Bosch Colt Variable Speed Router - Review

We are big fans of Bosch tools. They're durable, they look good, and they're incredibly precise. That said, it comes as little surprise that the Bosch Colt Variable Speed Router is an outstanding tool and is now our go-to router for all small and medium sized jobs.

This little machine has some serious power behind it (one horsepower), and the ergonomic grip is far superior to anything we've ever seen on a router of this size. The adjustments, knobs, and on/off switch are all in the right place, making the operation of the Colt feel natural and easy.

The Colt's other perks include a soft start, a 1/4 inch collet, a nice carrying case, an edge guide, and a variable speed dial. Bosch does sell a version of the Colt that is single speed, but having the option to set the speed is worth the additional cost.

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Great Deal on Makita Tools

According to their website, Makita is offerring a 14.4 volt cordless drill, a 14.4 volt impact driver, and a cordless flourescent light all for one low price. Through Amazon, the kit costs $210.00, which is a really good deal, seeing as the drill itself is worth well over $100.00. The tools come with a nice carrying case and, since we've used all three extensively, we can vouch for their quality.

Makita says that the deal lasts from January 2007 to March 31st, 2007, but we got ours about six months ago, so it might be one of those deals that has a way of always being around. Either way, it's a great deal, and one worth investigating.

Complete Home Wiring - Review

With Complete Home Wiring, Sunset Books and editor Scott Atkinson have put together a solid reference for any one attempting a home wiring project. From a brief course on electricity to troubleshooting complicated problems, virtually every topic is covered.

The information is conveyed with clear writing, easy to understand drawings, and helpful pictures and charts. Topics covered include:

Low voltage wiring
How and where to run wires
Planning new circuits
Recessed lights, ceiling fans, and wall sconces
Electrical tools
The correct way to strip a wire
And on and on…

Because it is so thorough, it is a great reference to have sitting on the shelf for use when needed. There are a lot of basic electrical guides out there and we think this one stands a bit higher than the rest.

ZipWall Spring Loaded Poles - Review

Are you sick of your family yelling about dust every time you do even the smallest project in the house? We are, or rather, we were until we discovered the Zipwall Spring Loaded Poles . Now we have the capabilities of putting up a dust barrier in seconds and containing all of our dust and construction debris in one area.

The standard ZipWall pack comes with two telescoping poles with a foot on one end and a safe, non-marring pad on the other. The principal is simple; clamp a sheet of plastic on the top end and pressure fit the pole from floor to ceiling. Viola! No more sawdust on the curtains.

At first, we felt this product to be a bit on the expensive side; a set of two goes for about $120, but when you realize how fast, easy, and helpful they are, it’s really a small price to pay.

JLC Live - Free Registration Ends Friday

This Friday is the final day that registration will be free for this year's JLC Live Expo in Providence, RI. After that the fee goes up to around $30.00. The Expo is March 23rd and 24th, with seminars being held from the 21st to the 24th. If you have any interest in construction, remodeling, or tools, you won't want to miss this event. More info can be found here.

If you don't live in the Northeast, the JLC show will be hitting California, Minneapolis, and Seattle in May, September, and November, respectively.

Estwing 16oz Leather STL Hammer – Review

When it comes to hammers, you should get a good one. Don’t waste time with some junky thing that has a wobbly head after a few uses. A hammer is one of the most essential tools in the toolbox; it’s good for pounding nails, pulling nails, prying boards, demolition work. If you use your tools a lot, the hammer becomes an extension of your arm. So it goes without saying that you want a quality tool.

Estwing, one of the premier hammer makers, offers this bit of excellence. The 16oz Leather STL Hammer is perfect for everyone from the homeowner who tinkers to the full-time carpenter. Since the body is made up of one single piece of metal, the thing is nearly indestructible and ensures you’ll never have to deal with the head flying off at an inopportune time. In addition to it’s durability, the hammer has a great look and feel; the leather grip works great and the tool is so nicely balanced that holding it and swinging it just feels right.

It’s worth putting this hammer in just about any toolbox. If it’s not exactly what you are looking for, you should check out the other hammers that Estwing has. Without exception, they are all very high quality tools.

