place to put a purse. An extra drink. Our miscellaneous devices. Car keys. A picture of grandma. 

Despite design trends pushing toward minimalism, American car buyers are anything but minimal with the amount of stuff we expect to fit in our cars. A current, full-sized pickup truck will have no fewer than six drink holders within the driver’s reach. Because that’s what focus groups demand. Holes in the center console for a purse? Yep, also demanded in most SUVs and minivans. Two or more wireless phone chargers? Also requested. Set-and-forget climate controls? Thumbs up there too. Plugs for dash cams, a place for the air freshener that isn’t the rearview, a way to get into the center storage bin from at least four of the vehicle’s seating positions, six ways to put… You get the idea. We want a lot. While being minimal. Because that aesthetic is in.

So the conventional gear lever became an option that could be eliminated to make more space for other stuff, while achieving a minimalist look. And so the gear shift… Well, shifted to somewhere else. 

Some of the alternatives make no sense whatsoever. 

• Honda went from a moving gear lever to a set of buttons that take up the exact same amount of room in the same place a gear shift used to be. Nothing gained but “I pull what for reverse now?” confusion. 
• Ram went to rotary dials that did nothing but blank out the space where the lever had been on the steering column. Then people started shifting gears instead of turning up the radio… Oops. 
• Hyundai’s gigantic box on the bottom-right of the steering wheel freed up space on the console for an extra charging station, but at the expense of drivers having to crane down to see the gear shift and then worry the whole time that they’re going to knee bump it out of gear. 
• Volkswagen tried putting it on a rotary knob on a bullhorn above the steering wheel, where nobody would look for it. 
• Chevrolet fiddled with a couple of ideas, except in pickup trucks, where it was left on the column because truck owners don’t want any mamby-pamby crap in their trucks. Unless it’s heated, massaging seats, of course. 

The problem isn’t that electronic shifters are inherently bad. It’s that automakers sometimes appear to treat novelty as an improvement in itself.  A control that performs the same task in a less intuitive way hasn’t necessarily advanced automotive technology. It may simply have changed the shape of the inconvenience.

Electric Vehicles Also Changed the Equation

Much of the more recent change has come thanks to electric vehicles accelerating the transformation.

Most battery-electric vehicles don’t use conventional multi-gear transmissions. Their electric motors can deliver useful torque across a broad operating range, allowing many EVs to operate with a single fixed reduction gear rather than the multiple forward ratios common in gasoline-powered vehicles.

Drivers still need to select Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive, but there is less reason to retain a traditional transmission selector designed around a conventional automatic gearbox. 

Add in that many EVs have been just experimental smartphones with wheels, and things get even dicier. Early adopters of a new technology are usually happy to accept all kinds of radical changes and inconveniences for the privilege of being first. And so gear shifters got radicalized in electric cars. 

Some EVs use steering-column stalks. Others employ center-console switches, small toggles, or touchscreen controls. The absence of a conventional transmission also gives designers more freedom when arranging the cabin. Things could be sleeker, thinner, lower, and above all.. Whiter. Every early EV seemed to have a white interior with a complete absence of useful buttons or switches. Giant TV-sized screens dominated the interior instead. 

However, electrification doesn’t automatically justify every unusual design. An EV still needs a clear, accessible way to select a direction of travel. The motor may be simpler than a conventional powertrain, but the driver’s task remains fundamentally the same: choose where the vehicle should go.

Slowly, as EVs gained mainstream appeal, those “old school” controls began to return. Today, the best-selling electrics for any given carmaker are usually the ones that are cars that happen to be electric rather than being electric for EV sake. 

Will the Traditional Gear Lever Return?

Probably not everywhere, but it isn’t disappearing entirely. In fact, it’s making a bit of a comeback. It’s the traditional manual transmission that is becoming rarer than an uncirculated wheat penny. Among automatic vehicles, some manufacturers retain conventional-looking selectors because customers understand them and find them comfortable to use. And a few of those manufacturers who deviated are coming back to them.

The likely future is a mixture of approaches. Electronic shift-by-wire technology will remain in nearly all vehicles because it offers packaging flexibility and integrates readily with modern vehicle electronics. And is less likely to break. EVs will likely continue to use compact selectors, while performance cars and pickup trucks may preserve more traditional controls where they contribute to driver engagement.

