May 31, 2007
May 31, 2007
Ace Sensations Paint
Ace has recently released an interesting new paint that’s worth taking a look at, especially if you have kids or are prone to splashing red wine and motor oil on your walls. The paint is called Ace Sensations and is an acrylic latex made with Scotchguard Protector, a proven name in stain resistance.
According to the Ace website, many common stains can be removed with a quick clean up and with no damage to the paint's finish. Ace Sensations is also mildew resistance so it’s good for the bathroom and kitchen too. The finish on the paint is flat, but it cleans up like a semi-gloss. In addition, only one coat is needed for complete coverage.
Ace Sensations is available only at Ace Hardware and can be mixed into one of over a thousand colors. It retails for about $25 a gallon. To find an Ace near you, click here.
May 31, 2007
Husky 45-Piece Stubby Set - Review
Husky has recently come out with a 45-piece set of little truncated tools, lovingly named the Stubby Set. They were nice enough to send us one and it didn’t take long before we realized that, although it‘s small and has a humiliating name, it’s a really great collection of useful tools.
The contents of the Stubby Set include a ratcheting screwdriver, a dual-drive ratchet (able to accept 1/4” sockets on one side and 3/8” sockets on the other) and an adjustable wrench. For accessories and bits, the Stubby Set comes with:
- 10 driver bits
- 13 SAE sockets (5/32” to 3/4”)
- 14 metric sockets (4mm to 17)
- Adapter for using the 3/8” ratchet with 1/4" sockets
- Extension bar
- Adapter for using the 1/4" sockets with the screwdriver
Continue reading: "Husky 45-Piece Stubby Set - Review"
May 30, 2007
Porsche P’7911 Hammer Drill
Not only is Porsche designing espresso makers, as our friends over at
Single Serve Coffee recently discovered, but they’re also getting into the tool world. Teaming up with Metabo, the Porsche design team has created an unusual tool that they humbly refer to as, "a perfect rotary hammer." Because they’re Porsche and they have to be different, they’ve put the handle on the top of the tool, with the theory that handling the hammer drill at its center of gravity gives the user more control and causes the tool to feel lighter. “In this product, design is an integral part of functionality,” says Roland Heiler, managing director of Porsche Design-Studios.
Like all good hammer drills, the P’7911 has settings for hammer drilling, chiseling, and just drilling. The body of the tool is made of carbon fiber and aluminum making for a lightweight and durable tool. It accepts SDS bits and comes with a case that, if we’re to believe the Metabo press release, “can be opened and closed with one hand.” Whatever that means.
Continue reading: "Porsche P’7911 Hammer Drill"
May 30, 2007
Ryobi HT230 229-Piece Rotary Tool Kit - Review
Rotary tools are on the rise and we couldn’t be happier about it. We’ve been using them for a while now and are constantly blown away by how versatile they are. Depending on the bit, you can sand, grind, drill, cut, and polish, and they are capable of handling wood, metal, and just about every other material under the sun. To do good work, you have to be detail-oriented, and rotary tools are just the thing for that last pass on a job to make every last detail perfect. Cut-out tools, like the Roto-Zip, are extremely handy and useful, but to deal with projects that need more finesse than power, you need one of the little hand-held models. And Ryobi has just entered the fray with their 229-Piece Rotary Tool Kit.
Just opening the box, we were stunned. We’d seen the picture, but seeing it in person is still impressive. Ryobi has crammed 229 pieces into a medium-sized plastic case. Everything is laid out in an easy to see way and bits and attachments are grouped with like items, making the case itself is a feat of spatial engineering.
Continue reading: "Ryobi HT230 229-Piece Rotary Tool Kit - Review"
Irwin-Bolt Grip Sweepstakes
Irwin is giving away one of their 5-Piece Bolt-Grip Sets and all you have to do to get your name in the running is fill out a quick form at their website. The Bolt-Grip Set is for extracting rounded over or otherwise damaged bolts. They are compatible with 3/8” ratchets and the set works with a variety of sizes, both SAE and metric. The set comes with a case and retails for a little over $25.
Irwin is accepting entries until July 20th and the random drawing will be held on or about July 23rd. You can enter everyday, once per day.
Enter the contest here or say to hell with it and buy the 5-Piece Bolt-Grip Set here.