Building the Timber Frame House - Review

If you’ve ever driven through Vermont and wondered how that 200 year old barn could, not only still be standing, but how it could have a perfectly straight roofline with no sag, then you need to get Building the Timber Frame House and read up on the art of timber framing.

Ted Benson’s first, and in our opinion, best, book on the subject is a detailed examination of the history and the construction techniques behind these magnificent structures. Even if you don’t ever have any intention or will to build a timber framed house (and how many of us are that lucky), the book is a valuable resource on the general structure of a home, proper and complex joints in woodworking, and the all around concepts needed to build something that is going to stand the test of time.

All of this great information is displayed in an easy to understand manner, accompanied by amazing illustrations. This is really a great book.

Check out his other books as well.

Gorilla PVC Cement - Review

We were pretty skeptical when we came across Gorilla PVC Cement, simply because it was so different from other glues we’ve used in the past. It doesn’t stink, it’s only one bottle, as opposed to the traditional 2 part PVC glue systems, and it says it’s Earth friendly. There’s no way it can work. Right?

Boy, were we wrong. This stuff is great, and, without question, worthy of the Gorilla Glue name. We found that each of the characteristics listed above made it our go-to PVC glue for standard plumbing repairs. With no primer, it’s easy to use, and without the fumes, you don’t get that ‘White Rabbit” feeling after spending an afternoon gluing pipes under the kitchen sink.

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Leatherman - Review

Everyone needs a Leatherman. It’s pretty much that simple. There are plenty of models to choose from, but when it all comes down to it, they’re all pretty similar; knife, screwdrivers, file, can opener, etc. We prefer The Blast, but that’s just what we’re used to. We know other people who are equally passionate about other models. If there’s something specific you want, like a diamond file, just find the Leatherman that suits your needs. But find one nonetheless. You’ll thank us for it.

It’s one of those things that, once you have it in your pocket for a while, you start to wonder how you ever got along without one. How many times have you been up on a ladder wiring a light and you realize that you’re looking at a flathead screw and in your hand is a Phillip’s head screwdriver? With a Leatherman in your pocket, there’s no more standing up there wishing you could levitate the correct tool into your hand like this guy. Crawlspaces, roofs, and under vehicles are other places where our Leatherman has saved painful, awkward, and time consuming trips back to the toolbox.

Now, we’re so dependent that we feel naked without it in our pockets. It’s essential. Also, if you’re worried about the size, there are little ‘squirt’ models as well, half the size for about half the price.

DeWalt Offers Saw Blade Sharpening Service

Looks like the good folks at DeWalt have gotten into the sharpening business. According to their website, if you mail them your DeWalt saw blades (circular only, 8.5” to 15”), they will sharpen them to factory specifications and return them to you. Depending on the number of teeth, the service costs from $16 to $25 per blade, with a little more added on for shipping. There is an additional charge for tip replacement, and if you’ve got more than three busted tips, then you’re out of luck and they won’t accept the blade.

We did a quick amazon search on DeWalt blades and found that they run anywhere from $14 to $60 (with one metal cutting blade being over $100). With that in mind, the service may not be worth it, considering the time spent packing up the blade and the wait for it to return. Nevertheless, if you’re an old Yankee and your workshop is filled with coffee cans full of bent nails that you plan to someday straighten out, then this service might be perfect for you.

Clear the Snow with the Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower

Remember when snow days meant snowball fights, building forts, and a day off from school? Now, they just mean having to shovel the driveway and walkway. Lucky for us, the Toro 1800 Power Curve snow thrower can make that job a lot less arduous and time-consuming. Powered by a 12 amp electric motor, the Power Curve can clear 4 inches of snow off a 50-by-20-foot driveway in 10 minutes flat. The thrower cuts to a depth of 10 inches and width of 18 inches per pass.

Startups are easy. Just squeeze the trigger on the control bar, then release it when you want to stop. A key lock helps prevent unauthorized use, so you don't have to worry about kids, or even the neighbor borrowing it without permission. With the Power Curve, snow removal is quick and easy, so you can spend your time on more important things, like having snowball fights.

At Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower

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