One of the most labor intensive do-it-yourself tasks is hammering. Not only can it quickly become extremely tiring but if you don't have the right technique you may waste a lot of nails including your own!
The Hammerhead Auto Hammer from Craftsman looks to make hammering standard and finish nails a cinch by saving you time and energy.
While overkill for building shelves or light-duty work and maybe not the best option for general carpentry, the Hammerhead falls somewhere in between contractor grade and DIY. The best examples we can think of are building a ramp, installing baseboards or putting up a fence.
How It Works
You simply load up a nail into the magnetic holder and lay it against the surface to be nailed. Pull the trigger and at a rate of 3600 impacts per minute the Hammerhead goes to work. Within a second your nail will be flush with the surface.
It took less than a second to drive a nail through a 2x4 and when it was done there was no damage to the surrounding wood.
This giveaway opportunity is only for our Facebook fans. If you're already a fan then your eligible, otherwise just friend us and you're in for this giveaway and others. You'll also receive our greatest hits from the blog right into your friend stream.
We're fans of the Hard Case line of flashlights from Energizer and this 4 LED swivel light light promises to be as useful and durable as any.
It's small size makes it great for the car, truck, boat and camping. As well as stashed in rooms throughout the house. The attached clip allows you to place this on your belt or in your pocket and the rotating head allows for 125 degrees of angled light.
HOW TO ENTER
Become our Fan on Facebook. That's it!
GIVEAWAY DEADLINE
The random winner will be chosen at 12 midnight EST on March. 20, 2010 and will be notified immediately.
One of the most low-tech but effective products we saw at CES this year was the Cyber Clean. It was marketed as a keyboard and desk cleaner but can be used to clean any item that may have hard to reach crevices such as auto air-conditioner vents, printer buttons, phone keypads.
Just apply the Cyber Clean blob directly to the surface to be cleaned and pull up. All dirt and particles are absorbed by the blob and it can be used over and over again. Once the color of the blob becomes darker then you know it's time to throw it away.
We applied it to our keyboard and after a couple uses the keyboard surface free from all dust and particles.
This weeks giveaway is for the woodworkers out there! Amateurs and pros will all agree that this pocket hole clamp from Rockler is indispensable when it comes to joinery. This clamp is a welcome addition to any workshop and would make a great gift for the budding craftsman in your family.
One winner will receive two clamps as they really are best used in pairs.
More details:
Clamp and surface align your pocket hole joints easily.
Works with 3/8'' pocket holes on 3/4'' thick face frames and casework.
Clearance in clamp body allows for clamping and fastening of double joints in one step. Ratcheting handle enables clamp to function while laying flat on the workbench.
Pin is adjustable in length to utilize pocket holes of varying depth.
Lightweight aluminum construction.
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS FOR ENTERING***
HOW TO ENTER
You've got 2 ways to enter to win these Rockler pocket-hole clamps:
1. Leave a comment on this post with the words "Rockler rocks!".
2. Tweet this post with the words "@Rockler rocks"
Only one entry permitted per email address but each method of entry counts and so you'll increase your chance of winning if you comment and tweet. Please use a real email address so we can contact you if you win.
GIVEAWAY DEADLINE
The random winner will be chosen at 12 midnight EST on March 12, 2010 and will be notified immediately.
COMMENT HERE TO WIN
This photo gallery of tool tattoos was popular on our main and deserves to also be shared on our tool blog. Inspired by this T Square tattoo we spotted on a recent trip to Seattle, we decided to pull together a photo gallery of tattoos dedicated to tools.
It's difficult to tell which body part some of these tool tattoos are located on but many of them would be very difficult to cover up which shows true dedication to their tool tat.
The wrench seems to be the most popular tool put to ink and no better tool represents the working-class, DIY ethos more than a wrench.
Which one's your favorite?
One Project Closer just tipped us that Craftsman tools will now be available in about 100 Ace Hardware stores by this summer. Ace Hardware will start with about 10% of the Craftsman line and go from there.
This is big news for Sears Holdings as they've found a partner in Ace Hardware that has a reach and distribution that Sears is lacking. In a poll conducted by Popular Mechanics last year, Craftsman was chosen as the readers favorite so this venture should prove well for both parties.
We like unique bottle openers and when they also incorporate other functions we are besides ourselves. Case in point, the Screwpop. It's a 4-1 tool that is small enough to attach to your keychain. It's great when you're in a bind and need a flathead or phillips screwdriver or if you're parched and can't find a bottle opener.
There's also a 1/4" hex nut driver if the occasion arises for that.
These are available for $4.95 and you can purchase from their website.
If you've heeded our earlier advice to invest in good, durable tools, the next step is to ensure proper care and maintenance in order to extend the life of your tool collection. The most popular tool upkeep task is sharpening blades, so you'll need to select a file or stone that best complements your blade and the size of the tool.
We got our hands on a hardcore bottle opener from Craftsman. It's made from the same forged steel that all of their hand tools are and you can certainly feel it's heft.
Another unconventional bottle opener that will add a bit of steampunk to your party is this railroad spike opener. These are reclaimed spikes all of which have been hand-forged and are one-of-a-kind.
As everyone knows the mid-Atlantic has been walloped with more snow than usual and many parts of the rest of the country are also blanketed in the white stuff.
We really like products that take a basic tool and improve on it without trying too hard to revolutionize a process. The SnoBoss from True Temper looks to fit the bill as it retains the same function of shoveling snow but with a few enhancements it has made the process less arduous and more efficient.
What we like most about this design are the neutral hand-grips that allow your body to work from a stronger position which relieves stress on your back and wrists. There's also a footstep to provide more leverage.
Sustainability is becoming an ever-present buzz word, applied to everything from wardrobe choices to home construction. PJ of Unclutterer offers his take on buying durable, sustainable tools that make better, more longer lasting choices, resulting in the need for fewer replacements (and a decreased chance that you'll end up with an out-of-control tool collection!)
He also includes a link to an earlier post of his recommendations for must-have tools, a handy guide for those who want to build a basic yet thorough set that can tackle most home repairs.
Photo from IronMongery.com
A friend who is an avid DIY enthusiast, recently shared his love for his new oscillating power tool. He has the Fein Multi-Master which I had the opportunity to test at the International Builders' Show a few weeks ago. It's really been the only player on the market for some time and according to Toolsnob Fein's patent on the tool expired and now new offerings from Dremel and Rockwell have become available and at a lower price.
Rockwell was certainly pushing their oscillating multi-tool at the Builders' Show and had a board setup for attendees to cut out small squares with and take note of how quickly and quietly it operated.
One Project Closer recently did a thorough review of the Dremel Multi-Max and came away very pleased and highly recommend it.
These hammer and saw cufflinks from designer Debbie Howe will add a little DIY flair to your finest shirt and suit.
Hand-made in New York of sterling silver and real wood. Available for $88.
