Tool Blog

We all have different body types, and we all have different tool needs. So what do you do if you just can't seem to find a toolbelt that has everything you want, exactly where you want it? You make your own, of course. That is... if you have a background in industrial sewing. m@tt over at the Contractor Talk message boards put cost, speed, and simplicity aside and decided he was going to start from scratch and make his own toolbelt. Putting his industrial sewing skills back to work, he designed and built one...

One of the greatest tools that is used by both professionals and homeowners alike is the simple yet handy tie down strap. Without these, many expensive antiques and building supplies would have been lost to the poor knot tying skills that plague those of you that slept through knot tying 101. We Scouts have nothing to worry about. Ratcheting tie down straps are great and all, but how often do you find yourself reaching for one, only to find it in a tangle. Or what do you do with all of the excess strapping...

There once was a time when small trim saws were sought after tools, but it seems as though they died off as people moved to bigger (better?) saws. Well, Makita is bringing the compact trim saw back; this time in a 12V lithium-ion form. So why are trim saws so great anyways? It is as simple as size and weight. With the new Makita SH01W 12V cordless saw you only get a maximum cutting depth of 1-inch at 90-degrees, and 5/8-inch at 45-degrees, but when you are cutting sheets goods, this is plenty. Of...

In a somewhat weird move that seems to mirror what big brother Bosch has just recently done with the OIS adapter, Dremel has announced that they are also releasing a universal adapter for their oscillating accessories. This is weird because these companies (which are both owned by the same parent company) will be competing with each other for oscillation blade sales. This seems odd to me, but I am sure they know what they are doing. It could be as simple as greater availability. The Dremel Multi-Max Universal adapter will allow all...

Congratulations to Gaberiel Keway, winner of the Dremel Trio. Dremel is sponsoring the prize for this month tool giveaway, and this time up for grabs is the new Dremel Trio. The Trio is a step in a new direction for Dremel by offering a tool that will plunge cut into your material. It uses special multi-purpose side cutting bits that allows the Trio to make cuts in any direction, in a variety of materials. You will also notice a handle that can pivot 90-degrees so that the user can be comfortable...

Hopefully, this gift guide will help you complete your shopping with less hassle. If you need more ideas, be sure to read our Christmas gift guides of years past. The lists might be old but they are still full of a bunch of great gifts ideas, many of them priced under $20. Hit the Read More to view the full list. The first link will point you to more information about the tool, the second link takes you to a store where you can buy the tool. Gifts...

I wrote about retractable tool tethers the other day, but what if you are looking for something a little cheaper and a bit simpler? If you want to get super simple, you could just use a bit of rope, but there are better solutions out there that don't break the bank. Lee Valley sells a tether that costs under $10 and still offers the bungee effect that will reduce the sudden stop at the end of a fall. With a heavy tool, the sudden stop after a fall could cause you to lose your balance and could...

Bosch has been really impressive this past year with their advancements in laser technology. First they came out with the GLL2-80 which was an amazing product that projected a self leveling solid 360-degree laser line in both horizontal and vertical planes. Now, Bosch has announced the GLL3-80 laser, which adds a third vertical axis laser line to the original Gll2-80's horizontal and vertical lines. The addition of the third axis gives the GLL3-80 laser the ability to project 90-degree "square" lines on the floor, walls and ceiling at the same time. The old version could...

Marvel is looking to bring the comic that is the Incredible Hulk back to TV with a new series, and is doing extra duty to protect its trademark before the new show makes its way to our living rooms. What does this have to do with power tools? Well, it turns out that Marvel is not very happy with Evolution Power Tools and the similar Hulk logo used on their Hulk air compressor. Evolution Power Tools has already successfully gone through the trademark process, even though Marvel was in protest. Marvel has recently filed a...

If you ask me what the best art, architecture, design movement is, I would say it is the Art Deco movement. I just love the combination of clean flowing lines mixed with hard geometric shapes. Gerber must also like the Art Deco style, because they have incorporated it into their Gerber FIT multi-knife. The Gerber FIT mimics the classic look of an art deco locomotive with its front facing head light and aerodynamic body, but in the case of the knife, it uses a bright 25-lumen LED powered by a AAA battery....