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...

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...

Irwin Retrofit Miter Saw Laser Guide

Irwin has come out with the product I'd been wanting for some time now--a miter saw laser guide that can attach to any standard saw.

The device attaches next to a standard blade and is charged by activated by the rotation of the blade. Irwin claims 1.5 hours per battery (about 5,000 cuts) and 3,000 hours per laser diode (2 million cuts). Thus, the laser will probably out last my saw itself.

Now someone just needs to come up with a model that recharges itself via centrifugal force when the blade spins.

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Black & Decker Auto Wrench

Trying to continually eek out innovations for the tried-and-true tool user, Black & Decker has introduced a powered adjustable wrench called-unsurprisingly-Auto Wrench.

The adjustment is made by a thumb control--press up to tighten, down to release.

The Auto Wrench is available at lots of retailers at this very moment.

Cordless Drill and Remote Control Car Combo Kit

Looking for a unique gift to make up for missing Father's Day yesterday? Consider this option from Skil: a cordless drill/RC truck combo set.

The drill and car both run off the same 18v power cell. Even better, you can avoid any fighting between pop and the kids over the power source--the car can accept any Skil power cell from their other tool lines too.

Fun!

Circuit Alert Wire Strippers with Integrated Voltage Sensing

This is a pretty cool concept--Circuit Alert wire strippers with an integrated voltage tester.

A tester integrated in to the handle beeps and flashes when voltage is detected, eliminating the need for a separate voltage tester. One fewer tool to keep, carry (and to try to find) is always nice!

The Circuit Alert is currently available at Lowes and other major retailers for about 25 bones. Another photo of it's (many) features after the jump.

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HandyMark Makes Outlet Cutouts in Drywall Easy

The HandyMark is a tool for anyone who hangs lots of drywall or (like me) isn't very confident in their drywall skills. Specifically, it makes it easier to make perfect outlet cutouts in sheetrock when you're hanging it.

Simply insert the HandyMark in to the outlet box installed on a wall. Then set your sheetrock where you intend to hang it. Press the sheetrock against the wall, and the HandyMark will make six small perforations on the back of the board.

After that it's just a matter of cutting between the dots and you'll have a perfect hole that lines up with the outlet when you permenantly hang the sheet.

(via On the House)

Wobble Light

The Wobble Light is a three-foot tall Weeble-like device that can return quickly to an upright position whenever bumped, jostled or knocked over.

Versions are available with halogen, flourescent or metal halide bulbs, which throw light in ranges from 16 to 110 feet.

If you're looking for fun, you can pass about 20 seconds by playing with the interactive animation on their home page and knock the Wobble Light over a few times.

NHS 2006: Beat Ice Dams with the Ice Viper

You have to question their choice of timing and location, but IDRS, Inc has decided to unveil their new tool for removing unwanted ice dams on roofs at this week's National Hardware Show in Las Vegas.

Simply crack open the Ice Viper bag, place the the enclosed tube directly on the ice dam, and wait for the device to heat up and melt away the ice.

Like the QuickCrete, it's a rediculously simple solution but I have to admit that I would have been happy to have it last winter when I was out on my own roof with a blow dryer and a sledge hammer...

NHS 2006: Mag-Lite LED Upgrade

Mag-Lite is planning to release their own LED version of their classic flashlight, but that hasn't stopped companies like NiteIze from releasing LED upgrades for owners of existing AA Mag-Lites.

LEDs are available in four colors. For power users, they offer upgrade packages for C and D cell Mag-Lite versions too.

Pictoral instructions for how the upgrade actually works after the jump...

NHS 06: Raptor Anchors

Like last year's cult favorite the Monkey Hook, Raptor Anchors provide a new twist on the traditional picture hook.

The anchors go in to drywall like a traditional nail. Simply snap the anchor in to a strait position like a traditional nail, then hammer it in until the face is flush with the wall. Finally, twist in a complimenting 'zip pin' and the tip of the anchor is flipped open to secure the pin to the wall.

The pins come in a variety of shapes to accomodate a variety of situations...you can see examples (and a handy animation) at their website.

Thermo-Cut Tape Gun

Engadget doesn't do a whole lot of tool-related news and when they do they tend towards the strange and gadgetty. This one's no exception: witness the 'thermo-cut tape gun.'

The gun uses heat instead of a blade for cutting the tape. Not sure why this is a better solution, but this site seems to think it will make for an easier cut. Hmm, not sure.