May 28, 2007
Husky Heavy-Duty X-Sawhorse - Review
Our pals at Husky recently sent us one of their Heavy-Duty X-Sawhorses to check out. It’s a small, portable, lightweight, collapsible table that is good for a variety of tasks, not the least of which was being the MVP of our Memorial Day cookout.
The sawhorse unfolds from a central pivot and, when set-up, looks like a giant X. There is a little top that sets into it creating a table. When folded up, the top piece easily snaps onto the center bar, creating a something that is very easy to store, measuring only 31” square by 3” thick.
Continue reading: "Husky Heavy-Duty X-Sawhorse - Review"
This Old House - June 2007 - Review
After last month’s stinker, This Old House is back with a great issue, focused mostly on outdoor projects and gardening. Although it showed up in the mailbox looking like it had been sent through a meat grinder, we were able to read through the entire issue except for the last few pages.
There are great articles on container gardening, dormers, and building fountains, but without question our favorite article is the one dedicated to lawn sports. The story gives easy step-by-step instructions on building courts for horeshoes, bocce, and croquet. We have experience in the area, and even though we’re not convinced their instructions are the best, it’s a good place to start and will at least dispel the thought that making room for these games is a difficult thing to do.
The non-outdoors articles include a very nice piece on the restoration of an old farmhouse, an introduction to Japanese-style handsaws, and an essential article on how to choose wood at the lumber yard.
Keep reading to see what tools were mentioned in this issue.
Continue reading: "This Old House - June 2007 - Review"
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a time to remember all of those who have fallen in the line of duty. We lost a good friend last year and wanted to pay tribute:
All joking aside, Memorial Day is an important holiday and if you’re looking for information on it, we suggest going to this Memorial Day site. They have a complete history of the holiday as well as online activities, poems, and speeches.
May 24, 2007
Safety Last
We just found these photos of the most unsafe people we've ever seen. Our only hope is that when these losers go to the big Jobox in the sky (and we have a hunch it'll be sooner rather than later), that they go alone and not cause any 'collateral damage'.
We can't decide who is the dumbest. Is it the guy on the ladder in the pool or the guy leaning over the edge of the roof? No, we have to say that it's the moron pictured to the right. You know he thought he was a genius when he came up with that contraption.
See the rest of the photos.
Skil iXO2 Cordless Palm Sized Screwdriver
Skil's entry in the 'Smallest Tool in America' contest is the iXO2 Cordless Palm Sized Screwdriver. Although it's pretty tiny, it looks like it has the power to become the go-to screwdriver for around-the-house needs.
The iXO2 comes with a cradle charger and a 22 piece bit set (including one drill bit). The battery is a Li-Ion so the tool is light as can be, not even hitting the one pound mark. There's a built-in work light and a charge indicator on the tool as well. According to Skil, the iXO2 holds a battery charge for up to 18 months, so it should always be ready to go, even after you lose it in the kitchen junk drawer for a year.
Continue reading: "Skil iXO2 Cordless Palm Sized Screwdriver"
May 23, 2007
Wagner PaintEater
If you're thinking about painting the house this summer, you're probably already dreading the scraping process; endless hours on a ladder covered with paint chips, scraping till it feels like you're arm's going to fall off. If this is your reoccurring nightmare, Wagner has a tool that might make things a lot easier for you. The PaintEater, aside from having a superhero name worthy of DC Comics, is a surface preparation tool that looks like it could help anyone speed up the first agonizing step of the painting routine.
The PaintEater exists somewhere between a grinder and an orbital sander. The pad looks like a circular Brillo and according to the Wagner website, isn't prone to getting clogged up with paint chips and dust. The tool has a Velcro hand strap for ladder work and a tool free arbor lock for quick and easy pad changing. There is also a secondary, retractable handle for those times when one hand just isn't cutting it.
Continue reading: "Wagner PaintEater"
Black & Decker Alligator Lopper 4.5 Amp Electric Chainsaw
This is a new one to us. Is it a chainsaw? Is it a set of loppers? Is it a weapon from Duke Nukem 3-D? We guess it’s a combination of A and B, but we’re not sure. With the Alligator Lopper, it appears that Black & Decker has created a tool that is essentially a lightweight, electric chainsaw with an interesting look and some nice safety features.
