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You would think that with all of the workbenches in all of the garages all over the country, you would have a few different choices when it comes to workbench protection, but that is not the case at all.

Owning a Staedtler 771 pencil shows that you mean business, but loosing this awesome mechanical pencil would be a real tragedy; let us not forget that you would also be out around $8, the price of the pencil. Now if you had something like a leash for your pencil, this crisis might have been averted. The Tug-N-Back Writer from PencilPull might just solve the issue of lost pencils for good by keeping them on a leash. The Tug-N-Back uses a retractable cord that is similar in function to a retractable key ring, and attaches...

When installing windows or doors you need to use shims to help hold the frame level and plumb. Typically you would used the classic wood cedar shim or you would use the newer plastic or composite shims. But now there is another option on the table, air shims. The air shim I am talking about is called a WinBag, and it is actually a small inflatable bag that expands with a few hand pumps of air to fill gaps ranging from 2mm to 50mm (0.078" - 1.968"). Once you use the WinBags to get your project level and plumb,...

I pick up a pair of Blaklader pants a year or so ago, and picked up a second lighter weight model just a few moths ago. I have had to time to spend with both models and have come to the conclusion that they are the best work pants that I have ever used. Not only do the pants have a ton of great features and are tough, but they are also very comfortable. Could Blaklader take these already great pants and make them any better? Well it appears the answer is yes, with the addition of...

Toggle clamps are the go to clamps when it comes to jigs and fixtures for hobby woodworking and even large scale manufacturing. Their ability to secure your workpiece in just a matter of seconds is what makes them ideal for many clamping needs. However, toggle clamps do have a downside, they do require a bit of setup time to get the clamps adjusted to the size of material you are clamping. If you need to change from one size of material to another, you are better off just build a jig for each size. All of adjustments...

I like tools that make my life easier, and as a finish carpenter you wouldn't think a portable band saw would be one of these tools, but on rare occasion they really are. You might be surprised by the amount of metal I have to work with on any give job. For instance I might have to cut down a 1/4" think angle-iron L-bracket that it too long, or cut down a support post, or more commonly, cut metal closet rod to length. When reviewing the Stout-X band saw back in 2009, I discovered how valuable...

Even though I have never used them, I still believe Rockler's Bench Cookies are one of the best tool inventions for woodworkers and finish carpenters. I always assumed I would pick up a set, but thus far I have not needed them; but now thanks to Fastcap, I might not ever own a set. Why? Because Fastcap's new TracPad lets you make your very own router cookies brownies. I always thought the Rockler cookies were a tool that could easily be DIY'd with some pieces of a router mat, a few blocks or circles...

In 1872 J. Robinson patented the first butt-locking sliding t-bevel, and ever since, his model has been the paradigm to all other models. It is an invaluable tool for people of all trades and can be used to easily duplicate and transfer any angle you can find; with a little help from a protractor, these angles can even be identified. The only downside to the t-bevel is that it can not be used to accurately set 90-degree angles. Almost 140 years later Patrick Leach comes along and sets a new paradigm with his new sliding t-bevel that...

Often it is the simple things in life that make us happy. In the case of tools, often the simplest tools are the handiest and the ones we turn to the most. But can a simple adjustable hook really be a go-to tool? Well, I can't answer this, but the Crown Hanger System sure looks like it would be a huge time & money saver. Have you ever tried to install crown molding by yourself? It is almost impossible unless you have some kind of device to assist you. Some manufacturers offer fancy poles...

Swanson, the makers of the ever popular Speed Square, have come out with a new layout tool that does it all, or almost all. Their new Speed bevel has all the features and looks of their classic Speed Square, but with a little transformer magic, turns into a T-bevel. With a little more transformation you have a try-square; in total the Speed Bevel offers 5 different layout tools in its one small fold-able package. Heck, the fact that you can fold down and make a Speed Square smaller, is all it took to sell me on...