This Old House Pumpking Carving Contest

This Old House has sponsored a pumpkin carving contest and the results are completely off the handle. Over at their website, you can page through the entries and vote for the ones that you like and dislike. Think of it as a 'Hot or Not' of the Halloween set. Voting is going to be open until noon tomorrow (Thursday).

We went through quite a few and although there are some weak ones in the bunch, the majority are really amazing. We've always been partial to Marty Feldman, so that one got our vote.

Check out the pumpkins and vote here.

Tooliday

Tool King has a new site up and it's called Tooliday. It's a simple one page with a new deal each day. Yesterday it was some spade bits for a few bucks, today it's a dead-blow hammer for $3.29. Monday, it was a finish gun.

Each deal is available for one day only (act now!) and there's even a convenient little ticker that tells you how much time you have left, adding even more pressure to buy. It's the sort of thing where if you go looking for something, you're not going to find it, but if you go there, you'll find something you need. Does that make any sense?

If you're hesitant about spreading that credit card around to online retailers you've never used before, we can vouch for Tool King. We've bought plenty of stuff from them over the years and they're as legit as they come.

Go to Tooliday here. It's worth a bookmark and a daily check in.

Using a Water Level

Sometimes all the finest and most current technology can't out-do the tried and true method of a few thousand years. All the fancypants level companies have yet to create one that can project from one room, down a hallway, around a corner, and into another room. So put away your Stabilas, Fat Max's, and your PLSs and try out a water level.

We used a water level a few years back on a waterproofing basement job. The floor, if you could call it that, was wildly uneven, and the basement twisted and turned like the Minotaur's labryinth on the Isle of Crete. Using a standard laser level would have taken time and would have required moving it around and making benchmarks. Instead, we filled a tube with water and had all of our points marked by coffee break.

Fine Homebuilding's Using a Water Level

factsfacts Making and Using a Water Level

Wovel...yes, we just said, "Wovel"

We've often sat around wondering what you would get if you crossed a catapult, a unicycle, and a snow shovel. It appears that we're not the only ones. Looking like a reject from DaVinci's sketchbook, the Wovel is a bizarre ergonomic show shovel. Instead of using your back to lift the snow and get it on the snowbank, you only need to give it a jerk and the leverage on the wheel does the work for you.

It looks like it might work. It also looks like your neighbors will have you hauled off to the asylum if they see you using one. There are some things that are silly no matter how useful they are.

The Wovel costs about $120. It's a lot of money to pay in order to look ridiculous.

At Amazon

RotoZip Cuts Martian Permafrost

We're not kidding. Earlier in the week, while researching Rotozip's Dust Extraction Kit, we stumbled across the following press release:

Continue reading: "RotoZip Cuts Martian Permafrost"

How-To Install Crown Molding

If you're looking down the barrel of a crown molding project, it's worthwhile to check out the article over at Extreme How-To, called, "Crown Molding in Review." Author Matt Weber goes over all the basics of installation, focusing on how to cope inside corners.

One thing that the article doesn't spend too much time on is how to actually cut the piece. It's a complicated process and would take an entire article in itself to explain. But, lookee here, Extreme How-To also has another article in its archives on just that topic. That one is called, "DIY Crown Molding and Trim."

We would suggest reading them both for a good picture of what's involved. Also, a while back, we looked at the Bench Dog Crown Cut, which looks like it could be a big help with the cutting aspect of the project.

Crown Molding in Review (article)
http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=60354 (article)
Bench Dog Crown Cut at Amazon

RotoZip Dust Extraction Adapter Kit

We pity anyone who doesn't understand the glories of the RotoZip. It's sort of the younger, crazier brother of the laminate trimmer. But even though it's such a great tool, we've always had two complaints about the tool; we rip through blades like they were tissue paper, and the dust can be extreme.

There have been moves on the first front, with the release of the XBits a few years ago, and now, to address our second issue, we see that RotoZip has released a Dust Extraction Adapter Kit. The look of it is simple enough, just a plastic sheath that sits over the bit while it does its work, and a 1-1/4" hose adapter to suck all the dust away.

The kit sells for about $16, which isn't much when you think of the time spent sweeping up the mess you just made.

At Amazon

Bosch T308B Extra Clean Wood Jigsaw Blades - Review

It looks like we're the last ones to the party here. Both Toologics and CopTool have done nice reviews of Bosch's new Extra-Clean Wood Jigsaw Blades, and honestly, there's not a whole lot we can add. We tested the blades ourselves and, like the others, found them to be something of a revelation. In fact, we've never such clean cuts come from a jigsaw.

