Tool News
May 22, 2012
Yeah, we vanished for a little while there. Sorry about that. We once again got sidelined by the renovation. Lately we've been working on the house in the evenings, which leaves us little time for updating the site. We're going to be back at it this week though.
To give an idea of what we're up against, above is a shot of Tool Snob HQ (the part you can actually walk through...the other half is actually much worse)...it's pretty brutal. Clean up time has been reduced as well...I think I see Jimmy Hoffa behind the welder.
March 27, 2012
While the renovation is by no means done, Tool Snob HQ is back in operational conditions. There is no casing, certainly no paint, no baseboard, no floor in one room, no sink in the half bath, no tile in the master bath, and hardly any doors at all (including the bathrooms). But there is plumbing, electric, two toilets, a nice looking kitchen, and a heating system. Enough for us to move back in and get things going again.
So we're officially coming out of our long exile (pictured). We'll be posting more regularly and reviewing the mounds and mounds of tools that we've backlogged here (if you're a PR person who has sent us something in the past six months, please feel free to drop a line to badger/remind us). There are all kinds of good things coming...
October 27, 2011
See for yourself...
It's tough to beat that certain relentless flavor of antagonism that can develop between competing juggernauts. Coke vs. Pepsi. Ford vs. Chevy. The Hulkster vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper. Spears vs. Aguilera.
July 19, 2011
If you're a fan of Hardcore Hammers (and who isn't, really?), then we've got some news for you. Two things, really....
1. HH has just released a smooth faced version of their hammer called the Blunt Force. It's not the astounding piece of machined metal that their original hammer is (our review here), but it's pretty cool (and about 1/2 the price). We got our hands on one and have it sitting at the jobsite where it takes a daily beating. We hope to have a full review up soon.
2. HH also teamed up with Base Camp X, the makers of some very badass axes, to create a very ominous looking hammer. More details here (scroll down).
That's all we got for now.
April 26, 2011
We just got word that one of the most anticipated releases in the upcoming months (at least by us) has been delayed. On their facebook page, the guys at Tool Nut are using the terms, "delayed indefinitely" and "canceled." If that's the case, it sounds grim. We just saw the tool in action at JLC and from what we saw, it was pretty sweet (we covered the tool in some detail here and also in our JLC coverage here). When we find out what the scoop is we'll let you know. Before today, the release date was to be June 1st.
Shop for non-delayed, non-canceled, and non-delayed indefinitely Festool Products at FestoolProducts.com
April 20, 2011
We just got the official word....
For years, Tyler Tool customers have enjoyed a great selection of leading brands and low prices, not to mention good old fashioned customer service. Now Tyler Tool is powered by CPO's fully stocked warehouse, with more than 5,000 items in stock and ready to ship the same day.
Check out Tyler Tool here and the CPO Network here.
March 28, 2011
Last Friday, we hopped in the truck and drove on down to the annual JLC Live trade show in Providence, RI. While we would have like to have seen more small companies (the kind comprised of one dude and a good idea), there was a pretty good showing from the tool crowd, particularly those who cater to the residential construction sect. It also seemed like we couldn't take three steps without bumping into someone who wanted you to check out their new hidden deck fastener system.
A few of the tool highlights....
Continue reading: "JLC Live: Rhode Island - Recap"
January 20, 2011
There are two prevailing facts about Festool products:
1. They're built to extremely high quality standards.
2. They're expensive as hell.
Because of these two facts, there are a lot of people out there who really want some Festool products in the arsenal, but have a hard time pulling the trigger on the cost. Well, here's your chance...
For a limited time, Festool is selling their reconditioned stock. What is a reconditioned tool, you ask? Well, in our earlier post on the subject, we wrote,
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.
So here's your chance to get some sweet products at some nice discounts. We just got the Tool Nut email with the information...
Festool has just announced their reconditioned tool program. While supplies last and for a limited time only, thru February 1st to the 28th, you can grab any Festool for 10% up to 20% off. Yes, you heard us right, a 20% discount on Festool tools! Start your shopping here.
The program works like this. Check out Festool's reconditioned website. Pick out a tool. Call us at 877-TOOLNUT to place your order...your tool will be on it's way!
Tools will begin shipping February 1st. Supplies are very limited on a first come first served basis. Program ends on February 28th or while supplies last.
Festool isn't know for having much in the way of sales, so this is a big deal. We checked out the site and there's a Domino for $550, Jigsaws for about $250, and a Kapex for just a whisker over $1,000. Get 'em while they're hot.
January 18, 2011
The dust and speculation seem to be starting to settle on StanleyBlack&DeckerDeWaltPorterCable's sale of Delta. This release just hit the inbox and we thought we'd share...
DELTA® Woodworking Machinery Has A New Home - In Anderson, South Carolina
(Anderson, SC, January 18, 2011) - Chang Type Industrial Co. Ltd., a Taiwan-based manufacturing company, has agreed to purchase the Delta brand of woodworking equipment and machinery from Stanley Black & Decker. The deal is expected to close on February 4, 2011.
The new, independent company, Delta Power Equipment Corporation, will be based in Anderson County, South Carolina and led by Bryan Whiffen, who has been named President & Chief Executive Officer. Norm MacDonald has also joined the company as an Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Both Whiffen and MacDonald have years of experience in the power tool industry, and have been responsible for manufacturing and marketing such brands as Ryobi, Homelite, Milwaukee and Ridgid.
The new Delta company will continue to provide a complete line of professional woodworking equipment and machinery, and will continue to build the world-class Unisaw, as well as the Biesemeyer® accessories, in the United States. Plans are to move the manufacturing equipment from Jackson, Tennessee to the company's facility in Anderson.
