Hand Tools
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.
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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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.
Irwin Vise-Grip Slip Joint Pliers
Over at Remodeling for Geeks, Alan sings the praises of Irwin's latest slip-joint pliers.
He's especially pleased with the easy of adjustment with the push-button adjustment release.
You can get his full take over at Remodeling for Geeks.
Flower Power Pliars
I've seen a pink toolbelt and even a flowered screwdriver (scroll down) but I didn't realize someone had expanded the concept to pliars.
They should use this technology to offer tools with your favorite sports team.
(via Gizmodo)
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)
Hammernet
A lot of times we start out with a project and we know a specific tool will be required, it just may not be clear what version of the tool will be needed. A good example is the simple hammer.
Obviously, you need a hammer to set a nail into wood, but you may not know exactly what type of hammer you need. Generally, the hammer aisle at the local hardware store or super sized box store has a confusing variety of styles and sizes.
Hammernet is a site that can help clear the confusion.
Magnetic Measuring Tape Holder
I stumbled across this the other night and figured that I would pass the information along...
Have you ever spent more time looking for your measuring tape than actually completing a project? I hate to
admit it, but sometimes I am a victim of this too.
Prazi USA has a magnetic tape holder that keeps your
tape right where you can get to it and where you can find it.
I haven’t tried this out, so I don’t know whether the magnets actually do a good job holding the tape.
Score One for the Ladies
I'll confess, I've been rather skeptical of tool lines targeted at women ever since they became a major marketing push last year. They seemed to me to be more a product of marketing surveys than real needs from what I saw--can't everyone just just buy a Craftsman screwdriver and do just fine with it?
That said, Consumer Reports recently reviewed models from Barbara K and Tomboy Tools and they've put me in my place--apparently these things are actually pretty good.
Specifically, they like the extra effort put into ergonomics and usability. In fact, their user tests found that men actually prefered those same features and benefited from the same attention to design and efforts to minimize stress and improve grips.
That said, I personally would like to keep my tool sets in colors other than light blue.
Are you listening, Sears?
Stiletto Titanium Hammers
If any amateur out there is doing so much home improvement that have repetitive stress injuries, the first thing I'd say they should probably do is join their local carpenters union. The second thing they should probably do is pick up a titanium hammer like these models from Stiletto.
Available in styles for both trim and framing, they're half the weight of hammers made of conventional materials. That means they're less stressful to use without compromising strength. That said, they start at $100 so don't even think too much about them if you aren't really serious about your hammers.
Fuller Wavex Shock-Absorbing Hammer
Fuller Tool's new Wavex hammer includes shock absorbing technology that should reduce shock and fatigue to shoulders, wrists and elbows.
Backing their argument by something they're calling "Newton's laws of motion" (never heard of him, myself), they claim the waves designed in to the hammer's shaft absorbs shocks before they make it far enough to transfer to your hand.
For just $9.93 at Amazon