(via Engadget)

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Strait-Line Grip-Light

Strait-Line has a new Grip-Light with a 10” jaw so you can clamp it to stuff.

It seems to me to just be a variation on those old steel-caged light bulbs you'd hook on the car hood while adding oil, but I guess it does have some modern updates like "fluorescent bulbs that last up to 10,000 hours and remain cool to the touch when in use" and "a shatter-resistant lens, rubber end caps and additional power outlet." As their PR department pointed out, "the STRAIT-LINE Grip-Light is the perfect work light for any project, any where."

Plus hardly anyone changes their own oil anymore so maybe the light was due for an update, too.

ColdHeat Glue Gun

I vaguely recall using a glue gun as a child for craft projects. My main memory was that it was cool to load in the glue stick and then watch it melt as it warmed up. My secondary memory was that the thing was a total mess and the glue dripped everywhere.

So, it makes sense that no drips is a big selling point for the ColdHeat Glue Gun.

The ColdHeat gun is cordless, using standard rechargable batteries. It also distinguishes itself from it's forefathers by heating up in under a minute. The testamonial I read about it says that the improvements really can increase the number of household uses for a glue gun. Makes sense to me.

(via Cool Tools)

Tiny Stud Finder

Is your toolbox already too full for another tool? Like mini-style tools? Are you a midget? If you've raised your hand, then you'll want to check out this tiny stud finder.

Miles Kimball offers this little marvel for just $5, and aside from being small it's also interesting engineering. As far as I can tell, it looks for nails in studs using a magnet. Not sure how it would detect studs otherwise--it's not a powered model.

(via bookofjoe and Apartment Therapy)

HOWTO: Build a Silent Paint Remover

One of the first tools we came across and bought when we first bought our fixer-upper was a paint gun called the Silent Paint Remover. It's been a fantastic tool.

Since then I've seen lots of folks adopt them, including a few housebloggers I know. I've even seen a few folks try to build their own. However, until today I'd never seen someone make one as nice as this.

Even more amazing, he's got instructions and an entire gallery of examples people have sent him. Amazing! You can see them all here.

I wouldn't have the time, energy or skills to do that but kudos to those who do!

(via Make)

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An MP3-Playing, Self-Leveling, Laser Plumb Bob!? Nope

A little cautionary tale about what can go wrong when a poor branding choice colides with a website that automatically tags jargon with pop-up definitions...

In spite of what their website implies, Sears doesn't really offer a Lasermark MP3 Self-Leveling Laser Plum Bob that actually plays MP3s.

You can see the error for yourself a here.

I'm wondering how many disappointed music-loving general contractors there are going to be out there...

Black & Decker Alligator Lopper

Kick a**! This new Alligator Lopper from B&D is basically a set of pruning shears on steriods.

Clamp it around a branch up to 4" thick and it will hold and cut it in a single action.

Plus it has a sweet alligator face on the blade.

Flip Tray Ladder Accessory

If people could make buying decisions at the precise moment that they're stuck up on a ladder with no place to put all the tools they're holding, the inventors of the Flip Tray would be millionaires. (Who knows, maybe they are.)

The Flip Tray works pretty much exactly as advertised...after you afix it to the top of your ladder, just flip it open and you have a tray!

Beyond that, there's really not much left to explain.

"Opa!"

If I had a lightbulb break from it's stem while still in the socket, I'm afraid that it's possible that room would end up being dark for a very, very long time. I never get around to those types of repairs. Therefore, I'm probably the perfect customer for the EaseOut Bulb Remover.

With this little thing, you can remove the bulb's base without risk of cut fingers, shock, or wasting a perfectly good potato.

(via Engadget)

Ryobi AirGrip Laser Level Kit

Although it's been out for just over a year, I only noticed the Ryobi AirGrip series recently while putzing around my local Home Depot.

For about 50 bucks, you get a good laser level with a battery-driven powered suction cup. While the laser level is the main feature of the kit he suction base is interchangeable, so it can support several other jobs. A 'Lighting' attachment can provide hands-free task lighting, while 'Helping Hand' can support one end of light objects like a chair rail. Finally, there's a magnetic tray for holding small screws, bolts and nuts during a small task.

All in all, a rather versatile solution that's a good alternative to the laser levels I've seen that require things like disposable tapes.

Action photos and a shot of all the attachments after the jump.