2006 eBuild Editor's Choice Award Winners

eBuild and xxxx have announced their 2006 Editor's Choice Award recipients and our favorite topic--coordless tools--tops the list. Last year Milwaukee's goundbreaking Li-Ion-powered tool line got the nod and this year they acknowledge the explosion on Li-Ion products from all the manufacturers by giving the Editor's Choice Award to the battery itself.

In their own words:
"Lithium-ion batteries as a category offer key advantages for cordless tool users–and those users that have been restricted to corded tools only. Most notably, lithium-ion batteries pack more power into smaller cells, meaning manufacturers can provide more energy in the same size batteries available now (such as 36-volt tools with the power of corded tools but the weight of 18-volters) or put the same amount of energy into a smaller battery (such as 18-volt tools that offer the power of 18-volt nicad or NiMH products but at a lower weight). The batteries also typically offer longer runtimes, among other benefits."

In their revie they also cite a whole mess of other award winners. We'll be highlighting and commenting on a few of them in the next few days but if you're eager to know just pop on over and check them out yourself.

Craftsman Drill Combo Kit

Craftsman just released a new 19.2 volt coordless combo kit including both an impact driver and a driver/drill with a T-handle.

They're pretty straight forward, although the impact driver does come with LED task lighting. The kit includes two batteries and a universal charger...but note that the batteries are Ni-Cad, not the newer Li-Ion technology.

The kit retails for $149, although Craftsman Club members currently can get a 33% discount and pick it up for 99 bucks.

Weed Burner

If Rambo had a line of garden tools this would most certainly be the featured product--Weed Burner.

That's insane.

(via Geek24)

Seattle Power Tool Drag Racing

If you're in Seattle, you still have one more hour today to make it over to the Hazzard Factory to attend their Power Tool Drag Race & Derby today.

If you missed it, stay in the loop on future events by registering for their email newsletter.

(via Make)

Dremel Glue Gun

When is a Dremel not a Dremel? When it's the new Dremel glue gun.

Honestly, I'm not exactly sure how to feel about this one. Dremel has certainly earned its right to cash in on some brand loyalty...their rotary tools invented the category. However, I'm not really sure what the "value add" (sorry, but sometimes corproate-speak is dead on) is in this case.

The Dremel glue gun does have some nice features: two temperature settings, a green LED 'ready-to-use' light, and such. However, what makes this particular glue gun a Dremel? I'm not sure.

Maybe they're just suffering from the whole 'brand as category' syndrome that others like Kelenex or Tivo have gone through...I'm fine with Sony releasing a VCR, but a Tivo VCR would bend my mind.

Anyway, I'm sure it's a good tool...just had to get that off my mind...

Platium Tile Tools

My wife used to run a usability lab during the dot-com hayday (no not now, the first one). As a result I've developed an appreciation for tools redesigned based on actual user analysis (read as: OXO). For that reason I took an interest when I read the introductory summary of the Platinum Tile tool ine from Custom Building Products.

"Platinum tools were created by watching and listening how tile professionals used their tools everyday so we could truly understand how they’re used. [...] And we discovered that they use their tools for tasks that they simply weren’t designed for. Then we started at square one to make the best possible tools for the job and designed the most innovative line of tile installation tools ever. So instead of telling contractors not to use their tools that way, we redesigned them so they could be used that way."

How are they different, you ask?

Illuminator Hand-Cranked Flashlight/Radio

You've only got two hands--free one up! Illumninator combines the hand-powered radio and the hand-powered radio in to one battery-free device.

The flashlight is powered by 3-LED flashlight, while the radio is your vanilla AM/FM variety. A toggle switch allows you to switch light levels by increasing and decreasing the number of bulbs that are lit.

Available lots of places right now...