The important distinction is between modernizing a control and needlessly complicating it.

Perhaps that’s what the industry has forgotten: The best automotive controls aren’t always the newest or the smallest. They’re the ones that do their jobs so well that the driver barely has to think about them.

Sources

• Sonnax, “The Evolution of Automatic Transmissions Part 1: A Brief History“
• The Drive, “More Vehicles Move to Shift-by-Wire“

RELATED:

• Do You Know What That Little Button on Your Seat Belt Is For?
• What Those Lines on Your Backup Camera Really Tell You
• Here’s What The Small Panel On Your Car’s Front Bumper Is For

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What Those Little Holes in Your Plug Prongs Are Actually For

Not all electronic cords look the same. Some have two prongs; others have three or even four. Some have prongs at weird angles, or are even designed for orange electrical outlets. Odds are most people have also seen electrical prongs with holes in them, but the reason for them isn’t common knowledge.

Those two tiny circles often appear near the ends of the metal blades, and newer outlets no longer depend on them. Learn how the feature started, why some manufacturers still use them, what homeowners should know about plug safety, and more.

Why Do Electrical Plug Prongs Have Small Holes in Them?

The holes originally helped keep plugs from slipping out of outlets. Some older outlets had small bumps inside that fit into the holes when someone plugged something in. That changed when Underwriters Laboratories began requiring outlets to hold plugs securely without those bumps.

“Most manufacturers stopped putting the detent nibs on the female contacts, as it made it much harder to meet the maximum force to withdraw and did nothing for the minimum requirement, as the gage had no holes,” according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).

Basically, the bumps made plugs harder to remove, so manufacturers stopped using them. Today, outlets grip the prongs instead. If a plug starts slipping out, the outlet may need to be replaced. The holes aren’t a child safety feature, either. Tamper-resistant outlets use built-in shutters to keep children from sticking objects inside.

“TRRs work like normal outlets,” according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. “When you plug into a TRR for the first time, you may be able to feel the internal shutter system engaging. If excessive force is needed to insert a plug into a TRR, there’s a chance that the plug, not the receptacle, is damaged.”

What Are the Holes in Electrical Plug Prongs Used for Today?

Manufacturers sometimes use the holes to hold the metal prongs in place while making plugs. They don’t help electricity flow through the plug, though. The holes can also hold small safety tags or locks on unplugged appliances. However, these shouldn’t replace proper safety equipment. OSHA also has rules for preventing equipment from accidentally starting during certain types of workplace maintenance.

The holes aren’t even required under American electrical plug standards. Manufacturers can make plugs without them, although NEMA has rules for their size and placement when included. They also have nothing to do with grounding. On a three-prong plug, the round prong handles that job. The two flat prongs work the same way whether they have holes or not.

Sources

• National Electrical Manufacturers Association, “Wiring Devices: Frequently Asked Questions” (2023), page 3, “Holes in Blades.“
• Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems, “Frequently Asked Questions“
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)“
• Electrical Safety Foundation International, “What Is a Tamper-Resistant Receptacle?“

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8 Reasons a Contractor Might Give You an Outrageously High Estimate

You Forgot to Consider Labor Costs

“If an HVAC unit has a defective part that needs replacement, most of my clients will immediately ask how much the replacement part costs,” says HVAC technician Tamer Sayed. “I always tell the current market price and the misunderstanding often starts here. A few clients forget to take into account the labor and consultation fees. They assume they only had to pay for the replacement part.”

The same thing can happen with plumbing and electrical jobs. The part needed to get things working again may be small and inexpensive, and it may only account for a small portion of the quote. Sometimes the labor quote seems excessive, and that’s usually because the client doesn’t understand what’s involved with the repair.

You Underestimate the Scope of the Project

Jake Vincett, a builder from the UK, makes this observation: “A lot of the time, the customer is comparing quotes for different work, because the cheaper one has included a surface repair whereas the more expensive one has quoted for fixing the underlying problem…It’s common that the customer doesn’t know or consider the amount of work going into a project. A new driveway isn’t just laying tarmac – it’s digging out the old one, laying the sub base, etc.”

Plumbing, electrical and HVAC expert Bob Cardwell adds: “It’s often not only one problem to fix but a bunch of small fixes. Even though it might be possible to fix the original problem without addressing the additional issues, an experienced and reliable technician will not ignore them, will try to fix them and will discuss them with the homeowner.”

