Sorry for the lack of news this week, I have been battling a headache all week. I thought I would post a bit of entertainment today, because I know I could sure use it.

One common trend that manufactures have been doing these past couple of years has been videos of their radios surviving some amazing destruction and abuse. I am not sure which brand starting doing these first, but they are something we have all come to love. The latest to get a beatdown, is the Bosch PB360 radio. After a trip to Wrigley Field, the radio gets to participate in a game of baseball.

So if we all love these videos, and they seem like they would be great advertising, why don't we see these same type of "tests" performed on actual tools? Come on and show us what they are made of.

[:cicn:] Amazon

ToolRank user SulSaw posted a really cool video in the TR forums that showcases the first zero clearance flush cutting circular saw. The Straight Flush was designed and built by a professional contractor of 15 years, who was looking for a faster way to do his job.

A while back Channellock sent over a pair of their 369 lineman pliers and I had the pleasure of putting this tool to the test. Now I am not an electrician, which the tool was originally designed for, but who couldn't use a good set of pliers to help out with life's daily problems.

The pivoting action on the pliers was really smooth and a tell tail sign that these are quality made. Channellock recently updated these pliers by reducing the size of the pivot. This change allowed them to move the point closer to the head. As we all learned in science class, by moving the pivot, they have reduced the amount of force needed to move the opposite end. Basically they gave us a plier that cuts with less effort.

Cutting 12/3 wire with the pliers was a piece of cake. If fact is was so easy I quickly ditched cutting wire for testing and decided to move on to tougher items. Lineman's pliers are often used for cutting screws, so I thought I would give that a try. This too was very easy. I was able to cut through typical machine screws, drywall screws, and even much harder deck screws.

I was worried that the smaller pivot would mean that the tool was less durable, but after using it to cut screws and then using it as a hammer to drive nails, my worries were put to rest. At around $20 you are getting a good product that is made in the USA, at a good price.

If you thought the tool bags from Veto were cool, you will probably love the new Dr. Wood bag from Occidental Leather. If you don't like the price of the Veto bags, you will absolutely hate the price of the Dr. Wood, at over $450. But lets take a look at the Dr. Wood, maybe its worth is hiding inside.

First off, like all Occidental Leather bags, it is made in the USA. So if the other high end bags are priced in the $200 range and are made in China, the price for the Dr. Wood isn't far off. To make the bag strong, Oxy uses a cold rolled steel frame that is formed by hand. The bottom of the bag uses super strong high-density thermoformed polyethylene, and the sides and main body of the bag are made of padded 1050 denier ballistic nylon. You will also notice the trademark leather used as reinforcements and spiffy looking accents.

Oxy touts the bags as having a home for every conceivable tool used by a contractor. While that might be a stretch, the bag does have a total of 88 pockets and holders, and can probably hold every hand tool one would need on a job. The problem, the bag weighs 15 and a half pounds empty. Imagine how much it would weigh when all 88 pockets are filled up.

Occidental Leather