ThisIsCarpentry.com recently published a great article on a DIY cabinet jack system that I just love. If you have ever installed upper cabinets, you know you need some type support system to help you to get those cabinets exactly where you want them. For your everyday homeowner, you can get away with using a simple ledger board, but we pros need something that will not damaged the walls and can be used over and over again. There are many options including things as basic as 2x4 kickers all the way up to multi-hundred dollar cabinet lifts. But sometimes the homemade version is the best version.

Some people just refuse to wear gloves and rely on their egos to protect them, but I am not one of these people. I have nothing to prove to anyone and have never planned on entering the worlds toughest hand contest. I have always been an advocate of hand protection, so when Snap-On said they had some gloves for me to test out, I was all for giving them a go.

When shopping for a pair gloves, I look for a few things that are on the top of my list. The first is a snug fit, the second is a good amount of dexterity. Having a good grip is also important, but not as important as the first two – as long as the grip is equal to my own naked hand, I am happy.

Snap-On is known for their mechanics tools, so the SuperGrip gloves are a lighter duty then something you would see a rancher using. They do sacrifice durability for dexterity, but this is something I expected. It is all about finding the right glove for the job. All of those little black rectangle looking areas you see on the front of the glove are there to help you get a grip. They are made of a tacky silicone compound that does a great job of keeping tools from slipping – they actually grip better then I expected. One aspect of the glove I liked was the extra protection layer that runs between the thumb and the index finger. This is a high traffic area that tends to ware down first on my other gloves. Because these are mechanics gloves, they have even added a bit of knuckle saving padding. The fit of the gloves is great, but the sizing seems to run on the small side. If you are unable to test fit before you buy, you might want to choose the next size up.

I give the SuperGrip gloves two thumbs up. Check your local Auto Zone or Pep Boys for availability; they run about $25.

Time is money. So when you find a product that saves you a ton of time, even though it might cost a little extra, you know it is still worth it. The SpeedTape from FastCap is one of these great money saving products. SpeedTape is a double-sided tape that is specifically designed for quick and easy veneering and laminating. I first used SpeedTape on a large paneling job at a new church project here in SoCal. Most of the panels were cut to size at the shop, but the ones that required a custom fit also required some veneering to cover the raw edge.

There are problems that arise when trying to apply edge banding onto a panel that is pre-finished. In the past we would use spray glue because it is faster then liquid contact cement, but this means we would have to tape up the panel and hope we didn't get any glue on the finish. Often, if the temperature was too hot or too cold, we would discovery that the glue would not even hold. In short, it was a pain. When we discovered SpeedTape, it was like a dream come true. Not only is it really fast to install, but the holding strength is amazing. I am a SpeedTape fan.

SpeedTape comes in 1”, 1.5” 2” and 6.5” sizes in 50' rolls. You can even get custom sizes made in widths up to 54”, though I don't know how economical these would be VS contact cement. Prices start at $10 for 1”x50'.

[:cicn:] SpeedTape: FastCap - Amazon

DeWalt might have been the last of the big name manufacturers to release a line of 12-volt ultra compact lithium-ion tools, but when they entered they landed with a rather large thud. While the other brands have released a tool here and a tool there, DeWalt has come out with a full line of seven tools all at once. The new line includes: 1/4” Screwdriver ( DCF610S2), 3/8” Drill/Driver ( DCD710S2), 1/4” Impact Driver ( DCF815S2), 3/8” Impact Wrench ( DCF813S2), LED Work Light ( DCL510), Inspection Camera ( DCT410S1), and Infrared Thermometer ( DCT414S1).

In a somewhat strange move, DeWalt moved away from the pretty much standard battery-in-handle design for ultra compact 12-volt tools, and went with a battery-below-handle design. They wanted their tools to offer a more comfortable grip and have better balance – something they could not do with the battery-in-handle design. This design also allows the user to stand the tool upright, something that the other brands don't do as well. I don't know if the change has had any affect on size and weight, so we will have to see how it stacks up with the competition.

Comfort is great and all, but the 12 Volt Max line is about more then that; the specifications look great and are equal to or better then the tools their competition offers. We will just have to see how everything fares in the real world. The one odd tool in the line up is the 12 volt impact wrench. Impact wrenches are used in tasks that require a lot of torque, so I find it weird to see it in a category that typically trades power for size. Look for these tools in stores later this fall.

I did not know this up until a few months ago, but we lost another great American company last year. The failing economy has claimed a lot of businesses, and back in December 2009 Perry Scaffolding closed their doors for good. It is hard to think that a company that had a foot on just about every jobsite I have ever been on could not survive, but unfortunately stuff like this just happens.

Sure there are other US manufacturers that produce great scaffold systems, but what about the person that wants to add to their existing Perry system? Well it turns out that Mark Starness, who just happens to have been the VP of operation at Perry for 31 years, has started Nu-Wave Scaffolding systems. Nu-Wave is now manufacturing and selling exact duplicates of several Perry products. These products are authorized by and built to the exact dimensions of Perry products and are guaranteed to be 100% compatible. Mark Starness even took many of the Perry staff with him; so it is almost like Perry never left. He has done us all favor.