Failing to provide a quote that addresses underlying issues and then delivering a sky-high bill at the end doesn’t just make the customer unhappy, says HVAC and plumbing expert Ryan Osterkamp. “It can make them feel like we don’t know what we’re doing.”

You’re Undervaluing Professional Expertise

Osterkamp is used to hearing customers say: “I can go get that part for $X at Home Depot.” What they aren’t thinking about is the amount of training and expertise that made it possible for our technician to quickly and accurately diagnose the issue, have the supplies they need in their truck and be able to do the repair same day. Sure, you may save money by going with the guy on Facebook that works out of an old, unlabeled truck, but if his work doesn’t hold up, will he fix it without giving you the runaround? Is he insured? Does he offer a warranty?”

Costs Are Rising

Tariffs, inflation and the economy in general are pushing prices up, and the dollar has lost a lot of its purchasing power for the average American. The same is true for contractors. “The fact of the matter is, we’re working harder now and making less,” says remodeling contractor Kevin Cullen. “In today’s economy, a lot of people are chasing the price to the bottom and shopping for the cheapest number. Unfortunately, they usually get what they pay for.”

The Contractor Is Trying to Avoid Surprises

A contractor who knows problems might creep up, such as a rotten subfloor that needs replacement during a toilet repair, makes an effort to warn customers as part of the quote. Potential problems aren’t always obvious. “There are times,” says Nika Tveretinova, who operates an HVAC business in Sacramento, “when the actual fix isn’t that complicated, but it’s the access that makes things tough—especially with equipment installed in an attic or cramped quarters. Sometimes we also find an old installation that needs a safety or code correction before we can put everything back together.”

In such situations, a higher-than-expected quote that you can reject is far better than a higher-than-expected bill you have to pay because the work is already completed.

You’re Relying Too Closely on Online Pricing Guides

Joshua Kurz founded NumeralQ, a home improvement pricing guide, and he cautions against comparing a bid you receive from a contractor to information you find online. “Owners often find an estimate online, and rather than waiting for a bid, they assume that number will be the actual cost. These estimates are helpful when determining a budget, but they are not interchangeable for actual bids. A 1,500 sq ft roof in one market will not necessarily cost the same in another market, and bids can even differ for neighboring houses.”

The Contractor Needs to Redo Previous Work

If you find a guy on Facebook who charges a low price to do a repair, there’s no guarantee that the repair will last or be up to code. When that person makes a mistake, a licensed contractor working on the same system at a later date might have to fix it, especially when inspectors are involved.

“Over a 40-year career,” says Cullen, “I’ve found many surprises: unsupported headers, no king or jack studs, undersized headers, poorly installed headers that aren’t flush and have gaps, termite damage, carpenter ant damage, water damage, mold. That’s not every job, but you never know when a homeowner bought a house in which a Rube Goldberg did the work on it.”

The Contractor Doesn’t Want the Job

Sometimes a house is in such poor condition that a small repair, such as stopping a plumbing leak, can turn into a major project that involves replacing pipes, walls or subfloors. Rather than simply declining the repair, some contractors will offer a ridiculously high quote to avoid falling into a sinkhole of extra work. If the customer accepts the quote, the contractor won’t lose money by taking the job. A customer who rejects a bid can keep shopping with no harm done.

About the Experts

• Tamer Sayed is the owner and lead project manager at Tamas Mechanical, an HVAC company based in the Toronto area.
• Jake Vincett is the co-director of Heritage Build Group LTD, a construction company based in Kettering, Northamptonshire, UK.
• Bob Cardwell is the owner of Cardwell HVAC. He brings over a decade of hands-on experience serving South Jersey homeowners and businesses.
• Ryan Osterkamp is the founder and co-owner of Quality Comfort Home Services, a family-owned HVAC and plumbing company based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Kevin Cullen owns Creatively Done Homes Improvements Inc. of Hicksville, NY, a Nassau County remodeling company founded in 2015.
• Nika Tveretinova is the Vice President of CABS Heating & Air Conditioning, a family-owned residential HVAC company serving the greater Sacramento area and parts of Yolo County.
• Joshua Kurz is the founder of Numeralq.com, which researches localized costs of 18 services across 147 markets.