The science behind it is that the blade is divided in half, with one set of teeth cutting on the up-stroke and one set cutting on the down-stroke. The results are astounding, leaving a clean cut and causing absolutely no chipping or flaking. We would recommend these blades to anyone interested in his jigsaw cuts not looking like they were chewed by a dog.

Over at Ohio Power Tools and Amazon, the blades are selling for just under $10 for a five pack. This puts them at just a little more expensive than the rest of the herd, which goes for anywhere between $7-$8. We think the extra buck or two is a small price to pay for what you're getting.

At Ohio Power Tools and Amazon

Rockwell SoniCrafter Oscillating Tool

UPDATE: Our full review of the Rockwell SoniCrafter is here.

Well, the floodgates are officially open. With Fein's patent all worn out, Bosch, Dremel, and now Rockwell, all have oscillating tools headed for the marketplace. Rockwell's version is called the SoniCrafter and, judging from price alone, it appears to be most similar to the Dremel.

The SoniCrafter has 2.3 amps and a no-load speed of 11,000 to 20,000 opm. Beyond that, there's not a whole lot of information available on the tool, so things like accessory compatibility with other oscillating tools remain a mystery. Amazon, who lists the tool in their inventory, doesn't say that it hasn't been released yet, like they do with some items, but they do indicate that it is not currently available, leading us to believe that the official release date hasn't yet come to pass.

The SoniCrafter is/will be available in three kits; a 20-piece, a 37-piece, and a massive 72-piece. Respectively, they will cost $120, $140, and $180. If the accessories are anything other than total junk, the 72-piece kit looks like a winner to us.

If we find out any more info on this tool, we'll let you know.

20-Piece Kit at Amazon
37-Piece Kit at Amazon
72-Piece Kit at Amazon

Orbital Sander Face-Off

The good folks over at Popular Mechanics recently tested three orbital sanders head to head. They judged on power & speed, quality of finish, and ergonomics. The three sanders are the Festool, the Bosch, and the Craftsman Vibrafree.

You're probably thinking, "Why should I even click on the link to read the results? The Festool crushed the competition, but the Bosch was a solid second, with both of them leaving the Craftsman in the dust, right?" Not exactly. What they discovered is likely to surprise you.

The test results, with video, are here.

PDY Systems Lift-N-Lok Organizer - Review

We're starting to have a bit of a storage issue. The big stuff is fine, it can go on shelves, it's the small stuff that starting to get to us.; the small hand tools that keep ending up in a pile at the end of the workbench; the fasteners that we have so few of left, they don't deserve a box, but we hate throwing them out; things like our glue gun and our Skil Power Wrench, which aren't big enough for their own dedicated box, but which also have enough accessories that there needs to be some containment. We recently tried out a new organizer called the Lift-N-Lok to see if that would help us with our clutter problems.

Continue reading: "PDY Systems Lift-N-Lok Organizer - Review"

Leatherman Serac S1, S2, and S3 Flashlights

Now that they have attained total dominance of the multi-tool world, Leatherman has set its sights on the house of Maglite with the release of their three new LED flashlights; the Serac S1, the Serac S2, and the Serac S3.

Each light has an aluminum body, with the larger two having stainless steel bezels. The lights range from "fun-size Twix"-sized (S1) to "roll of quarters"-sized (S3). Because of the Leatherman name our guess is that they can take a beating. They look to us like they'd be good in the glove box, the kitchen drawer, the backpack, or the toolbox.

If you want to compare the three lights for yourself, Leatherman has set up this page where you can see all the stats side by side.

But for something this small, they sure aren't cheap. The S1 goes for $25, the S2 $50, and the S3 $70. Pretty expensive for something that weighs 2.6 oz.

Oh, and FYI, according to Dictionary.com a Serac is, "a large irregularity of glacial ice, as a pinnacle found in glacial crevasses and formed by melting or movement of the ice." So if that doesn't make you feel rugged while you're using the light to find your car keys, we don't know what will.

Leatherman Serac S1 at Amazon
Leatherman Serac S2 at Amazon
Leatherman Serac S3 at Amazon

Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool, Bosch PS50 Oscillating Tool - Review

Update: Because there is so much interest in these tools, we're going to keep updating this article as we use the tools more and as you write us and let us know any questions or comments that you have. In a sense, this will be a 'living document.' Sounds very intellectual for a review of a couple of power tools.

Update II: We've spent more time with these tools and have updated our review with further thoughts. We also have review up of the Rockwell SoniCrafter Oscillating Tool and the Fein MultiMaster.

