When all of the competitive oscillating tools started coming out, last year I asked the question – Is Fein Feeling The Heat? It would seem almost impossible for Fein to not feel some kind of waves after so many companies made their splash all at once. It was hard to know if this had any impact, but then we got our first real evidence when Fein lowered the price of their blades and accessories. It wasn't much of a change, but it was a start.

A new $50 rebate from Fein just goes to show that capitalism works. I have never seen a Fein oscillation tool on sale, so the lower priced offering by their competitors have done us all some good. From now until December 27, 2010, Fein is offering a $50 rebate on the following MultiMaster products: Fein 250 Start, Fein 250Q Basic, Select Plus, Top Plus or Marine Top.

Fein Rebate Form

In addition to the above, Rockler.com is offering an additional $25 Rockler gift card if you purchase a Fein MultiMaster 250Q Top Plus from them.

[:cicn:] Fein 250Q Top Plus Rockler – Fein MultiMaster Amazon

Thanks to the greed and some trademarking over in the Football League, we can not use the words "Super" and "Bowl" right next to each other. So companies like Fluke have to come up with other ways to let people know that they are giving away two tickets and a trip to see The Big Game.

The "Fluke Football Big Game Sweeps" is just their fancy way of saying that they are having a giveaway to win a trip for two, including: airfare, hotel accommodations for four nights, a rental car, and two tickets to what many consider the hottest sporting event of the year. If you want to be one of the few to see the game without spending a small fortune, here is your chance.

To enter just head on over to the Fluke contest page (below), click on one of the products to learn about about it, then simply fill out the entry form. No purchase is necessary.

Fluke Football Big Game Sweeps

One of the handiest tools we use is the nail set. I mean how ugly would our trim look with nails sticking out, or even worst, trim with hammer dents? So now that we have established how great they are, how can they be made better? Bostitch came up with a simple solution that improves upon the classic design, and does so without breaking the bank.

Their new 58-500 nail set doesn't appear to be any different at first glance. It is only when you take a closer look that you notice it is in fact two nail sets in one. They have taken a cue from the handy reversible screwdriver and applied the same concept to their nail set. On one side of the double-ended insert is a 1/32-inch nail set and on the reverse side is a 1/16-inch nail set. The nail set insert is held in place with a 1/4-inch chuck similar to those found on quick-change drills. This makes flipping the set quick, but also allows users to use the nail set as a handle for screwdriver bits in a pinch.

The Bostitch 58-500 is priced at under $10. You can also find this same nail set branded by Stanley as the 58-501.

Bostitch via The Hardware Aisle
[:cicn:] Amazon Bostitch 58-500 - Stanley 58-501

The one thing that makes or breaks a level for me is the ability to accurately read the vials. The easier the vials are to read in varying lighting conditions, and against different backgrounds, the better the level. This is why the new Opti-Vision levels from Kapro look really impressive. With this level they have ditched the normal green vials and have gone with a clear liquid that somehow produces a red bubble. Kapro has taken the Opti-Vision to the next level by removing the variable of different vial backgrounds, by using their own permanent white background. This white background gives users the best viewing contrast, no matter the work conditions.

The Opti-Vision vials can be found on the new 905 Condor Levels from Kapro, but unfortunately it doesn't look like they are being sold in the USA as of now. Hopefully it wont be long until these hit our store shelves.

Opti-Vision