Sorry for the grainy photograph, but I actually saw this at a buddy’s house and snapped a pic to share. The extension cord went behind that wall to the boiler room where he has his network devices — router, Vonage VOIP box, etc. – installed and wired out to the rest of the house.

He said he used what he had on hand — an extension cord and hole saw. I’m hoping seeing it on Toolmonger will shame him to remedy this. Feel free to help shame him in comments by, say, explaining why this is prohibited by code.

Here’s an automatic power switch with a twist: Toolmonger has covered a number of such products before, and they all work by turning accessories (monitor and speakers, dust collection vacuum, etc) on and off when the device plugged into the main outlet (computer, saw) is turned on or off. The WattStopper uses a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor to tell when you’re in the area, and turns things off when you’ve been gone for a while. It’s a different approach that seems well suited to soldering irons and other tools that’re easily forgotten about but might be dangerous if left unattended.

Here’s the great part: The model pictured is discontinued, and WeirdStuff has ‘em for ten bucks, which is somewhere between a third and a tenth of normal retail. (Shipping starts around $9.) I’m getting one to plug my soldering station into, though I might press it into service as a trick-or-treater detector first.

WattStopper Legrand makes all sort of PIR-based occupancy sensors and lighting control products, and their site is thick with technical info. If building automation interests you, it’s worth stopping in for a read.

WattStopper Legrand [Corporate Site]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Other WattStopper Products [Google Products]
WattStopper Isole IDP-1000 [WeirdStuff]

It’s a good idea to keep dangerous power tools and appliances out of the hands of people who don’t know how to use them correctly, but who wants to keep everything in a tool crib like your shop teacher did? The Stopower cap offers a better solution, firmly locking onto any 115V American-style two- or three- pronged plug, requiring removal (with a key) before you can plug the attached tool into an outlet.

(more…)

Sears is offering a deal right now on this Craftsman digital multimeter with auto-ranging and non-contact voltage detector.  It’s listed at $40 but when you add it to your shopping cart the price drops to $25, a handsome $15 savings. Besides auto-ranging, the multimeter features non-contact voltage measurement from 100 to 600 VAC, AC/DC voltage measurement with a 0.5% accuracy, resistance measurement, diode and continuity testing, and a back-lit LCD screen. It also comes with test stand, rubber holster and test leads.

82314 Digital Multimeter [Sears]

Although it’s primarily popular among electricians, Greenlee’s Slug-Buster punch works beautifully for cutting a perfect hole in sheet metal while exerting minimal effort — something almost anyone will end up needing to do at one time or another.  And at around $30 for a basic set, there’s really no excuse not to own one.

(more…)

With a max AC output of 7,000 watts delivered via 120V and 240V twist-locking receptacles, this generator is clearly targeted at the jobsite.  But I can’t count the number of times I wish I had one of these at home.  Long-term power outages suck.

(more…)

Gardner Bender’s Circuit Alert wire strippers help you avoid shocking situations by sensing and alerting you to active voltage before you strip.  Just slide the switch to “on,” and as you move the sensor’s handle toward a circuit, the strippers beep and flash if it’s live. 

(more…)

You probably already know about the benefits of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) plugs, and you likely have them installed in most of the locations where you use your powertools – your workshop, garage, and outdoor receptacles.  But what if you’re stuck with a non-GFCI on the jobsite? That’s when you need a portable GFCI cable, like this one from Coleman Cable.

(more…)

The Secure-A-Cord works similarly to the YellowJacket adapter in that it folds your cords back on themselves to relieve tension.  But it offers two inherent benefits over the ‘jacket: first, the plug remains exposed so you can disconnect it quickly if the need arises.  Second, the plastic will withstand tough pulls, but is designed to break before yanking the outlet from the wall.  Oh yeah, it’s also a lot cheaper at around $4.

If you’ve already replaced the worn-out receptacles in your shop but still have trouble with plugs pulling out, these might be worth a look.

Secure-A-Cord [Angel-GUARD]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Sometimes you can’t avoid working on live live circuits, and for those times, I want Cementex tools.  They’re double-dipped — first in one color, then another — so you can easily see cuts and scratches in the outer layer before they become dangerous. 

They’re also not cheap — the pictured cutters street at around $180 and basic pliers start around $30 — but when you’re betting your life on them, quality and safety are worth paying for.  And, of course, they’re made in the USA!

Cementex Tools [Cementex Tools]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Most modern electronics draw power even when in “standby” mode — turned off but still plugged in.  The Smart Strip helps you reclaim those expensive wasted watts by automatically killing power to accessories when you turn off the ”main” device.  For example, when you turn off your computer, it powers down your speakers, printer, etc.

(more…)

Greenlee’s new HKL-1232 crimping tool offers up (literally) tons of clamping force – twelve tons to be exact.  It’s a manually operated hydraulic crimper sporting a two-speed hydraulic pump that advances rapidly until it contacts the connector, then shifts to a lower speed to complete the crimp.  Wiring a main electrical box, or work on an oil rig?  This is for you.  For the rest of us, it’s just freakin’ cool.

(more…)

The “problem light” joke may sail right by those of you who aren’t Venture Brothers fans, but you could re-purpose this for almost any kind of stylish indicator you require.  In fact, we’re thinking about making one as an “on-air” light to keep the riff-raff out while we podcast.  Thankfully Patrick Kovacich posted a whole collection of photos on Flickr to show us the way.

Problem Light (Steampunk Edition) [Flickr] [via]

Black & Decker’s new Simple Start battery booster provides a few extra amps via your car’s cigarette lighter to help get you back on the road — but it also includes a standard 12V accessory outlet to charge your phone (or other 12V-capable gear) so you can call AAA when the boost isn’t enough.

(more…)

Toolup is currently offering 20% off most of their listed Greenlee handtools — and the list is fairly extensive.  I found this #1 3-1/8″ black phosphate plated insulated screwdriver (rated to 1000V AC/DC) for $13.59.

#1 3-1/8″ Insulated Screwdriver [Toolup]
Greenlee 20% off Sale List [Toolup]

Black and Decker’s $25 stud sensor stood out to me in the store not for its features, but for its simplicity.  The current market is flooded with so many over-featured stud sensors — with multiple lasers, calculators, and so on — that it’s refreshing to see one that just finds studs.

OK, it does a few other things, too, but they’re basic and important things: finding metal (as in conduit) and live AC wiring.

I’d go on and on, but that’s all it does.  Nice, yeah?  I think I’m going to pick one up when my Harbor Freight cheapie finally kicks the bucket.

Stud, Metal, Wire Sensor [Black & Decker]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What's this?]

I came across Markertek when I was looking to purchase some high-quality XLR connectors for a portable recording rig.  They’re target market is TV and radio stations, but they sell to anyone.  A friend turned me on to them, and I’ve ordered connectors, wire, and such from them a couple of times with good results.  They shipped on time and packaged everything surprisingly well.

(more…)