*****

We're going to review these tools together because it seems that there are two questions to be answered here: 1) should I get an oscillating tool? and 2) which one should I get? The answer to the first question is a simple, yes. Of course you should get an oscillating tool. The Fein Multi-Master, which has essentially been the only one on the market for years (aside from the mini-model making Proxxon) is without question one of our favorite tools. Its durability and versatility make it the go-to in a wide range of circumstances. Oscillating tools can cut, plunge cut, sand, grind, and polish. To this point, they've been indispensable to the carpenter, and because of the price, unreasonable for the homeowner.

But now that Fein's patent has worn out, both Dremel and Bosch are offering their own versions at lower prices. A while back Proxxon struck some sort of licensing deal which allowed them to make their oscillating tool, but due to the fact that it was so much smaller than the Fein, it wasn't a competitor (our full review of the Proxxon is here).

This review is going to be broken down into the following categories; ergonomics and ease of use, power, accessories, the case, and price. We're going to comment on both the Dremel and the Bosch for each one and add in comments on the Fein and Proxxon where we see fit. Our goal isn't to pick a winner, but rather, since we've already decided that you need an oscillating tool, to lay it out which one's best for your needs.

So onward with the Bosch v. Dremel v. Fein v. Proxxon smackdown...

Continue reading: "Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool, Bosch PS50 Oscillating Tool - Review"

How to Make Your Own Milk Paint

Charles & Hudson, a wonderful clearinghouse of interesting and offbeat DIY articles, just posted a great entry on how to make your own milk paint. Even if you're not familiar with milk paint, it's likely that you've seen it before. The look of it is earthly and rustic and it's a great way to get that distressed look that is so prevalent at places like Ballard Designs. According to Charles and Hudson, the traditional paint...

...is enjoying something of a revival. Because it is solvent/fume-free, it is considered an eco-friendly, no-VOC alternative to oil and latex paint.

If you get it in a store, milk paint is available in a gallon, like any other paint, or you can get it in powder form.

Read the article at Charles & Hudson here.

Buy milk paint and books about milk paint at Amazon

Gerber Artifact Pocket Keychain Tool

With the overwhelming success of the Leatherman Skeletool, it's not surprising that some other companies are going to follow suit with their own lightweight, minimalist multi-tools. The first one we've seen is from renowned knife maker Gerber and is called The Artifact.

This stripped down little item contains a replaceable hobby blade, small and medium flat drivers, wire strippers, pry bar/paint can opener, a lanyard/keychain attachment hole, and, most importantly, a bottle opener. Not bad for something that is only 3.5 inches in length (4.8 with blade open).

Now, this is no Skeletool, it doesn't have half the functionality, but, unlike the Skeletool, it only costs $10. With the amount that we use our Leatherman, we'd bet that this small tool would be handy in any pocket out there. You really don't have any idea how often you'll use a multi-tool until you have one on you and for $10, this looks like a great place to start if you're not sure you want to give up that precious pocket real estate.

At Amazon

Artillery Tools to Release New Attachments

We are all in favor of the Artillery Bar. We gave it a positive review a while back and since then have only grown to like it more and more. We trash a ceiling, a decks, and a subfloor with it and it is currently in the hands of a friend who is taking a dormer off. Now, to make the tool even more functional, Artillery Tools is taking pre-orders for a number of new attachments set to be released very soon.

The new attachments are:

• 25" Fiberglass Handle
  
• Ball Grip and Cap
  
• Deck Blade
  
• Staple and Finish Nail Blade
  
• 8" Blade (pictured)
  
• Deck Fulcrum
  
• Rebar Bender Head
  
• Buried Nail Blade

Of these, the Rebar Bender and the Buried Nail Blade look to be the most interesting. The attachments range in price from $20 (Ball Grip) to $55 (Rebar Bender).

At the moment, the new attachments aren't on the website (except for the 8" blade), but if you're interested in more information, go to the contact page and drop Joe a line. He's a great guy and he'd be happy to hear from you.

At Artillery Tools

Bosch RS35 15 Amp Reciprocating Saw

It looks like Bosch has entered, like Makita and Milwaukee before them, the realm of heavy-duty, house-destroying, 15-amp reciprocating saws. Their model is called the RS35 and from the picture it looks like quite a bruiser.

According to Bosch, the saw is equipped with "Constant Response circuitry, which maintains consistent, controlled power, combined with adjustable aggressive orbital action provides superior cutting performance over a broad range of materials." It also has an anti-vibration system, much like the Makita and the Milwaukee. The blade change can be done with one hand, which makes us believe that the chuck is similar to the spring loaded Makita, which ejects the blade when you unlock it (we're pretty sure the Milwaukee has this too). This is a great feature to have because recip blades can really heat up.

