I was pretty rough on Rockler the last time I mentioned them, but they are still one of my favorite tool stores because they still have some of the coolest products; products like the Thread Detective. Unless you have a nut and bolt in every size, or some other type of measuring gauge, you have probably found it difficult to find out the sizes you need when trying to match other nuts and bolts. The Thread Detective offers a simple and very effective way to find out the size you need by giving you a bunch of labeled nuts and bolts to test it on. Yup, its that easy. The Thread Detective is made up of double sided gauges that have a portion of thread on one end and a matching threaded hole inside the handle. So you don't lose any of the gauges, each set is kept together with thin metal cable.

The Thread Detective comes with 14 measuring gauges for Standard, or 11 gauges for Metric. Both can be had for about $15 each.

[:cicn:] Rockler Thread Dective

Argon gas has been used as insulation in dual-pane windows for years now because it is a much better insulator then regular air space; so it would seem only logical that people would be looking for other uses for this safe insulating gas. Ergodyne has come up with a use for argon, but it is in probably the last thing I would have expected, clothing.

The Ergodyne N-Ferno 6900 Warming Vest does away with all of the conventional insulating methods, and gets all of its insulating power from the use of argon gas. The vest itself is made up of a nylon shell that houses a layer of 4.5mm argon filled cells, and the thickness of the cells can be controlled by the user. This allows the wearer to control the amount of insulation on the fly. Only 4.5mm of argon gas is needed to produce the same amount of thermal conductivity as 14mm of the best synthetic or natural fibers on the market. This means users can get the same amount of warmth using this lightweight vest vs other bulkier outerwear.

The N-Ferno 6900 Warming vest is available now for about $200, and includes three 8 gram refill canisters of argon gas. At that price, lets hope you don't accidentally puncture it.

Ergodyne - [:cicn:] Vorpahl Fire & Safety

Over the past couple of years we have seen many different oscillating tools come out from all of the major brands and even a few no-names, but there really hasn't been any innovation in the accessory department. Well that has all changed with the addition of the Multi-Flex from Dremel. The Multi-Flex looks a little weird, but if it works as advertised, it should bring a whole new level of of versatility to the tool. When the Multi-Flex is attached, it turns your oscillation tool into what is very similar in function to a scroll saw or coping saw. This attachment allows the saw to do something that was impossible up until now, make curved cuts. Don't forget you can use Multi-Max accessories on other brands oscillation tools by using the universal adaptor.

The Multi-Flex also seems to be the most expensive single Multi-Max accessory at just under $25, but it includes a number of extra blades. The Multi-Flex comes with 4 spiral cutting blades that are good for cutting in any direction in wood or plastic, 3 straight blades that can be used on wood, PVC, and soft metals, and 1 carbide blade.

Update: I just got word that the Multi-Flex will be available at Lowe's stores in March, and Home Depot in April. You can also sign up at Amazon to be notified when it becomes available.

Update 1/28/2011: Amazon is now showing these as "In Stock"

Dremel - [:cicn:] Lowes - Amazon

One of my first experiences in using tools was when I would work with my Father to design & build my car for the Pinewood Derby races in the Cub Scouts. He would let me do all of the designing myself and even let me do some of the simple cuts with a handsaw. My designs were not works of art by any means, but the cars were always fun to build, and the quality time with Dad was priceless.

Dremel, Lowe's and the Boy Scouts of America have teamed up to help share the joy of building and the joy of family, as they hold their very own Pinewood Derby Days at every Lowe's store. Starting January 15th and running through March, Lowe's stores will be holding Pinewood Derby car building clinics to help you get started. If you are a parent with kids and 5 Saturdays to spare (you do), you should head over to Lowe's and build some cars with your kids.

Head over to DremelDerby for more information.

Via CopTool

Bosch is launching what they are calling a store within a store at select Home Depot Stores. This new Bosch store inside of The Home Depot is called the Bosch ProCenter, and is likely an area set aside just for Bosch tools. Also on hand at the Bosch ProCenter will be a Certified Expert to help answer any questions you might have about Bosch tools, and give tool demonstrations. Sounds like what Hilti did. Right now the Bosch ProCenter can only be found at a few Home Depot stores in the Chicago, Houston, and Miami areas, and there is no word on expanding to other states.

To kick of the new Bosch ProCenter, select South Florida Home Depot Stores with Bosch ProCenter will be hosting the Bosch Blitz Team, who will offering special promotions and giveaways. One event that sounds like a lot of fun is the Bosch Power Box Toss Challenge, where winners will receive a new PB360S Power Box Jobsite Digital Media Stereo. Dates and locations below.