The Alligator has a set of scissor jaws that grab and hold onto the branch while the small chainsaw blade between them makes the cut. With this setup, the blade not only stays far away from your face but the jaws also act as blade guards, greatly reducing the chances of injury.
Continue reading: "Black & Decker Alligator Lopper 4.5 Amp Electric Chainsaw"
Porter-Cable 371K Compact Belt Sander - Review
We were pretty intrigued when we first heard about Porter-Cable's 371K Compact Belt Sander. Could it be true that we could have the power of a belt sander but with the size of an orbital? Does this mean no more aching arms after stints of operating our large, way-too-powerful belt sander? Well, that's the intent behind the 371K, but the question is, did Porter-Cable succeed?
The 371K is certainly compact, weighing in at around the 5 lb mark. Considering that Porter-Cable's two larger belt sanders weigh 10 lbs and 14 lbs, the 371K is a huge advancement in this area. Because of its small dimensions, the 371K does not have any traditional handle to speak of, only a removable front pommel and a padded area that wraps around the sides and top for gripping. This style of handle (non-handle, really) makes it very easy to switch around your grip on the tool, and, because of the likelihood that it's going to be used in some tight spaces, this becomes an innovative and essential feature.
Continue reading: "Porter-Cable 371K Compact Belt Sander - Review"
May 22, 2007
The Quick Angle – Review
It’s hard to summarize the Quick Angle in just a couple of words. We’ve thought about it and the best we can do is to describe it as the Swiss Army Knife of the measuring world. We first saw the tool at last year’s JLC show and then again at this year’s show and both times we were impressed with, not only its versatility, but also the amount of thought that must have gone into its design. It's part bevel gauge, part measuring square, part compass, and part Stephen Hawking.
The tool is a little larger than your standard bevel gauge and folds out with a third, central arm, which is where all the mathematical magic takes place. Each side of the arm is loaded with numbers and lines that may or may not come into play depending on which of the million and one functions you’re currently using the tool for. The arm also has a little mechanism that allows you lock the angle in place, so there are no worries of things shifting while you’re getting down off that ladder.
The Quick Angle can (are you ready for this?):
Continue reading: "The Quick Angle – Review"
May 21, 2007
The Ultimate Backyard Guide
Home Depot has 24 projects for your backyard ranging from the commonplace (storage bench) to the truly bizarre (10’ square lawn checkerboard). The projects are separated into three categories; play, entertain, and retreat and are mostly one weekend affairs, with the notable exception of the putting green. We’re pretty impressed that Home Depot chose such a strange selection of projects and really hope that somewhere out there someone is in the first stages of building an outdoor puppet theater.
Read on to see a list of all the projects
Continue reading: "The Ultimate Backyard Guide"
May 20, 2007
Fine Homebuilding No. 188 - Review
Taunton delivers another good issue of Fine Homebuilding this month. There’s a vague spring/summer feel to things with articles on customizing decks, creating stone steps, and a low risk way to reroof. There are also solid articles on SIPs (structural insulated panels), framing for a garage door, and building a paneled passageway.
In addition to all this good stuff, what we liked best about this issue is the article on undersink plumbing. It’s likely that your current plumbing is ill-conceived and prone to problems. This article isolates the issues at hand and gives a clear way to redo things to head off the multitude of problems that are just waiting to occur.
Keep reading to find out what tools were covered in this issue.
Continue reading: "Fine Homebuilding No. 188 - Review"
Woodsmith Vol 29 / No. 171 - Review
Woodsmith, our favorite woodworking magazine, showed up the other day and even though this issue isn’t an out of the park home run, it still sits far above the competitors. This time around, they’ve got some great stuff on stropping, cutting gauges, and the Incra Router Table Jig. For projects, there’s a sliding top table, an oak chaise lounge, and a carved book rack. The three projects are all very doable with some nice challenging aspects to each.
Also in the issue is a cool article on hand scrapers, a tool we don’t see enough people using, and one describing 7 tips and tricks for using oil stains. Screwing up the finishing process, after going through all the work of making something, is insanely frustrating and this article has a lot of good information on how to avoid those blunders.
As always, we recommend buying this issue and subscribing to the magazine.
Subscribe to Woodsmith here.
