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.

Craftsman Magnetic Steel Bowl

Now I see that Craftsman has expanded in to magnetic bowls, which are available for holding screws and stuff I suppose.

On the one hand it seems funny to me to get a Craftsman-branded steel bowl.

On the other hand, after spilling a box of drywall screws last weekend I totally want one.

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Craftsman Comfort Fit Tools

Sears has decided to play in the hot market for higher-end hand tools designed for women. While their website doesn't brand their new 'comfort fit' line as tools for women, the mailer I received makes it clear who they're aiming at...

Marketing aside, from the specs it looks like they're also aiming at the likes of OXO, who's done great things bringing usability and their signature comfort grip to folks who are casual users of hand tools.

Personally, I always thought that the manufacturers that branded their tools exclusively to women (I'm looking your way, Barbara K) missed an opportunity--there are plenty of guys who would be willing to invest in tools that were well designed and innovated with their designs. They just can't be pink or blue.

Craftsman might just be on to something...it will be interesting to see how they do.

Craftsman Wet/Dry Vac Pump Accessory

Craftsman just released an accessory that converts their version of the shop vac in to a portable pump system.

The pump out accessory let's you move more water than would normally fit in a shop vac without taking multiple trips to dump it out. The pump moves water at 10 gallons per minute and can send it up to 40 feet high--perfect for that giant backyard water slide you've been planning to build this summer.

If your still fuzzy on exactly how this thing works, there's an action shot after the jump.

Hitachi Compound Sliding Miter Saw

Gadget alert. Hitachi brings it with all kinds of features with its new 12" sliding compound miter saw.

For starters, it offers a rather practical twist on the traditional sliding mechanism...fixed slide rails don't extend out from the back, allowing the saw to be placed close to any wall. Add to that an LCD display that confirms the miter and bevel angle the saw is set to, the increasingly standard laser guide, and a micro-bevel adjustment (the same feature just added to DeWalt's upgraded sliding chop saw).

Stand back and marvel at it's gadget-ty goodness.

Craftsman "Viper" Tool Storage Series

Sears gets flashy with this new "Viper Tool Storage Collection", which features polished stainless steel finish drawers that their standard "Craftsman Tool Storage Collection, Red" doesn't have.

Fancy...although I'd be a bit nervous that a real, functioning shop might be the kinda place where this thing might accumulate a few knicks, dents and scratches.

Maybe it's just me.