Back in the olden days when a man needed a tool, he made it himself; but now all we have to do is head to the local hardware store. Tech is really growing in the construction world, and this makes making your own tools almost impossible. But for those of you looking to get back to your home-made tool roots, check out this DIY ultrasonic distance measure. To make you own ultrasonic measure, all you need is the open-source Arduino ($35), a ping ultrasonic sensor ($30), a display ($50), and a bit of code (free). Of course the whole thing will cost you more then a more accurate laser distance measure, but don't let that stop you.

Via Make Blog

A man can never have enough screwdrivers, at least I don't think so, but how often do you actually have one on yourself when you need it? The Screwpop is just what you need to solve your screwdriver-less woes as well as make you the life of the party. It features both a #2 Phillips and a #2 Flat head screwdriver as well as a 1/4 hex nut driver and a party popping bottle opener. At just under $5 bucks, the Screwpop would make a great stocking stuffer, but unfortunately for us the Screwpop is sold out until the new year. If the Screwpop is on your must have list, you can sign up on the Screwpop website to be notified when they become available.

Screwpop

 

How often do you find yourself working on a project only to find out that you do not have the correct screwdriver to complete your task. It is not that you need a specialty screwdriver, but the simple fact that you cannot find your #1 Phillips head.

If only you owned the Scruzol with its on-board storage of 12 bit tips. The Scruzol is by no means the first screwdriver with on-board storage, but it is the first I have seen that can be used in your hand and in your powered drill/driver. Another nifty feature of the Scruzol is the large magnet, that not only keeps your bits secure throughout all your projects, but also allows you to stick it to a metal surface such as the inside lid of your toolbox. Our Canadian friends to the north can find the Scruzol at Canadian Tire, which will include 12 bit tips: Flat 1/4 3/16, Hex M4 M5, Phillips 1 2 3, Square 1 2 3, Torx 25 30. I am sure it wont be long until we get a US dealer.

Scruzol

Along with your work station with a built in refrigerator for your shop, you need drinks - and with cold bottled drinks, you need bottle openers. But just any old bottle opener will not do, you need something manly.

Tim Taylor would probably use some type of electric, gas, or hydraulic powered contraption, which would look and sound cool, but would also probably spill half of your drink. Now, if you are a glass half empty kind of guy, then you are all set. The rest of us can enjoy our entire drink by using these cool tool shaped bottle openers. These bad boys are made out of cast iron, so they have that old timely feel. After a light coat of rust, I am sure they will fit in with the rest of your treasures.

They cost $25 each, which might be a bit much, but they are probably strong enough to survive a natural disaster.

The Curiosity Shoppe via The Hardware Aisle

 

Building your own CNC router doesn't sound like a project your average DIYer or tinkerer can do; after all building CNC machines is not something that is common knowledge. However the kits from BuildYourCNC.com make the process very simple. For as little as $2205 you can purchase a kit that will allow you to build a 2 foot x 4 foot CNC router. This kit comes with all materials needed to completely build your CNC router from the ground up. All that is required is the CNC/design software. A 4x8 kit is also available for $2975.

The building process looks simple enough and if you have ever put together furniture from IKEA, this is probably something you can handle. They also make it super easy to assemble by offering the complete building instruction for free on video on the Internet. Ironically, the parts for your router kit are made from a CNC router made from the same kit. Another nice option if you already have one of their smaller CNC kits, or know someone with a CNC router - you can purchase the CNC g-code files for a fraction of the price, and mill your own.

A vacuum is something many of us need on the jobsite and some jobsites even demand them. The problem is, they take up so much room in the truck to be only used a few times a day. I say, the more room for the tools that make you money, the better.

SpeedClean has come up with a vacuum that is absolutely genius. It uses a standard 5 gallon bucket that many of us already own, or can be found for free on the jobsites, as the storage for all of your debris. It attaches directly to the bucket without any need for seals or gaskets, which makes it easy to switch out buckets when one is full. The BucketVac is also a wet vac; so when your bucket is full, you can attach a lid and throw the whole thing away without worrying about any spills.

SpeedClean says the BucketVac will be available Q4 of this year. No word on Price.

One of the most talked about "tools" to come out of AWFS was the Rockler Bench Cookies. The Bench Cookies are Rockler's three dimensional version of the non-slip router mat. They bring your material off of the work table which allows for more routing possibilities, while the non slip grip keeps you safe.

Now that the weekend is over, we are starting to see some of the first user reviews. So far the consensus is that the Bench Cookies are a keeper and you might even want more then one set. Ralph from ConsultingWoodworker.com does a good job of testing their gripping strength. Testing them even when covered with a ton of saw dust. However, the grip does depend on the weight of your material and light objects might cause you some troubles.

Consulting Woodworker Review
Lumberjocks Review

I don't know what you would use this for, but you have to be impressed and amazed by the design and craftsmanship that went into building this. Check out the video after the Read More.

Flickr user s8 via engadget

Check out this great new soon to be tool called Thin-Air. I say soon, because the Thin-Air is still in the final prototyping stage. It is pretty obvious from the photo as to what it does, but if you are a bit confused, I will explain. The Thin-Air is the solution to the pinched or flattened cords and hoses you get while running them under doors. It looks like this could also be mounted on the side of the door, for those occasions where you need to keep the floor clear for other trades. The Thin-Air is also a finalist in DIY Cool Tools Search for Americas Coolest Tools Contest, so be sure to vote.

What do you think of this tool, and would you buy it? Let us know in the comments below.

Check out this amazing screwdriver from SKG Tools. Using its mystical powers it can magically be used on #1 - #3 Phillips head screws as well has #1 - #3 PoziDrive screws. Sweet. OK... maybe it doesn't rely on magical powers, but you have to be impressed with the engineering that went into a single bit that can be used to drive 6 different screw heads.

Anyone working with Euro style cabinet hinges knows that using a Phillips screwdriver on PoziDrive screws, just doesn't work very well. But, switching back and forth when you are also installing door pulls that use regular Phillips screws can be a pain. Problem solved. This great screwdriver is priced about the same as a regular #2 PoziDriv screwdriver, so if it works, it would be a great replacement. It can be found Online at Duluth Trading for $16.50.

If anyone knows of an online distributer of more SKG Tools, please let us know in the comments

SKG Tools