Tool Blog

In the past few years we have seen great advancements in the area of ultra compact cordless tools. Now, Dewalt is trying their hand, and pushing the market in the direction of compact routers with features you would only expect in a full size router. So what sets the new DeWalt routers apart from compact (trim) routers of the past? Well, just about everything. Dewalt has taken all the features you would want in a router, sized them down, and put them in a more compact body. The 1-1/4 peak HP motor...

We all love music, and a great soundtrack can really set the mood of the day, so it is not surprising to learn that Porter-Cable has decided to come out with cordless radio of their own. Not that everybody uses them, but cordless radios are now pretty much a standard in any cordless line. The new PC18JR radio runs off of both 18-volt NiCd and Lithium-ion PC batteries for when you want to go free range. When you need your batteries for actual work, the radio saves the day with a 120-volt power cord. The...

IDEAL Acquires Premier Tool Manufacturer SK Hand Tools -- IDEAL expands its commitment to "Made In America" mission by keeping manufacturing of iconic tool brand in the United States -- 08.23.2010 – SYCAMORE, IL -- IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase certain assets of SK Hand Tools Corporation, one of America's leading manufacturers of tools for the professional mechanic. Doug Spitler, Vice President and General Manager of IDEAL's Retail and Industrial Divisions, has been named to run the new company which...

Porter-Cable has just announced the products that will hopefully be just the first of many in their 12-volt line. The new 12-volt lithium-ion tools include a drill/driver, impact driver, and a compact reciprocating saw. As a direct result of the economy, Porter-Cable's goal with these tools is to offer quality at a low price that everyone can afford. While their big brother DeWalt went with a special battery in their 12V tools, Porter-Cable opted to stick with the in-handle design to cut down on costs.

Ridgid has just announced their partnership with Dell to offer a series of rugged laptop designed with the tradesman in mind. These new laptops in conjunction with Ridgid's SeeSnake LT1000 Interface will allow SeeSnake users to monitor, record, and save everything the SeeSnake camera picks up. This is a smarts move for Ridgid, which allows them to offer the complete inspection package. The three Dell Laptops range in their amounts of ruggedness, from Fully Rugged to Everyday Use (which is basically just a standard laptop). The Fully Rugged Latitude E6400 XFR is...

I have a pair of Redwing boots that I absolutely love. They are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned, however there is one small problem. I have worn through the leather on the toes of both boots. I have had the boots for around three years, so they have pretty much paid for themselves, but if it wasn't for the holes, I could probably get another year or two out of them. This problem lead me on a search for a toe protecting solution. Redwing does sell a rubber toe...

On Tuesdays I wrote about Man vs. Tool, the new video series from ToolBarn.com. In the first episode, 7th degree Tae Kwan Do black belt, Master Kassebaum, goes on a head to head race against the Makita 5377MG 7-1/4” magnesium hypoid circular saw. It was a close race, but Tool ended up winning. Tool - 1, Man - 0. As a way to kick off the new series, Man Vs. Tool will be giving away the proud and victorious Makita 5377MG used in the video (slightly used). Also included will be a certificate of...

Sharpie is the go-to brand when it comes to permanent markers, but they might not be your first thought when it comes to pencils. Sharpie is looking to change all that with their new permanent pencil. The new pencil uses a new liquid graphite ink that turns this pen into a liquid pencil. The liquid graphite is erasable for three days, after which the “ink” becomes permanent. I am a fan of using pens for my cabinet scribes. They allow me to leave a nice dark line that is easy to...

If you thought the Rockwell JawHorse was handy, you might get a kick out the of the new Rockwell JawStand (RK9033). Like the JawHorse, the JawStand acts as an extra set of hands when the ones you have are just not enough, but it also does a bit more. The JawStand works as both a clamp and as a material stand. There is also the obvious smaller size compared to the JawHorse. The compact JawStand features a clamping jaw with a stated clamping range of of 0” - 1-1/4 1-3/4”. Though I...

First there was Man Vs Wild, then there was Man Vs. Food. Now, a new web show will pit man against the tools we all know and love. Man Vs Tool is a new web series that comes to us from the online tool store, ToolBarn.com. Is this just another form of advertising on the cheap? Absolutely, but we all know what the power of good viral marketing can do. Who knows, they might have what it takes to be the next Will It Blend?. In the first episode Man Vs Tool...