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I Thought Multi-Tools Were a Gimmick — Then I Took One on a Camping Trip

I admit I scoffed when my partner first started raving about his Leatherman Wave+ multi-tool. I thought it looked like an expensive, over-elaborate gadget that was destined to gather dust in a junk drawer.

However, as a keen hiker and camper, I’ve discovered how useful it is to have pliers, knives, a saw, scissors, files and other tools packed into one compact, quality piece of kit. I’ve also watched my tech-obsessed partner regularly reach for its precision tools when tinkering with his electrical equipment.

Ahead, I’ll share how a tool I once dismissed as a gimmick earned a permanent spot in my pack, and what two experts think makes a Leatherman worth the price tag.

How The Leatherman Wave+ Won Me Over

I had to realize that our Leatherman Wave+ isn’t meant to replace a well-stocked toolbox to understand its value. Instead, it fills the gap when dedicated tools aren’t conveniently available or really needed.

At home, I regularly use the tool’s tiny scissors to carefully prune dead leaves from our many houseplants, the knife to open packages and the small screwdriver to tighten the legs on my glasses. My partner is an IT professional who also has an impressive collection of synthesizers, and he regularly reaches for the tool to make small technical repairs and splice wires.

I’ve found the Wave+ even more useful when we’re borrowing my parents’ campervan, hiking, or camping. The bottle opener is handy for those after-adventure beers, the serrated knife slices baguettes for trailside sandwiches, the saw cuts small, dry branches for kindling, and the screwdriver has adjusted our portable stove and tightened folding chairs.

The pocket-sized multi-tool packs 18 functions into a stainless-steel form that measures just four inches when closed and weighs 8.5 ounces. Alongside the tools I’ve mentioned, it has pliers, bit drivers, a wire stripper and crimper, a ruler, an extra knife blade and file, and an admittedly slightly-tricky-to-use can opener.

While I don’t regularly use all 18 tools, and I might never use some, having the selection provides peace of mind, especially in remote places.

Who Gets the Most Out of a Multi-Tool?

Daniel Kilburn, founder of Emergency Action Planning and a preparedness expert, has carried his Leatherman Surge since his military service in 2006. “It’s an expedient tool to have on hand when you know you’re going to be someplace where you won’t have access to any others,” he says. 

Scott Emanuel of knives, multi-tools, and outdoor equipment retailer Heinnie Haynes is also a multi-tool convert. He appreciated having one for quick fixes while renovating his cottage, and particularly rates the needle-nose pliers, which rival standard models rather than acting as an emergency substitute.

Kilburn suggests multi-tools can be a useful starting point for someone who doesn’t own a toolbox, and at the other end of the spectrum are the tinkerers and prepared problem-solvers Emanuel sees as natural fits.

“The person who will value a Leatherman is the one who spends their after-hours in the garage building stuff that they probably never need, it’s the kind of self-reliant and prepared person who you rely on to solve a problem,” Emanuel says.

Why I Think the Leatherman Wave+ Is Worth the Price

The Leatherman Wave+ currently costs $129.95, meaning it should be a well-considered purchase rather than an impulse buy.

It’s reassuring to know that you’ll be investing in a refined product designed because of a genuine practical need. Founder Tim Leatherman conceived a pliers-based multi-tool after encountering car and plumbing problems while traveling through Europe in the 1970s, and after careful development, he launched the original Pocket Survival Tool in 1983.

Today you’re paying for that established reputation and durable construction, and Leatherman backs its products with a 25-year warranty.

“They’re ridiculously well built, really well regarded, and their choice of tools is good,” Emanuel says. He describes sought-after Leathermans as the “collectible top end of the multi-tool market.” 

Kilburn recalls seeing lower-priced multi-tools failing his comrades during their military career. “Some disintegrate over time because they were just cheaply made with poor-quality material [and] poor-quality steel,” he says. His Leatherman Surge, meanwhile, has lasted over 20 years. If replacing it again, he says he would choose Leatherman over his backup Gerber multi-tool because he prefers its feel and durability.

