Underwater Power Tools?

For the First Time Ever, a Cordless Drill and Angle Grinder Can Be Fully Submerged. Safely.

- Dan Dubno

Last summer, two men attempted to fix the busted reel used to wind up and store a pool cover. Although the reel was mounted barely an inch over a filled swimming pool, those idiots—my brother, Mickey, and me—decided not to empty the pool. Instead, we wrapped a 120-volt wired electric drill in layers of garbage bags. Our horrified family gathered as we awkwardly attempted to drive a series of screws without accidentally dunking the drill and electrocuting ourselves.

That nightmare is why I was so interested when I heard about Nemo Power Tools, a Hong Kong–based company run by entrepreneur Nimo Rotem. This year, Nemo is launching an expanded series of handheld power tools that are completely waterproof— and, in my case, idiot-friendly. They power through any type of water, even contaminated sources, so they’re ideal for a wide range of commercial and consumer uses.