Sears currently has two wrench sets on sale: one SAE, one metric, both a great deal. Each set comes with a plastic carrying rack, and each one is $19.97.
If you’re looking for a good starter set, or maybe you’ve only got SAE or metric and need the other, this would be the deal for you.
Craftsman 12 pc. Combination Wrench Set w/Carrying Rack, SAE [Sears]
Craftsman 12 pc. Combination Wrench Set w/Carrying Rack, Metric [Sears]
We saw this last week on KK’s Cool Tools blog, but we forgot about it until today when we got a call from a friend who’s moving and who used this exact tool.
He reports that it does indeed make lifting a lot easier, but more importantly it puts the object (furniture, refrigerator, etc) at a good height to make it easy to clear other stuff and maneuver through doors, etc.
Forearm Forklift [KK's Cool Tools]
The Forearm Forklift [Forearm Forklift]
Rockler’s blog mentioned a cool product of theirs yesterday: the Table Saw Magnet Micro Adjuster. According to Rockler, if your table saw has an accurate locking fence, this little device will help you make adjustments of less than .001″ increments quickly and easily. Or, you can use the old-fashioned way; from the Rockler blog:
How do you make ultra-fine adjustments to your table saw fence position? Here’s a common method: First, hunch over your saw and train one eye on the fence’s positioning cursor (if you are fine-tuning the fence position based on a test cut you’ve made, remember to take note of the exact position of the cursor when you begin). Watch the cursor’s movement closely as you make precision position adjustments by alternating tapping on the left and right side of the fence with the heel of your hand. When you get close, switch over to using your knuckles (most woodworkers agree that knuckles are far more accurate for adjustments of 1/64″ or less). With this method you’ll find that, as your skill increases, and with a little luck, you’ll be able to make reasonably accurate fence position adjustments on your table saw a good percentage of the time.
The unit attaches to the fence rail (without tools) and you can then use the screw-type adjuster to push the fence. Looks pretty sweet and simple.
Of course, if any of you avid woodworkers out there have given this a shot, we’d love to hear from you.
The Table Saw Magnet Micro Adjuster [Rockler Woodworking Blog]
Table Saw Magnet Micro Adjuster [Rockler Woodworking & Hardware]
Irwin claims their new Blue-Groove point and cutting edge promotes faster chip removal: 4x faster than standard spade bits. Other features include:
Irwin says it’ll fit all standard quick change chucks, and they come in short, standard, and extra-long lengths.
The concept of a “multi-function folding ladder” sounds great. There are a couple of them on the market, and the ads make it look like the ultimate way to get at that 16′ light in the family room while still folding up for easy storage.
We have on occasion used these aluminum digit crushers, and we can offer this advice: pass on it. Really.
It’s not that the multi-folding ladder is a bad idea; it’s that the locks are difficult to operate. When released, more often than not, they bring the other side slamming together with a loud click, signifying the lock re-engaging. It can be more than a little frustrating.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Hitachi Koki recently released a new line of plunge routers all featuring a unique new design. According to Hitachi:
Thanks to the Hitachi’s unique design, the inertia moment of the armature — that is an element for increasing the cutting efficiency — is increased and top-in-class cutting speed is obtained.
Ok, we worked that over a little bit as it was clearly mechanically translated from another language. Trust us, the meaning is the same.
New models in the line include the M12V2 (1/2″ w/variable speed), the M12SA2 (1/2″ single speed), the M8V2 (1/4″ w/variable speed), and the M8SA2 (1/4″ single speed).
We can’t find street pricing yet for these units, but we’re going to bet they’re priced along the same lines as the current models.
Hitachi’s New Routers [Hitachi]
Irwin Industrial tools released a one-handed clamp/spreader. Here’s the feature list from their website;
The Irwin XP Quick Grip clamp line ranges in sizes from 3 inches to 3 feet. The 3-foot model seems quite useful for any small to medium-sized carpentry job. We found these products all over the web with the best deals (as of this moment) found at pricegrabber.
Irwin XP Quickgrip Line [Irwin Industrial tools]
Irwin XP QuickGrip prices [Pricegrabber page]
As Seen on TV Products brings us “the world’s first one-handed automatic hammer” – the Auto Hammer. It’s a modified carpenter’s hammer with a hollow plastic handle and magnetic nail loading system near the head. At the push of a button, the Auto Hammer loads a nail into position. You then deliver the first swing to set the nail, and finish the job like any other hammer.
Truthfully, we see this as another solution in search of a problem. It’s pretty easy to hold a nail with your other hand, and if you really need that other hand, couldn’t you use a small nail gun?
We could think of better ways to spend $16.95 on a hammer.
Auto Hammer [As seen on TV]
The new Snap-On Catalog 800 is out, and Snap-On claims that it contains more than 14,000 tools “designed to handle the challenges encountered by technicians, mechanics, engineers and inspectors - anyone who deals with the machinery that drives commerce and transporation.”
Be that as it may, this is toilet reading material not to be missed. Sadly, it’s not free, but $1.89 (free shipping) isn’t that large a price to pay for this much dreaming and drooling. Or alternatively you can just beat your local sales rep out of one.
