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"Multi-tools"
I remember years back when the only people making a vibrating multi-tool was Fein — charging a whopping pretty penny for it, too. Now you can buy similar products from just about every manufacturer in both corded and cordless versions. And Makita’s joined the party, too, with their catchy-named LXMT025, pictured above. This version is cordless, integrated into Makita’s 18V line. Yeah, it’s pretty much like all the others. But nothing drives innovation like competition, and this definitely represents more competition.
Whether you need to clean out the bar groove or or tighten the chain, carry this chain saw multitool with you or attach it to the tool and you won’t have to go and look for the right tools.
Milwaukee recently jumped into the oscillating multi-tool fray with a cordless model for their ever-expanding M12 line. At $150, it’s in the middle-priced category, sporting most of the features you’d expect: variable speed (5,000 to 20,000 orbits per minute) and an included universal adapter that allows you to use accessories from most major manufacturers.
The Milwaukee also offers a battery fuel gauge — a feature Toolmongers have mentioned as a positive in the past. Throw in an all-metal gearbox for durability and it sounds like this is a pretty slick tool for its price. Expect to pay around $150 for a two-battery-and-charger kit. Knowing Milwaukee, they’ll offer the bare tool soon. One of the M12 line’s selling points has always been expandability.
M12 Cordless Multi-Tool [Milwaukee]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for cool-looking multi-tools. (I still love my Skeletool.) So it’s not surprising that the Zilla-Tool Jr. caught my attention. It wraps up all the basics — a 2-1/4″, black-oxide-finished blade, a pair of pliers, a wire cutter/stripper, a screwdriver, and (oh yeah, baby) a bottle opener — in a slick, non-reflective package that’ll surely scare the crap out of everyone at the office.
Take a look at Irwin’s new Universal Handsaw. If you’re like me, the first thing you’ll wonder is, “what the heck is with that hump on the blade?” It turns out Irwin is riding the multi-tool wave. The hump provides clearance from the handle so you can use the top of the blade as a straight-edge. Also, if you butt the handle up to the edge of a board, the slot and top of the blade are perpendicular to the edge and the other side of the hump is 45° to the edge.
Irwin touts several other improvements in this saw. The triple-ground teeth supposedly eliminate binding, and they’ll cut through most materials three times faster then “traditional” hand saws while giving the finished-looking cut of a fine-cutting saw. They mold the handle from lighter-than-wood high density resin, and the 0.85mm thick blade is coated with a water-based lacquer.
We’ve seen mods where people have modified their keys to fit into a Leatherman-like multi-tool, but yesterday Lifehacker featured the KeyTool Keyring Multi-tool from ThinkGeek, which wraps around an unaltered key.
It’s like a sickness; I can’t resist posting multi-tools. I know none of the tools usually hold a candle to a stand-alone version, but a well designed multi-tool can save your butt in a situation where you don’t have access to your toolbox. Plus it’s always neat to see the new and unique ways companies pack so many tools into a small package.
CRKT has a new multi-tool “chassis” that consists of a dual-carabiner center section to which you can add various tools. For example, shown above is their $59.99 GoWork Pack comprising the chassis, a knife, and a hex driver. The various components slide onto the center chassis as shown below.
I imagine the meeting that birthed the SquareONE sounded something like this:
“All right everybody; let’s brainstorm ideas for our new product.”
“How about a tape measure and flashlight?”
“No, but I like the tape measure idea; everybody likes tape measures.”
“How ’bout a combination tape measure and coffee cup?”
“OK, I know you’re not supposed to criticize people while brainstorming, but that’s a stupid idea. You’d spill your coffee.”
“A tape measure and a square?”
“Hmm, I don’t think that’s been done before.”
“Let’s add a screwdriver.”
“No.”
“Let’s make it a level too.”
“Ooh, Ooh, let’s add a pencil sharpener.”
And so on….
Generation Tools SquareONE incorporates a tape measure into a speed-square-shaped triangle and endows it with the following functions:
- Locking tape measure
- Square
- Level
- Pencil with pencil holder
- Pencil sharpening
- Writing surface
- Protractor
They coat the SquareONE in rubber to protect it and make it easier to hold onto, and they triple-rivet the stainless steel and tape measure end hook. Their professional model comes with a carpenter’s pencil rather than an ordinary #2, and has a hole in the end hook for marking radii.
Julie at The Gadgeteer reports on a new multi-tool that you can configure yourself. The Switch set from Quirky comes in a case with two exterior body covers, two slotted axle caps (removable with a quarter), three interior axle assemblies, and 18 tool attachments. You pick the tool attachments you want and assemble them on the appropriately-sized axle: small for 2—6 tools, medium for 4—10 tools, and large for 7—13 tools, as shown below.
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