You might associate iFixit with tools to repair your electronics, but now it’s taking on a bigger challenge: helping you with all the mid-size DIY projects around your home. The company has released a Megalodon Driver Kit that sits between its precision gadget toolsets and the power tools reserved for heavy-duty jobs.
The $35 kit centers around a driver with a “Swivel Grip Cap” that can switch between free spinning and static by pushing or pulling the base. You can quickly remove screws, but still put extra torque into a job without resorting to a (frequently awkward) ratcheting system.
The toolkit includes 16 bits for the screws and bolts you “actually find at home,” according to the company. This includes Philips 0-2, flathead, TR10-TR25 Torx, hex, square, a 5/16″ nut driver, and a 1/4″ socket adapter. The magnetically-held lid serves as a sorting tray to keep your loose screws in order.
iFixit sees Megalodon as ideal for fixing dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and other household appliances. It can also help assemble home furniture without stripping the fasteners, so you shouldn’t have problems rebuilding your favorite chair if you lost the tool that came in the box.
Bringing DIY repair culture to home appliances
Why create more e-waste?
For iFixit, the Megalodon Driver Kit is an extension of the philosophy behind its packs for repairing phones and computers. If you can fix your fridge or table yourself, you can reduce e-waste and save money on unnecessary service calls or replacements. In theory, you’re helping the planet by keeping goods around for a few years longer.
You don’t need this specific toolkit, of course. However, it might be appealing if you’re already familiar with iFixit and appreciate its tool designs. It’s also clear that the company is branching out — it might not compete directly with power tool-oriented brands like Black & Decker, Milwaukee, or Ryobi, but it could become a complement and take on the compact toolsets that are useful for home repairs.
