We’re starting to see a few flyers and online mentions of Memorial Day deals, so we thought we’d post what we’ve got and ask you to drop us a line in comments with anything you run into.

Here’s what we’ve seen so far:

• $5 off one gallon of BEHR paint or $20 off five gallons [Home Depot]
• Free propate with a $149+ grill purchase [Home Depot]
• Buy two get one free RUST-OLEUM paint [Home Depot]
• 10% off for military personnel and immediate families [Lowe's]
• Lots of sidewalk sales — look for one at your location [Harbor Freight]
• Special rebates [Ace Hardware]

I’m sure there’ll be lots more, and let us know what you find.

Dremel’s XPR planer attachement screws on to the end of your standard Dremel rotary tool, converting it into a tiny planer, perfect for taking a little material off a sticky door or fixing a not-perfect cut in laminate.

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Amazon is running a sale today on a pretty wide variety of Stanley tools, and they’re also offering $10 off any Stanley purchase of $50 or more.  Combine the two, and you can snag a pretty good deal.  The link below takes you directly to the list of Stanley sale items, and Amazon automatically applies the $10 discount at checkout.  Happy hunting!

Stanley Deals Via Amazon [What's this?]

It’s been our experience that in almost every profession one brand of tools becomes preeminent – even in areas where tools aren’t that different.  For example, it’s been our experience that Greenlee is a very popular brand among electricians even when they’re purchasing simple tools — like a screwdriver — where many companies offer the same quality of tool.

I’d guess this is at least partially due to the apprenticeship system.  Why not buy the tools that your mentor uses?  Another reason: if everyone’s using ‘em, they can’t be all bad, right?

Anyway, I’m really interested to know — and I bet you are, too — what brands are popular in what fields.  Let’s pitch in and make a list.  Let us know in comments what tool brands are popular in your profession.

(Thanks to presta for this great CC-licensed photo.)

This new shop light from DeWalt incorporates a number of very cool features: it runs off any 12-18V DeWalt cordless tool batteries or 110V, when connected to wired power it’ll charge two 7.2-18V DeWalt batteries, and its 38W fluorescent light folds down for easy transport. 

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I found this taper jig over in the Rockler clearance section for just $15.  It can cut tapers at 3″ per foot (or a 15-degree slope).  The sliding scale makes accurate cuts at the desired angle pretty easy, and the jig is 23″ in length.  Rockler says it’ll work on either side of the fence.

Precision Taper Jig [Rockler]
Street Pricing [Google Product Search]

(Thursday, May 24th, 2007) Tonight: a new Wrecks to Riches and a rerun-a-palooza on most channels.  Are there really only three Ultimate Factories in the world?  Two of the three eps are on tonight!

All times are central.

• How It’s Made: Episode 34, fresh cut flowers, adhesive tape, tofu and lottery tickets (Discovery, 5:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 18, air filters, billiard cues, ice sculptures and suits (Discovery, 5:30 p.m.)
• Overhaulin’: All in the Family (TLC, 6:00 p.m.)
• Dirty Jobs: Coal Miner (Discovery, 7:00 p.m.)
• American Chopper: Jr/Sr Military Tribute Bikes 1 (TLC, 7:00 p.m.)
• Classic Tractor Specials (RFD-TV, 7:00 p.m.)
• Ultimate Factories: Peterbilt (National Geographic, 7:00 p.m.)
• Dirty Jobs: Alpaca Shearer (Discovery, 8:00 p.m.)
• Tank Overhaul: The Panther (Military, 8:00 p.m.)
• American Chopper: Jr/Sr Military Tribute Bikes 2 (TLC, 8:00 p.m.)
• Ultimate Factories: Ferrari (National Geographic, 8:00 p.m.)
• Rock Solid: Walkway Revamp (DIY, 8:00 p.m.)
• Rock Solid: Chicago Brick Front Entrance (DIY, 8:30 p.m.)
• Dirty Jobs: Cave Digger (Discovery, 9:00 p.m.)
• Wrecks To Riches: Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt (TLC, 9:00 p.m.)
• Don’t Sweat It: First Home Fixes (HGTV, 10:30 p.m.)

Enjoy.

Greg DiBernardo over at JLC online wrote a great article on drywall finishing for small projects.  His through rundown lists everything from what tools you need to how to get the best finish fast without snapping clean through your budget. He writes:

“As a self-employed remodeler, I often take on small interior projects that require hanging and finishing no more than a few sheets of drywall.  Since I’ve never found a drywall contractor who would show up to do these small jobs, I’ve learned how to get them done myself.  I’m nowhere near as efficient as a professional finisher, so I still sub out the big jobs.  But when I’m remodeling a bathroom or a small kitchen, it’s nice to know that I don’t have to wait on someone else for the drywall.  Also, these rooms get closer visual scrutiny than most; I like being confident when I put down the sanding pole that the walls are perfectly smooth.”