Once fully operational, the Anderson facility will include manufacturing, R&D, engineering, sales and administrative functions.
"We are pleased to be able to say that the Unisaw will continue to be made in the USA," said Whiffen. "We are also excited for this opportunity to invest in the great Delta brand so that we can bring high quality, innovative woodworking equipment to Delta's loyal customers.
Delta Power Equipment Corp. is working to ensure that the fine sales and service that Delta dealers and woodworkers have come to expect will continue.
"Stanley Black & Decker has been very supportive of this sale and have agreed to help us make the transition as seamless as possible for our dealers and our customers," added Whiffen.
Customers and dealers can continue to obtain information on sales and service for Delta woodworking equipment at www.deltamachinery.com.
January 9, 2011
UPDATE: More information on the deal can be read here.
Last Friday, our homies over at Tool Nut posted this on their Facebook page:
Breaking News - Stanley / Black & Decker Group has sold Delta Machinery to a company that will be going by the name Delta Power Equipment based out of Anderson, SC.
We haven't been able to find any official word online and all websites are operating as normal, but the guys at Tool Nut ain't the gossip spreadin' types...
...talk amongst yourselves....
January 6, 2011
It's the most sought-after prize on the interweb. It puts the Nobel prize to shame. It makes the Caldecott Medal weep. It laughs in the face of the Olympic Gold. It's CopTool's annual Tool Talkie award, and we've just now recovered from the five day bender we roared into when we discovered that for the second straight year we achieved what most only dream of...a Tool Talkie.
This year, we managed a victory in the crowded field competing for the, "Most Likely to Have a Chain Saw in Their Hands" category. Was it our review of the $1000 Husqvarna chainsaw that set us over the edge? Or maybe the last-minute addition of the PowerSharp Chainsaw Sharpener review? We'll never know. It could have even been the review we did of our old Poulan. Doesn't matter. There's no looking back. We got the Talkie and that's all that's important.
We can only say that we are deeply indebted to CopTool for this overwhelming honor.
Check out the rest of the winners here.
December 14, 2010
This is pretty cool and very good news for Starrett. Seems like they've now become the official supplier of precision measurement tools for the Porche GT3 Cup car. So if you weren't convinced of the quality of Starrett's tools before, you have no excuses now.
And speaking of Porsche teaming up with a tool company, remember that goofy hammer drill that Porsche and Metabo made a while back? Wonder whatever happened to that thing...
PORSCHE MOTORSPORTS NORTH AMERICA DESIGNATES STARRETT AS OFFICIAL SUPPLIER FOR PRECISION MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, (December 9, 2010) - Today, at the 2010 Performance Racing Industry Show, Porsche Motorsports North America Inc. (PMNA) and The L.S. Starrett Company announced that they have entered into a partnership agreement designating Starrett the official supplier of PMNA for precision measurement technologies.
This is the first partnership of this type that PMNA has entered into in many years. Under the agreement, Starrett will supply the Porsche team with precision measuring tools to provide a wide variety of technical procedures to inspect and evaluate Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.
"With such close tolerances engineered into the components of our race cars, and precise measurements needed to extract the top performance from both the chassis and drive train, Porsche Motorsports North America is pleased to forge this partnership with L.S. Starrett Company for use of their tools and measurement devices for our racing effort." said Jens Walther, president of Porsche Motorsports North America, Inc.
In addition to providing precision measuring tools from the Company's broad offering, Starrett will continue to develop custom-engineered measuring solutions to meet PMNA's special requirements. With a half century of experience creating innovative custom solutions, a unique approach to a measurement application developed by Starrett may well give PMNA an advantage in their fiercely competitive sport.
"In performance motorsports, Porsche has long been the standard by which others are measured," said Hardy Hamann, Starrett vice president of Marketing and Business Development. "Similarly, Starrett is a leader in precision measuring tools and has been for well over a century." Hamann continued. "This partnership between our two companies is a perfect match."
Founded in 1880, The L.S. Starrett Company manufactures and markets precision measurement tools, metrology equipment, band saw blades, power tool accessories, jobsite and shop tools and offers custom-engineered solution services. Long known as "the world's greatest toolmaker," Starrett continues to set the standard of excellence through practical innovation, exceptional quality and unmatched precision.
November 3, 2010
If you spend time online, it doesn't take long to come to the conclusion that there are a lot of really not-so-good-looking tool company websites out there (frames? who the hell still uses frames?). Thankfully, the worst of the worst (Paslode) was recently redesigned. It turns out that RotoZip and Metabo also just got a makeover.
Of the two, the RotoZip redesign is the most drastic, and most beneficial. The old one consisted of a nondescript listing of tool model numbers (snore). The new one is much nicer and has a real polished feel to it. Way to go fellas.
The Metabo redesign looks more like an aesthetic pass than a total gut. Sort of like painting over the old wallpaper in the kitchen. Still, it looks a whole lot better.
Visit RotoZip and Metabo
RotoZip tools at Amazon.com
Metabo tools at Amazon.com
October 22, 2010
Senco, who until recently had the worst website in all of tooldom has given their online presence a much needed fluff and buff. Actually, that's not true, what they did was thankfully start over from scratch. Their new uber-cool finish gun, the Fusion (our review here), already had its own micro-site, but it was becoming more and more of a struggle to hold back the retching when we were forced to deal with their main company site. It was so bad it belongs in a museum.
But that's all over and the new site looks good (and even has a link back to us in the 'Press/News' section...HOO-HAA).
So check out the new and much improved Senco website here.
Disappeared Again...
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