Tool Blog

For the most part, when we think of the Amish, we think of people that live simple lives and use pure hard work to get the job done. But as I pointed out in a previous article, the Amish like their power tools just like the rest of us. What makes Amish tools different, however, is the fact that they don't use electricity. To satisfy their power requirements the Amish turn to pneumatics, or in the case of the modded Ridgid miter saw—gas.

If you leave a mess at a job you might just end up getting yelled at; but fear not, for DeWALT has recently come out with a new wet/dry vacuum that is both corded and cordless and is small enough for you to take with you. Thanks to the fine folks at DeWALT, we have the aforementioned DCV581H Vacuum as the prize for this month's Tool-Rank giveaway.

The game is pretty simple. The other day I got this tool from a local yard sale—I know what it is, but do you? If you think you know, leave a comment below letting us know how smart you are. After you have made your guess, watch the video to see if you got it right.

When Coast contacted me and said they were sending over their new HL27 LED Headlamp, I couldn't help but remember that I had just done a video of their HL7 LED Headlamp; what could be so different? It turns out the HL27 has a number of improvements that might make it worth an upgrade.

Just because we are used to scissors being able to do only one thing—cut, it doesn't mean we have to be stuck with scissors that can do only one thing. Smart Sizzors can do more than one thing, that's why they are called smart. But do you even want scissors that offer more?

Most people might not be aware of this, but hard hats expire. The expiration date varies by manufacturer, and it also varies depending on your working conditions, but most manufactures recommend you replace your hard hat every five years. But do you remember the year you purchased your hard hat, because I don't. Thankfully 3M has come out with a hard hat that lets you know when it is time to be replaced—and you can get one for FREE.

3D printing technology sure has come a long way in these last few years. Something that wasn't even well known, is now not only known, but is at the point where it can actually be used to make production items. The NRG3 Roller Socket Wrench was prototyped using 3D Metal Printing and they plan on using 3D technology in production units.

How do you make the popular Festool MFT even better than it already is? You give it a bunch of accessories. Lee Valley has put together a Veritas bench dog kit that turns the MFT into the ultimate work table. And if you don't have an MFT, they give you the drill bit to make your own.

Working from a scaffold can already be a challenge, being confined to a small footprint with a drop-off only a few feet away. And as tough as it might be, adding heavy tools into the mix makes it that much harder. So why not add a shelf to your scaffold and save yourself some trouble?

Sears has a hot deal up right now on a 12V Drill and Impact kit for the low low price of $39.99, Regular $109.99. The kit also includes a single 12V lithium-ion battery. The kit would be considered light-duty by today's standards, but at only $40 it is well worth the price. Buy it as a tool to use around the house and it will pay for itself after just a few uses. Heck, the impact has more torque than the impact I used every day on the job a few years ago. If I didn't have...