If you’re considering a remodel or teardown of a room in your casa, stop by and check out Greg’s article.  It’ll save you some time and cash.

Drywall Finishing For Small Jobs [JLC Online]

The Makita Shear Wrench is a 10-pound screw-snapping monster.  It applies over 600 ft./lbs. of torque to shear off extra bits of fastener up to 7/8” in diameter all day long.  Is it cool?  You bet.  Do we need one?  Not really – then again that’s never stopped us before.

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Our friends over at This Old House’s Hardware Isle blog made it out to the National Hardware Show this year — we had other obligations — and ran across some interesting pegboard solutions like the StuckOnTools magnetic board pictured above.

We know how much some of you love (and hate) pegboard, so you’ll definitely want to give their post a read.

Putting Pegboard In Its Place [This Old House/The Hardware Isle]
The Pegboard Archive [Toolmonger]

This (relatively) new 70-pound breaker hammer from Makita features a counterbalance system that reportedly reduces vibration to only 8 m/s^2 — significantly lower than that of competitors.  The result: it smashes more concrete and less of your arms and shoulders.

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A number of readers have written in lately asking for advice on buying used tools, and though we have some — OK, a lot of — experience in swap meets and flea markets, we thought we’d toss the question out here for everyone to have a go at it.

I suppose this really breaks down into a few categories: hand tools, power tools, and specialty tools.  Hand tools are pretty easy, as you can pick ‘em up, check ‘em out, and get a pretty good idea right on the spot as to their condition.  Power tools are a little harder as it’s sometimes hard to detect almost-worn-out brushes and such.  But I’ve still had lots of good luck with used power tools.  Incredibly, though, I’d say I’ve found more used specialty tools than either of the others.  Why?  People don’t know what they are!

I know you have an opinion on this — every tool person does.  So why not share it with us in comments?

(Thanks to oskay for this great CC-licensed photo.)

Those who sign up in time — and are willing to make the trip to Warren, Maine — can join Deneb Puchalski for Lie Nielson introductory hand planning skills workshop in June.  In July, Christopher Schwarz will be there, too, schooling eager attendees in the ever-popular project of building a workbench.

According to Lie Nielson, space is limited, and the experience will set you back $50.  But considering the topics, I’d love to sit in and soak up some wood working wisdom.  It’s a sure bet there will be Lie Nielsen tool reps lurking about the workshop — and there are worse things than folks with good tools willing to let you handle a few before you buy.  Check out the Lie Nelson site for details.

Lie Nielsen Workshops [Lie Nielsen]

We found some more coupons for in-store use at Harbor Freight.  This 125 psi Air Regulator for $14 seems tempting, as does a 12-pack bag of steel wool for $0.49 or a $6 pair of welding gloves.

Coupons, Coupons [Harbor Freight]
Store Locations [Harbor Freight]

(Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007) For sheer claustrophobic value, Fuel Tank Cleaner is a winner.  Otherwise, many episodes of the Discovery Channel’s flagship program are what you’ll watch — assuming you’re not in the shop.  You are in the shop, aren’t you?

All times are central.

• How It’s Made: Episode 49, plastic cups and cutlery, special effects makeup, gold and harps (Discovery, 5:00 p.m.)
• Holmes on Homes (Season 3): Drain Disdain (Home, 5:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 21, fibreglass insulation, wooden ducks, gumball machines and exhaust systems (Discovery, 5:30 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 39, yacht wheels, braided rugs, automobile thermostats and chisels (Discovery, 6:00 p.m.)
• Chop Cut Rebuild: Crunch Time (Speed, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 40, ??? (Discovery, 6:30 p.m.)
• MythBusters: Exploding Lighter (Discovery, 8:00 p.m.)
• MythBusters: Elevator of Death (Discovery, 9:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 47, ceramic tiles, nuts, steel forgings, and skateboards (Science, 9:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 48, car engines, flour, recliners and envelopes (Science, 9:30 p.m.)
• Dirty Jobs: Fuel Tank Cleaner (Discovery, 10:00 p.m.)
• Junk Brothers: The Golf Bag and the Stereo Credenza (HGTV, 10:00 p.m.)

Enjoy.

According to Sears, the Craftsman brand launched in 1927, and they’re celebrating their 80th year of operation with a bevy of “limited edition” tools — mostly stuff they’re already selling, but with special markings.

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Check out Skil’s site for instructions and the complete down-low on how to build your own sweet bird bath stand.  You’ll find a complete materials list and instructions on assembly, along with a few tips for the novice builder.  You can put together a bird bath stand like this one in an afternoon, and it’s sturdy enough to provide years of bird happiness.

What’s even better, though, is taking these plans and altering them create your own design, then building a custom bath.

Build A Bird Bath [Skil]