Other Promotions include:

• $50 Home Depot gift card with the purchase of any Bosch Power Tool (First 20 customers only)
• $10 Home Depot gift card with the purchase of $20 worth of Bosch accessories (First 25 customers only)
• Purchase a Bulldog Rotary Hammer and receive a DMD4K Multi-Detector ($99 value) (while supplies last)
• Register with a Bosch expert and receive a free t-shirt

There is nothing worse then walking onto a jobsite early in the morning only to find that your tools are not where you left them. It is sad that things like this happen, but with the economy the way it is, theft is on the rise. We don't like to leave our tools on the jobsite overnight, but it is often not possible to take everything home every night; so we lock up what we can.

Imagine how cool it would be if we could put a GPS tracker on all of our tools, so that we could catch the person behind the theft. This dream is not yet possible for the average man, but we are getting closer thanks to the Garmin GTU 10. While the GTU 10 is not really intended for use on tools, the thumb drive sized GPS locator is small enough to be hidden inside of a gang box or even some larger tools. Inside of the GTU 10 is a small wireless radio that connects to AT&T's wireless network and sends its GPS location over the internet to a website for online tracking. The unit can even be set up to alert you via TXT if it is moved outside of a user defined safe zone. This is not the perfect solution to tracking stolen tools, but for now this is the best we have. Hopefully as time goes by these will get smaller and be cheaper to make.

The GTU 10 is available for preorder for $199.99 and includes one year of tracking service; after that service will cost $49.99 per year.

Garmin GTU 10 via engadget

I don't spend a lot of time on Twitter, but I do like to check in throughout the day to respond to my followers, and to see what might be new in the world of tools. A couple of days ago a tweet from @RocklerDave pointed to some new products that Rockler.com will be carrying. As a lover of tools, it was my duty to click on the link to see what was new.

If you are a fan of the Systainer stackable storage system, you will probably be happy to know that Tanos has given the Systainer a much needed update. The new T-Loc Systainer not only ditches the old bland look for something much more stylish, but the hardware sees a huge change with a completely re-engineered latch system. What once required 4 latches to mount one box to another, now only requires one. The T-Loc makes use of two hooks to keep the back of the boxes together, and a single locking knob to latch the front. The T-Loc is even able to attach with the older style boxes as long as the old boxes are placed at the bottom of the stack. Another big improvement the T-Loc brings, is the ability to open lower boxes in a stack without have to remove the boxes above.

As of now Festool USA does not list the T-Loc Systainer on their website, but I have seen photos with the Festool name on the new T-Loc, so it is probably just a matter of time. Also not yet seen are T-Loc versions of the Sortainer. You can get the Tanos Systainers in Blue or Dark Grey online today. The best news of all is the T-Loc boxes cost a few bucks less.

Tanos

Makita has been an industry leader when it comes to cordless lithium-ion tools, and were the first to come out with the tools we categorize as "Compact". These Compact tools run off of 18 volts of power, but use a smaller battery, and the tools themselves are smaller in size. Makita has announced that they have come out with a new 18-Volt Compact Drill/Driver that is even smaller in size then previous models, by 7/16", and weighs in at only 3.3 lbs.

Small and light is good, but according to the specs, the tool is still strong where it counts. The new model LXFD01CW is powered by a Makita-built 2-piece 4-pole motor that uses bigger and stronger front end ball bearings, and a heavy gauge wire for the windings. The new drill uses an all new planetary gear system and a redesigned all metal 2-speed transmission that delivers 480 in.lbs of maximum torque and 290 in.lbs of torque using the PTI testing standards. This is 30 more in.lbs then the previous BDF452HW.

Some other notable mentions are the always standard built-in LED task light, and an improved ergonomic design with soft rubberized grip. I should also mention that even though the drill is on the small end, it still features the larger 1/2-inch chuck, something that Makita could have easily dumped to cut down on cost.

The LXFD01CW will come in a kit that includes: two 18-volt compact lithium-ion batteries, 15-minute rapid charger, tool belt clip, and case.

Makita
[:cicn:] LXFD01CW - Amazon

I would have never expected to see accessories for something as simple as the Rockler Bench Cookies, but you can't go wrong when trying to make a product even more useful. The new Cones for Bench Cookie offer painters a way to utilize the non-slip abilities of the Bench Cookie, and apply this to there finishing process.

The cones will work with all Bench Cookie models and simply fit snugly over the body of the cookie. What the cone does is further lift your project off of your bench, which allows for greater access to the surfaces. Because the cones come to a small point, they offer minimal surface contact; this in turn, allows users to finish both sides of a project without having to wait for the finish to completely dry. The cones completely cover the tops of the cookies and also cover a bit of the sides, so they will be mostly protected from accidental drips of paint.

A pack of four costs $4.99. If you plan on doing any finishing with your Bench Cookies, you might as well pick some of these up.

[:cicn:] Cones For Bench Cookie - Rockler