May 17, 2007
Fiskars Garden Bucket Caddy
If you’ve been doing any serious gardening this year, you’re probably already sick of lugging your hand tools around with you each time you move a couple feet to the next plant, or maybe you’re one of those people who leave your tools all over the lawn so they can get rained on. If either of these situations describes you, Fiskars has the solution. Their little Garden Bucket Caddy is a perfect way to tote around a selection of gardening tools with the added bonus of having a 5 gallon bucket at your disposal for weeds or more tools.
The Garden Bucket Caddy comes with a seed pocket to keep seeds nice and dry as well as a spot for a cell phone and a beverage holder. A few of the pockets have no bottoms to accommodate loppers or shears.
Continue reading: "Fiskars Garden Bucket Caddy"
Stanley Hi-Vis Tape Measure
Stanley has a new line of tape measures to add to the thousand varieties that already exist. These new ones are called Hi-Vis and, we assume, it's because they're the color of a fever dream. We're not sure if the tape actually glows in the dark, but it looks like that's a possibility (good news for those of you who like to use power tools at night). We expect that the tapes are built to the same high standards that all Stanley tape measures are, so if you like saying, "yeah, the insane greenish one, that's mine," then this might be the perfect tape for you.
Stanley's Hi-Vis are available in 12', 16', and 25' lengths. The 25' one retails for under $15.
At Amazon.com
May 16, 2007
Ridgid Fuego 6-1/2" Framing Saw for $99
For the month of May, and May alone, Ridgid is selling their Fuego 6-1/2” Framing Saw for the ridiculously low price of $99. We love this saw and can’t express enough what a great deal this is. In fact, we even thought that the regular retail price of $139 was a steal. Knock $40 off that and you’ve got a little slice of power tool heaven.
The Fuego is available at Home Depot.
Read our review of the Fuego here.
May 15, 2007
DeWalt Worklight Sweepstakes
This month DeWalt is giving away a Heavy-Duty Corded/Cordless Worklight. And it’s not just your standard worklight either; it comes complete with a dual port battery charger and three CGFI outlets. It looks like a nice tool to own, especially if it’s free. To get in on the action, go to the DeWalt website and simply register to win. Entries will be accepted until June 4th and the random drawing will be held on or about June 11. The worklight retails for around $150.
Enter the contest here.
Get the worklight at Amazon.com
May 11, 2007
Ryobi 229 Piece Rotary Tool Arrives For Review
The Ryobi 229 Piece Rotary Tool Kit showed up on the doorstep last night and it looks pretty sweet. If nothing else, it’s a very complete kit with just about everything you would need for getting started playing around with a rotary tool, including a 36” flexible shaft and a telescoping tool hanger. We’re looking forward to giving it a workout over the next few days and we’ll have a full review up soon. Stay tuned.
May 10, 2007
May 9, 2007
Velux Sun Tunnel Skylights
If you’ve ever wished you could brighten up your upstairs hallway or bring some natural light into a walk-in closet, you should spend some time looking at Velux’s line of Sun Tunnel Skylights. They're a great alternative to electrical lights, are easy to install, and once they are in, they require virtually no upkeep.
The principal is very simple. Light enters the tunnel through a little bubble that sits on your roof, it travels through the tunnel, and is dispersed at the other end through a frosted diffuser that looks like a recessed light. Now your dark, dank hallway looks as fresh and airy as Martha Stewart's rose garden
Continue reading: "Velux Sun Tunnel Skylights"
May 8, 2007
Arbortech AS160 Brick and Mortar Saw
Arbortech, an Australian company, has come out with the most innovative tool we've seen in a long while: the Arbortech AS160 brick and mortar saw. It's a really cool looking item and it's got a lot going for it. It cuts brick, wood, stone, fiber cement, and plastic, and it is capable of a plunge cut that your grinder can only dream of making.
The backbone of the AS160 technology is the manner in which it cuts. The tool uses two blades, situated right next to one another, that cut and hammer in an orbital, forward-facing pattern. This not only gives great versatility as far as cutting and plunge-cutting go, but according to Arbortech, this configuration also creates much less dust than a traditional grinder and allows the cut to be done dry.
Continue reading: "Arbortech AS160 Brick and Mortar Saw"
May 7, 2007
What Are “Factory Reconditioned Tools?”
If you shop for tools as much as we do, it’s likely that you’ve run across the term, “factory reconditioned,” usually attached to a tool that is being sold for quite a bit below the regular retail price. For those of you that don’t know what exactly “factory reconditioned” means, we’ve done the research and are here to tell you.