The Wave+ Isn’t the Right Multi-Tool for Everyone

Leatherman makes a wide range of multi-tools, so it pays to consider which functions you’ll genuinely use. The Signal model adds outdoor-focused features suited to camping, including a ferrocerium rod, emergency whistle and sharpener, but omits scissors. I use scissors enough for plant pruning, first aid and gear repairs that the Wave+ remains the better fit for me.

If you’re unlikely to use most of its functions, a smaller, cheaper multi-tool could make more sense. The Wave+ is also heavier than minimalist models, and there’s a learning curve when figuring out where everything lives.

Don’t forget that a premium multi-tool only represents good value if you look after it. We remove dirt after outdoor adventures and dry and lubricate it before storing. We also avoid forcing it to tackle jobs better suited to full-size tools. I wouldn’t, for example, choose its compact saw over a dedicated full-size version for pruning substantial tree branches in my yard.

If you’re using a Wave+ in the UK, like me, be aware of the country’s knife laws. You need a “good reason” to carry it in public because its blades lock. However, Emanuel explains that the legal language is ambiguous, so you shouldn’t assume you can carry one wherever you go just because it’s part of a multi-tool.

Why I’m Glad I Gave the Wave+ a Chance

The Wave+ has convinced me that a good multi-tool is more than merely an expensive gimmick. It may not replace dedicated tools, but having so many functions at my fingertips in a form that is so compact, portable and easy to use makes it a practical, worthwhile investment. 

Gemma Johnstone For Family Handyman

Leatherman Wave Plus

The Wave Plus is a multi-tool workhorse. It packs 18 tools in one, including sharp blades, spring scissors, wire cutters, and more.

Shop on Leatherman

About the Experts 

• Daniel Kilburn, founder of Emergency Action Planning, is a leadership strategist and business continuity consultant with more than 30 years of experience preparing people and organizations to lead through disruption. His philosophy is “Preparedness Is Leadership.”
• Scott Emanuel is the Marketing Director at Heinnie Haynes, a UK online retailer specialising in knives, multi-tools, EDC gear, outdoor equipment and bushcraft supplies.

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Our Favorite Home Deals Before Black Friday Even Starts

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Silk & Snow Essential Inserts Bundle

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Discount: 25% off

Refresh your bed from the inside out with the Silk & Snow essential inserts bundle, a convenient way to stock up on pillows, a duvet and a mattress protector while saving 25%. Plenty of other Silk & Snow favorites are also discounted during the early Black Friday sale, including the Aire modular sofa and storage bed frame.

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Porte + Hall The Insider Runner in Tigress (Camo)

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Discount: 40% off

Spice up a hallway with a new runner rug. Porte + Hall’s Insider Runner in select styles, like the bold Tigress Camo print, is 40% off while supplies last. Plus, it’s available in regular and XL lengths. If something else from Porte + Hall catches your eye, use code ONTHEHOUSE to take $25 off qualifying orders of $75 or more through November 15. (Offers cannot be combined).

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Voltask Battery-Powered Snow Shovel

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Discount: 44% off

Shoveling season will be here before you know it. Make quicker, lighter work of the task with an electric snow shovel. This editor-tested model from Voltask is $100 off. Browse more early Black Friday deals from Lowe’s on power tools, holiday decor and major appliances.

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Ring Battery Doorbell

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Discount: 60% off

Make it easier to see who’s at the door with the Ring battery doorbell, which brings video monitoring to your front entry without needing a hardwired installation.

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Milwaukee 25-Foot Tape Measures (2-Pack)

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Discount: 57% off

Keep one in the toolbox and another in the garage with these Milwaukee tape measures, featuring magnetic tips for handy solo measuring. Browse more deals in The Home Depot’s early Black Friday sale.

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Craftsman 2000 Series Tool Chest

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Discount: 29% off

Get your garage in order with the Craftsman 2000 Series tool chest, an eight-drawer steel organizer with room for hand tools, accessories and more.

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Bedsure Duvet Cover

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A quick bedding refresh can make a bedroom feel brand new, and the Bedsure duvet cover is an easy, budget-friendly way to change up your look.

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Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool

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Discount: 31% off

Feeling a little chilly? The Dyson Purifier Hot + Cool is one of the safest space heaters you can buy. Plus, it works triple duty as an air purifier and cooling fan. Pick one up for over 30% off.

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HOTO Cordless Rotary Tool Kit

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Discount: 40% off

From sanding small edges to polishing and detail work, the HOTO cordless rotary tool kit is a compact addition to your DIY arsenal.