Another thing worth noting is that, thankfully, on this model, they've attached the cord to the tool, abandoning the 'plug directly into the body of the tool' concept that really irritated us in earlier models.

The Bosch is going to retail for around $200, (Makita $175, Milwaukee $200) and, like the Makita, it has a one-year warranty (the Milwaukee has a five-year). We usually don't mention warranties, but for something that you're going to abuse as much as a good recip saw, it might be worth considering.

Clarke Power Products Crocodile Saw - Review

Clarke Power Products has recently released something called the Crocodile Saw, which, at first glance, looks like a hybrid between a grinder and those great little trim saws that Makita and Porter-Cable make. The hook on the Croc is that it has the ability to handle wood, tile, stone, and metal. It has a 4 amp motor and a number of interesting safety features to help it along this task. We've had one in the shop for about two months now and have come to our conclusions. Is it too good to be true; to have one saw to deal with all of these materials? Read on to find out.

Continue reading: "Clarke Power Products Crocodile Saw - Review"

Husky Tough Tape - Review

Impressing us with a tape measure is a tall order. We're all but legally married to the Stanley Fat Max 25 footer. To us, it's the pinnacle of tape measures. All other tapes bow before it like serfs before King Conan. But every once in a while one of those serfs gets uppity and decides to challenge the king in hand to hand combat, and that's just what Husky has done with their new Tough Tape. So we grudgingly set down the Fax Max and picked up the Tough Tape for a few weeks and here's what we found.

Continue reading: "Husky Tough Tape - Review"

DeWalt 18V Cordless Drill/Driver Kit Sweepstakes

DeWalt is giving away one of their 18V Cordless Driver kits in a random drawing. To enter, just go to their website and log-in. That's it, pretty easy. The deadline is October 13th and the drawing is the 18th.

If you'd be happier just buying the kit for about $200, you can do so at Amazon.

Enter the drawing here.

September 2008 Monthly Round Up for Tool Snob

September is done and we're still in the middle of projects that were slated for a July finish date. The grass isn't planted, the retaining wall is still falling down and the painting is looking like it might have to be postponed to next Spring. Oh well, at least the tree guy was here today so the woodshed is looking pretty good.

The September Tool of the Month is a hands-down, no-brainer, 'this is as easy as it gets,' Milwaukee Hackzall. Not only is this the coolest thing we looked at all month, it might be the best thing we've seen all year. It's an amazing little tool that has endless uses and we recommend it to anyone with a pulse. Read our review of it here.

Tool of the Month

• Milwaukee Hackzall - Review

All Reviews

• Milwaukee Hackzall - Review
• Paslode Roofer's Choice R175-C Coil Roofing Nailer - Review
• Bosch PS20 12v Max Pocket Driver - Review
• DAP Kwik Seal 3.0 - Review

Air Tools

• Paslode Roofer's Choice R175-C Coil Roofing Nailer - Review

Benches, Stands, and Storage

• DIY Storage Helpers

Building Materials

• Rainwater Pillow
• Marvin Ultimate Replacement Casement

Cordless

• Milwaukee Hackzall - Review
• Bosch PS50 Multi-X Oscillating Tool
• Bosch PS20 12v Max Pocket Driver - Review

Distractions

• Top Ten Tools
• Beer Can House

Glues and Adhesives

• DAP Kwik Seal 3.0 - Review

Hand Tools

• CreteSheet
• ThumbSaver Magnetic Nail Setter

How-To

• How to Build a Deck, Part One
• How to Patch Drywall, Part Two
• DIY Storage Helpers

Lawn/Garden

• CreteSheet

Lithium-Ion

• Milwaukee Hackzall - Review
• Bosch PS50 Multi-X Oscillating Tool
• Bosch PS20 12v Max Pocket Driver - Review

Measuring & Marking

• Bobs Rule

Monthly Roundup

• August Monthly Roundup

Oscillating Tools

• Bosch PS50 Multi-X Oscillating Tool Arrives for Review
• Bosch PS50 Multi-X Oscillating Tool

Painting

• DAP Kwik Seal 3.0 - Review

Power Tools

• Milwaukee M12 Copper Tubing Cutter
• Ridgid Twist Handle 7" Angle Grinder
• Bosch PS50 Multi-X Oscillating Tool
• Bosch PS20 12v Max Pocket Driver - Review

Promotions

• DeWalt Top Finish Carpenter Contest