Toolspotting

2006 eBuild Editor's Choice Award Winners

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 15:52:51 -0600

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

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 12:36:26 -0600

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

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:01:37 -0600

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

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 20:55:06 -0600

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

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 19:29:04 -0600

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

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 17:42:49 -0600

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

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:02:32 -0600

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...

Craftsman All-in-One Cutting Tool

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 14:15:47 -0600

Craftsman is releasing a new multi-purpose cutting tool that includes lots of extensions and accessories.

The tool comes with attachments for circle cutting (good 3-1/2 to 12" diameter cuts) a flex shaft (similar to the Dremel accessory), a right angle cutting device. As for blades and bits, you get two metal blades and one masonry blade as well as two multi-purpose bits and two bits for cutting drywall. Everything comes in a canvas bag for storage.

The tool includes variable speed motor can run from 15,000 to 30,000 RPM to better match cutting speeds with various materials.

Cordless Lawn Mower

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 12:51:03 -0600

So we're crazy for all things cordless, and especially jazzed when we come across those 'why didn't I think of that' examples. Case in point: the Neuton cordless lawn mower.

It's not for huge lawns--it only runs an hour per charge--but it probably is a viable solution for urban lawns where a mower doesn't get a huge workout. Not the most feature-rich mower either, but it does support mulching so that's worth something. Note that it has an trimmer and edger attachment as well.

(via Gizmodo)

Irwin Retrofit Miter Saw Laser Guide

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 14:01:29 -0600

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.

Black & Decker Auto Wrench

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 08:10:09 -0600

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

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 17:11:50 -0600

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!

Workshops Galore

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 06:06:39 -0600

The MAKE blog is collecting a nice assortment of photos of workshops from their readers.

Some of them definitely put me to shame...I wish I was that organized!

View them all here and here and here and here.

Craftsman Magnetic Steel Bowl

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 16:48:10 -0600

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.

Stanley Fat Max Xtreme Tape Measure

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 16:28:10 -0600

What can make a tape measure Xtreme? Well, from Stanley Tools' perspective that's the label to use when you up the already-significant standout to a whopping 13'.

The 25 ft. Fat Max Xtreme has the same BladeArmor™ coating on the tape. The extra strength would appear to come from a wider blade--1-1/4" instead of their typical 1" or 3/4" models.

Beyond that, you get a little extrae chrome detailing and a high-tech Mylar polyester thrown in for good measure.

If a tape can be a status symbol (Can it?) this is probably the one to have.