Snap-On Tools Catalog 800 [Snap-On]
This is not a new product by any means, having made the rounds on the infomercial circuit and the web over the last few years. The first reaction to this product is generally a hardy snort and a channel change.
Then one of our friends purchases one and claims it is a miracle of modern science.
Well, after seeing one work and trying to remove several dents out of the rear panels of a 2003 Hyundai Elantra, we have this to say (after the jump).
If you’re doing any serious automotive suspension work, you’re eventually going to find yourself in need of a tie rod/ball joint separator. It’s essentially a big wedged fork that you drive between the ball and socket to disconnect them. You can buy them individually, but the best way to fill this need is to pick up a kit with all the different sizes so you have them on hand. Unfortunately, many of those kits are quite expensive.
This one from Performance Tools seems to hit your wallet the least while still being a complete set. We found it selling for $36.75 at mytoolstore.com. It features 5 different sizes and will separate most types of Pitman Arms, tie rods & ball joints found on automotive and light truck applications.
Peformance Tool Tie Rod, Ball Joint & Coil Spring Compressor Set [mytoolstore.com]
If you’re still seeking that last-minute gift for Mom — Mother’s day is this Sunday — you might want to know that Sears has a few tools marked down 50% for the occasion.
Specifically, they have:
The tool bag might be handy if you’re considering assembling your own custom gift tool kit, though we’re not sure about the nutdrivers. Anyway, more information is available at Sears.
50% Off Tools for Mother’s Day [Sears]
We’re not suggesting that you get rid of your Craftsman, MAC, or Snap-On box or anything, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive roll-away tool chest for yourself, your son/daughter, or a friend, Wal-Mart may have your ticket.
We were out looking for just such a beast last week and came across the one pictured here for $68.98 + tax. It doesn’t have the same fit and finish as the name brand boxes we have in the shop, but then again the cheapest comparable Craftsman we’ve seen is the 12-Drawer Combo in the latest Craftsman Club flyer for $179.99.
So, if you’re strapped for cash and still need a place for your tools, it’s something to consider.
Truthfully, we have a hard time finding a place for the wet/dry vac in our shop. It’s handy to roll it around, but when we’re done with it, it just takes up space. Maybe the new RIDGID Stor-N-Go Cleaning Station is the answer for us (and you).
It’s essentially a standard 5.0 peak HP wet/dry vac, but instead of rolling around it mounts directly to the wall. It comes with 7′ and 14′ expandable hoses, which you can put together to reach 21′ from the mounted unit. It also detaches from the wall mount to become portable via a large carrying handle.
As with most RIDGID products it’s a Home Depot exclusive, and they’re listing it at $99.97 available now.
Stor-N-Go Cleaning Station [RIDGID]
Stor-N-Go Cleaning Station [Home Depot]
It is no secret that Milwaukee Tools has come out with the V28™ line of cordless power tools. You’re probably thinking, “great, more power on my drill or flashlight.” Good stuff, right?
That’s just the start. Up until now, most cordless circular saws have been seriously impractical – a great idea but not enough battery and not enough grunt. Milwaukee hopes to remedy that with the V28™ Cordless Woodcutting Circular Saw, which they claim is made for work and is every bit as capable as the “old reliable” you have wrapped in its cord in the corner. More after the jump. (more…)
Drill Doctor has been around since 1997, but if you haven’t heard of them, you might be throwing away (or worse yet using) drill bits that could be working a lot better.
Drill Doctor manufactures a range of electric drill sharpeners, including the DD350X, which they recommend for homeowner/weekend craftsman/hobbyist and starts at $79.95 direct. Some features include on-chuck alignment (which they say eliminates the need for an alignment port and simplifies the sharpening process) and V-block jaws (which helps to eliminate jaw twisting on smaller bits). It’s designed to sharpen 3/32″ to 1/2″ high-speed steel, carbinde, TiN-coated, and masonry drill bits.
They also stock and sell much more complex and expensive units for larger bits and production use. A selection of their units are available at Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Sears, and (of course) Drill Doctor direct via their website.
Corporate Site [Drill Doctor]
The DD350X [Drill Doctor]
Here’s something we hadn’t though of: an automatic adjustable wrench. Essentially, this is your average adjustable wrench, except it’s also got an electric motor that, at the “touch of a button” automatically runs in the adjustment to meet whatever nut is in the wrench.
Black & Decker claims a max. torque of 220 ft-lbs., which seems like it’d be enough for most everyday use, and they’re claiming a battery life of 650 cycles.
It’s an interesting idea, but we can’t help but wonder if maybe this is sort of like the spate of powered measuring tapes that came out last Christmas; they’re neat, but once the battery goes dead, they’re a pain. And who wants to remember to put batteries (2 AAAs in this case) in your wrenches?
On the other hand, if your work involves a lot of adjustable wrenches, maybe this is just the ticket.
Look for the product launch in June of this year.
8″ Automatic Adjustable Wrench [Black & Decker]
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