If you've never heard of the Bigslider, let me tell you about it. This cool product helps you move large objects and can replace your wheelbarrow. It's basically a 2-foot by 5-foot piece of high-density Polyethylene and has a handle on one end. You can put a heavy load on the Bigslider like a large TV, a water heater or a big flower pot. Then you can easily slide the heavy load. The Bigslider can slide over carpet, concrete, asphalt and grass. The thing I really like about this product is that instead of picking up a heavy object and putting it in a wheelbarrow or carrying it, you just slide it onto the Bigslider and pull it. When I tested it out I actually had my wife pull me around on concrete. She had no problem at all. This is definitely a back saver.

This is one of the best gadgets I've ever tested. It's not high tech at all - it's just a simple, ingenious idea. I'm referring to the Painters Pyramids. What do the Painters Pyramids do? Well, if you're ever painting something like a door, bookshelves or a sculpture you have to paint one side at a time, the Painters Pyramids shorten the job for you. They are, as the name implies, little plastic pyramids that support your object and take up very little surface area. So, if you're going to paint a door, go ahead and paint one side and then lay that side down on the pyramids. Now you can paint the other side. You can find the Painters Pyramids at Sherwin Williams stores or online.

Tim Thompson lives in Gainesville. E-mail Tim your ideas for tips, tools or tricks.