Nu-Wave Scaffolding Systems via Contractor's Solutions

I just got some weird news from our buddy Nate over at CPO Outlets. Starting July 1st, SKIL will no longer sell or ship their X-Bench Portable Workstation to the state of California. Due to a new environmental law passed in the state, the X-Bench no longer meets the California standards. This is all because of the MDF top that is part of the X-Bench, and its use of formaldehyde.

To make a long story short, during aftermath of the disaster that was hurricane Katrina it was determined that formaldehyde could “leak” from the MDF made FEMA trailers when it was exposed to extreme heat and humidity. Because of this, California has changed their standards for Air Toxic Control Measure for Composite Wood.

SKIL will not be issuing a recall for the X-Bench because it was in full compliance with the state during the period of sales. If you wanted to get an X-Bench, you better hurry while you can. All remaining X-Bench stock in Cali. is required to be returned to SKIL. A successor to the X-Bench has been in the works and will be available in late July, but it is not a direct replacement to the X-Bench, and will not be at the same price point.

It will be interesting to see what other products will be affected because of this. The Festool MFT for example.

Update: I sent an email off to Festool asking if they were aware of the new California standard, and if it would have any affect on their MFT. Here was their reply:

"Thank you for inquiring about the Festool MFT and requirements for sales in California. We are investigating the matter currently as it applies to our MFT product and should have an answer forthcoming shortly."

So there you go; we will all just have to wait and see what happens next. As a resident of California, I am plenty aware of how the state is apt to pass laws and regulations without thinking of the impact or consequences. I think this regulation just might be one of them. I hardly consider California to be a hot and humid climate – Hot, yes, but hardly humid.

[:cicn:] SKIL X-Bench CPO SKIL - Amazon

A little over a year ago it was announced that RBI Hawk would be closing their doors. It is always sad when a small company goes out of business, especially a company that makes their products here in the USA. Not only do we lose an American company, but it puts a lot of people out of work. However, there is good news. Just when people in the scroll saw communities were feeling low, in swoops Bushton Manufacturing to save the day. It didn't take long for Bushton to pick up where RBI left off, and bring peace back to the world of scroll sawing.

Bushton has been rolling out replacement parts, and existing HAWK scroll saw models for some time now, but now we have our first look at a brand new Bushton designed scroll saw. The JuniorHAWK has a 16” cutting capacity which is smaller then most professional scroll saws, but this small size keeps the weight down to only 35 pounds. Jr. is truly a portable saw and should please many a traveling scroller.

The JuniorHAWK is expected to sell for $850. The price might seem high, but HAWK scroll saws are extremely well built tools that are made almost entirely out of aluminum. I own a HAWK saw myself; I just need to get around to ordering some replacement parts.

Hawk Woodworking Tools

Have you ever found yourself using your keys as a pry bar in a moment of desperation? I know I have. This is not one of the best ideas, that is soon realized when your keys no longer work; but we work with what we have. The Micro Widgy Bar is the smallest pry I have ever seen, with a length of only 3”. If I had it on my key ring, my keys would be in much better shape – Live and learn. The Micro Widgy is the little bro to the OG Pocket Widgy, which was commissioned by Uncle Sam to be used by technicians for opening ordinance crates in the field. Both models are made of D9 hardened steel which is a lot stronger then the brass keys are made of. Did I mention these are made in the USA. Pick up yours today for only $5.50.

[:cicn:] CountyComm

In an effort to stave off breast cancer and find a cure, Paslode has started the “Let's Nail the Cure” program. I do not know if your were aware of this, but Paslode offers a way for Paslode cordless nailer users to add a bit of flare to their nail guns with their line of graffiti skins. These decals fit right on the body of the nailer and adds a bit of style to an otherwise plain looking tool.

Paslode has now come out with a new breast cancer awareness skin, in which 25% of the proceeds are donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Money is one thing, but awareness is just as important, if not more; for the low low price of $7.99, you can do both. Your co-workers will be sure to take notice and ask you about your new pink nail gun, and this is your chance to tell them all about it.

[:cicn:] Paslode Outlet & SendMyParts.com.

For those of you that rely completely on cordless tools, you know the importance of having plenty of extra batteries on hand; one battery just wont do. You can buy extra batteries at $100 or more each, or you can go a completely different route with the Ultimate Battery Power, or UBP for short. The UBP is an all-in-one solution for people that need more run time then your standard battery pack can offer. It has the capacity of 3.5 batteries at the cost of only around 2 batteries.

The UBP works by replacing your cordless tool's battery pack with their own hollow pack that connects to either the UBP backpack or the UBP belt system. The UBP system essentially replaces the battery from the tool and moves it to your back, and multiplies it by 3.5. At $199 for each system, the kit will power over 53 different power tools and give your a continuous run time of over an hour and a half. The biggest advantage of a system like this, is the ability to move from brand to brand without having to change batteries or carry around a charger for each brand. See the video after the Read More

[:cicn:] Ultimate Battery Power