Essentially, a factory reconditioned tool is one that has, for one reason or another, been purchased, returned, revamped, and is now in the process of being resold. The important part to keep in mind is that once the tool is returned to the manufacturer; they inspect it and, if needed, repair it, bringing it back up to ‘new’ standards. Because some tools are returned due to user preference (too heavy, hate the color, dad already has one), not all reconditioned tools need repairs or have ever had any defects. It’s just that once the original packaging has been removed, they can no longer be sold as new. At the very worst, the tool may show very slight signs of usage. Maybe someone drove a few screws with that screw gun and decided it wasn’t powerful enough, that sort of thing.
Continue reading: "What Are “Factory Reconditioned Tools?”"
May 6, 2007
This Old House - May 2007 - Review
We apologize for being late in reviewing May's This Old House. Our excuse is that it’s, well, an altogether forgettable issue. It’s been on the coffee table for a while now, and after the first flip through, we’ve had very little interest in picking it up again.
There’s a pretty solid article about organic lawn care and a nice “How it Works” on solar hot water systems, but aside from those, the issue is pretty sub-standard fare. There’s a piece on different deck styles (each with a superhero-gone-wrong name; The Multi-Tasker, The Great Equalizer, and The Privacy Preserver), one on adding a cobblestone apron at the end of a driveway (Zzzzzz), and four pages dedicated to an unbearable “he said/she said” article about the renovation process.
Continue reading: "This Old House - May 2007 - Review"
May 5, 2007
Bosch PS10-2 10.8V I-Driver
Bosch has recently released the PS10-2 10.8V I-Driver, a little battery-powered screw driver, and it looks like a pretty interesting tool. Unlike most of the other battery screwdrivers this one is hinged right up at the driver end, as opposed to the center of the tool. This, as well as the fact that the hinge is capable of a 90 degree swing, allows the driver to fit in places that the others wouldn't have a chance of fitting. The entire head length is a short 3-1/2".
According to the Bosch website, the 10.8V I-Driver is capable of driving 100 3-inch screws on a single battery charge. Not bad for something the size of a flashlight. The 10.8V Driver is powered by a Lithium-Ion battery, which means longer life, lighter weight and no more of the long slow battery fade.
Continue reading: "Bosch PS10-2 10.8V I-Driver"
May 3, 2007
May 2, 2007
May 1, 2007
April 2007 Monthly Roundup for Tool Snob
We had a lot going on here this month at Tool Snob; reading about tools, using tools, reviewing tools…
Without question the tool of the month is the Ridgid Fuego, a great little circular saw that hasn’t left our side since it showed up on the doorstep. An honorable mention goes to, not a tool, but a book. Setting Up Shop is essential reading for any woodworker, hobbyist, or DIYer. And don’t think it’s just for people with $3,000 table saws. It’s not. In fact it’s really for people with small shops who are looking for creative ways to manage their space.
We’re looking forward to this next month. We’re in the process of reviewing the Quick Angle and we’re expecting Porter-Cable’s 371K mini belt sander any day now.
Tool of the Month
Ridgid Fuego 6-1/2" Framing Saw
Tool Reviews
Ridgid 3-1/2” Round Head Framing Nailer
Microplane Stainless Steel Sanding Discs
Handi-Shims
Ridgid Fuego 6-1/2" Framing Saw
Book Reviews
Renovating Old Houses
Setting Up Shop
New and Interesting Tools
Denali 115-Piece Home Repair Tool Kit
Bench Dog Push-Loc
Worx Blockbuster Hammer Drill/Driver
Black & Decker Grasshog 18-Volt Cordless String Trimmer
Porter-Cable 371K Compact Belt Sander
Ryobi 229 Piece Rotary Tool Kit
Veto Pro Pac
New and Interesting Building Materials
Pole-Wrap
Recalls
Ryobi Router Tables
Craftsman Circular Saw
Magazines
Fine Homebuilding No. 187 – Annual Houses Issue
This Old House - April 2007
Other Helpful Things We Found
Stihl Chainsaw Selector
Nail Gun Injuries on the Rise
How Nail Guns Work
Sweepstakes
DeWalt Jobsite Storage Chest Sweepstakes
Newsletter
Subscribe - RSS
Craftsman 10" MiterMate - Review