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Werner NXT1A 6-Foot Step Ladder

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Discount: 50% off

Whether you’re changing light fixtures or painting a room, the Werner NXT1A 6-foot step ladder gives you a sturdy boost with its fiberglass frame and 300-pound duty rating.

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Ryobi ONE+ 2-Tool Combo Kit

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Discount: 34% off

Take on more home projects with the Ryobi ONE+ 2-tool combo kit, which includes a drill/driver, impact driver, two compact batteries and a charger.

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Husky 94-Piece Mechanics Tool Set

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Discount: 41% off

Stock up on sockets and other garage essentials with the Husky 94-piece mechanics tool set, a convenient starter kit for vehicle maintenance and household fixes.

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Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce

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Discount: 30% off

Get a head start on decorating with the Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce, an artificial Christmas tree that gives you a classic evergreen look year after year. It’s our favorite artificial Christmas tree, and it’s 30% off just in time for putting up the decorations. Browse more deals in Balsam Hill’s sale.

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Lovesac Sactionals

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Discount: 40% off

The modular Lovesac Sactionals can be rearranged as your room or seating needs change, and their removable covers make everyday upkeep easier. We’ve also put a Sactional to the test—and loved it.

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Ruggable Washable Area Rug

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Discount: Up to 40% off select rugs

Upgrade a busy room with a Ruggable washable area rug, designed with a removable cover you can toss in the wash when life gets messy. We’ve tried them, and we find them incredibly versatile.

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Decksplore 330-Gallon Deck Box

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Corral patio cushions, pool toys and outdoor odds and ends in the Decksplore 330-gallon deck box, a roomy resin storage solution with a lockable design.

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HOTO Precision Screwdriver Set

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For fiddly jobs that call for more precision than a standard drill, the HOTO Precision screwdriver set keeps small bits handy for electronics and household repairs.

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Your Level Might Be the Wrong Size, and It Could Be Throwing Off Your Work

Levels come in many different shapes and sizes, and figuring out how long a level should be for a certain project isn’t always straightforward. Choosing the right size matters because a level that’s too short can miss uneven spots, while one that’s too long can be difficult to use in tight spaces.

Here’s how much of a surface a level should cover, which sizes work best, and when overhang is okay.

How Long Should a Level Be to Get an Accurate Reading?

It depends on the project, but a longer level is usually better for checking bigger surfaces. A shorter one might show that the middle of a board is level without catching a problem closer to either end.

The level doesn’t have to stretch across the entire surface, though. A 24-inch level can work on a four-foot shelf, for example, as long as the installer checks several spots along its length. For longer surfaces, a smaller level can sit on a long, straight board to check a wider area. A laser level is another option, especially when lining up things across a room.

The way the level sits on the material matters, too. A little sawdust or dirt underneath can affect the reading, so both surfaces should be clean. The tool also needs to sit firmly without rocking.

What Size Level Should You Use for Different Projects?

There’s no set rule for how much of a surface a level needs to cover, but it should fit comfortably and have enough contact to stay steady.

Different sizes work better for different jobs:

• 6 to 12 inches: Small levels, often called torpedo levels, are handy for working inside cabinets, around pipes, or anywhere there isn’t much room.
• 24 inches: A useful size for common household jobs, like hanging shelves or installing smaller cabinets.
• 48 inches: Works well for checking longer boards, countertops, and framing.
• 72 inches and longer: These are mostly useful for larger projects, including tall door frames and walls. They can be difficult to handle in smaller rooms.

“Use a 4-foot carpenter’s level for framing whenever you have room for its length,” according to The Home Depot. “Warps or waves in the boards can throw off a shorter carpenter’s level.”

Another common concern is whether the level can hang over the edge of whatever is being checked. Some overhang is fine, provided the tool has enough support to stay steady.

If it starts tipping or rocking, a shorter level will likely work better. The bubble doesn’t need to be directly above the material, either. It can still give an accurate reading even when that part of the tool hangs past the edge.

Sources

• Johnson Level & Tool, “Q&A on Levels“
• Johnson Level & Tool, “Torpedo Level“
• STABILA, “Type 80T Extendable Level“
• The Home Depot, “How to Use Levels and Carpenter Squares“

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