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 to the back of a pencil or pen with a universal holder. The universal holder can even be used on writing devices with a clip. The Tug-N-Back housing holds a total of 28-inches of cord and simply clips to a pocket or belt. Two different retractable modes can be selected from a switch on the housing, which allows the cord to either have constant tension or no tension at all. When the no tension mode is selected, a simple tug on the cord will allow it to retract, like a window blind.

The Tug-N-Back costs under $5, and is a small price to pay for pencil security, not to mention that it looks like it would be pretty handy.

PencilPull
LeeValley

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, you can then fasten it to the wall, remove the WinBags and fill the gaps with expanding foam. The WinBag has a weight load rating of 100kg (220lbs), so it shimming and moving possibilities are endless.

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 their X1600 work pants. One of the key factors for the durability of Blaklader pants is their use of super-strong Cordura fabric in areas of the pants that see the most abuse. The old pants use this Cordura fabric for the kneepad pockets, but the new X1600 pants use Cordura for the kneepad pockets, most of the front of the pants, and now the utility pockets. Even the leg cuffs are wrapped in Cordura. If you look at the photo, everything in black is Cordura fabric, the rest of the pant is made out of 13oz 100% cotton fabric.

The X1600 pants also feature some new design changes. Under the right Cordura leg shield, on the thigh, is a zipper pocket that can be used to store gloves, or a hat. The kneepad pockets now feature two different shelves to hold kneepads, and better allows the pants to fit all body types. You might also notice the pants have more loops, pencil slits, and even a place for a jobsite ID badge.

There is no mention of price, but I know Cordura fabric is not cheap; regular Blaklader pants cost around $50, so you should expect to pay a lot more for the X1600 that will be coming out this September.

If I could make a request, I would ask that Blaklader make more color options available as well as different fabric weights. I live in sunny SoCal, and do not want to wear anything black or anything that heavy in the summer.

Blaklader USA

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 downsides of toggle clamps are no more thanks to the new self-adjusting toggle clamps from Bessey Tools. The new clamp uses technology similar to my favorite self-adjusting LockJaw Clamps and has me thinking that Bessey is actually licensing the auto-adjusting tech. The Bessy Auto-Adjust Clamps come in three different types; they have both high and low horizontal clamps that allow for different material thicknesses, as well as a vertical clamp. All three clamps have adjustable clamping pressure of 25 to 550 pounds that is easily configured via a thumb screw.

The three clamps run about $20 each and cost only a few dollars more then similarly weight rated non self-adjusting clamps. The slight added cost really seems like a bargain to me for the speed gained.

Bessey Tools via ToolGuyd
Bessey Toggle Clamps - Woodcraft

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 these tools really are to anyone cutting metal, but they cut with such ease. Because the blade is moving in one direction and pushes your material into a small table, the band saw has very little vibration, and unlike cutoff wheels, they throw almost no sparks.

Bosch has recently introduced a compact portable cordless band saw to their 18-Volt line up which should make a lot of people happy. There are other cordless models on the market today, but each one is different. What I like about the Bosch BSH180 Band Saw is that it is one of the smaller cordless units on the market, similar in size to the Stout-X, and has a similar 2-1/2" cutting capacity. What really impresses me about the Bosch BSH180 is it's claimed 150 cuts per charge in 1" conduit. That, coupled with two batteries, should make the Band Saw a great portable metal cutting solution.

The BSH180-01 is retailing for around $400 and includes two of the Bosch FatPack batteries, 30-minute charger,and carrying case. A tool-only option is also available for Bosch battery owners for around $200.

[:cicn:] BSH180-01 - CPO Bosch
[:cicn:] BSH180-01 – Ohio Power Tool

BSH180 - Bosch Tools

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 of wood, and some glue. Fastcap TracPad is very similar to my DIY method, using some type of non-slip router mat with a self-adhesive back. The TracPad could be as simple as a router mat and Fastcap's double sided tape. Either way, this should be a cheaper, more customizable option. You can even use Fastcap's blind nails to turn your new brownies into a simple painting/finishing setup. For under $5 + shipping you get eight 2-3/8" pads to make 4 double-sided bench brownies, and four blind nails.

[:cicn:] Fastcap TracPad
[:cicn:] Rockler Bench Cookie

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 features a 90-degree locking mechanism. A simple flick of a switch is all that is needed to push a tab that sets the sliding bevel at a perfect 90-degrees. The design is so simple that we wonder how it is possible that fruition has taken so long. The coolest part of all is the fact that Leach built his bevel as an exact reproduction of the original Robinson bevel, the only difference being his improvement. As for price? Try in the neighborhood of $300.

Will it be another 140 years until we have a model that locks at 45 degrees as well?

The Superior Works via Popular Woodworking

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 that help hold up crown, but those are still hard to manage with one person and can be expensive. The Crown Hanger System is just an adjustable hook, but it looks like it would work really well, and can turn a two man job into a one man job. To use the hook all you have to do is nail or screw the hook onto your wall an 1" or 2" down from the ceiling. The hook will hang off of the nail and can be adjusted to fit the size of your crown. You can then nail your crown to the wall, and when you reach the hook you can just slip it out; the nail will remain hidden behind the crown. The Crown Hanger will hold crown at 45-degrees, but can still work with crown that sits at other angles. The Crown Hanger costs about $10 each.

[:cicn:] Crown Hanger - LeeValley

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 the idea; I can never seem to find a good place to store my rafter square because of its shape.

Whether you build houses for a living, or you just want a multifunctional tool from the best name in leveling and layout, the Speed Bevel will handle the job. Made from tough, light-weight, high-impact ABS composite, the Speed Bevel is actually five tools in one – a framing/rafter square, a try square, a miter square, an angle finder/protractor and a sliding T-bevel.

The Speed Bevel takes the place of a few tools I use regularly, and most importantly, I don't really use any of those tools at the same time. I like the idea of cutting weight and a few items from my toolbox, the only question I have is, how accurate is it? An un-square square would be a very bad thing. The Speed Bevel cost around $7, and is about the same as a regular Speed Square.

[:cicn:] Speed Bevel - Amazon
Swanson Tool Co