Festool Tape Measure

It looks like Festool has a new tape measure that they're offering only while supplies last. And since it's a Festool, it has to be all reinvented and fancypants. But of course (because it's Festool), all of the innovations are smartly done. First, the tape is in both metric and imperial (which to us American users, gives us a nice reference point for our other Festool tools, which are all in metric). Second, the tape has a viewing window on the top of the body, which reads inside distances, so you can just back the tape up to an inside corner and look in the window to get your distance. No more adding some odd dimension like 3-3/16" to get the measurement. Third, the tape has a flip down tap that can be used to mark a radius.

Of course Festool had to show everyone up and reinvent the tape measure. The innovation in that company is seemingly without bounds. We hope they take on the hammer next.

The tape has a maximum distance of ten feet and costs $25. Like we said, it's a "while supplies last" deal, so if you want one, act fast.

At Jamestown Distributors

C.H. Hanson Chalk Hog - Review

How much can you really say about a chalk line? Before today, we thought the answer was, "not much." But, after using C.H. Hanson's Chalk Hog for a while, we found that, with any finely-crafted tool, we can just keep talking and talking and talking...

The Chalk Hog is part of C.H. Hanson's ongoing Signature Series which kicked off last year with the release of the freakishly cool Pivot Square, and like that tool, the Hog is an innovative take on an old standard.

Continue reading: "C.H. Hanson Chalk Hog - Review"

C.H. Hanson Tools at Amazon

We just noticed that some of C.H Hanson's tools are now being sold at Amazon. Previously, the only place we could find them was at C.H. Hanson Direct, but now, not only does Amazon stock them, but they've got them at great prices too. The $80 something Pivot Square is now in the $50 range!

Pivot Square - review - at Amazon
Slide Square - review - at Amazon

Sadly, they don't seem to stock the SuperPencil.

C.H. Hanson Chalk Hog 100

C.H. Hanson has recently added another tool to their impressive Signature Series. This time it's the Chalk Hog 100, a high-powered chalk line loaded with features.

First, the Chalk Hog is equipped with a poly-braided line that not only leaves a clean marking line, but it is also stronger than the traditional line. Second, at the end of the line is something that C.H. Hanson refers to as the End-Mate, which is some sort of reinforced hook that can grip an edge even when being used at an angle.

Third, the Chalk Hog can be filled and used like any normal chalk line, or, if you're looking at a full day of marking and layout, you have the option of screwing the chalk bottle directly to the Hog. And finally, there's also an on board pencil sharpener.

We've been very impressed with C.H. Hanson's other layout and marking tools, particularly the Pivot Square and the Slide Square, so we'd wager that this is another winner and that it is easily worth the $15-$20 that it costs.

At Amazon

C.H. Hanson Slide Square - Review

Apparently, attempting to redefine layout tools with the Pivot Square wasn't enough for C.H. Hanson. The frantically innovative tool company has just released the Slide Square, a tool that may just replace the speed square as the back pocket tool of choice for contractors.

From what we can tell, just about everything that your speed square can do, the Slide Square can do. And on top of that there are a few tricks that the Slide Square has that can't be done with a speed square.

Continue reading: "C.H. Hanson Slide Square - Review"

SquareONE

The guys at Generation Tools appear to have crammed a lot of functionality into their unique SquareONE. The tool is an interesting idea; part drawing surface, part tape measure, and part speed square. In addition to all of that, it's got a pencil sharpener, a pencil holder, a level, a protractor, and a removable squaring edge.

The SquareONE is rubber coated for durability and the tape measure tip is a three rivet design for added strength.

Although it looks a bit silly at first, it could be a cool thing to have, particularly for the writing surface. Just think how nice it would be nice to sketch out an idea and not do it on a scrap of drywall.

The SquareONE comes in a variety of models, each with a different cost. As far as we can tell, the difference is primarily in the length of the tape measure. There is no indication exactly how big the SquareONE is.

• 10' SquareONE - $7.99
• 12' SquareONE - $9.99
• 16' SquareONE - $10.99
• 18' SquareONE - $11.99
• 25' SquareONE - $19.99

At Generation Tools

C.H. Hanson SuperPencil - Review

C.H. Hanson continues their Signature Series with the new Superpencil, a pencil so blatantly powerful that other pencils warp when it comes near. What it is is a regular looking carpenter's pencil that is made entirely of a graphite composite. The result is a pencil that has a ridiculously long life and always has a variety of edges to choose from.

C.H. Hanson says that the SuperPencil lasts seven times as long as a normal pencil. From our experience with it, this might be a low number. As they advertise, you really don't have to sharpen it because, somewhere, there is always an edge. Sure, we had to get a bit creative from time to time and hold the pencil at an odd angle, but still, it's impressive. With rough framing, we opted to just use one of the thick edges, but as things got to finish work, we went ahead and sharpened it to a point and used that.

Continue reading: "C.H. Hanson SuperPencil - Review"

New Tools in C.H. Hanson's Signature Series

Last month, C.H. Hanson kicked off their new signature series with the amazing Pivot Square and they've just now rolled out two new tools in the series. Their Signature Series emphasizes innovative tools that approach old tasks in a new light. There's no doubt that the Pivot Square fits the criteria, we found it to be a challenging, inventive, and when all is said and done, absolutely amazing tool. As a related aside, one of the reasons why we like C.H. Hanson so much is that right on the front page of their website, they have a giant tab marked, "Inventor Inquiries." These guys are really actually looking for new ideas. It's not just lip service. They want to hear about all your freaky jigs that you make in your workshop in order to make your work go faster.

So the new tools are....

Continue reading: "New Tools in C.H. Hanson's Signature Series"

C.H. Hanson Pivot Square - Review

C.H. Hanson, a company known for their high-quality layout and marking tools, has begun rolling out a new line of innovative tools they call the Signature Series. Kicking off this collection is their new Pivot Square, an all-in-one roof and stair layout tool.

At first glance, the Pivot Square looks like a traditional speed square with a few level vials built-in. But upon closer inspection there are plenty of differences. First, it's larger, with the sides measuring 8" as opposed to 7". Secondly, and more significantly, there is a portion of the square that pivots out and can be locked in position, much like a bevel gauge. But, unlike a $4.99 bevel gauge, the pivot square tells you the degree as well as the roof pitch of the captured angle. Also, the hypotenuse has a ruler on it, as opposed to a degree finder.

Continue reading: "C.H. Hanson Pivot Square - Review"

C.H. Hanson Pivot Square Arrives for Review

Our friends at C.H. Hanson, makers of fine marking and layout tools, have been nice enough to send us one of their new Pivot Squares for a test run. The Pivot Square is the first tool in their Signature Series, a new line of innovative and high-quality tools. Well, at first glance, we can say that the Pivot Square meets these criteria. It resembles a standard speed square, but it has three leveling vials and it the ability to open up and capture angles like a bevel gauge. It looks like an all-in-one framing tool, particularly useful for rafter layout.

The Pivot Square comes with a nice carrying case, a carpenter's pencil, and The Expert Guide to Roof Construction and Framing, a little book that fits nicely into the case. The Pivot Square retails for $83.92 and is available at Hanson Direct.

We'll be testing it out this week and we'll have a review up soon.

The review is here.

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